Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-12-05
ALASKAN REINDEER.
The Animals Have Taken Kindly
to the Climate.
THE DEMAND FOR THEM BY MINERS.
Subsistence is Plenty and the Eskimo
Have not Intcrfered-T Herd
is Increasing Rapidly.

timony of another year to the success OF
the effort to introduce domestic rein
deer into Alaska. In 1890 and '91 the
proposition met with the objections
that on account Of their superstitions
the natives of Siberia would not sell
their deer alive; that the deer were so
dainty in their tastes they would starve
to death while en- route from Siberia to
Alaska, and that even if they could
be purchased and safely landed the
wild esquimaux and their wolfish dogs
would make short work of them.
These objections could not be met
with argument, as that would merely
be the placing of the opinions of one
set of men against those of another set
equally intelligent. There was moth
ing to be done but make the expert
ment. Consequently in 1891 | pur-
chased band of sixteen reindeer, kept
them ON board the revenue cutter Bear
for tree weeks, and finally landed them
at Unalaska, thousand miles distant,
thus demonstrating both that they
could be bought and safely transported.
Further confederation is found in the
fact that in the fall of 1898 the captain
of small schooner purchased dozen
head and kept them ON board his vessel
for over two months, while they were
being transported to San Francisco.
Arrangements for herding having not
been completed at that time the six
teen purchased in 1891 were turned
loose on the islands of Unalaska and
Amaknak, where, without any over
sight, winter or summer, they have
thrived. During last winter, four of
the band on Amaknak Island venturing
ON ridge of snow that overhung
cliff, were precipitated over the rocks
and killed.
In 1892 III reindeer were purchased
in Siberia and landed at Port Clarence,
Alaska, where established the Teller
reindeer station, and placed the herd
in charge of experienced Siberians I'M
der the supervision of Mr.. M. w.
Bruce. The Siberians pronounced the
food supply on the Alaskan side as far
more abundant than in Siberia. The
same testimony has this summer been
given ly the Lapps, who are greatly
surprised at the large quantity of deer
moss in Alaska.
The herd passed successfully through
the winter of 1899 3. and in the spring
of 1898 seventy-nine fawns were born.
During the summer of 1898 1877 addi-
tional deer were purchased and placed
with the herd.
The winter of 1884 in Arctic
Alaska proved one of exceptional sever
ity, and when the fawning season
came en- in April and May the Their
mometer registered 80 degrees below
zero. During that severe spell of
weather 900 fawns were born to the
herd. fifty of which chilled to death,
leaving net increase of 100.
The two years of the herd at Port
Clarence has proved that neither the
barbarous esquimaux or their dogs
will interfere with it.
During the first year but five dogs at
tempted interference, and the second
year but one. These dogs were
promptly shot by the herders and their
owners compensated.
w lIuln a Dlllo vi tttO HCIu 10 u NllluSO
of one hundred esquimaux, who late
in the winter, when their supplies Of
dried fish are eaten up, are in a starv
ing condition, and yet no attempt has
been made to help themselves to the
venison within reach. From twelve
to fifteen esquimaux young men have
been constantly kept at the Teller rein
deer station learning the care and man.
agement of the deer. And in doing
this it is Important that they should
be taught the latest and most improved
meth DDS To accomplish this it be-
came necessary to secure some Lapps,
who, by common consent, are copsid-
cred the most skillful reindeer people
in the world
Consequently last winter, with tho
approval of the United States Commits
sioner of Education, sent Mr.. William
A. Kjellmann, of Madison, Wis, to
Lapland for herders. He returned in
May, 1894, bringing with him six
families of Lapps, who reached their
station early in August, and are now
in full charge of the herd. They also
have the oversight of the Eskimo
apprentices who are learning the bust
ness. and have demonstrated their
superior skill over the Siberians in
handling reindeer
Some criticisms have been INDUCED
in by few newspapers concerning the
bringing over of skilled" herders from
Europe. To these would reply that
the bringing in of these Lapps is not
contrary to, but in full accord with the
provisions Of the law governing the
importation of skilled labor"
Last spring, through the courtesy of
the Secretary of the Treasury and of
Captain L. G, Shepard, chief of the
revenue marine division of the Treas
ury Department, the revenue cutter
Bear was again designated to assist me
in procuring and transporting reindeer
from Siberia. Captain NJ. A. Healy,
commanding the Bear, with the warm