The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-03-28
Natives OF Alaska.


rior OF Alaska are generally very dark
comp!exioned, with large cheek bones,
large mouths and a sharp chin.
This, " says lieutenant Cautweli in
his notes obtained while exploring the
Kowak River, gives the face very
triangular appearance, very different
from the round face of the Esquimaux.
Their hair is black, and the hair is worn
long, except In front, where it is
trimmed across the forehead on line
with the eyebrows. They are quick in
their movements, active and strong in
youth, but grow sged-looking rapidly"
Very few men Of middle age were
observed. The faces OF the women are
more oval than the mems, and their
color is lighter. Their hair is parted in
the middle and worn in braids hanging
in front OF the ears. The interior natives
are referred to as better morally and In
points OF honesty and sobriety tn an the
people OF the coast. They have no laws
except TO do py others as they would
have others do to them. They were
universally kind 20 the aged and help
less, yery hospitable, curious TO de-
gree, but never intrusive. In the inte-
rior the people did not follow methods
of the Esquimau coast tribes in choos-
ing an omsilik, or chief trader and gem
eral business agent. In all discussions
regarding the welfare of the communi-
", the women and the older ones in
particular joined, and the men received
their opinions with respect. They were
generally guided by a kind of moral
code, as Lieutenant CaEtwell says in all
matters regarding one another's well
fare. No punishment was recognized
for the commission OF crime, but on the
other hand there was seldom any COM
mitted.
AS to diseases. the Lieutenant found
pulmonary complaints and Theu matism
very common among the natives, also
weak and inhamed eyes. Epidemic dis
eases very rarely occur, though small
pox sometimes reaches these people
through the natives living on the Koy-
ukuk River. Beyond the simple herbs
known and used by the "shaman," or
medicine man, in his carnations, but
little is known of the art OF healing.
No formal funeral ceremonies are per-
formed by the inland tribes over their
dead. The body is generally taken to
some secluded spot, usually on bluff
overlooking a river, and laid on the
ground A conical shaped structure of
spruce logs is built over the remain s
and tree near by Is stripped of branches
and sms II piece of cloth tied to it
marks the spot, near which are left the
sled. household utensils and some of the
weapons of the deceased. No one ever
visits the spot thereafter. 1t Is tabooed.
The natives partake eagerly of such
articles as flour, tea, rice, condensed
milk and other dishes, but they despise
salt PORK and would rather stsrve than
touch il. In addition TO the reindeer
meat, they eat the flesh of the:bear, fox,
wolf, muskrat, beaver, and mountain
sheep. Ia the summer salmon is al
most The sole food. The flesh OF the
seal and white whale is eaten by the
summer sOj1urners at the coast. Wild
curIants are found in abundance and
the onion, celery and parsnip grows
wild in abundance, as well as species
of wild Thubarb. The tender roots OF
the willow were also cooked in oil when
the natives were much In need of food.
The upper waters OF the Kowak abound
in Wild duck, geese and swans, and
crane also could be found. The birds
are boiled after being skinned, and as
tonishing TO note. the head, feet and in
tes,lues were considered the choice
morsels. The Lieutenant says these
tidbits were laid before him On one oc-
casion.
All the tribes dress very much alike.
Their attire consists of an outer and
inner coat or "rarks" Of deerskin, tight
fitting trousers uf hair sealskin and
boots supplied with deerskin ieggins,
the sole being OF waIrus or white whale
skin. The inner garments are wore
with the fur next TO the body and the
outer one with the fur outside. Hats
or caps are not worn by either sex, but
the outer garment has a hood, which
can be drawn oyer the head. A piece
OF some l0ng.haired fur is sewed around
the. edges OF the hood to protect the eyes
from flying PARTICLES OF snow. A belt
is worn by the women to conflne their
outer garments or "parkas" around the
waist, and this enables the native moth
er to carry her offspring underneath the
folds OF her "sparka." Socks made of
soft tanned skin sare worn, and mitteus
of reindeer skins. with the hair turned
in, are worn winter and summer
Thread is made of deer sinew, and the
women, iE addition to their other ardu-
Gus duties, make all the clothing and
keepit 10 order.