Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-13
DIR. JACKsON's MISSION.
The Task of Taking 500 Reindeer to
AlaAka.

Alaska.
DIR. Sheldon jackson is now in Norway as
the special agent of the War Department
with power to purchase 800 reindeer, which
the government will use in forwarding sup
plies to the destitute miners in the Klon-
dixie. Mr.. VIM. ]. kjellman superintendent
of the government reindeer herd in Alaska
preceded DR.. Jackson to Norway and Sc
lected the animals and keepers for the pro-
posed expedition. Lieut.. Devore Of the
army, military secretary to Secretary AL
ger, accompanied DR.. Jackson as far as
London and has arranged for the trans
portation of the herd of reindeer to New
York. for which purpose he has chartered
a steamer
The arrangements for the transportation
of the reindeer, the harness and sleds and
drivers, will be most difficult and expensive.
A large supply of arctic moss must be car
ried for fodder for the journey across the
ocean, well for that overland to Seat
tie. and again by water to Dyea. day s
journey inland from Dyea a moss grows on
which the caribou of that region subsist,
and it is conceded that reindeer can live
on any food that is good enough for Carl
bou. The long trip is sure to affect the
reindeer, but it is hoped that it can be
made in short enough time to allow a
short stop for recuperation before the
starting of the expedition from Dyea.
Disposal of the Pack.
The reindeer may be kept by the War De-
partment in anticipation of repetition of
this years distress next winter, or they
may be sold at auction in the spring. There
is horrid possibility. however, that they
may have to be slaughtered for food in the
KlOndike. and the orders authorize such a
thing if the situation justfies it. In case
they return safely from their mission of
humanity. the chances are that they will
be added to the herds already established
by the government in Alaska. The herd
which is thus to be imported will cost about
100000, exclusive of the cost of tranSporta-
ton and SuStenance.
The proposed use of reindeer for the re-
lief of the Klondike miners has aroused
fresh interest in regard to those animals.
In Lapland, which includes the northern
parts of Sweden. Norway Finland and
the kola peninsula, there are about 100000
domestic reindeer They are in herds of
all sizes, owned by various individuals.
the business of reindeer herding and rails
ing being che of the chief industries of
the coLntry. Thousands are killed annu-
ally for food. and good deal of the meat
is sold i'll Europe as venison. Reindeer in
Lapland sell at from 81 to S15 each when
broken to work. Their training begins
when they are from three to four years
Old, and they are usually able to work up
to the age of from sixteen to eighteen
years.
Freishting With Reindeer
Freighting with reindeer is an entirely
separate industry from raising the ami
mails. and is one in which many Lapland-
ers are engaged. Almost all the traffic be-
tween the inland settlements ard the coast
Is done by reindeer sleds in winter and
reindeer packs in summer The hoofs of a
reindeer are large and fiat and spread out
as the foot is planted, SO that the animals
are equally useful for travelling on snow
or in mud. The sleds are built of light
thin wood. in much the form of the for
ward half of a canoe. only decked over for
two-thrds of their total length of about
seven feet. From 800 to 400 pounds of
freight make a sled load and ten sleds
make 4 team nine loaded and one for
the driver. Each sled is drawn by a rein
deer whose harness consists of a raw
hide thong about the neck with a single
trace running between the forelegs and to
one side of the hind legs. so that the ami
maj pulls bit sideWiSe and does not step
INTO his own tracks twice. as it would if
1t pulled straight ahead. The driver. who
rides in the first sled, drives with reins
tied to his steed's horns. The other ami
mails are tethered each to the rear of the
sled ahead of it. DR.. jackson will not only
buy 800 reindeer, but also their harness
and sleds, and will hire the services of
fifty drivers, who will be accompanied by
their families.