The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-14

Rev Father Francis Barnum, S. J.,
/ who for the last five years has had
charge Of one of the northernmost Alas
kan Catholic missions on the Yukon, Is
now in the city on his way East tor
years rest before returning north 10 his
arduous field OF labor. While here he has
been prevailed upon to give lecture at
| Cordray's theater tomorrow evening
on matters appertaining TO Alaska that
came under his personal observation While
sledging across the wilds Of that ccuntry
or boating down the famous Yukon river
for almost 1900 miles.
Aiaska's Catholic Missions.
Father Barnum was seen last evening
at the home of the Jesuit Fathers and
furnished much interesting information
touching the frozen north. The Catho-
lie missions in Alaska We're founded in
1885 by Archbishop Seghers. IN 1875 the
archbishop first visited that country and
perfected his plans for the following year,
at which time, accompanied by Fathers
Tosy and Robeaut, he started two mis-
sions. Unfortunately, the archbishop did
not live to return to civilization, for dur
ing the same year, 1856, he was murdered
by Francis Fuller his man servant. The
other missions were started the succeed
ing years. and their several locations and
work was given by Father Bdrn1m as
follows:
1.-THE FortyMile station is some 1,6oo
miles up the Yukon and the furthest
one north This is in charge of Rev.
Francis Monroe, S. j., and IS run princi-
pally III the interest OF the minors, all
white, Of whom there are at least 1,5o0
Forty-Mile is the name given The river
there that flows into the Yukon. The min
ers named all these rivers according TO
their distance from Fort Reliance. This
one being just forty miles from Fort Re
lance. and many gold finds having been
made there the place and the mission
have become known as Forty-Mlle, and l
suppose it will so remain.
The next mission is the Nulato, which
means place of dogfsh. 1t was near this
place that Archbishop Seghers was muir
dered The mission is in charge OF Fa-
Their Ragaru. 5. j.. and Is for the hoyu-
kuk and the kalohan Indians. al or whom
are scattered and not numerous. They
are fairly civilized and live by hunting
and fishing. Nulato mission Is 4,yg miles
below Forty-Mile.
The Peaceful Sha2eiuks.
"ShageIuk station is on the river # the
same name which Is a tributary or the
Yukon This mission is Ia charge OF Ia
Their Judge. $ J. and IL about 80 miles
from Nulato The Shageluk Indians. Ike
all the other tribes, are pure hlooIed' bGt
somewhat deteriorated from their origi-
nal stock None OF the tribes now has a
offensive and the loudest talker rules.
Acts OF violence are unheard or. IN fact,
the last murder up there was that or
Lieut. Barnard. IN 1856. one OF me mem
hers OF the Sir John Franklin searching
expedition. who lost his life toEether
with the Russian cOmmandant ot that
post-Derabin-as the result OF the lat
tcr's cruelty 10 the Indians. The most
that the Indians now VIII do Is 10 steal
and ne and in that they can Keep pace
with their white brethren.
For Indians and Eskimos.
THE next mission is that OF kozyrev-
ski. some $50 miles from the mouth OF The
Yukon This Is known as the Hciy cross
mission and is in charge or sather =
Crimont, S J. The name OF this mission
is that OF a former Russian trader et that
most Here we have a large school I'M
der the charge of the Sisters of ST Ange
Of rachfne. canada. This mission takes
in all the Indians from different villages
In that neighborhood. The scnool mas
fifty girls and thirty boys ana they al
are taught 10 speak English, ard 20 SO
well.
"Kuskokwin mission. the next station,
is ~, the site of the old Russian trading
most. Kolmakoffski. There is here TRAD
or Of the Alaska Commercial company
This mission. in charge OF rather ROD
eaut, s. j is for the beneht OF th' t.sht-
mos ever get from the ocean, rs they
never like 10 travel far from the sea
There arc about 100 in this village and all
live on fish They trap mink and dfal IN
skins. which. as in all other VILLAGES. IN
dian or Eskimo form the medium OF
exchange II is all barter and no money
"The last is the coast mission. under
my charge and devoted exclusively 70 the
rs[ir,os. whose language l speak fluent
" This station IS named haueiigmeut,
meaning people on the kaneiik r!Ttr-
Prom this YOU will see that our mis-
sions are twofold; one class devoted 20
The ,chabitnnts Of the interior, who are
Tndisns and the other 10 the Eskmos
who 1--we on or near the coast. nave
visited every one Of the stations en1mer-
ated and am pretty familiar with the
workings OF the several places and their
respective people.
\ Grammar and Dictionary.
..r have never learned any OF the Indian
dialects \ different one prevails IN eE-
erv community. and a life time OF STUDY
would never accomplish the end desired.
bsve made a careful study OF the Es-
k{r,o langunee. and have mastered that
10 an extent that ' have been able 10
create a grammar. a dictionary ana .
catechisIn. an OF which have been on
great service In the schools
"Our people live on seals. also ce4us \,
nm Immense porpoisc as large as this
room az q rlu~s r1lilk-white with blubber.
Walr7ss also is dainty article OF 1000
with fhe EslJnos. but the Wairus no"
is very scarce; their piec" ce RESISTANCE
e salmon.
IA the mission yye have p school under
charge of focr Sisters Of s.. Ange La
c1in,. and our time is spent In visiting
an the villages on the Yukon delta COW
e-ing a territory Of several hunared
miles"
seattle the Trade Center
Seattle. he said had a warm SPOT IN
rh. heart or every man in Alaska. All
looked 20 seattle g !its nearest trading
nol0t and results had so fs- proven thar
seattle was Aiaska's: natural source e
supply. Goods could he bought in Seattle