The morning call., 1893-10-04
FROM THE NORTH.
Return of the Revenue
Cutter COrWin.
LIEUT.. AINsWORTH'S STORY,
Social Life at st. Paul's Island-Na-
tive Destitutes" Provided FOR.
Harrison Thornton's Death.

| Yesterday afternoon the revenue cutter
| Corwin came into port and dropped anchor
| off Mission wharf. The Corwln Is ten days
| from Oonalaska and will be closely fol
lowed by the Bear, the last OF the Berins
| Sea feet.
| The Corwin brought no news OF special
importance from the Arctic, but Lieuten-
ant Ajnsworth returned with the vessel
and had some interesting facts to relate
about st. Paul Island. where he had been
staying for eight months up to the date
of the departure of the cutter. Lieutenant
Ainsworth was appointed special agent
IF the Government and acted in the capa-
citv of governor of that territory during
his stav. His duties were not altogether
confned to st, Paul Island. but indirectly
he looked after the interests OF the Gov
ernment on ST. George Island also, al
though an assistant aided him in watch
ing the latter.
INV principal duties were to look after
the interests of the Government on st.
Paul Island, to prevent raids on the ware
houses and otherwise preserve order. The
Government agent Is practically Governor.
lie has charge of the natives. and when
thew become destitute issues orders for ra-
tions. There were only FIVE white men 90
the island, including myself. They are the
agents of the North American CONNER
cial Compauy-physician, storekeeper and
the cook.
Each native is allowed so cents for
every seal killed and manages to make
living in this way. There are, however,
natives who are called sdeslitutes' whom
the Government is obliged to provide for.
These are the widows, orphans and ln-
vaids.
1.-THE North American Commercial Com
pany supplies all the provisions purchased
by the Government. the prices heing regu-
lated so that they are only about % per
cent higher than the regular wholesale
market prices at san Francisco.
II figured the population of ST. Paul Isl
and to be about 1856 souls. ST. George ISL
and has about 100 inhabitants. The
natives are rapidly dying off and the prin-
cpal cause for this mortality is consump-
tion.
Life in this isolated spot Is not so dis
agreeable as one would imagine. The
company maintains an excellent library.
There is also billiard hall attached to the
storehouse.
Fishing and hunting are also favorite
pastimes aud there is no lack OF game.
Bird are plentiful at times and wild duck
and geese afforded change OF larder.
1.-The Bear is going to bring over num-
Der of reindeer from Alaska. There is
plenty of moss and these animals will un-
doubtedly thrive and be the means of fur
nishing liberal supply Of fresh meat for
the natives.
Society life in the north is necessarily
little dull. To be sure, we enjoyed few
socials in which the population as whole
generally took part; but affairs of this
nature were not frequent.
'The haIf-breed natives are called Gre
oles,' and among this class there can be
found some very good-looking individuals.
the women in some instances being really
pretty.
"The Bear left the island on the 26th of
November, and we did not sight another
vessel until April 25. when a whaler ap-
peared in the offing. On the Sd of June
the Farall0n stopped at the island and
brought us the first news Of the result of
the November elections. Prior to the
arrival of this vessel we did not know
who had been chosen President OF the
United States.
Regarding the weather, never ex-
perenced more disagreeabe climate than
that of the past season. F0gs prevailed
frequently and cold winds often blew.
''As to the seals. / saw quite number
this year, but after the middle of winter
no seals can be seen at all. l think that
the sealing schooners like to make it ap-
pear that seals can be found all around
the islands. but this is not so. The seal
ers begin in January and follow the seals
up the North Atlantic coast. killing and
DESTROYING them wantonly."
Doctor Randall and Engineer Weber of
the Corwin thought that there were more
seals in sight this summer than they had
ever seen before.
"Why. we would see them alongside OF
the CUTTER" said the doctor. "We would
sometimes throw them piece of salm On,
which they would take in their mouths.
shake it like dog would a rat, then de-
your it,"
DR.. Randall exhibited a piece of petri-
fed wood from UDga Island, Coal Harbor,
which cannot be told from piece of ivory.
The specimen has the exact appearance of
ivory, with the exception that it is streaked
with faint black lines. A mastodon's
tooth is also one Of the relics brought
down by the CorwiD. 1t is also in petri-
fed state. Its roots, which are partially
broken off. are about five inches long.
while the face of the tooth itself is about
the size and shape of No. 6 shoe.