Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-22
eNTeRpRlSlNG INDIAN SETTLERS.
Wonderful Transformation by Redskins
of the Island of Matiakahtia.

of the Island of MatIakahtIa.
Rev. W. Duncan, of Metlakahtla,
Alaska, is \ portly, benevolent looking
Old gentleman of perhaps sixty-ive
years, and the world has been made
better by the grand work in which the
declining years OF his life are being
spent. When interviewed by a reporter
he was reticent at first in speaking OF
the fruits of his philanthropic labors in
the land by the frozen sea. saying that a
description Of the colony he had founded
would seem better coming from the lips
Of disinterested parties.
"MetIakahtla, said the venerable mis-.
sionary, lis situated on an island in the
archipelago in the southeastern part Of
Alaska. Ii is Il colony founded three
years and half ago. when / organized
thirteen bands of British Columbia In
lians, and by showing them the virtues
Of n 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 and
their peaceful possessions.
To-day there is city of 500 souls at
Metlakahtia. and the settlement is a
flolTishiug and happy one. am one Of
those who reject the declaration that the
only good Indian is the dead one. / am
able to demonstrate that the b ast Indian
is live one.
Three wears ago the forest primevai
stood on the site where now many happy
Indians live, in many pleasant cottages.
There are sixty-one capacioIs houses in
the city. For three wears | was the only
white man in the settlement. | have re-
Gently been joined by an assistant, how
ever. in the person of DR. Blewetr. You
might say that the Indians have an eye
to real estate values. for they all wanted
corner lots, so that IVES compelled to
divide the blocks each into four lots.
Every body is satisfied for an inside lot
is not 10 be found there.
The Inhabitants hive by hunting and
fishing, Int the latter occupation has
branched out into large industry now,
and | am here TO obtain necessary ma
ciiinery aud an outfit for n salmon can
merry there.
Il woHld rather have Il tourist speak
of 0nr colony than to dwell upon its
merits myself Should you visit our
island you would be surprised TO find a
city If Indians aud natives with only
two exceptions We have 4 government
which is an Indian council presided over
by an Indian chief The young ones are
taught in connections schools, and in
my absence a native teacher is instruct
ing them.
In olden days the Indian tribes were
enyious If each other, and feuds were
incessaut and war was a business. In
our colony the hatchet is buried out of
sight, the tribal iealousies are forgotten
in the educated life and the weapons Of
war have been nodded into implements
of peace.
We have Il native corps of coustabies
and officers TO attend to the city's health
and sanitation. We have entertainments,
too, and splendid music is furnished by
our Indian band Of twenty Instruments.
We have Il large s;twnill conducted by
Indians, and never was a happier colony
than that of the British Columbia Indians
ON the island of Metlakahtla. seattle
Telegraph.