The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-02-06
PRooREssIVE INDIANS.
A short aud Interesting sketch Of the
MetlaLahtians in Alaska.

A short aud Interesting sketch of the
MetlaLahtlan, in Alaska.
New York. Feb o Tho Metlakahtla
Indians IN Alaska have recently been
made considerably excited as well as
appchonsiyo by a bill offered in the
house Of representatives by Mr. Dovencr
OF West Virginia, and referred 10 the
committee on Indian affairs II is a
bill 20 sogrcgnto and return 10 the unre-
served public domain mineral lands, in
cludcd In the Motlakahtla reservation,
which consists Of nn island about 90
miles long By 3 miles wide, lying in the
Alexander archipelago in southeastern
Alaska, says the Washington correspond.
ont Of The Tribune
The recent history Of these Indians IS
interesting and somewhat romantic. In
1857 William Duncan was sent by the
Smith Missionary society Of London.
Since then these Indians have, through
his efforts. been raised from a state Of
aagcry 20 civilization.
Troubles having arisen in $50 h..
tween Mr. Duncan's colony and the Co
lonial government Of British Columbia,
mainly with regard 90 the ownership OF
the soil. In the winter OF 1867, thoy
sent their leader 90 Washington. III
conferred while hor with thcprsidoni
the secretary Of tho interior and Other
officers ~ the government. and received
such encouragement that in the spring
OF 1857 the Indians concluded 90 leave
British Columbia and move in body {,
the contiguous territory Of Alaska b
order 90 come under tho m0U hbcm
laws OF the United States In the In
tcryiows with the president and ihD
secretary of the interior no POSITIVE
promises wcrc made, but Mr. Duncan
was given 20 understand that u hi, peo
pie removed to the United State, con
grJ., would take action boz securing then
suitable land tv O. home This wa
subsequently dome iu section lj of lm
act of c1ngrrss entitled can acc o. o.
peal the timber culture Law. and Ga
other purposes, approved MarCh ,
1871. which D. as i1.low
"Uuul otherwise provided by law, Oh
body Of land known as Annette island
situated boz the Alexander archipelago
IN southeastern Alaska, on the nuril
side of D.x0n's entrance. bo and th
same is hereby aot apart as q reservation
/ f1r the Use OF The N.inaahih Indian
and those people known as Methkah
tans. who omiuatei from British Col
umhia 20 Alaska. and such other Ala.
I kan native. as may Join them. 90 D. hoi
and used ly them in common. unte
such rules and regulations and sumrr
/ to such restriction. as may b. rr'scrh'
from time to time ly the scpay d
I the interior
In British Columbia thcv hli i1rmc
a local g0yommrut which they m
transferred with thu Elves to their soi
tcmUnt on auaCtt- island
This local government is oniciall
known by them a, the "rown and As
ciltcd Community of Mot.ahahtla.'
Au annual election is held hy tl
mamlers of thc community. The coui
cii makes its Jaw. and b. iho goyorulu
power of the peopie Every pcuon o.
string Co unite with The community
requested to make application 90 Oh
council f0r membership
n the new member i- accepted ho a
ccpis the following 't rules;
D. To give up s0uery
@ Toca.H calling 0n sOTclrlrs who
sick
. g. To caa-e gambling
g. Toctasc ciyng1way thoirproport
Tor display
g. To cease miniinr their faces.
g. To CEASE drinking mtOxicatn
| liquor,
q. To observe tho sabbath
s. Toat'oni religious instruction.
o. To send their children 90 school.
10 To ohc Clcauly.
A. To bo industrious
D. 10 To hc peaceful
l3 To toubgml and honest In trade
! a. TO build neat houses
+ IS To pay the village tax
! Tho colony on Annette Island M
. cleared oif tho timber from the villas
site. crcctod from $50 90 2oO good fran
! houses, established a cooperative stor
, salmon cannery and steam awmill, an
! built a large church. but .oiar as know
nothing has hotn actually done In mi
+ ing. although DO !. known that proioc
j IN tins direction have bocn under co
. . aHn.HsHH.as