The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-08-10

that the party all had q very enjoyable
trip. The voyage lasted nineteen days and
although they were in considerable rain
and stormy weather, it was nevertheless a
pleasant cne
Mr.. Richards says for scenery Alaska is
perfectly grand, and aside from the fishing
industry, which is vast in its proportions,
he would not give much for the country.
a stop was made al all principal points.
The party remained at Sitka which Is the
capital, bat by no means the metropolis.
twenty-four hours. The city is located on
Barano6 island, and is the seat of the
United States district court for the terri
tory Of Alaska, and the Territorial officials.
The population OF the city is about eight
hundred; out of that number two hundred
are whites and tho balance Indians. The
Indians, Mr.. Richards says, are much
more intelligent than those found here;
they are independent and they do not look
for, nor do they receive any support from
the government. They are q very indus
tri0us lot and make their living
by fishing and other industries
and are dressed in American style. None
are seen dressed up in blankets. II went
into a store in Sitka." continued MIR.
Richards, ''that was conducted by an in
telligent appearing gentleman who seemed
to have quite q large assortment of goods,
that informed me that there are Indians in
7
and are absolutely rich and worth many
times more than he was" The proprietor
has an Indian in charge Of the store Tor
him.
Whenever a steamer arrives the citizens
flock down to the beach 10 see it land !;
those who have Alaskan articles TO sell
viii spread them out on the bank and if
the tourists see ythlng that they wish
they can purchase what they want at a
nominal figure.
There are several mission schools located
at Sitka that are doing considerable good
in some ways and IN others they are not.
Some Indian children after they are dis
charged from the schools have no employ
ment of q higher order than fishing and in
some cases drop back to their usual Gus
TOMS While the schools are in session the
Indian girls are taught the art Of house
keeping and the boys are allowed 10 spend
half of every day in some of the fish can
neries. Two newspapers are printed at
Sitks, one Democratic and the other Re-
publican. :
Juneau, which is located 125 miles north
of Sitka and has a white population of
about eight hundred and about two hun
dred Indians, the chief industry of the in
habitants is fishing and some mining.
The mining industry Of Alaska is in its
infancy and is undeyeloped however there
are several mines being operated that are
very rich IN their production OF precious
metals.
The weather was very cool while the
party was there, aud winter clothing was
very comfortable wearing apparel.
Vegetables are grown to a great extent
and flowers are in abundance. AT Sitka
the party visited the gardens owned by the
Russian priest who is at the head of the
Greek church there. The garden was COM
pletely filled with flowers and the sight
was very beautiful.
The nights were very short; the sun set
at about 10 O'Clock and it was light again
at 2 o'clock in the morning. The shortest
highs is about the Dist Of June and then
they gradually begin to lengthen until there
is day to speak of.
A visit was made to the great Muir
glacier, which was an object of curiosity
to all.
There being but one court of justice in
the territory. the modes of trying offenders
of the law is very expensive to the govern
ment
Unless o person can enjoy an outing of
quiet and solitude Mr.. Richards does not
advise anyone to take trip to Alaska.