Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-29
FROM THE LAND OF ICE.
THE EXHIBIT OF ALASKA AT
THE WORLDS FAIR.
Displays of Furs, Minerals and Native
Woods -War Canoes and Other
Things.

md such things will find many objects
IN Alaska's exhibit lin charge of Lieuten-
ant Emmons. of Uncle Sans Navy to in
terest them. The fish display alone will
embrace seventy or more specimens.
These have been stuffed and mounted by
Z. f. Frobese, taxidcrmist to the Alaska
chronological society. There will be seen
n the collection halibut weighing $50
pounds each and tiny korishky scarcely
Two inches in length. Then there will
be needle fish, many specimans of trout
found in the waters of Alaska and salmon
weighing seventy pounds each.
The display of turs will be one of the
richest exhibited by any country. 1t
has been loaned to the government by
Messrs. Koehler and james, of Juneau,
Alaska, and includes sea offers, silver
fox, seal, bear, WOLF mink, lynx and
wolverine. A single pelt of sea otter
IN the exhibit is worth $500. The fur of
the blue or glacial bear will also be a
feature of the display A box scarcely
larger than a tomato crate holds 81, 600
worth of these valuable furs. 1t stands
IN the lieutenant's office with its cover
ing of boards held together by hun
bred nails and the eyes of guard glar
ing down upon it when strangers in
that portion Of the building are numer-
GUS
The exhibit of the native woods of
Alaska will surely be of interest to lum-
bermen in all parts of the world. There
has been vague idea in the minds of
many people that the faraway territory
Of America is scarcely more than coun-
cry locked in ice and snow, with bears
grinning down from glacial heights
Lieutenant Emmons' exhibit will serve
20 dispel this popular but ignorant be-
lief. There will be seen in the display
nj the woods of Southeastern Alaska,
which include alder, hemlock. red and
yellow cedar and spruce. Sections of
these trees, with the bark still clinging
on them, will be exhibited in the forestry
Departmental the collection. There will
also be displayed specimens of yellow
cedar which will be remarkable for their
polish. This wood, Lieutenant Emmons
says, is excellently adapted to the most
intricate designs in carving and cabinet
work, and is popularity called the sandal
wood of the North. Unfortunately, how
ever, the woods of Alaska are not per-
mitted to leave the country, and thus
the giant forests remain in all their pri-
neval beauty and vastness. Were it not
Tor this restriction the spruce would find
ready sale IN California, where it is
greatly needed for fruit boxes and crates.
The mineral collection is contributed
~ thc mining districts of Harris, Be
lners Bay, Sumdrin and Sitka, and con
sists of LOO panels. The southeastern
section of the territory and the valley of
-he Yukon are rich in gold and silver,
out owing to the mountainous country
and the almost tropical growth Of under
brush, induced by the humidity of the
climate, the minerals are difficult of ac-
cess. Gold is to be found in almost every
mountain stream and there are rich
edges in the Juneau and Sitka districts.
Along the coast there is little or no placer
mining Quartz crops out of the hill,
AIDE, but notwithstanding these induce
nents to the -plodding prospector
Lieutenant Emmons SAYS that a poor
nan stands but little show OF lettering
MS condition there. 1t is capital that is
needed, he says, and until this is brought
alto the country the development of the
mineral resources will be slow and I'M
satisfactory.
Besides the display of gold and silver
there will be a fine exhibit of coal, as
oestos and copper The Alaska Tread
we'll Gold and Mining Company, which
1peratcs 240 stamps, will display several
bricks OF lead, heavily plated with gold
Thc chronological exhibit is the per
7onal property of Lieutenant Emmons,
ind was gathered during his long term
IT service as II naval officer stationed in
Alaska. 1t is probably one of the most
complete Of its character to be found at
che fair. IL will illustrate the life, man
lers, habits, traditions and practices of
the native tribes from Dixon's entrance
On the south to and through the arctic,
and will consist of building and fishing
implements, stone, ivory, bone and cop
1er utensils, ceremonial and feast dresses.
laskctry and mat work and the articles
ised by the medicine men or doctors in
tffccting cures
Still another feature of this collection
viii be war canoes, sea otter canoes from
he Mount Elias district, birch bark
canoes from the Yukon, and skin canoe
from Boring Sea The war canoe, which
will attract much attention, is 80 feet
.qug with 6-foot beam, and is capable
'of seating fifty warriors. It is OF ancient
ana -barbalic pattern, made from one
iog. and belonged years and years ago to
shakes the hereditary chief of the Stick
ieenan tribe. When old Shakes went TO
var in this boat it was with ferocious
iisplay Of bear heads at the bow and
'tern These were carved in wood, but
he teeth were those Of the beast himself
The carvings are in the possession of.
lieutenant Emmous, and will be ut
.iched 20 their proper places when the
Shibit Is finally installed in the govern
nent building Chicago Herald
IT. Would Not Leave