Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-15
FATHER OUNCAN'S MlSSlON.'
Former Cannibals, Some OF Whom are
Now Citizens of the United states.


missionary. is in the city. IL is thirty
seven years since he visited the cannibals
of British Columbia. near the Alaska line,
and civilized the tribe OF Metlakahtla In
dams. Five years ago, owing TO an at
TEMPT OF the missionary society TO narrow
his work, accompanied by over 500 OF MS
faithful followers, he removed TO the
American Island of Annette aud founded
a republic that Is the talk OF the world.
The venerable Father Duncan. as he IL
known by the Indians. has not been IN
san Francisco for seventeen years. Many
books have been written about him. Lord
Dufferin, in the Encyclopedia britannica,
has told of his great work IN lnstructing
the Indians, among whom for years he car
ried his life in his hand. and OF his success
IN teaching them the religion of peace.
Father Duncan is now almost GO years OF
age. He has come down to buy an organ,
a chemical engine, some saimon-canning
machinery, and other necessary things tor
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 similar to that
of a president or "a governor. There is
council of twenty-five Indians wno formu-
late the law. There are two constables.
two men who may be called on as aids to
maintain order. and an island guard, cor
responding to the National Guard. and
consisting of tbrty-fve Indians. There
IL also fire company, steam saw-mlll,
and cannery. The little republic Is pros
porous.
The island is about fourteen miles long
and from three to four in width. In the
centre mountains rise to height OF 1000
or 5000 feet. About five sixths OF 1t Is
covered with gigantic trees. consisting
mainly of pin. and FIR. The remainder Is
beautiful valley land, much of which Is
level. Metlakahtia, where the popuiace
is conferred, is situated on picturesque
bay affording anchorage to the largest
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 barbaric that the Hudson
Bay Company, which had post there. had
a stockade thirty-two feet high, tianked by
cannon Oh each corner. twenty-five armed
men inside TO keep guard. Mr.. Duncan
stayed 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
until he founded his island republic. The
old missionary Yesterday told OF his ad-
ventures among the Indians.
when | went among Them" said he.
" the Indians were cannlbals and were
sunk in ignorance and superstition. They
had an idea that TO partake of human flesh
propitiated the spirits, and that the per
son doing so was made Drawer and
stronger. Only slaves were killed and
eaten. remember many instances when
cannibalism 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.
Al the stockade We heard that the girl was
dead. and we anticipated they would soon
indulge In their feast. Suddenly we heard
n series Of weird cries combined with
strange singing. and from our high gallery
secure within the stockade we saw several
hands of from fifteen to twenty Indians
each rush out and go toward the beach.
The leaders were stalwart savages.
They did not wear single garment. lhey
rushed along like pack OF wolves scent
ing their prey. They gathered abound the
BODY. Soon the crowd scattered. each one
of the naked leaders having IN his posses
sion portion of the poor girls remains. -.
1.-The Netlakahtlas 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. IL was considered an honor To
be bitten.
Sometimes We had the whole place
barricaded. and we maintained no fires,
lest the savaees. who had obtained swords.
knives, and guns from traders, would
shoot through the interstices and kill these
within. We had to keep watch night and
day. On one occasion q 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. At last the Captain slipped up
behind him, carrying IN his hand o new
blanket, and dexterously approaching him
slipped 1t over his shoulders. lie looked
down at II like child. made some remark
in Indian about its being nice, and was APP
peased.
This illustrates the mental condition IN
which they were then. Now" SAID the
missionary, "they are lifted up by the
Gospel of Christ and are monuments OF
its mower. | had begun teaching Them at
Fort Simpson IN their own language and
had issued some text books. but found
that to keep teaching them In their own
tongue was q mistake. removed them all
to Metlakahtls. seventeen miles away, Sc
cure from former influences, and began 10
instruct them in English"
The Missionary Society of the Episcopal
Church, under whose auspices Father Dun
can first came 10 British Columbia FIVE
wears ago, sent out bishop to give direc-
tons as to how the Indians should be
taught. He knew little abolt what should
he done. and neither the Indians nor their
Instructor was satisfied.
Father Duncan went to Washington, and
President Cleveland gave him the island.
A number of the Indians, as well as Father
Duncan. have become citizens OF the
United States. taking allegiance to II. ard
the President has recommended law TO
make them ell citizens. Father Duncan
says the solution of the Indian question Is
TO keep the Indians employed. The policy
of maintaining them in idleness at reser-
walton is, be says. ell wrong.
His people are very happy and content
ed. and he il satisfied to die among them.
having long ago fully Determined to re-
nouucs civilization tor the good he can do
"a one Of the widest and most dangerous
tribes that have ever been known.
The Shaft Of the Nsrrinac.
6Ql NORTH FIYrH gxRIIf.l