Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-07-04
RESOURCES OF ALASKA.
Interesting Facts Concerning Uncle Sans
Northwestern Territory.

Northwestern Territory.
To one whose attention has never
been called to the fact, it seems rather
surprising that San Francisco is on the
meridian that divides the possessions
of the United States into equal parts.
The Alaskan archipelago extends as
far to the west of San Francisco as
Maine is east of it. We are further
more not apt to realize that the coast
line of Alaska exceeds that of the
United States, and that its territory is
equal in extent to the portion of the
United States east of the Mississippi
river. The islands are some LOO in
number and its scenery is as grand and
rugged, with its abrupt headlands, its
gigantic ravines, its snow-covered
mountains and glaciers, and enormous
rivers, as any on this continent. 1t
has population of about 80, coo, only
5000 of whom are whites. The few
towns that are to be found are scat
tered along the coast and are princi-
pally trading and fishing stations. The
most important is Sitka, formerly the
seat of the Russian Governor, and at
that time called New ArchangeL 1t
has population of about 1900, and is
the headquarters of the United States
authorities. 1t has Notifications,
magazines and magnetic Observa-
tory, and has a Greek church and
Bishop. 1t also boasts of a training
school for Indian children. The in
fuences of civilization have wrought
great change in the natives, who were
formerly very turbulent and savage.
The Indian school is well attended,
and the effects of education and the
missionary have already been felt.
Gold is found in some quantity, but
fishing is a more important industry,
and one which is being very rapidly
developed. Nineteen salmon canneries
are now in operation in Alaska, and
very few realize how the waters OF
Alaska abound in salmon. They are
much more numerous than they are in
the prolific waters of California,
'
Thousands have been taken, so we
are informed in a recent Government
report, by a single haul of the seine.
We quote the following from this
report: ION the southeast shores of
the Alaskan Peninsula, in the bays
with small streams entering into
them, the salmon are crowded so
thickly that the progress of the boat
is impeded by them, and should a
southeast storm suddenly arise at
such seasons. the fish are driven on
the beach in innumerable quantities.
One of the Russian navigatOrs
assured US QS6O that under
such circumstances he has seen
the beach strewn two or three
feet deep with stranded salmon. Van
couver has recorded that he saw them
in Burroughs Inlet cast up on the
beach in great numbers" The salmon
fisheries have increased very rapidly.
In 1887 eighteen vessels were engaged
in the traffic and 10000 cases of sal
mon were exported. In 1888 the
number of vessels had increased to
twenty-eight and between 800, 900 and
$4,000 cases were exported. Whaling
is also extensively carried on in
Alaska, and in 1887 forty vessels were
engaged in this business, six OF which
were steamers. The total catch
yielded SO, 26S barrels of oil and 542. 200
pounds of whalebone. One of the
greatest resources of Alaska is its for
ests. which are practically virgin. The
value of these is not appreciated so
much now as it will be later. when the
wood supply of the Pacific States.
which is being so wantonly wasted
now. has begun to give out TheE
Alaska. with its great supply OF hem
lock. spruce and cedar trees, will be
sought to supply the devouring hunger
of advaucinp civilization Scientific