The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-12-07
ALASKA MOVES UP
The Country Enjoying Period Of
Unusual Prosperity.
Population Materially Increased and An
Ainds of Business In kiourishing
Condition-Fncts About
the Naffvee-

James Sneakiey, governor OF Alaska.
lately submitted his annual report to
the secretary of the interior Of the gen
eral conditions Of the territory. He
says:
Notwithstanding the unfavorable
Climatic conditions of the spring and
early summer months many new enter
prises were entered upon and old oues
completed The fisheries have been
successful. the mines have yielded
profitable returns, the population has
been largely augmented by immigra-
ton, and the people have enjoyed q
season OF unusual progress and pros
perity. The civil officers have been
vigilant and faithful in the discharge
of their duties. and in view Of the ex-
tent of the territory over which they
exercise authority. aud the absence OF
transportation and other facilities in
dispensable for the execution Of the
law, crime is less frequent and law
and order quite as wei enforced a. in
some Of the more densely populated
and highly civilized communities
The building Of sawmills and the
manufacturing of lumber in the terri
tory has revolutionized and improved
the manner of constructing habitations
IN all of the villages
The leading trait in the character
of the Alaska native is irnitativeness
being possessed of considerable me-
chanical skill and willing 10 work.
They purchase lumber and erect nod
ern houses. Some Of them are built in
an original style of architecture and
painted in colors Of barbnric state, bu.
are comfortable 70 live in and Indicate .
the progress they have made toward
civilization They have also much i'm
proved IN the way of preparing food
and clothing. The impress of the mis-
sionary is visible in all parts OF south
eastern Alaska, and they deserve the
commendation of all for the good they
have accomplished among these native
people"
He estimates the population At about
thirty-two thousand. The Siberian
reindeer experiment, he thinks. will
prove successful Good progress Is
made In education. Considerable
trouble has been experienced in pre-
venting the sale Of Intoxicating liquora
lie says that Alaska has four thousand
miles of sea coast and twenty thousand
miles of shore line, and the revenue
officers have serious Guilty In pre-
venting smuggling.
The patrol of Behring sea has not
prevented poaching. The governor
says: Lieutenant Commander Drake,
l. al.
States ship Albatross, who came into
the port Sitka September %, ten days
from the seal islands reports that forty
vessels were in Behring sea hunting fur
seal during the months Of August and
Septemb,e., and that they bad taken on
an average Of one thousand skins each.
seventy-two per cent. of which were
females He also stated that but
twelve per cent Of these vessels were
American, the Others being mostly
British.
cit is obvious that II this destructive
marauding is allowed 20 continue u
Will be but few years until the seal
rookeries Of Alaska viii be entirely
deserted and the business Of fur seal
ing viii have passed into history. The
North American Commercial company.
lesSses Of the seal islands in Alaska,
have complied with the conditions Of
the lease and the natives have no cause
for complaint"
Alaska. Gov. sheakley says. Is =
great fishing country. While the fur
zeal. sea otter and other valuable sea
animals have been decreasing food
fishes are inexhaustible Cod, saimor
and halibut are the mo<t important,
but there are nearly one hundred other
kinds.
More governmers buildings are nec
essary for the accommodation Of public
business. Mining is developing in
Alaska and promises 10 be an frnpor-
tant industry. Some veins of rich
gold-bearing quartz have been discov-
cred. Veins OF rich gold-besring
quartz have been discovered within
two years past, but most q the mines
which were first worked W successful
development IN Alaska were mainly Of
low grade ores, which are found in
lodss o, extensive dimensionA The
AlaslSa Tresdwsll Gold Mining com
pany Ia one year made s-n.t profit q
four hundred and forty-fcpr thousand
dollars This Ia the lsTgest quartz mill
in America, II having two hundred and
forsy stamps
SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.