The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-06-08
4 STRANGE REPUBLIC.
rhe FUNNY ways on the island OF An
nette.

y
eannibals of British Columbia near
the Alaska line and civilized the tribe
of Metlakahtla Indians. Five wears
ago, owing to an attempt of the mis-
sionary society to narrow his work,
accompanied by over 800 of his faith
full followers, he removed to the Amer
lean Island of Annette, off the coast,
and founded a republic chat is the talk
of the world.
The venerable Father Duncan, as he
is known by the Indians, has not been
IN San Francisco for seventeen years
Many books have been written about
him. Lord Dufferin, in the Encyclo-
pedia Britannica, has told of his great
work in instructing the Indians, among
whom for years he carried his life in
his hand, and of his success in teach
ing them the religion of peace
Father Duncan is now almost 60
years of age. He has come down to
buy an organ, a chemical engine, some
salmon-canning machinery, and other
necessary things for the people of his
island.
The Island of Annette, on which he
and his followers have their home, was
given them by the United States. The
aged missionary holds position SINH
lar to that of president or a COVER
nor There is council of twenty-five
Indians who formulate the law. There
are two constables, two men who NAV
be called on as aids to maintain order
and an island guard, corresponding to
the National Guard and CONSISTING of
thirty-five Indians. There are also a
ire company, a steam saw mill, and a
cannery, The little republic is as
prosperous as any in the land.
The island is about fourteen miles
long and from three to four in width.
In the center mountains rise to a
height of 1000 or 5000 feet. About
tive-sixths of it is covered with gigan-
tic trees, consisting mainly of pine
and fir. The remainder is beautiful
valley land, much of which is level.
Metlakahtla, where the populace is
centered, is situated on picturesque
bay, affording anchorage to the larg-
est ships.
Fort Simpson was the place where
the Metlakahtlas lived thirty-five years
ago, when Mr. Duncan first went
among them. They were then so bar
barrie that the Hudson Bay company,
which had post there, had stockade
thirty-two feet high, fianked by can
non on each corner, and twenty-five
armed men inside to keep guard Mr..
Duncan staid there five years, and by
that time gained such influence that
he removed them some distance away
to the site of the old Metlakahtla,
where he remained till he founded his
island republic. The old missionary
yesterday told of his adventures among
the Indians.
when ! went among them" said
he, "the Indians were cannibals and
were sunk in ignorance and supersti-
ton. They had an idea that to par
take of human flesh propitiated the
spirits, and that the person doing SO
was made braver and stronger. Only
slaves were killed and eaten. / re-
member many instances when canni-
balism was practiced. One was in the
case of slave girl owned by chief.
"The chief thought that he would
add to the rank of his daughter, so the
slave girl was killed and thrown on the
beach. At the stockade we heard that
the girl was dead and we anticipated
they would soon indulge in their feast.
Suddenly we heard series of weird
cries combined with strange singing,
and from our high gallery secure
within the stockade we saw several
bands of from fifteen to twenty Ind
ians each rush out and go toward the
beach.
1.-The leaders were stalwart savages.
They did not wear a single garment.
They rushed along like a pack OF
wolves scenting their prey They
gathered around the body Soon the
crowd scattered, each one of the naked
leaders having in his possession por.
ton OF the poor girls remains.
"The Metlakahtlas had custom OF
biting and being bitten. They would
go forth at times with their arms and
other portions of their bodies barred
and suffer pieces to be bitten out Of
their flesh. The women would follow
after and dress the wounds 1t was
considered an honor to be bitten.
Sometimes we had the whole place
barricaded and we maintained no fires
lest the savages, who had obtained
swords, knives and guns from traders
would shoot through the interstice:
and kill those within. We had to keeI
watch night and day.
"On one occasion a naked savage
one who had killed four men, forced
himself into the stockade and marched
about like a maniac with long sword
cutting right and left
cat last the captain slipped up be
hind him, carrying in his hand new
blanket, and dexterously approaching
him slipped it over his shoulders. HI
looked down at it like a child, made
some remark in the Indian tongue
about its being nice, and was ap
peased.
"This illustrates the mental condi
tion in which they were then. Now,
said the missionary, "they are lifteC
up by the gospel of Christ and are
monuments of its power. had beguI
teaching them at Fort Simpson in thei1
own language, and had issued some
text books. but l found that to keel
teaching them in their own tongue
was mistake. l removed them all tt
Metlakahtla, seventeen miles away
secure from former influences, and be
gan to instruct them entirely in Eng
Iish."
The Missionary Society of the Epis
cOpal Church, under whose auspices
III 81 W DI1GlSI
Columbia five years ago, sent out
bishopSto give directions as to how tn,
Indians should be taught. He knew
little about what should be done, anC
neither the Indians nor the venerable
instructor was satisfied.
Father Duncan went to Washington
and President Cleveland gave him the
island. A number of the Indians, a;
well as Father Duncan, have become
citizens of the United States, taking
allegiance to it, and the president ha
recommended the passage of law tt
make them all citizens. Father Dun
can says the solution of the Indian
question is to keep the Indians EN-
ployed. The policy of maintaining
them in idleness at a reservation is. ht
says, all wrong.
His people are very happy and con
tented and he is satisfied to die among
them, having long ago fully deter
mined to renOunce civilization for the
good he can do to one of the wiIdes
and most dangerous tribes that have
ever been known.-!Sam Francisco Er
d27li3oer.