Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-09-02
A NATIVE ALASKAN
Talks Entertaingly Of the Customs and
Conditions at His Home.
Mr.. Marsden, a Theological Stu
dent, Delivered an Interesting
Address at the Second Presby-
terrain Church-Substance Of His
Remarks.

Remarks.
Last night very interesting lee
ture was delivered by Mr.. Edward
Marsden, a native Alaskan, who has
been studying for the ministry at the
Lane Theological College at Cincinnati.
Ohio, for the past four years, at the
First Presbyterian Church. Mr.. Mars
den, who, in 1887, became interested in
the English language and the work of
Christianity, speaks good English and
viii make a good minister.
lie said, in substance: I have been in
the state Of Ohio Tor the past four years.
Last year I was the first Alaskan to
graduate from an American college. I
sincerely hope that l viii be the first
Alaskan to return home as an ordained
Presbyterian minister From my own
experience, 1 can truthfully say that
very few people in this vicinity know
OF the hardsbips Of Alaska life.
Alaska is situated northwest of the
United States. I'll is fourteen times as
large as the State OF Ohio. During
winter we have short days for three
months of SIX hours each. We only
see the sun three months during the
entire year Our days and nights go
by the sun. We deal in fuTs, seals, sal
mon fisheries, lumber, gold and silver,
which practically represents our ma
tiOnal wealth. Our transportation is
done by sailing crafts. Renders are
also used in sleds. We have no rail-
road transportation. The country can
not be used for agricultural purposes.
Only in the mildest climate are we en-
abled to raise fruit. We are divided
into six tribes. theEsquim0s, Alabas-
tines, Allusiaus, Fins Susians and the
Russian Alaskan, each speaking diff
ferent language.
The English language is being in
PRODUCED into Southern Alaska, and it
affords a tourist OF to-day an easy task
to make the natives understand him.
Fifty years ago the expedition from
Russia, headed by Marcus Berry, dis
covered the western islands near Corea,
now occupied by the Allusians. The
Russians discovered that there was
division between Alaska and Western
Siberia. They learned of the wealth
which Alaska possessed, and returned
TO their country with samples OF turs,
seals. etc. The Russians saw the bril-
liant opportunity to enrich themselves.
lie their eager rush to get the roubles
one hundred poorly constructed Rus
sian crafts set sail towards Alaska, OF
which number fifty were landed and
the other fifty were lost at sea. Dur
ing the stampede for the riches out
rage upon outrage were reported, the
intruding Russians often depriving the
natives of their rights. The Allusians
became boisterOus, which caused out
RACES among themselves. Since this
period Russian colonies have been es-
tablished.
Alaska was ruled during the Russian
period by Russian governors, who pre-
sided at q station 400 miles west of
Sitka. now The capital Of Alaska. where
the Russian castles were inhabited by
their governors. the last one being a
prince. Russia had possession OF our
country enc hundred and twenty-siX
years. During that period nothing
was done for the good Of our nation.
Millions of dollars worth Of furs, seals,
and other wealth were taken from us.
They established the Greek Orthodox
Catholic Church for their own natives.
The only church i'm Alaska was built
ali Sitka in 1861 by a number of Luth-
Grams. When the Pacific division Of
solGiery arrived the Russians Withdrew.
Our country was under military rule
for ten years. All this time nothing
was done.
When General Howard of the United
States. who was assigned post at
Alaska. arrived and found that religion
and education were needed very badly
he az once took steps to introduce re-
ligion. lie appealed to John Eaton,
of the Bureau of Education Of the
United States i'm 1877. Dr.. Sheldon
Jackson. who was located in Alaska,
returned to the New England States
where he secured missionaries to leave
and work in Alaska. Since then 5000
Alaskans have been converted. Mrs
Mcfarland. who lives near this city
was one of the first ladies' to venture in
the wilds of Alaska. After hard labor
mart of the southeastern portion of
Alaska was converted by the PTesby-
terians. the Swedish missions from
Stockholm. Bapdsts. Methodists and
Conversational Churches. The Pres
bvterians enjoy the distinction of in
reducing the gospel to the most north
erlv point in America, Point BarrOws.
we often say that we can look down on
the world from our highest effort to
plant religion.
When religion had a good hold on the
peoDle schools were established at
Sitka. the capital, among which is the
industrial school. which is being main
tanned by the Presbyterian Church. and
the government and individual Alas
5aps who sacrifice $500 to $500 annual
Nv for the maintainence Of the institu-
tion. AT this school one hundred and
fftv men and women are being educat-
ed. They hail from different points Of
Alaska The principal text book is the
Bible. The trades are carpentering,
printing. tailoring. household duties
and steamboat engineering, which is
being taught the six different tribes.
PRICES TELL