The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-09

But it is in wives that he is considered
richest. In his home igloo up on the west
ern shore of Bafiin bay he has ten, all
particularly strong of jaw, and able to
keep Kor-ko-yas stock of clothing ever
soft and pliable The Importance of this
will be understood when the Eskimo Gus
tom of chewing skins is understood.
His Ten strengthened wives.
Up in the polar circle. where mans
blood freezes, and parts of him drop off
at the touch OF the icy blast, 1t is a
difficult matter 10 keep the Unframed skins
from hardening and cracking. There is
only one process known to the Eskimo,
that of chewing. 1t Is necessary TO per-
form this operation every two or three
months, and IL is a part of the wives du-
ties Ii is for that reason that an Eskimo
selects his future helpmates not for beau
~, comellness of figure, nor for gentleness
of disposition. but for the size OF their
teeth and the strength of their jaws.
Wives are bought, sold and exchanged,
among the Eskimos. The price fiuctuates
like that of wheat or corn, or stocks on
Wall street A father with growing
daughter will be approached by a neigh
Dor and offered one two or three dogs for
her, according TO her maxillary powers
Sometimes a blue foxskn or a dozen strips
of blubber may enter into the bargain,
but dogs are generally the factor used.
From this il can be seen that Kor-ko.
vas plurality of wives Is considered proof
of his wealth among his friends. There
are other evidences which will be descrlb-
ed later.
Kor-ko-ya was born in 1871, at small,
native settlement a short distance north
OF what is now the Danish town OF
Julianehaab. in Greenland He left his
home at an early age and crossed Bahn
bay. making his igloo with another tribe
famous as hunters of seal He was
known 90 some of the early explorers.
and acted at head guide and chief teams
man to them.
He attracted notice even in his teens as
thrifty youth and from that time be-
came prominent among the Eskimo. Saw
ing Is an unknown art 90 the Indians OF
the Arctic regions, and 1t is seldom they
accumulate enough TO last them through.
out the long winter. Certain rules OF the
tribes made 1t incumbent upon them 10
heip their needy neighbors. and for that
reason the individual members neglect
TO lay by stores for the morrow
kor-ko-ya became an exception. He was
skilful hunter and a shrewd trader, AMI
before he was 90 his main igloo became
the center Of the village, In regard to a.
tings and attractlveness. The tribe 10
which he had attached himself was one
OF che largest and most influential OF tina,
part OF the country. and by his 25th year
hor-ko-ya was recognized as the head OF
H. II Is said that men came 200 miles
to consult him in affairs OF the chase and
trade
Lawyer and Wehther Prophet.
His method OF giving advice wa.
Characteristic Of him. He charged for
his services, and graded his schedule Il
ices very like that OF a lawyer Ia a civil.
ized community Ia that he was wise, sew.
etal hundred years beyond his generals lon,
u.s helghbors, ana men Of other tribes
worked for nothing aud then stole AS a
fecompense.
hor-ko-ya asked TWO foxslylns for fore,
@'ung The weather during the long s.eep.