Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-01-08
CRIME IN GREENLAND.
A Country without an E1ecutioner' "her
Murder Goes Unpublished

ACountry without an Executioner' "here
Murder Goes Unpublished.
good deal was learned about the
natives of Greenland on the second
visit of the members of the Kite expe-
dition to Godhaven- Though supposed
to be Christians-in the church sense
thew have not that obedience to the
creed that would be necessary to quail
ifv them for church membership In
America The doctrine Of original sin
they decline absolutely to accept and
thew refuse also to believe in hell
not surprising, considering the temper
AZURE of Greenland. Gov. Carstens I'M
parted this information about original
sin in horrible tones. He was scandal
lied when he learned that of the party
to whom he was speaking not one be-
lieved in it either.
Sun and moon and Great Spirit are
the trinity they worship. Not far from
Godhaven is cave where no Esqul-
maux passes without throwing In some
article, even if it is only hunk OF
blubber, to appease the Great Spirit.
It was suggested that this would be
the place for the expedition to acquire
relics If the cave could be found.
In former years the Esquimaux
buried with their dead the kayak and
spear if the decea were a man, and
the household implements If a woman.
Unitarian ideas probably did away
with this waste of personal property.
At the present time the Esquimaux
go to the Danish churches for the ben
eft of the music and singing, which
they greatly enjoy. In religion, as in
everything else, they appear to prefer
to be governed by their own traditions.
Mr. Carstens said that in Greenland
there is really no law, and it is i'm
possible to infict any punishment, ex-
cept small fines or minor deprivations.
If one Esquimau killed another, or If
member of the Kite expedition slaugh-
tered a native or fellow-member
ashore, the Danish government would
be helpless
Three murders are on record IN
Greenland. wicked Esquimau, in
his kayak, overlook an oomiak, or big
sea barge, manned by women, and
wickedly cut big hole in the bottom,
drowning the nine occupants. Nothing
could be done about it His fellow
Esuuimaux took no action with view
to getting even, and he is going around
lust the same without much of a blem-
ish on his record.
"You could find him in Omenak
Froid " said Mr. CarstenS IF any of
you gentlemen care to hunt him up,
you can shoot him if you like. He will
deserve it. Greenland has no execu-
TONER The inspector can't go around
hanging people. Neither the governor
nor myself wants the job. No Esqui-
mau could be induced to do it" Mr..
Carstens had noted Dr. Keely's anxiety
to get an Esquimau skeleton, and
especially urged this job on him.
The second murder was one of in
fanticide. The third was the killing
of an insane girl. The young woman
was quite obstreperous, and the Esqui-
maux held a meeting and decided that
they wouldn't stand it any longer. The
doctor had given them some carbolized
oil for external application only. They
administered teaspoonful of it to the
girl, and she became crazier than ever.
When she subsidized, they decided that
she must be dead, and so they buried
her. When the doctor looked into the
matter he declared that she had been
buried alive. Nothing was done about
it-Boston Herald.