Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-03-16
IN EAR.AWAY ALASKA.
what Traveller Saw In That Country OF
Rare and Rugged Beauty.

X
Alaska shows that it has been the seat
OF another Government than our own.
The official buildings constructed bv
the Russians are all far more imposinu
than any thing our western towns of
the north can boast The castle il
finely situated, and, with the custom
house, barracks and Greek Church.
form an exceedingly picturesque group
very striking and pleasing after the
towns OF clapboards, shaped like tents,
one passes on the way.
The Greek Church, with it's green
metallic dome and minaret-like spire,
was at once the object of general inter
est and curiosity among the passengers
OF the Pacific Company's good steam
ship Olympian. and they made haste
to get it opened that we might inspect
its novelties. The pictures were sur
prisingly good. and there were several
icons decorated with gold, and silver
and jewels Of Russian saints and Our
Lady OF an unpronounceable name.
The curiosity-seekers thronged the
stores in hopes of securing totem poles,
baskets. bracelets and other articles of
Indian make. As it was Sunday many
were attracted to the Presbyterian Mis-
sion, which is large and flourishing
establishment, with school of $50
children. They heard them sing hymns
and read the Scriptures in the English
language and translate into the Chinook
tongue for the benefit of their parents
There is also n modest Catholic Chapel
The priest is a Hollander, graduate of
Louvain, evidently scholar and gen
tleman, but he says the Greek Church
has won the hearts OF the Indians there
and he has not much to do.
The Chinooks are indeed a wonderful
looking tribe of Indians to those who
know the redmen on the plains. They
all wear good coats and pantaloons and
strong boots. They earn plenty of
money to buy store clothes, and the
women are gay in red and yellow hand
kerchiefs rs head gear, while their
sacques are made of bright-colored
cloth and .ernamented with dozens of
pearl buttons sewed on in patterns.
One was decorated with the outline of
a bear. which was probably the crest
of her family. The woman here is of
much Importance in heredity, as a man
belongs to the family of his mother,
be it beaver, fish or otter. and they are
very careful about their totems. The
next chief is always the oldest son of
the present mans oldest sister.
When an Indian dies who has not
been member of a church his remains
are cremated. If he is no longer a
pagan, they are buried like Christians.
We saw a funeral in Greek cemetery
All the Indians gathered at the man.
house. bringing food of some sort
They then marched in procession to
the grave, with the priest in grand
vestment at their head. In the grave
they deposited the dead mans blankets
and many other of his effects enough
to cause them to be robbed the night
following by the whites.
The harbor and situation of Sitka are
charming. The first is almost land
locked by more than twenty SMALL
islands. The last is high rolling
plain encircled with foothills that dis
close through their openings four
groups of snow-capped Alps, with
every form of Jagged and sharp-toothed
outline, beautiful beyond description.
The wooden houses of the Indians are
but one large room, with the fire burn
ing in the middle, and directly over it
an opening for the smoke to go
through. There are glass wind ows and
n high gallery around the four sides of
the room, upon which are the beds and
where the women sit when they are not
cooking. Above the fire is an open
wood framework, upon which is hung
the fish to dry and smoke for the win
ter's supply.
The Indians are fat, having always
plenty to eat; they look strong and
healthy, but there is a great deal of
sickness among them, and many die of
consumption and other diseases of civ
ilization. There is great need for a
hospital at Sitka, and the white people
there are all hoping that the Govern
ment will do something in that direc-
ton. Spain did many handsome things
for her colonies, but England was Geo.
nomical in that way, and we follow her
example.
The gold mines are taking a popula-
ton to Alaska, before whom the In
dams will rapidly disappear. An en-
ploye of the Hudson Bay Company
who had for years been in the north
country told me he disapproyed of the
education of girls at the mission. They
take them entirely away from their
parents, bring them up as if in board
ing school, uniting them to be the
wives of Indians. Chicago Times.
An Irrelevant Remark.
Some people have such an absolute
davntinn RI hn that Ia