The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-15
Ir orD.rrMr BATTLE IN AEAsxA.


A Yankee a,ripper and q srserian Trnder
Were Interested tn IL
Just about one hundred years ago there wesa
sanguinnry battle in Alaska between the
Tlinkits and tho Aleuts, two tribes that then
entertained sentiments OF hostility Tor eaoh
other. Tho cause of the battle. the circum'
stances Of Il, and the dire ending OF 1t are de-
scribed In the Russian records appertainine 10
the far northern territory, which is now unoor
the American flag, but formerly belonged to the
Cars empire.
To Alaska there came from Siberia, in or about
the year 1890. an adventurous trador, n Russian
named Baranoff, for the purpose of otter hunt
ing. Arriving at the Aleutian Isles, he TOOK
about 900 Aleut hunters into his service. On
they went in their kayaks, or little skin boats,
for those parts Of the archipelago In which sea
offers then abounded. They got many otter
skins for the trader, who believed that In a few
years he would become rich and great. He de-
termined to form n settlement OF them on the
strait extending northward from Sitka Sound,
not far from the situation of the modern town
of Juneau, where at this time there are multi.
tudes of gold seekers bound for the Klondike
mines. There tho Alout otter hunters stayed
for several years, to tho profit OF Baranoff, who
dedicated the place to the Archangel Gabriel
and committed 1t to his protection.
The native Tlinkits, who were a savage tribe
nni had dwelt in that region from time imme.
mortal, took umbrnge at the presence of the
Alcuts, whom they regarded rs intruders upon
their hunting grounds. The Tlinkit chiefs
formed u resolution to cxterminatc the intrud-
ing Alcuts. They made ready for war. APP
! preaching the settlement unexpectedly, they fell
upon it with great fury; they killed about half
of the Aleuts; they fought like savages; they
fired the guns which had been obtained years
before from Siberian traders; they seized the
otter skins which belonged to the Aleuts; they
plundcred the huts and afterward destroyed
them. 1t was a triumph for the Tlinkits; it was
a battle worthy of song and story. The victors
danced with Joy. They had brought glory to
their tribe.
But this episode in the history Of Alaska did
not come to an end all at once. Some Of the
Alcuts had saved their lives by flight and had
taken refuge in the forests. where the Infatuated
enemy could not reach them. 1t was under
these circumstances that a strange and unex.
pected thing occurred. 1t happened that about
this time, which was over 100 years ago, a
Yankee skipper from Boston named O'Kane
came along in his bark, schooner, or other sea
craft looking for q chance to trade with the
natives. 1t is not known what kind of an as
sortment Of Yankee notions he had in his ship,
but he was doubtless ready to pay a fair price
for any otter skins that were for sale. As he
made his way up Sitka Sound he caught sight
of some of the Aleut fugitives. who also
caught sight Of him. He took them aboard ship,
got the news from them in some way, sent them
Tlinkits. He found them, got some OF their big
chiefs to come aboard, gave them to understand
that they We're his prisoners. and held them for
ransom. Here was Il case. After a while. he
effected an exchange. The Tlinkits delivered to
him the otter skins which they had taken from
hunters whose lives had been spared. The big
chiefs Of the .Tlinkits were thereupon released
mud cnVt octDr r~,,r ~ II
Yankee skipper from Boston. and TO his profit.
Some others OF the fugitive Aleuts who had
tHeir sk saif boat, in or ' Rsya aGres and fG made pSs sss;I Ms Of
along the coast to kadiak, where Baranoff. the
t Rnii him f Of the s assds OF T fSe th hsHs a%sTFtt;S nsit. They hey
anger was stirred up; he said the savages must
be punished. II happened that just at this time a
and the Captain of the Neva told Baranof,
when he came aboard. that he would see to the
conduct. had manitesied their y en nifty
to his master. the Gar Of Russia.
arrived there. came to the enemy
land. and attacked a stronghold which the
Iiinsits had constructed; 1t wasa stiff fight;
had Several ! pieces Of cannon a:'t the II iaasSi had
Russians battered the stroongbbo dlei;o the R1~ Tiini its
tell back. because their powder had given out;
been punished: Tho, crime which they perpe.
| tlhtcu uIpou tnt hleutS nHu Dcen avenged. their
power was broken. Russia was victorious. Az.
ter the events here narrated the Tlinkits of
Alaska were of but small account in war.
When BaranOf founded the settlement of the
Alent otter hunters upon. Sitka Sound he put it
under the protection of the Archangel Gabriel;
but AS the place had not been protected against
the savage Tlinkits. he committed the new
trading post which he established there to the
care OF the Archangel Michael. 1t was safe ever
afterward.
It may be doubted whether any of the gold;
seekers who have entered Alaska by way of
| Juneau, which lies near the scene of the military
and naval operations here described. ever heard
Of the ole. time battle between the Tlinkits and
the Aleuts. or ever heard of the Yankee skipper
from Boston. or OF the naval brig Neva. or OF the
Russian Baranoff from Siberia, who piled up tho
rubles which came to him by the sale of otter
skins "A hundred years ago.
Now that the early history of Alaska has ac-
CURED a fresh interest for Americans. it is pos.
sible that n more complete account of the
Tlinkit, campaign will yet be procured from
original sources. There are opportunities for
research between So north latitude and the
Arctic Ocean between the Rocky Mountains and
Behring Strait. Lots OF sanguinary battles
may have been fought up there.