The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-29
Remnant of the Reindeer Herd ls
Fast Disappearing.
GIVES cnlLxaTs RARE SPORT.
1.ftft~ Animals which Were Expecs-
ed 70 solve Transportation Fro"-
lem Tn Aimska Now Roaming Like
Orphans over the Hills Back Of
Hafs~s sftssIsn-impp Herders De-
s-rf Them aaa Return Home.

That small portion OF the big govern
0ent reindeer herd which survived dis
ease IL row being hunted TO death by the
Cbllkat Indians. This Is the story that
Ma brought TO Seattle yesterday or steam
ers arriving from Alaska. The Indians
are, it is said. hunting the reindeer prin-
eipally for the fun they get out Of it. for
the little animals are 50 poor that there
q very !ittIs flesh on Their bones.
When the herd OF some so deer was
handed AZ Haines mission from the bark
Seminole. the faplandsrx drove them back
Into the interior In search OF moss. On
the trip up from Seattle the deer were
fed principally on hay ard we're in very
bad condition. Many Of them died at
the mission. and others gave up the strug-
sic on the trip hack into the hills. Moss
was found. but not IN sufficient quantities
% feed the deer properly. Then, TOO, the
nnoss found was different from that fed
the deer ia Norway. and they did not
thrive on IL. a few wee.ss ago II was
reported that but so Of the deer remained.
They are scattered over the upiands
back from Haines mission. and the Lap
heraers have practically given up caring
for them. Some Of the hersiers have left
Alaska ard are now on their way home
The Indians Il Is said. viii soon put the
FINISHING touches en- the herd. II has
been long time since the Chilkats have
had Az opportunity to hunt deer without
going TO a great deal OF trouble. Tbs
braves, Alaska residents say, must be
truly thankful 20 the government for
bringing a herd al the way from Norway
for their amusement.
Hardly q day passes AT Haines mission
81 IL alleged, witEag. hunting parties bring
fra~ In. Ia 81 ffaasr NJ
the lit;le animals that were 10 revolution
fze winter travel into the interior Of Alas
ka. The Indians get great deal Of sport
our OF the killing The animals have be-
come very wild since turned loose, and
tie chase is very Interesting for the Chill
kats.
The scheme OF taking reindeer to Alas
Ia wss pushed 20 4 successful issue by
Dr. Sheldon jackson. the well known
Alaskan missionary who is In charge Of
the government schools In Alaska. DR.
Jackson made q trip 10 Norway. and after
great deal % trouble and expense
brought a large herd across the Atlantic
CT a special steamer.
Tsy the time Or. Jackson and his deer
arrived In New York the conditions at
Dawson had been relieved. The govern
mont having spent thousands OF dollars
getting the deer. decided 10 send them TO
Alaska to BIC used by geological survey
parties They were - he seld to private
parties after that or placed on a govern
mem reserve te be established near Belle
island on the Yukon river
One hundred 81 the animals were 10 have
beer taken 70 Cook Inlet and Copper river
By geological surveys When the steam r
on which the parties went north called
a. Haines mission the deer were back In
the hills, and the herdsrs could not be
communicated with. The surveys went
OH without them Since then the deer
have been dying. and Il the lates. story
from the north Is true they VIII soon be
exfersn!nated