The daily morning Alaskan., 1899-12-13
George schwatka, Famous
 Guide, Petitions Citizens.
HIRE WITH HIS NIECE
Red man Who Helped American Explorers In the City Gettinx Signatures.

! George OCllWdtkd, tnc ItI1OuS iHuldu guide, the native who has perhaps done more than any other in helping the United States explore the great territory of Alaska and opeh the way to civilization and to the wonderful discoveries In the vast in- terior .f the Far North, arrived In Skag- way carly this morning from hs nvme village on the ChlIkat riyer. He Is se- companiej by Mrs. L. L. Campbell. his niece, an educated and bright ndlan woman. They come 10 seek influence to have lasting testimonial in the way of med I granted by the Great Father at Washington to the guide for his notable services.
 The influence sough, is the signature of citizens of Alaska to a petition signed by Sehwstka himself and witnessed by C. 5. BlAckett and R. c. Graham The nrst name on the petition Is that of Sol. Rl- pInskv, the United States commissioner at Haines, virtually the home of Seh"atka. Two hundred and eight signature, or whites and natives were secured al Hdlnss.
 The guide and his niece came from H1lnes on the City of Topeka, and on the way secured 'he signature of the officers and many of the passengers, among item be- ing United State Commissioner Sehlbrete, oi SkAgw, V, who happened to be aboard.
 The guide and his niece are no' allowing a V Valuable time 10 pass while they are ln Skagway. By the middle of yesterday afternoon they had secured the signatures of many Skagv avans, and were proseeut- ing the campaign with vigor. regardless Of the cold weather and the piercing winds.
 They will remain here until the next Cot tage City sails for Sitk ,S-turday, Dee.
 10th, when they will depart on her for that port, there to get more names.
 ScnWalka appeared yesterday- in bis fpr I parka, large fur gloves and otherwise ih
 regul,r Indian garb. :.
 He made striking picture as typical
 ftontIersman of his tribe. He Is of medium height. but stout. and his broad, character isllc Indian face is fuuowed with lndlea-
 tions of age. while further evidence Of the eneroachment of old Time upon his person is marked in a slight sprinkIing of gray In
 his locks. As he speaks no English, the
 niece ats as interpreter, presenting the pe- ,tion and offering the invitation for sigma
 lures. While she is doing this sehwa'ka
 stands by. Restless and with his dark eyes rolling, he paees back and forth when there is a delay, and at times mutters to himself. But when addressed he bright ems and smiles.
 Preceding the petition Is a short state ment by Sthwatka and one carrying that romantic vein while al the same time tell ing the story of hIs most notable llfe's
 work.
 "Manv years ago." he says in the state men,, "when the Stick country Iinterior of Alsska) was as dark as night to the white
 man led the W V. and TOW ask the
 Great On Row (big chief at Washington to remember Sehwatka, the Yukon guide
 Schwatka was born in IS4o at Chilkat , in the territory then known as Russia , America, and is a member Of the Chilka' :, Indian tribe. In his carly life he became the guide fo' ' Lieutenant Sehwatka and Lieutenan, Storey, guiding them through the inlets o' southwestern Alaska; carving them ove'
 the pass of Chilkat, down through the In trleate windlngs of the Yukon river to thu mouth of the Yukon. Then the guide be-
 came the guest of Lieutenant Sehwatki
 and was taken to San Francisco. After short visit there he returned to his nativ
 home, and again became the most prom
 inent Indian guide for the white man iron = sal: waters to the head of the Yukon val II lev, making the trip in government eapa '. city no less than eight times.
 s At one time Sehwatka was guide ov' V this route for Lieutenant Wells, U. j. A
 taking him also through the Yukon valle t. to Bering sea. He was also, in IS9o' tf is guide of Jack Dalton, the Alaska path $ finder, and VI. Glave. the noted Africa of explorer, who gave up his lie few veal es ago in seeking knowledge of the interi'
 of Al:iea.
 he schwatka, about seventeen wears az to make the trip from Chilkat, Alaska. Id San Francisco In canoe without stopplr V' at any white settlements on the way . Schwatka was present at Sltka whe ,> tbe territory of Russian America was eedt 1 and by protocol of treaty transferred to u . United States.