New-York tribune., 1898-06-12
4 TRAGEDY OF THE SEA.
INDIAN WOMEN OF ST. LAWRENCE
ISLAND WATCH IN VAIN.
A SHORT SKETCH OF THE WORK OF THE TWO
MISSIONARIES. Mr.. AND MRS GAMBEI-A
WHO WERE DROWNED LAST WEEK

Mrs Gambell wife Of the Rev. V. G. Gambeli
the missionary under the Presbyterian Board Of
Home Missions in this city. whose drowning to-
gether with husband and infant. while returning
TO her field OF labor St Lawrence Island, was
reported IL, TIE Tribune OF Thursday. was re-
narkable woman. Size had been with her husband
at work among the Indian women Of this oui-of-
the way spo; for about two years. her work being
specially supported by the Woman's Board OF Home
Missions. During that time she had impressed her
strong personality upon the life OF the colony 10
its great advantage. and she had also accurately
Informed the women OF the Board and OF the
church about the conditions on the island and
among Alaskans generally. and given them ideas OF
the needs of the work such they had never had
before.
Her child was born this island and II was
found necessary last year for her TO return homo
for medical treatment. This meant years ao-
sence since Il is only possible 10 reach 81. Law
renee Island once year. The coming away was
sad partng both for Mrs. GamDeN ana the women
Of the island. The whole population turned Out 10
bid Mr. and Mrs. Gambell soodby, Tor IL Is Only
once or twice a year that a vessel comes near the
island There were many promises given that
they would come back.
The suNsical operation was entirely successful
and she was returning with her husband TO her
work when the wreck occurred.
Members of the Woman's Board In this city can
not understand why the Gamben family should
have been aboard OF the steamer Jane Grey.
The journey home made on a Government
tender and It was supposed that the return would
| have been made in the same way. II is possible
| n revenue tender could be had The reason
for the laundering OF the steamer Is easier 70
plain. The Rev. DR. sheldon Jackson. while al
| the recent General Assembly, said that everything
In the shape OF q boat is being pressed Into this
Alaskan service now; The steamer in question
and wholly unfit, as many OF them are 10 90
81. Lawrence Island whore the Gambells were
the only white people is almost the last Of the
Alaskan point and is only thirty-hye miles from
thc Siberian coast. Little had been known OF the
customs OF the people there until Mrs. Gambel!s
account gave the members OF the woman boaSd
accurate Information concerning the WORK TO be
,hew Ne ve In round houses. six feel high made Of
drif,wood and portions OF wrecks. There
coal and now the indians keep fires The doors
Of hr Ss On are aon In Tse door is way
toward the west. The partitions are made VIII
is used for shis seaskns utilized for clothing
and walrus skins for blankets There are no shrubs s
and buttercups come as soon as snow goes-2bout
the middle Of July The school which MIS- G'"oe''
Of the strange customs @ among the Il b AIskans ln
and o'her bY 5YdanS hangngof ali the women Of tao
tribe after they reach certain age. -,. J..
the community or had done any good service above
the ordinary Of her ttbe IT IL customary M 10 'aTf
she had been IN lfe a good average woman her
taken hat s up III o. ont n9 6 parcnr ,hs o as
tain The clothing is removed and scattered about
and bread. soap and tobacco are placed near the
denuded body ,., - -,
according 20 Mrs GambelI. that the Indians are
without family affection or that they are oarbar s
ous on the contrary, family affection is strong.
and the putting TO death IS. in their Judgment. an
act kdnes Mothers show as "Tfh love d2s f2s
taught 10 obey implicitly. and they do obey far
better than the average children N me tnitea
she saws 10 her famy-no action Is ever taken un.
less she does say so-that she Is bo old to be OF
use any rsore: that she has t/cth to eat sea!
meat and tha. she had better be filled and taken
M the mountain The command IS carried out
without question as implicitly obey\d az are other
commands 10 children old as well an young bnt
The Woman's Board has decided 10 send another
family ST. Lawrence Island as soon as possible
10 carr on the work begun by the damDelis'
though II may not be this summer.