Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-08-25
.nrsaeslslNe INDIAN SETTLERS.
w.,serfut rransformation by HeasA"'
af The Island OF Metiakahtis'

~ The Island OF Metlakahtls.
Raw w. Duncan, of Metlakahtla'
Alaska. is a portly, benevolent LOOKING
ola gentleman of perhaps sixty-n.e
wears, and the world has been ihaue
better by the grand work in wn'ca .ne
declining years Of his life are peihs
event When interviewed by reporter
he was reticent at first in speaking OF
the fruits of his philanthropic iaoors III
the land by the frozen sea, saying tna'
dascrintion of the colony he had founded
would seem better coming from the ups
Of disinterested pasaes.
"Metlakahtla," said the venerable mis-
sionary. ..is situated on an island IN the
archipelago in the southeastern part Oh
Alaska. 1t is colony founded three
wears and half ago, when l organized
thirteen bands of British Columbia In
dams, and by showing them the virtues
of a city and government OF their own
and instilling in their minds the beautieS
of a civilized existence, induced them TO
migrate to the far north, where they
would live in peace and security ana
where they would not be disturbed III
their peaceful possessions.
To-day there is city OF 500 souls az
Metlakahtla, and the settlement is a
hourishing and happy one. l am one OF
those who reject the declaration that the
only good Indian is the dead one. l am
able to demonstrate that the best Indian
is live one.
"Three years ago the forest primeval
stood on the site where now many happy
Indians live, in many pleasant cottages.
There are sixty-one capacious houses IN
the city. For three years | was the only
white man in the settlement. l have re-
Gently been joined by an assistant, how
ever, in the person of DR.. Blewett. You
might say that the Indians have an eye
to real estate values, for they all wanted
corner lots, so that was compelled to
divide the blocks each into four lots.
Everybody is satisfied, for an inside lot
is not to be found there.
1.-THE inhabitants live by hunting and
fishing, but the latter occupation has
branched out into large industry now,
and | am here to obtain necessary ma
chinery and an outfit for salmon can
merry there.
81 would rather have tourist speak
of our colony than to dwell upon its
merits myself. Should you visit our
island you would be surprised to find a
city of Indians and natives with only
two exceptions. We have government
which is an Indian council presided over
by an Indian chief. The young ones are
taught in commodious schools, and il
my absence native teacher is instruct
ing them.
I'm olden days the Indian tribes were
envious of each other, and feuds were
incessant and war was business. Ii
our colony the Ratchet is buried out d
sight, the tribal jealousies are forgotten
in the educated life and the weapons Of
war have been nodded into implements
of peace.
I'VE have native corps of constable!
and officers to attend TO the city's healtl
and sanitation. We have entertainments
too, and splendid music is furnished b,
our Indian band of twenty instruments
We have large sawmill conducted b,
Indians, and never was happier colon,
than that OF the British Columbia indians
on the island of Metlakahtla. "-Seattl,
Telegraph.