Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-05

| and as q sequence, disease has becums
prevalent among the natives OF Northwest
| Alaska.
The steam whalers do not remain in the
vicinity OF Point Barrow any length oil
time, proceeding to the eastward, SO that
the charge OF selling liquor cannot be laid
against them. II one ship was seized for
violating the law, an end would be put to
the traffic.
On August 9Th Joe Tuckfeld returned
here. He passed q year with the eastern
natives, and visited Herschel island, trav-
cling in the winter to Porcupine river. He
states that the nativ 8 are very quiet and
peaceable. totally unacquainted with the
use of Intoxicating liquor, and living in al.
almost nomadic style. Their statue far ex-
ceeds that OF any OF the people of Alaska
hitherto known to us. Both sexes average
Eve feet six inches in height, and are well
developed. Herschei island is well de-
scribed Is being a veritable paradise for
hunters, both deer and wild fowl abound
ing in the spring, while the land is covered
with a profusion OF wild flowers during the
summer season. The clothing and foot
gear OF these natives are remarkable for
the fine and really artistic work bestowed
| upon them.
Mr.. Tuckland travelled on the main land
from the shores of the Arctic ocean to
| within twenty miles OF the Yukon. Within
that district the natives have no settled
habitation, following the deer and the
moose over the mountains. The topo-
graphic features OF the country are stated
to be peculiar, differing from any precon.
ceived idea of a hyperborean land. Twenty
miles from the sea coast are dense forests
OF spruce and birch, while the lowIand, in
terspersed with lakes are covered with q
luxuriant growth OF grass and dwarf will
low. Berries of all descriptions abound,
and are eagerly gathered by the natives for
winter use. Discoveries OF gypsum, a large
body OF boiling bitumen, o q and sulphur
were made.
Mr.. Tuckfield made his water journeys in
a whale boat, his crew consisting OF natives
only. His only trouble was the want OF
matches, and he had to resort to the
primitive flint and steel. The pslagic
family is well represented in these northern,
waters thefresh waters of the great Macken-
zie river causing the sea ice to melt in the
month OF June, thereby creating a large
open space OF water at it's mouth, and al
fording a place of resort for numerous seals
and white whales. On tie whole the trip
was, according to MI. Tuckfield's descrip.
tion q very pleasant one.
The entire fleet of steam whale1s are, at
date Of writing, pushing as far to the east
ward as possible, followed by the United |
States ship Thetis. In the experience OF old
whalemen, and even the natives, many |
years have elapsed since the weather has
been SO fine as that known during the pres
ent season, and with the exception of Il |
moderate southwest wind on the11th inst, |
the sailing ships have been in most cases |
becaImed and al anchor off Point Barrow |
and vicinity.
On the 10th the ice-foe from the west
came in shore, and the ships all left Cape
Smythe and anchored at Point Barrow in
company with the Bear. The ice was very
heavy, but the only accidents OF the fleet
we're the loss OF the rudder head of the
Jacob Rowland, and the Tamerlane stove
her bow, causing a slight leak. The steam.
ers Balena and Belviders returned from the
eastward on the 18th, reporting the San
steamers Inc several sailing
ships shut in by the ice beyond Tangent
point. There is, however. no cause for
anxiety, as the a is early yet, and
a south or southwest or southeast
the ice soon sweeps off. The proba-
bilities are that the fall catch of whales
will be good.
The services OF the Bear have been called
in requisition daily, towing ships and lend
ing efficient aid among the whaling fleet. |
All of the masters oftbe fleet express them
selves as being under obligations to the
and officers OF the Bear. Captain
and the officers of the Thetis are
slso prime favOrites with the whalemen.
IN order to see to the welfare OF the feet
5he Thetis went eastward, and Captain
has announced his intention not
10 leave the Attic as long as any whaling
vessels remain. The Thrasher and Mar
will be the last vessels to leave.