The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-16
THAT ALASKAN STORY.
Gzs. Msagher Says It's the Real Truth, and
Gen. Sherman Says It's Fiction.

New YORK. Nov. 15-Ths interview in the
Worl1 Of Monday, giving the result OF Mrs.
Voorhis's travels in Alaska, which vividly pict-
ursd the degraded condition OF the Alaskan
women, and the frightfui abuses Of the young
equaws, has attracted wide attertion. A re-
porter yesterday saw a number of persons who
know something Of that country. and secured
their views on the condition of affairs as re-
vesled By Mrs. Voorhis. and which, it is her be-
lief, demands some Official attention. Mrs
Msagher, widow of Gen. Thomas Meagher, Wis
tied Alaska last summer. She said
''Yes, / read the article, and it is all true.
People who stick TO the civilized ports-Sitka
and about thsre-who have q good roof over
their heads and o GOOD floor under their feet,
and. above all. newspapers to tell pleasant
things to them Of the East, don't concern them
selves OF the wretchedness at their doors. The
white psopls don't 60 there to live unless they
can make money out Of the mines or use their
residencs there as a stspping-stone to some
Office in the East. They don't worry about the
Indians. who are being slowly extermiuated.
1t would do no good il they di6. dare say you
think am very heartless to speak in this way;
but l have seen much Of life IN all the Ter
ritories. and it is. unfortunately, true that
conditions similar 70 those described by Mrs.
Noorhis common TO all communities
where the roughest white element and the de-
fenseless Indian brought together. i must
say that 10 is especially pitiable in the case Of
these Aleuts. They are SO peaceable and ready
TO yield to civiliziug influences. Why, of oil the
Indians in North America, and I've seen them
all. too, these really make the best appearance.
They decently clothed; the men wear
trousers and shirts, and the women some sort of
dresses-a great improvement on blankets and
feathers The raysges OF disease referred to in
abe story published are painfully evident. It is
exterminating the Indiana
Dir. Ward McAllister, whose son was located
In Sitka, the capital OF Alaska, q few years ago,
where he held the official post of judge, was
asked II he had read the article in question: He
replied:
Yes. and regard 1t as sensational-very sen
satioual don't want to say anything about
this Alaska business. It's dirty pool which
you'd best not disturb. My son was there. and
he was very glad to get away. The place was
for a long time entirely under tho control of the
missionaries. Mr. Jackson was really the chief
power in Alaska / cont know whether he's
there now or not, but he had control OF every
thing and dispensed the government moneys.
But really, al know Is hearsay evidence.
was never there in my l,fe.7
General Sherman was found in his Office ia
the front basement OF his new uptown house.
lie said he had not seen the story in question
but when it was handed to him he perused ii
carefully.
This is all a fiction There is not soldier or
sailor in Alaska" Gen. Sherman exclaimed, lay.
Ing down the paper.
But isn't there a military post thereg'
No. withdrew the troops myself They
were not needed there. and our army was too
small To keep n garrison where the people were
peacsful and inofsnsive- OF course, as Alaska
belonged TO rs 1t had got to be looked after some
how, so We threw the burden of the RESPONSE
oihty on 10 another department and a revenue
cutter was detailed to patrol the coast"