The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-12-03
THE NATIVES OF ALASKA
fhe Esquimanx Are n Strange People
and Live In HoIee In the Ground.

fhe Esquimanx Are Strange People |
and Live In Holes In the Ground
The finding OF gold In Alaska and the
great rush fhifher OF American fortune
hunters naturally attracts attention TO
the strange natives OF that Icy region.
These are the numerous Esqulmaux.
who inhablt the shores OF Alaska from
Point Barrow. the highest point north.
to the land along the very top OF Al
aska. and along the western coast TO a
spot south OF ST. Michaers. The Es-
quimaux do not inhabIt the interior at
all. that region being sacred to the In
dams. but content themselves with the
rocky shores and the food that comes
In the way of fish and seals. Uncle
Sam has made an exhaustive study OF
these uncivilized tribes of Alaska and
from the expeditions Of the bureau OF
ethnology can be gathered 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 black 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 hospItable.
The Esqulmaux live up the coast in
small villages and are not numerous,
being very unprolIfic. as are all ma
lions living I'm 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
that large one viii bring three skins
of the wolverine. and three of the black
fox In barter. For houses, they live In
snow huts. for temporary use while
their winter residences are of wood
rudely built and covered with a high
mound OF sod. so that they might al
most be termed houses of earth. They
are entered by a passage formed by a
hole In the top. which In severe wea
Their Is covered with n bit OF walrus
hide. The furniture consists OF a few
tubs. lamp which stands in the cor
ner. and the deerskin blankets. which
In the daytime are piled under rude
bench. During the short summer
J months the natives live in tents mad,
, of dressed skins.
For clothing. fine thin skins are uset
In summer. heavier skins for wori
clothes. while extra warm jackets O
fur are for winter. Pants and frocI
IL. 81 IL 90 1n
a and boots of skin, mittens OF skin OF
, the hands. complete the costume. tn
dress of men and women differing bu
$ little. as the latter wear trousers Xix
the male sex. The women are also at
: tired In boots OF sealskin. The won
; en- tattoo the face Mt n marriageabl
age. while man does the same as
mark of distinction. the figures bein
used to denote a fine fisher of whales
I This tattooing is done with needl
and thread smeared with SCOT or gun
powder.
? Another popularity is the wearin
, by the men OF an ornament In the II
fashioned of ivory and known as tn
, labret. Bows and firearms are IN
! principal weapons and are used fC
= hunting the seal, deer. walrus: Will
= fishing also forms large part Of the
p industry. Horrible masks are used
Y religious ceremonies. though the r.
: ligion of the country seems very II
!: distinct and but fear Of some kind {
4 an evil spirit. Marriage is not regar'
k ed as a sacred institution. and wiv,
x change from one husband to another
e their own sweet will. Morality. q
a known to us. is something not unde
d stood by the Alaskan Esquimaux.