The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-11-19
FAR AWAY ALASKA
The Governor Of tho Territory Says They
Had Successful and Prosperous
Year.
FISHING AND MINING PRospEaED.
Inhabitants Are Forsaklng the Tents Of Their
Fathers and Building for Them.
selves Houses.

Washington, Nov. i7.-James sheake-
ley, governor OF Alaska. has submitted
his annual report 10 the secretary Of the
Interior OF The general conditions Of the
territory. He says: Notwithstanding
unfavorable climatic conditions OF the
spring and early summer months. many
new enterprises were entered upon and
old ones completed. The fisheries have
been useful, and the mines have yielded
profitable returns; population has been
largely augmented by immigration, and
the people have enjoyed "A season OF
progress and prosperity. The civil Off
GERS have been vlgilant and faithful in
the discharge of their duties. and In
view Of the extent OF the territory over
which they exercise authority and the
absence OF transportation and other IA
cilities Indispensable for the execution
OF law, crime is less frequent. and law
and order quite as well enforced as In
some Of the more densely populated and
highly civilized communities. The
building OF saw mills and manufactur-
ing Of lumber In the territory have revo-
lutionlzed and improved the manner Of
constructing habitations in all OF the
villages.
"The leading trait In the character OF
Alaska nature is imitativeness Being
possessed OF considerable mechanical
skin, and willing 10 work, they pur-
chase lumber and erect modern houses.
Some of them are built In an original
style of architecture and painted in col
ors of barbaric state. but are comfort
able and indicate the progress they
have made toward civilization. The
impress OF the missionary Is visible In
all parts OF southeastern Alaska, and
they deserve the commendation of all
for the good they have accomplished"
He estimates the population at about
$1,000. The Siberian reindeer expert
ment, he thinks will prove successful.
Good progress is made in education.
Considerable trouble has been expert
enced IN preventing the sale Of intoXi-
eating liquors. He says Alaska has
1000 miles of sea coast. and revenue Of
ilcers have serious difficulty In prevent
ing smuggling. The patrol of Bering sea
has not prevented poaching. The gov
ernor says:
Lieutenant Commander Drake, Of the
United States navy, In command OF the
United States steamship Albatross. who
thItlt INTO DVIl Eallhd btpls 81 hth
days from the seal islands, reports that
forty vessels were In the Bering sea
hunting fur seals during the months OF
August and September, and had taken
AN average of 1000 skins each, ~ per
cent OF which were females" He also
stated that but Il per cent of the vessels
were Americans, the others bing mostly
British.
1T is obvious that IL this destructive
marauding is allowed to continue 1t will
be but a few years until the seal rook
cries OF Alaska will be entirely desert
ed, and the business Of fur sealing will
have passed into history"
Alaska" Gov. Sheakeley says, sis a
great fishing country. Food fishes are
inexhaustible, cod fish, salmon and hal
ibut being most important, but there
are nearly 100 other kinds, More govern
ment buildings are necessary for the ac-
commodation of public business. Mining
IL elevating in Alaska. and promises to
be a permanent industry. Some veins
Of rich gold bearing quartz have been
discovered during the two years past.
The Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining
company in one year made net profits
of S44i,000 This Is the biggest quartz
mill i'm America, II having $40 stamps"