New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-23
INDIAN TRIBAL CUSTOMS IN ALASKA
OBSERVATIONS BY GOVERNOR BRADY ON AN


OBSERVATIONS BY GOVERNOR BRADY ON AN
OFFICIAL. TRIP.
washington. March 22-secrctary Bliss made
public to-day interesting letter from Governor
John G. Brady Of Alaska containing tho obServa-
tons made ny him while on his annual trip Of
inspection to the various points the coast. on
board the United States ship Wheeling
While passing up the Lynn Canal the Governor
SAYS the officers of the ship piece of wreck
age which was af'erward asccrtained to be part
of the Inflated steamer Clara Nevada, Of whose
crew or passengers not was left 70 tell the tale.
Special attention. the Executive says. should be
paid 10 vessels navigating the Yukon the traffic
on which Is so large that the tendency Is TO take
great risks.
Tho Wheeling. after leaving Dyea called at the
native village at the north Of Chchagof Island,
called Hoonah. ono Of the leading men Of the
village had been accidentally killed by a child six
years old. The people take account of
accidents and the IIoonah natives held the mother
and her people responsible and demanded repara-
ton which given. body OF two hundred
men. thoroughly armed went to a native village
near Killisnoo 10 which place the child's mother
ard her people belonged ana compelled them to
turn many blankets. trunks and money. The
Governor admonished the natives, and told them
their old customs would not be tolerated
From this point the Wheeling proceeded TO
Yakutat. where. upon investigation. 1t found
that nearly everything that had been reported to
affairs there was correct. The Governor has con-
siderable 20 saw about tho practice OF wtchcraft
which soems 10 exist 10 a considerable extent I'm
that part II tie country. Ile tells Of a man and
two women who were bound and tied for bewitch-
ing man. ON the ninth day the bound man was
released and a he had had nothing TO eat and only
q Few drinks OF water. he In fearful physical
condition. The Governor spent some time talking
70 ihcs" people. and after explaining the laws OF
the United States he told them that in the future
he would not deal cnlcnty with those who prac-
ucc wltchcrdft. Captain Scbrec. OF the Wheeling
had his men practise with the guns Of the vessel
as a useful object lesson 10 the natives
There were about dozen miners at Kakutat
waiting 10 60 10 the head Of Dsenchanment Bay
Thence they were 10 cross over the glacier 10
the Olesek River. where they intended to prospect
and ai;erWard 20 on To the White River and get
back 20 the 81. Elias range ~ mountains
Tee Wheeling returned to SitEa. Her cruise in
"a" Governors oyulou. had done great good io
the natives as they dreaded a gunhont more than
anything "lsc. Il" says he j. convinced that II IS
tim" 20 take tho natives vigorously in hand and
break ~ v'itcAorGi tisti,ng 81 rum and manu-
featuring o; beer ana To compel them 10 conform
10 our laws I'm all RESPECTS The nHtive who com
mi's murder or any crime on another native does
moi escape with ne punishment that this Govern
Ucnt meies out 20 him. hut t. hell accountable
also under tho tribal customs The Governor CON
clIGos ny saving that. L backed up by the good
VII and force Of the Navy Department he feels
sure he can do much - c0r-ert existing conditions
during Ms term Of office.