Stikeen River journal., 1898-05-14
The Beauties of Alaskan Scenery
 Portrayed.
LAND OF PERFECT BEAUTY
Effects of Climate and Scenery Upon f c Soul-HOw the City
 and IIarbOr Appear.

ulthCult or ascent tnal steps die necessary.
 From the south and west win dowS of my room, a magnificent view is obtained, overlooking inc incoming and outgoing world, giving a full view of the most desirable scenery, namely: the tall everlasting mountains, with their snow white tops, the blue placid waters of the bay covered with the canoes of the merry fishermen, or boats of the pleasure seekers; crafts on their missionS; steamers sailing yes sels, and deep sea vessels, all of which make up the quiet, peace ful city of the waters. Many crafts are moored in the bay.
 The hundreds of white tents scattered in every direction, the newly built houses of every shape and size, interspersed with the lively evergreen trees, all add to the pleasing landscape.
 Mingled with the grandeur of the sweet freshness of the sun kissed morning, is the song of birds, the hammer and saw of the busy carpenter, people moving in every direction, and hundreds docking to the wharf to welcome d large British steamer, which is nearing port, so eager are they for tidings of the exciting war.
 The fresh foliaged trees of grand size stretch away i'll every direction, even to the mountain heights, where they seem to vie with each other i'll seeing which can reach it's head nearest heav- en. In the distance are noun tainous islands which stretch far along the coast. In every direc- tion the mountains may be seen encircling the town, girding the horizon with their snow white peaks, which seem to woo Us with a resistless power, Here and there are clusters of hemlock, fir and spruce.
 Owing to the divergence of the coast from it's direction of north and south to a line extending southeast, Wrangel has also d northern outlook.
 To the left are scattered clus- ters of houses, and reaching out into the bay is point of land on which is situated the residence of George Shakes, chief of the klinket indians.
 One of the peculiar features of this picturesque city is the dense growth of moss which covers the old logs and stumps, and aug ments the strangeness of the scenery.
 Where is the cold frozen reg ion for which we came prepared: May drops her gentle showers upon the mountain side, and nature is awakened to life and puts on her summer garb, and this is our Arctic @ region? Oh, wonderful country! No place in history has excited the human family more than the gold fields of this region. The very men, tion of ALASKA sets the mind in ferment and creates an intense thirst to seek it's shores.
 Few towns have come to the front so rapidly as Wrangel. There is always peculiar fasci- nation in the rapidity Of enter prise, and the rapid prosperity of courageous and successful men, and this is one of the busiest and most enterprising ports of Alaska.
 Wrangel is built face to face with the beautiful blue waters of the bay, it's feet bathed in the mild Japanese current, and it's head pillowed on the mountain side. Its harbor, which is said to be the best in Alaska, and one of the best in the world, receives ships from all over the globe, bringing people from every kin dred and every tribe,
 Its population varies like the sands on the sea shore. New and interesting features are be- ing daily added to It's short his tory. Shrewd business men as sert that the finding of a rich region of gold deposit is at hand for Wrangel.
 The totem poles, ingeniously carved with interesting figures. and defaced by time, attract all tourists. They are relic of the early race who still inhabit these regions. In their eyes the totem is sacred, being the genealogical