Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-03-02
PRUHkhSo .UF ALASKA.
The Country Enjoying a Period Of
Unusual Prosperity.
Population Materially Increased and An
Kinds of Business in a lourishlng
Condition-Eacts About
the Natives.

James Sheallley, governor Of Alaska,
lately submitted his annual report to
the secretary of the interior of the gem
eral conditions of the territory. He
says;
Notwithstanding the unfavorable
climatic conditions of the spring and
early summer months many hew enter
prises were entered upon ape odd ones
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 a
season of unusual progress and pros
perity The civil officers have been
gigilant and faithful in the discharge
of their duties, and in view of the ex-
tent of the territory over which they
exercise authority, and 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 we'll enforced as 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 imitativeness,
being possessed of considerable me-
chanicas skill and willing to work.
They prSchase lumber and erect mod
ern houses. Some of them are built in
an original style of architecture and
painted in colors of barbaric state. but
are comfortable to live in and indicate
Ahe progress they have made toward
civilization. They have also much inn
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
commentator of al for the good they
have accomplished among these native
people"
Lie estimates the population at about
thirtyrtwo 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 liquors.
He says that Alaska has four thousand
miles OF sea coast and twenty thousand
miles of shore line, and the revenue
officers have serious difficulty in pre-
venting smuggling.
The patrol of Behring sea has not
prevented poaching. The governor
says: Lieutenant Commander Drake,
u. 5. N, in command of the United
States ship Albatross, who came into
the port Sitl5a September 81, ten days
from the seal islands. reports that forty
vessels were in Behring sea hunting fur
seal during the months Of August and
September. and that thev had 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.
1T is obvious that if this destructive
,JpaFauding IS allowed to continue il
will be but few years until the seal
roolleries of Alaska will be entirely
deserted and the business Of fur seal.
ing will have passed into history The
North American Commercial company,
lessees 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 q
great fishing country. While the fur
seal, sea otter and other valuable sea
animals have been decreasing food
fishes are inexhaustible. Cod, salmon
and halibut are the most important
but there are nearly one hundred other
kinds.
More government buildings are nee.
essary for the accommodation of public
business. Mining IS developing in
Alaska and promises to be an impor
tant industry. Some veins of rich
collaborating quartz have been di Gov
cred. Veins of rich gold-bearina
quartz have been discovered within
two years past, but most of the mines
which were first worked to successful
development in Alaska were mainly OF
low-grade ores. which are found in
lodes of extensive dimensions. The
Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining corn
pany in one year made a net profit Of
four hundred and fortysfour Thousand
dollars. This is the largest quartz mil
in America, it having two hundred and
for9y stamps.