The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-29
THE PASSING THROxG.

Miner w. Bruce arrived here yesterday
in charge Of the FIRST party Of Esquimaux
brought 70 the United States. VINO are on
the way 70 the Worlds fair. "They come
from near Care Prince of Wales, the most
western point Of the continents. and only
thirty miles south Of the arctic circle"
said M Bruce. II was With Rev. Sheldon
Jackson, superintendent Of education for
Alaska, on his reindeer importation sxpe-
cition to Siberia. We brought over from
Siberia on July -, 1sBc. 10 head Of REIN
deer for the purpose Of propagating them
In Alaska. We bought domestic animals
In Siberia and turned them loose in Alaska
about sixty miles east Of Cape Prince Of
Wales. where they are being hefded BY
Esquimaux. The purpose Of this expedi-
ton and work 10 to provide for regular
source Of food and clothing for the Esqui-
maux natives Of Alaska. Since the impor-
tation the herd has increased nearly so per
cent. none having vet been slaughtered
and none will be allowed to be killed for
several years 20 come. The does dropped
eighty-6ve fawn in April and May and
only seven had died when left on July
10. OF the increase nearly two-thirds are
females. who will b bred at the age of
year and have young 1t years old. The
estimated increase will b 70 to 20 per cent.
. year. Congress Appropriated 5000 for
the work last year and will probably
make another appropriation this year.
We brought over four Siberian herders
10 teach the Alaska Esquimaux how to
herd the animals, and they say that the
conditions for propagation. feeding and
raising deer in Alaska arc far better than
in Siberia. Explorations during the past
year show that the country IL capable Of
sustaining immense herds. Reindeer feed
on grasses in summer and moss in winter.
and there 10 abundance OF both grass
and moss for feeding purposes. These
animals are used for draft purposes. One
animal Will haul about 600 pounds 1t .
walk ON sled. Their flesh is good for
food. and they weigh 200 to $50 pounds
better than beef. Their skins are good for
clothing, tents and all purposes for which
leather II used. The time 10 soon coming
when their skins will be q valuable article
Of commerce.. because they are nice
brown fur. Twenty thousand Siberian
deer are consumed in North Europe for
meat. 80 that deer herds can DO
made . source of pastoral industry.
It u estimated that there are
5000 Esquimaux now in Alaska
who subsist on fish, seal, walrus and whale
and Wild game, but the last two animals
are being fast sxterminated by whalers.
A few years ago there were vast herds of
Wild reindeer. but they are nov fast dis
appearing and the people in the interior
are finding it harder every year to subsist"
Mr.. Bruce brought down eleven Esqui-
m ~s>A fou,
children. the youngest aged four months.
and II going to exhibit them 1t the fair.
He will remain In the West and North
last Sunday and left the party at Port
with team Of six Esquimaux dogs. He
houses them in large cool place. kept
cool by frequent wetting town. and % ar
ranged that . constant draft 10 main
tanned. They wear furs," he said, '.but
are in good health and not uncomfortable
on account Of the weather. On Thursday
took the dogs and sledge and Esquimaux
TO the wharf and to the custom house
and at the latter place Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson received the party
and was invited to take . ride on the
sledge. He declined. but was very much
interested IN the OUTFIT and peop,e-his
most northern constituents and the only
people of their race who have ever seen q
representative Of the power which rules
them"
Besides the dogs and people Mr.. Bruce
has in his OUTFIT two kyaks or canoes
made Of scalskin. harpoons. spears, stone
implements. earthen kettles made by the
natives. stone lamps, with which they
light and heat their hu,s. He provides
seal oil and fish tor them to eat, but they
have got accustomed TO bread and like il.
and take readily TO civilized food.
n. A. MacLean, ex-mayor of Vancou.
yer. b. C., and immigration agent for
Canada. reg istered at the Grand yester-
day. Mr.. MacLean is one Of the thirty-six
Canadian special agents that are scat
tered throughout the northern part of the
United States from Maine to Washington.
endeavoring to :nduce men TO leave this
country and settle on land in Alberta.
where, according 10 returned emigrant.
water freezes solid in \ well fifty feet deep.
The authorities in the East are
Just now making big kick
against this work. especially in
Minnesota and Dako,a. Mr.. MacLean
claims TO be an angel in disguise, though
decidedly earthly IN appearance. and
descants tn glowing terms on the land
which lat this time OF year. caa be turned
With the plow without clearing. He
says, speaking IA if TO a body of intended
emigants: "oh, We want to help YOU on,
OF the woods: We want to do you good: |
am an angel in disguise.
Judge Eieha-d OSbo-n ,s 81.
court. Is IN Chicago taking IN the fair. but
viii shortly leave for his old home at
Bloomington. where Vice President
Stevenson resides. In letter to friend
he says; You may say that while j, i.
true that great many keeper. OF hotel.
and lodging houses are attempting to ex-
tor: outrageous prices for accomnoda-
tons. vet reasonable rates can be .ecu-ed
by taking little time 20 find the right
places Myself and Mrs Osborn ara verv
comfortably situated at very reasonable
rates At the Cambridge. on Thirsy-nin,h
street near Cottage Grove avenue"
L. i. seos.. president: T.. B. seelev
genera, manager. and J. Il. Insall. and "
Duberrv, stockholders. Of the CoIumbi.
River & Puget Sound Navigation Com
rany. which operates the steamer Flvsr
ali of Portland. we're in the city Yesterday
L. Il. Seeley is . brother OF Ur See,sy
agent of the company in this city. Mes,r.
l. b. Seeley. ingalls, and Duherry wen, 70
Victoria on the kingston
NORTHWEST NEWS.
Mary A. Reeves at SPOKANE for d,vn-c.
srora m. Eliza Reeves. Of Biasne, alleging TIA,