The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-04
KEEP FAITH WITH REDS
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OPPOSED TO
OPENING OF ANNETTA
Interesting Bit of History I'm Con-
nection With an Island of the
Alaskan Group on Which Gold
Has Recently Been Found in Pay
ing Quantities.

CHICAGO, Feb. ga Washington
special to the Record says: The sec
fetary or the interior has advised con-
gress not to pass the bill recently in
troduced in both houses opening to set
tement the island of Annetta in south
eastern Alaska, although there have
Deen found within its limits some
tempting traces of gold. Ten years ago
thls spot was dense forest of spruce
ana hemlock timber and entirely unin-
haplted, but in 1891 it became the home
OF the Metlakahtla Indians, an inter-
esting tribe which emigrated bodily
from Canadian territory across the
border into the United States. In 1877
MI. William Duncan, who was sent bv
the Church Mission society, of London
England, as lay missionary to the
Indians of British Columbia. settled
among small tribe known as the
Tsimpscans, converted them to Chris
uanitY and raised them from a state
OF barbarism to an advanced degree
OF civilization. Between 1880 and 1856,
however, there We're troubles between
Mr.. Duncan and the bishop of British
Columbia, representing the church Of
England, over the dOctrinal education
or the Indians, and an ordained clergy
man was sent to MetlakahtIa TO draw
them back into orthodoxy The Indians
refused to receive him and drove him
I. duncan
was accused of having inspired the
trouble, was arrested and expelled
from the country. He came to the
United States, told his story. and re-
ceiVed so much encouragement that he
decided to advise his red-skinned
friends TO move in a body over the
border Upon the recommendation of
President Harrison and Secretary No
bic an act was passed by congress in
1891 setting apart Annetta island in
the Alexander archipelago as a reser-
walton for the exclusive use of these
Indians
They removed en- masse about 500 in
number, and established the town
known as Fort Chester, built about 200
houses, several stores. a sawmill and
canning factory sixty feet long and
thirty feet wide, in which they annual
ly put up about 5000 cases of canned
salmon. They have a school both for
rudimentary and industrial education.
a church and townhouse, a common
council which makes their laws, a gov
ernor of their own number and other
officials. Their laws are unique. Every
Indian in the community was required
to make pledge which is also exacted
of all who desire to join them, to OBJ
serve the following fifteen rules:
To give up sorcery
To cease calling in sOrCerers when sick.
To cease giving away their property for
display.
To cease painting their faces
To cease drinking intoxicating liquors.
To observe the Sabbath
To attend religious Instructions
To send their children to school.
To be cleanly.
To be industrious.
To be peaceful
To be liberal and honest in trade.
To build neat houses.
To pay the village tax.
The Indians have done sufficient
prospecting to establish the fact that
there is much gold on the island, and
white DrOspectors who were working
there for some months found outcrop-
pings of gold in all the cliffs on the
eastern side. Veins were located and
Worked at several points, when the
miners were ordered off the island by
the secretary of the interior. Dr. Dun
can has earnestly protested against the
invasion of white men on the ground
that there is plenty Of other territory
for them to occupy and that their pres
ence will be detrimental to the morals
of the Indians who have been educat-
ed with such patience and success. Sec
rotary Bliss proposes to protect them
If possible. and it is not likely that
any further attempt will be made to
ODen the islands for settlement.