The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-19
DUNCAN'S SAD TALE.
Loss of His New Methakahtla
Mission by Fire.
he SENDS AN APPEAL FOR AID.
Twenty Eight Houses Burned and Many
Homeless ON the Alaskan Isle
Efforts to Rebuild.

The news of the burning of the mission
of Methakahtla, known as Father Dun
cans mission. in Alaska, was brought by
the City of Topeka. but no details OF the
fire were given. The following letter from
Father Duncan to Fischer & Macdonald
not only gives particulars of the disaster,
but explains the sad situation in which
the natives are at the present time. He
asks for help to rebuild the houses, and
the request is being literally responded to
by the people of Seattle. The letter is as
follows:
MErHAKAHTLA, Alaska. Feb. 10. 1891
Msssrs Fischer and Macdonald: 1t is with pro-
found grief. L write to acQuaint you with the
sad calamity which has just befallen our vii.
lagd.
In the forenoon Of the eth inst tuesday .
fire broke out from a temporarily vacated house.
and owing to strong east wind prevailing at
the time all efforts to check or control the flames
proved abortive. In less than two hours
twenty eight houses were completely consumed.
Unfortunately, - 10 usual at this time OF year,
many OF our peopla were away from home hunt
ing and fishing, SO that the loss in household
furniture, food and clothing was also very
great From some of the houses burnt up
scarcely anything was saved.
During all the years of my residence in this
country ! do not remember experiencing such
extremes In the weather as We have had this
winter. For ten days previous to the fire an
unusually dry east wind prevailed. This had
made everything around 90 drv that q mere
spark was sufficient to start fire. The intense
cold weather, too, we have encountered de-
manded extra large fires to be kept up. These
conditions. SO favorable to fire, which would have
put experienced people on their guard produced.
l am sorry to say. no extra care or watcEfuness
on our unsuspecting natives. Thus they are
now plunged into deep distress, the first bitter
experience of the kind they have ever been
called upon to suffer.
After the fire had passed the village it spread
furiOusly in the forest, and a conflagration OF
alarming proportions ragged through the re-
mainder OF the day and all through the night.
When the panic had somewhat subsidized
called few OF the people together to consider
what was to be done for the sufferers, and it
OF their supply OF food, wearing apparel and
bedding should be first attended to. sub
scription was at once raised to purchase blan-
kets aud food for distribution. In the mean
time the homeless were being kindly received
and sheltered by their more favored neighbors.
but from fear of further disaster all the fires in
the village were extinguished.
Yesterday. to the relief of our fears, the wind
subsidized and snow began to fall Many of the
people who were absent at the time Of the fire
returned. but alas! only to see and bewail the
ruins of homes they had but recently left In
the afternoon We held a general meeting at
which was glad to observe a subdued, quiet
spirit prevailed. Instead of moroseness, anger,
fault-fnding and despair which would. under
the same circumstances. have undoubtedly ap-
peared in years gone by. there followed only
sympathy tor the sufferers. pledges to share the
heavy burden, resolutions to renewed efforts
and the adoption of wiser methods for provid-
ing against danger. In the end, therefore,
trust this severe calamity will prove a real gain;
for it may be that some of the lessons necessary
for their advancement in civilized life can only
be learned through actual encounter with dis
aster.
Now must come to the real purport OF my
letter, which 10 to beg for aid. Though in
teaching this people have ever prompted them
to sell reliance and to avoid begging-yet feel
on this occasion l cannot regist their earnest
appeal to me TO let their friends know Of the
great loss they have sustained, with a view Of
soliciting aid for rebuilding their homes.
About one quarter of our village has disap-
peared, and at the lowest estimate about twelve
thousand dollars $l2.000) of property was de-
stroyed. May l therefore, gentlemen, enlist
your sympathy and cooperation to make known
among our friends our necessities It may be
some will be kindly disposed to aid us. Should
our appeal be in any degree successful may
suggest that help be only rendered to those who
will comply with our rules to be laid down for
securing all possible precautions in building
Hoping TO hear from you soon, remain yours
very sincerely, W. DUNCAN
Messrs. Fischer & Macdonald immedi.
ately prepared a subscription paper to aid
the sufferers, circulated it few minutes,
but with success. The paper and sigma
lures thus far obtained are as follows:
We. the undersigned. learning of the great
loss New Meilakahtla. Alaska. has lately been
afflicted with through fire. whereby twenty
eight homes have been destroyed, desire to ex-
press our sympathy by relieving the suffering Of
the people, as far as lies in our power.
Fischer K Macdonald m