Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-01-21
ALASKA'S REINDEER COLONY
1t is Prospecting Finely, Much to the
Delight of the Eskimos.


Rev. Sheldon Jack son, whom the
United States employs as a general
agent of education in Alaska, has just
arrived from the north at Tacoma,
Wash, and has a good deal to say
about the progress of his experiment
in introducing reindeer ircm Siberia to
Alaska. Alaska now has more than
1900 head of reindeer, and he herd is
increasing at the rate of 90 per cent
yegd, said Mr.. Jackson to 4 correspcn-
cent of the New York sun | am
pleased 20 Say that the experiment OF
bringing reindeer from Siberia and
coloniz;ng them in Alaska had proved
q great success. The re nicer are dis
tributed at four stations, at Cape
Prince of Wales. at Point barrow. q.
Cape Nome and at GaiCyin bay These
herds now aggregate 1881 head, of
which number 337 were born last
spring. The herds --a in splendid
condition, being fat and sleek as it is
possible for them to be. They are
increasing at the rate of 60 per cent
year. Sixty of the reindeer have been
trained to drive to harness and are able
to haul big load They are used 10
haul supplies to the several stations.
In order to encourage the native
herders few of the reindeer have
been given to them, and now between
rs and so are owned by natives. The
natives take deep interest in the
animals and those who own three or
four head are looked upon by the other
natives as plutocrats.
The object sound in introducing
these useful animals into Alaska was
to give the natives a permanent food
supply and better method of trans
portation than that afforded by dogs
The white hunters have killed off the
seals and fur bearing animals, and the
result is that the natives were reduced
to state of starvation, which was not
the case previous to the advent of the
white man. The natives greatly APP
preciate the reindeer and guard them
as closely as a white banker does the
deposits in his bank.
The influx of white miners into the
basin of the mighty Yukon river has
created a demand for reindeer for
hauling freights to points adjacent to
the river. Now the miners. in most
instances, have TO leave the mines in
the winter because II is next to i'm
possible to get supplies to where they
are wrestling the precious metal from
the frozen earth This would not be
the case were It possible to get rein
deer to haul provisions and supplies.
| have received a number of letters
from Yukon miners asking whether it
was possible to let them have a few of
the reindeer for freighting purposes
While | would greatly like TO accom-
modate them, find under existing con
ditiOns that ! cannot do 50. | expect
however, to be able to supply the de-
mand in about three years
II congress would give a good. big
appropriation Immediately, | think the
demand could be supplied much sooner.
The supply will have to be large
enough 50 that The miners can dis
pense entirely with dogs You see,
he dogs attack and kill the reindeer.
and, therefore, 1t will not do to put tn
deer in any section until the dogs have
been got rid Of Another fault Of the
dogs is the fact that YOU have 10 carry
provisions for them to consume during
journeys, and this cuts down the GUAM
tlty of freight TO be transported during
a long trip considerably One firm in
Chicago put up tons of dog food this
summer which Is 10 be used by Alaska
dogs during the coming winter The
food is the lard and refuse meat from