The herald., 1897-12-12


domestic reindeer into Alaska before the American pub
uc with great prominence One Of these the nforma
ton that the miners in the Yukon valley without
sucient supply Of provisions to last during the coming
winter. After weighing various plans the gov
ernment found that the only possible solution
was to take the reindeer trained to harness. that
the nsghborhood Of st. Michael and with them freight
provisions to the miners from the abundant supplies
stored at st. Michael located the Bering sea-
sixty miles above the mouth Of the Yukon. Hence
ders were issued the department late in September
directing Lieut-Col. Randall, o. s. A. in charge Of
detachment Of troops at st. Michael take charge Of the
ssndeer and with them send food starving miners
on the Yukon These arrangements were no sooner
sunfnated than udings from the Arctic coast Of
Alaske that eight whaling vessels, carrying ag-
grsgatng about 400 had been unexpectedly caught
IN the cs and tho in danger Of starvation.
Many plans were proposed for relief expedition
but vas found that plan practicable that was
not based upon the reindeer. Accordingly the govern
ment on the 10th Of November issued orders for the
svmue cutter Bear to proceed north until stopped by
1et then make determined effort to small party
of ocsrs and men the Ice to the mainland Having
landed the party to proceed Cape Wales
secure the services Of W. r. Lopp congregational mis-
snary borrow his reindeer herd the herd belonging
native Eskimo by the Of Antsarlook (Charley)
and with these two herds overland Ave or six
hundred miles In December and January Point Bar
row, until the "a ilors are found.
The Importance Of the reindeer in the development
OV0TeStmateQ.
whether looked upon from the side Of humanity or
commercial value. The native peoples occupying North
ern Alaska were brought condition Of semi
ton through the persistent destruction Of the whale by
whaers and the rapid killing of Of fur-bearing animals
through the introduction Of firearms The
days when they can support themselves and families
comfortably by fishing and hunting are past and
change in their method subsistence has become abso
1utely necessary This change be by the in
OF herds Of domestic reindeer and the education
Of the native population in their and
careful computation, based upon the statistics Of
1apland, where similar climatic and other conditions
exist shows Northern and Central Alaska be capable
Of supporting oveer nine million head Of reindeer
With the discovery Of large and valuable gold de-
posas upon the streams and creeks Of Arctic and SUBJ
Arctic Alaska s found that the reindeer IL a. import
ant to white men to tho Eskimo. dog train on
journey Will make average from fifteen twenty
dve miles day and in sections cannot make the
trip At ALL because the dogs cannot carry with them
suoeat supply OF food for themselves and procure
none IN the country through which they travel TO fac
itate and render possible freque speedy commune
caon between these isolated settlements and growing
centers OF American civilization, where the ordinary
roads OF the states have existence and be
taned except at an enormous expense reindeer teams
that require beaten roads, at that the close Of
work can be turned loose forage
are essential Thu the introduction reindeer in Alaska
makes possible the development Of the mines and tho
support Of the miners.
The introduction Of domestic reindeer among the
native peoples will probably be accomplished through
the insumentaty Of tho various missions which have
been established among them. 70 facilitate this the
has entered upon the policy lending them
small herds with the understanding that after term
ct years equal number will be returned by the mis-
sicnasy societies to the government Al the mission