The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-25
The Thiinkets of southeastern Alaska.

The foregoing is the title OF we'll
printed and handsomely illustrated little
Volume from the press of Stone & KIM
bali. OF Chicago. and the authors Of which,
IL appears BY the title page. are Frances
Knapp and Rheta Louise Childe. In recent
years quite humber OF books have been
published about Alaska. but until the APP
pearance of the present volume they have
been 81 three general classes; one consist
Ing of dry records or scientific research, or
compilations OF data gathered from va
rious sources and buried IN publications
made under authority OF the general gov
eminent. There Is a wealth Of valuable
information contained In the various pub
lieations Of this class. but IN the shape
in which it IS presented IL Is OF more In
terest and value TO the student than TO
the general reading public. The second
and more numerous class contains the rec
ords OF casual observations made by tho
summer tourists, whose whole idea Of the
country and the aboriginal inhabitants Is
gained from observation made from the
deck OF an excursion steamer or during
the brief stops made at particular points
OF interest Many such books have been
written in bright, attractive style. and
have done good service by calling atten-
ton OF the idle. pleasure seekers TO the
nagnIfeenee of the scenery, the care and
comfort of the voyage and the generally
pleasant features OF an excursion through
the thousands OF miles of canalIike chan
nels along the Northwestern coast. The
third class Of books are the guide books,
compiled largely for the use of the miner
and prospeetor. TO furnish the information
necessary TO enable him 10 make his way
TO the new gold fields.
The little volume IA question IS neither
the dry record Of scientific data. nor the
casual observation OF the summer tourist.
although in tha extent and variety OF
Information which IL furnishes about one
OF the most interesting tribes OF PRINT
tive people In the world. II may be looked
upon as most valuable contribution to
ethnosogy, while in its literary finish.
charm Of style. and power 10 interest and
entertain the reader. IL Is FAR superior to
the best or the ephemersl publications
which have preceded II.
The authors speak with The authorita-
tive knowledge which comes from long
intercourse with a residence among the
people whose habits, customs and traits
they portray. Miss Knapp. the author
whose name comes first In the title page,
Is "A daughter OF Hon. Lyman + Knapp.
o. this city. for several years governor
81 Alaska. ard whose family resided with
him IA that territory during his term OF
Office. Rheta Louise Chil6e. the c0llab-
orator Of Miss Knapp. Is the wife OF j. +.
Dorr. OF this city.
Considering the limits Of the volume the
Sphleet Is treated oxhaustlvely. The
name 1hiinkst l. applied generally TO
eleven tribes OF Indians who inAabit the
coast OF Southeastern Alaska, from Mount
81 Elias TO the mouth % the Sdkeen riv-
cr. and who collectively are about 5000
In. number. and % course form only a
small portion Of the native population OF
Alaska The authors start with some
brief KaecuiatIons as 20 the origin OF the
fr{hes giving tho various theories which
have been propounded ny different stu
dents. The remaining subjects treated
can 10 best htnted at by a resume OF the
different chapter headings. which cover
the tribal organizations, toteFutsrn, inner
ttanre. an Indian village. plan % defense,
modes 81 warfare, disposal Of prisoners
ard slavery. blood atouement and system
OF rerrthailan family organization and do
nestle relations. youth, marriage, cEild
birth and divorce: pursuits and occ0pa-
lions. foeds and inVisusents social Sttrt-
hutes and principles Of society; feasis,
r,ottas.hes. dances and theatricaEs. witch
craft and Shauas r1isu: death. cremation
arA h,trfsE rites. religion and myths; tho
srts-..arvtnE. drawinS. basket weaving.
az, foIk lore and the Indian q to-day.
Altogether. K Is a GeitgnUul tdflf vel
,.-ea ve41frh Is not only worthy 81 perlS2l.
h,.f vxfIrh a and wil remain Il work Of
,,.--r,asr,ert value. covering as Il does sv-
srv phase 81 Nfo among Fsost interest
ing tribss 81 Indians. who. Ike others Of
thsgr race, are probably dooEnsd 20 early
extinction.