The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-02

Probably no experiment ever undertaken
by the United States government has peen
the subject of so much adverse criticism
as the attempt to Introduce the siberian
reindeer into Alaska. Up to this time
nearly all that has been said In public
print regarding the reindeer herd has been
OF criticism. but the gentle little animals
have at last found friend to speak good
word for them in Gov. J. @. Brady.
In his annual report, which the Post-In-
telligencer recently gave extensive men,
ton, Gov. Brady warmly defends the rein
deer scheme. He says 1t is impossible Tor
the government to make a mistake In fos-
tering and encouraging such rneritorious
enterprise. and gives the opinion that as
soon as Western stockmen understand the
success which has attended the govern
ment experiment a large amount OF private
capital will be invested in reindeer herds
in Alaska.
1t is well ascertained now, says Gov.
Brady, that there Is good pasturage for
several million of reindeer in northern
Alaska. The government herd numbers
5000 head. The Laplanders that were
brought over to instruct the natives are
anxious to obtain herds for themselves. in
dicating their faith in the undertaking.
The government reindeer. Gov. Brady
says, have been turned over to the mis-.
sionary societies in northern Alaska to be
kept and cared for under certain condi-
lions. One of these is that the societies
are to turn back to the government at the
end Of five years the same number OF AMI
mails originally placed in their charge.
keeping the increase for themselves
The animals the governor says, are pro-
life, but the demand for them VIII In
crease, and the great question Is how to
get more OF them. Since the gold discov-
cries at Cape Nome the white men have
come to thorough understanding OF the
value Of the reindeer. The price OF the
Siberian skins for clothing has advanced
from $50 to IS and SO each, and the meat.
shipped from Siberia in sailing vessels Is
sold readily for 81 pound. The draft AMI
mails were used last winter in conveying
government stores to Cape Nome. and IN
hauling supplies for the missionaries who
had claims on Anvil creek.
Gov. Brady quotes an experienced pros
pector named Hank Summers as saying
that he no longer wants nor cares for dog
teams, having learned of the superiority Of
the reindeer by using a stag deer as pack
animal last summer. Summers informed
Gov. Brady that with a pack Of 200 pounds
the deer would go anywhere and live upon
the reindeer moss found In abundance IN
quoted as saying that with ten reindeer
a man could safely start out on trip that
would last q whole year.
A trained reindeer would now bring s125
at Cape Nome. The animals can be reared
at an expense Of not to exceed 81 q head.
Only recently. the two white traders at
Cape Nome applied to the government to
purchase 100 head of reindeer at whatever
the animals cost the government.
Gov. Brady has gathered some rather un-
usual facts concerning the reindeer's
habits, which he sets out In his report as
follows:
wv. A. KJellmann. who has been the
superintendent of the government herd for
several years, tells us some interesting
I. things concerning these animals. When
the time In training their horns, which
while in the velvet are very tender; by
throwing their heads back on their Shout
most Of the training Of the horns is done
by their hind feet. This they do by con-
tinually stroking the horn to bend 1t for
ward; they start prongs where they please
by kicking the tender shaft In a spot till
ing their eyes In the sockets they seem to
be able to look at their horns and en-
deavor to make one correspond with the
other. Seldom or never have they horns
alike.
las proof of these statements. he relates
was not able to train his horns on the
blind side, but that 1t grew In an ugly
shape; another deer which was injured in
its thigh and was not able to use Its hind
feet as heretofore, had its horns grow up In
straight shafts. Another. interesting fact
is that there is an oil duct between the
toes of their hind feet, and that when
the animal sheds its horns 1t Keeps the
place well oiled by rubbing its foot over it,
Most people will remember that the old
Fourth reader used to contain some highly
imaginative narratives concerning the
strength. docility and general usefulness Of
the reinueer TO the Laplanders. but the ma
tural history. furnished Gov. Brady has the