The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-06-04
ENTeapRIsINe lNplAN sgrrLEas.
wonderfnl TRANSFORMATION by Redskins.

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Wonderful Transformation by Redskins
of the Island of MetIakahtIa-
Rev. w. Duncan, of Metlakahtla,
Alaska, is a portly, benevolent looking
old gentleman of perhaps sixty-fiye
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.
'Metlakahtla," said the venerable mis-
sionary, sis situated on an island in the
archipelago in the southeastern part of
Alaska. 1t is colony founded three
years and half ago, when | organized
thirteen bands of British Columbia In
dians, and by showing them the virtues
of 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 thev
would live in peace and security and
where they would not be disturbed in
their peaceful possessions.
To-day there is city of 800 souls at
Metlakahtla, and the settlement is a
fiourishing 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 primeyal
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. / have re-
Gently been Joined by an assistant, how
ever, in the person of DIR. Blewett. You
might say that the Indians have an eve
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.
'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 a 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 in
my absence a 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 a business. In
our colony the hatchet is buried out of
sight, the tribal jealousies are forgotten
in the educated life and the weapons of
war have been nodded into implements
of peace.
1--WE have a native corps of constables
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 ftwenty instruments.
We have large sawmilI conducted by
Indians, and never was happier colony
than that of the British Columbia Indians
ON the island of Metlakahtla. Seattle
Telegraph.