Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-14
BREAKING YOU NC REINDEER.
much less, and 1t will become a serious
question which eats the other. man or dog.

much less, and 1t will become a serious
question which eats the other, man or dog.
There is one man who claims that he
solved the problem long ago; and If he
could have had his way, Alaska might. at
this moment, be very different place to
live in. This man is Rev. Sheldon Jackson,
who went to Alaska first as missionary,
but has now attained the position OF United
States agent of education in Alaska. He
has established every government school In
the territory, and as he travels about H.
600 miles over Alaskan lands and waters
every summer, he doubtless knows more
about the country than anybody else.
1t is his scneme to introduce reindeer In
to the territory as fast as possible. The
experiment has been tried and proved a
success. The desolate. bleak, snow-covered
fields would support millions OF the gentle
fleet-footed little animals that flourish best
in Just .such a climate, finding plenty OF
nourishing food in the moss, which they
get by digging away the everything snow
with their horns and hoofs. 1t Is not mere
" as a means Of transportation that these
steeds Of old Santa Claus are valuable. al
though every child can testify to their use
in that direction. The RENDERS nesh.
either fresh or cured. Is considered great
delicacy; the skin Is soft and warm. and
can be used for both clothes and shoes;
then there is the milk. which is as good as
any which we buy in the city at cents
a quart. They are more docile than the
horse, and are better adapted than any
other animal for transportation IN the
climate Of Alaska.
Lives on Frugal Fare.
Thus we have embodied in one little AMI
NAL. averaging in size from three to five
feet in height, meat, drink, shoes, clothing,
and the means Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT to
mention his possibilities as commercial
commodity, for his hoofs and horns make
ol, his hair has
buoyant quality which makes 1t valuable
for life-saving apparatus. In addition TO
all this, he is the only useful animal that
can live upon such frugal fare as the Alas
kan climate affords. Dogs must carry
their food on their backs, but reindeer feed
from the soil which they traverse; and 1t
Is estimated that the territory of Alaska
is capable of sustaining 100000 of the
latter animals. a number which will sup
port 2S1 600 people.
The only difficulty in the matter is the
fact that the reindeer have to be imported.
Through DR.. Jackson's efforts something
less than a thousand have already been
brought from Siberia. and because Of the
prevailing ignorance as to the care and
herdng of the strange little beasts. six
families Of Lapps were imported along with
them. A central station was established
and some Of the most intelligent OF the ma
tives taken as apprentices. These are
doing WELL and many are now capable OF
taking charge of herds themselves.
Some of the difficulties which DIR. Jack
son encountered would be amusing II they
did not cause SO much trouble. He had to
contend with the superstitiOns and the
business interests of the natives Of Siberia,
and was only able to collect small herds
at different places. The Siberians depend
largely for slstenance upon bartering the
products Of the reindeer. They are afraid
that they will be cut of from this II the
Alaskans have reindeer too. Besides that,
the people never use money, SO that 1t
was necessary for the agent to be provided
18th thn yorIn WI 10
were glad to get in exchange.
The richest native in the village of In
dian Point, Siberia, does 100000 worth Of
business every year without using a single
books kept. He can neither read nor write,
nor can any Of those belonging to him.
Caring for Reindeer.
The reindeer with their feet tied to-
gether, are loaded into sman boats on the
| Siberian side and carried to the schooners
which convey them across to the Teller
station at Port Clarence. The herders
| drive the deer which are already on the
| Alaskan shore down to the beach. and
| when the men in the boats reach shallow
water, they turn their load Of reindeer out
| into the water and let them swim to shore
themselves.-which they readily do when
| they see the ether reindeer there.
The herding Of the reindeer imposes
nomadic life upon those who attempt 1t,
| as the herds constantly change their POSI-
ton in search Of fresh food. During the
| first year or so in the vicinity Of the Teller
! station the herders slept In single canvas
| tents during the entire winter, and they
suffered great hardships. as may well be
| imagined. Now they build log huts wher-
| ever 1t Is possible.
At the landing station sledges and har-
ness are made, the latter being simply
made and may be put on and secured by
| two motions, touching the deer as little az
| possible.
About year ago 100 deer were driven
| from the central station to Golovin bay.
] Mr. N. o. Hultburg, the missionary there,