Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-10-22
THE NATIVES OF ALASKA.
The Esqulmaux Are n Strange Peopi
0uN Vtyo L., Hofra L., The Gr0uud

The Esquimaux Are a Strange People
ond Live In Holes In the Ground.
The finding Of gold in Alaska and the
great rush thlther OF American fortune
hunters naturally attracts attention to
the strange natives of that icy region.
These are the numerous Esqulmaux.
who inhabit the shores of Alaska from
Point Barrow, the highest point north,
to the land along the very top of Al
nska, and along the western coast to a
spot south of st. Michaels. The Els
qulmaux do not inhabit the Interior at
all. that region being sacred to the In
dlans. but content themselves with the
rocky shores and the food that comes
In the way of Dish and seals. Uncle
Sam has made an exhaustive study OF
these unciyiized tribes of Alaska and
from the expeditions Of the bureau OF
ethnolOgy can be gathered a complete
exposition of their sad life amid the
SHOWS and dark, long winters of the
frozen north. These people are OF
medium height, with heavy features,
hair blnck and straight. thick lips. dark
eyes and complexion that is some
! times light yellow and again very
brown after exposure to the reflection
from the sun in spring. Unlike most
savage nations, they seem very gentle
and though brave as to danger, are
peaceful and hospitabe.
The Esquimaux live up the coast IN
small villages and are not numerous.
being very unprolific, as are all ma
tions living In cold countries. They
live by trading with the vessels which
come up every summer, these ships
bringing firearms, ammunition. beads
and tobacco, which are exchanged In
turn for the skins and furs of the Es-
| quimaux. So valued Is brass kettle
TINT large one will bring three skins
of the wolverine, and three of the black
! fox In barter. For houses. they live 10
snow huts, for temporary use, while
their winter residences are of wood,
rudely built and covered with high
mound of sod, so that they might al.
most be termed houses OF earth. They
are entered by passage formed by
hole in the top, which In severe wea.
Their is covered with a bit of wairus
| hide. The furniture consists of few
tubs, lamp which stands In the cor
ner, and the deerskin blankets, which
in the daytime are piled under a rude
bench. During the short summer
months the natives live In tents made
Of dressed skins.
For clothing, fine, thin skins are used
in summer, heavier skins for work
clothes, while extra warm jackets Of
} fur are for winter. Pants and frock
made of skins, with hood Of the same
aud boots of skin, mittens Of skin on
the hands, complete the costume, the
dress of men and women differing but
little, as the latter wear trousers like
the male sex. The women are also at
Tired in boots of sealskin. The wom-
en- tattoo the face at marriageable
age, while II man does the same as a
mark of distinction, the figures being
| used to denote fine fisher of whales.
This tattooing is done with n needle
AID thread smeared with SCOT or gun.
| powder.
Another popularity Is the wearing
| by the men of an ornament In the lin
fashioned OF ivory and known as the
labret. Bows und' firearms are the
principal weapons and are used for
hunting the seal, deer. walrus; while
fishing also forms large part of their
industry. Horrible masks are used in
religious ceremonies, though the re-
lgion Of the country seems very in.
distinct and but fear of some kind of
i
an evil spirit. Marriage is not regard.
ed as sacred institution, and wives
change from one husband to another at
their own sweet will Morality. as
known to u.s. is something not under
stood by the Alaskan Esquimaux.