Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-01-30

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of them wanted revenge Yes, they all
wanted that, but as they were unarm-
ed and Baranov surrounded by sold
iers and cannon their revenge would
be postponed The Russian Cover
nor paused and handed his sword to a
| brother of the ''cremated," whose eye
glittered and frame bounded at the
opportunity afforded him to retaliate
in presence of his tribe. He made a
rush at the dreaded Baranoy and was
horified with amazeuaent and awed
that he done no injnry further than
breaking the sword in two. Baranov
had taken the precaution of inserting
himself in a coat of mail inside his
clothing, and knowing the supersti-
tious nature and character of the saya-
ges, and what the result would be,
that in future attempts on his life
| would cease He was not in error,
the Indians fed in dismay, attribut-
ing Baranov's preservation to the
protection of the Great Spirit.
The deed here narrated is talked of
to the present day among the natives
in Traditional manner. It holds up
to light the infexlble nature and iron
will of the first governor Of Alaska.
As a ruler he was fierce and despotic.
AS a representative of the Russian
Empire he was indefatiguable in his
labors and researches. He died poor,
his remains being found on the coast,
where he perished with some others
in seeking discoveries in the unknown
land he was sent to govern. From
this point, Baranov's Rock, an excel
lent view Of the town and island pre-
sents itself. Here, in the bend of the
bay in front OF the military hospital,
I have seen from twelve to fifteen
hundred salmon and trout hauled in
within few hours. At this place on
many occasions, fish are washed in by
the tide At such times the Russians
and natives go out with pots and
pals, holding them in front of the
incoming wave, and return ladened
with fish. When the tide recedes,
anyone having a desire for clans can
get any quantity by digging in the
sand. The Russian government built
a fish house at this place where all
kinds and qualities were cured and
packed for home consumption. Salt
fish, brown bread-hard as brick
and rum, formed the chief portion Of
the rations issued to the soldiers and
employees. The latter were furnished
a house, rations, fuel, candles, and
about 81 month in cash. They were
the most happy, the most contented,
the most stupid and the most igno-
rant native population to be found on
this terrestrial globe, or any other.
But to their credit it must be said
they were honest; naturally so. The
mantle-pieee was the safe for their
money or other valuables.
The new accession to the popula-
ton changed all this. There came to
Alaska amongst the American soldiers
some of the most accomplished ruff
fans the world ever produced. Theft
combined with every species Of ras-
cality had full swing. No longer
could the poor inhabitants leave any
clothes on the line. If they did, they
would find them decking out some
squaw. So was it with their cooking
utensils, which, being of copper,
market was to be found for them
among the Jews. Copper. at that
time brought 8 cents per pound, 80
the demand was great. It was made
a condition in this peculiar traffic,
that all utinsels from the wash boiler
to the basin, must be broken up before
sale was affected This done the
money was paid over, and cargoes of
copper found their way to Victoria
and elsewhere, and disposed of. This
kind of warfare on the goods and
chattles Of the household soon came
to be understood by the Russians and
the consequence was bolts and bars.
no clothes on the line, no meat hang
ing outside, and no admittace to sus-
picious characters.
It was hard lines for those poor
people, and hard deal when it is
brought into view, that on the arrival
Of the troops every house was wide
open, general welcome and gener-
Gus hospitality extended. The first
thing on entering any of the houses
was an invitation to dram of rum,
brown bread and salt salmon-it was
natural with these people and the best
they could afford. They were labor
ing under the illusion that a change
had come to them; change that
would better their condition in life.
Therefore it happened that so many
of them remained to become Ameri-
can citizens. Even in their citizen