The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-02-17
A NORTHER MISSIONARY.
He Proposes Reindeer Express in the
Far North.

Il "a
Far North.
FINE SPECIMENS OF PHYSICAL MAN
HOOD AMONG NATIVES.
The Report of Rev. Standardization. Cen
eral Agent of Education i'll Alaska-
Some Novel Schemes Proposed Far
North.
Seattle, Feb. Is. The report of the Rev.
Sheldon Jackson, General agent OF Edu-
cation IN Alaska, with particular refef-
ence TO the introduction of sdomestlc
reindeer into the far north territory, IS
being circulated and generally discussed.
In the summer of 1890 he first visited
Northern Alaska and established schools
for the Arctic Eskimo at Cape Prince OF
Wales, Point Hope, ana Point barrow.
He also accompanied the United Statues
revenue cutter Bear on cruise IN Benz
ing Sea, Arctic Ocean, and to the coast
of Siberia.
The trip to Siberia enabled the Key.
Mr.. Jackson to make cPutss OF sev7n
hundred miles along that little known
coast and to study the character OF the
native population under conditions cor
RESPONDING to those under which lie
must be maintained in Alaska. lie
found them to be hearty, active ana
we'll FED people, owning tens OF thousands
of head of domestic reindeer. Since that
trim the Rev Mr.. jackson has continued
To reside in Alaska in the government
service. and after his observations anu
Investigations he is now III 1884 wen
qualified to speak lnteillgentiy on ene
needs of that country.
Uncle Sans Northern Proteges
The taking of the census of Arctic
Alaska furnished him extensive facilities
for studying the condition of the Eskimo.
He reports that he found them like their
neigh bors on the Siberian side to be a
hardy and active people, but because
they had never been instructed to de-
mend upon the raising of reindeer as a
supuort, unlike the Siberians, they were
on the verge of starvation. This condl-
tion is due to the fact that the whale and
walrus. that formerly had constituted
the principal portion of their food, nave
been dedstroyed by the whalers, and the
wild reindeer that once abounded IN
their country have been Killed on by the
introduction of breech-loading firearms.
During the summer of 1892 the Kew.
Mr.. Jackson made five trips TO Siberia,
and 115 reindeer were purchased, brought
over and landed at the head of Point
Clarence. This was selected as the
location of the first reindeer station, and
Miner W Bruce was appointed as super
intendent of the station and hero. Mr..
Bruce it will be remem bered, was In
Seattle last August with party OF
eleven Eskimo, which he exhibited at
various points on the way TO the world
Fair, which he never reached.
At the station a comfortable house was
erected, and four Siber;ans well acqualnt-
ed with the management OF reindeer were
brought over and placed IN charge OF the
herd. under Mr.. Bruce's directions. A
few other young men from the Alaskan
Eskimos were also given chance to
learn the management and care OF the
herd.
T he present expectation is to increase
the number of Alaskan boys who shall
become apprentices to the herders, and
when they have sufficiently learned the
business and proved their capablllty to
take care of the reindeer small herd
will be given each one as his start IN life
As from year to year the mum Der OF such
young is increased and number OF
native become -herders, the herds will
naturally become more and more dlstriD
uted throughout the country until, event.
ually, that whole northern region shall
be covered with them. as the similar
regions of Siberia and Lapland are now
covered.
Reindeer Express Proposed.
Mr.. jackson thinks there is no reason,
considering the great area of the coun-
try and the abundance of reindeer moss,
why Arctic and sub-Arctic Alaska
should not sustain population of 100,-
600 people with 2,0OO, 900 head of reindeer.
A reindeer express across Alaska, from
the Ar cite to the Pacific Ocean would
have corresponding commercial value
to that section as the telegraph between
New York and London to theirs. 1t
would enable the owners of the whaling
feet to avail themselves of the latest
commercial news and keep more perfect
control over their business.
With tho destruction of the buffalo the
materiat for cheap carriage and sleigh
robes for common use is gone. Bear and
wolf SKINS are too expensive, but with
the introduction of the reindeer their
skins would to a certain extent take the
place of the extinct buffalo.
The commercial Importance OF intro
ducing domesticated reindeer into Alaska
was so manifest that shrewd business
men at San Francisco at once appreciat-
ed the great possibilities involved. and
fastened, through their chambers of
commerce and boards of trade, to take
action, urging their several delegations
in Congress to do what they could to
secure an APPROPRIATION of money for these
purposes.
Under favorable circumstances a rein
deer can traverse 100 miles in a day. A
speed of 100 miles a day is easily made
As beast of burden they can draw a
load of 300 pounds. Mr.. Jackson insists
that the progress of exploration, settle
ment. development, government. civil
ization, education, humanity and religion
is largely dependent in that region on
reindeer transportation.
He further adds: eff there is any
measure of public policy better estab-
lished than another or more frequently
acted upon, it has been the earnest and
unceasing efforts OF Congress TO encour-
age and aid in every way the improve
H.