The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-09-28

length the vast district became the
property OF the United States.
Then came he puzzllng question 81
naming the territorial baby. because
lta old name. Russian America" was
no longer appropriate. The wits ex-
ercised their inventive powers. sug-
costing such appelatlons a. American
Siberia" and Zero Islands" but
Charles Sumner showed his hne taste
by suggesting Alaska" (the great
landl. a name which the Indians used
In connection with the southern part u
the peninsula. The ceremony OF the
transfer was very simple. Had one
been In Sitka a certain bright October
morning In 1867 he would have seen
beautiful Sitka bay gay with the fut-
tering Stars and Stripes on three Unit
cd States warEhips. while from every
stan and roof OF the village waved the
emblem OF Russlas power In front
nf the old castle on rs lofty. natural
elevation were drawn up the troops u
both countries. who silently awaited
the first salute from one OF the United
States ships. at which signal the order
was given 20 lower the castles Russian
nag. Scarcely had the sound Of the
American guns lost themselves In echo.
when the Russian batteries doomed
forth. and the American Gag gayly
mounted 20 the top, while both coun-
try's guns sounded a duet. after which
the Russian governor formally resigned
bis badge OF once to Americas repre-
sentative. and the land belonged 20 Tn
Gle Sam. That might there was a ban
Quet and bail At the castle. and then
the Russian families. many Of whom
were cultured. educated people. pre-
pared TO leave the country In possession
OF the new owner. 40 that In few
months the natives and United States
troops. together with INSCRIPTIONS ad-
venturers. we're the sole occupants.
Gradually the latter class was super
seeded by honest prospectors and rugged
pioneers whose accounts OF the beauty
OF the land attracted the tourists who
now annually food the coast region.
where some Of the grandest scenery OF
the world can be- seen
Leaving Victoria. the boat begins ~
serpentine passage among the innum
cradle islands which. nccklace-llke. en-.
circle the coast In verify and truth.
they are the spurs Of that unhroken
mountain range which forms wall
along the Pacific coast from north "a
south. A. FIRST. one begins 90 count
these Islands. but "a soon lost in a
maze of figures for there is a goodly
company Of about 100. varying 90 sir,
from small. delicate patches OF green
90 great tracts o' land as large as o.,
state Of Massachusetts AZ the boat
slides ln and out ~ this lahyrInth Of
nature. The scene becomes kaloldosco
pie. Tor new combinations OF iurquols,
water neccc-hccked sky granite noun.
taing. and forests centuries old are
constantly presenting themselves IN,
Yosemite seems but the child OF this
vast, grand congregation Of rocks. while
Pixies Peak Il but siraycd little
brother. for one after the other. on All
sides. mountains that lose themselves
In the sky's snow banks rise perpsn-
dicularly from the smooth. level sur
face % the water. Neptune demanding
no tribute during this voyage. a. one
meets the open sea only while crossing
Queen Charlotte Sound and Dixon En.
trance A Bird nylng hlEh over head,
or roagull sklmmlng he waters mir.
ror-like face glvo evidence OF the
feaihered inhahliauu Of these unex.