The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-04
BEING A MISSIONARY.
Experiences of a Topeka Boy With
Alaska Esquimaux.

George Lerrigo has received a letter
from his brother DR.. P. H. LerrigO, who
was formerly employed in the Santa Fe
offices and is well known here, and who
is now a missionary among the Esqui-
maux on the western coast of Alaska.
The letter is dated at Eaton, Alaska.
August IA, and in it DR.. Lerrigo says:
Il had quite a busy day yesterday, for
Esquimaux galore trooped in to be doctor
ed I do not know why they should choose
SUNDAY for giving me a clinic but they
pains and sores and burns to my heart
content. The Lapps have been quite sick
lately also, so l have had rather more
work than usual
I finished with the Esquimaux about
/ o'clock and sent them away and in the
afternoon had Sunday school for the
Lapp children. Some of the adults came
also. We sang some hymns and read
to them from Matthew and had one of
the little girls read the same passage from
the Lapp Bible Then 1 told them story
(the old legend of Christopher) and am
the first time have attempted a meeting
for them, but it was quite satisfactory
and 1 shall continue it as long as I am
two or three weeks more
some days helping Mr.. Quist in his hay
ing. Went up to Eaton on the I'D and
You see my experiences in the Adiron-
dacks were not by any means lost. Mr..
not as definite as they might be, SO I
have been able to assist him somewhat.
By the way, this proves that Alaska is
good for my health. as 1 have never be-
fore been in condition to NOV, all day, and
not be stiff the next day, which 1 have
''Haying illustrates the native character
to perfection. Among the many amfable
qualities which the Unalect Esquimaux
possess, they certainly do not number the
gift of continuity. 1t happens something
AMr. ouist says, Now Strong and. Ana
renck, will NOW in straight line
across the field. You may follow me-
Yes they responded, and NJ C2 EiS
comes the peaceful zip, zip, of the 9TH
ers. But pretty soon the natiye ingenuity
begins to assert ITSELF, and strong, VINO
has gradually dropped behind, thinks
what an s1uInlfaple scenic 9Hect WouIu De
produced by a circle, SO OH ne goes on a
tangent while AnarenclNs inventive fancy
gigantic reindeer moved IN the long, thick
grass, would be additional attraction
20 TINS ~ rs ate9 so ont he atrIes
while Mr.. Quist mows blistfully ahead IN
conscious of the developing landscape
gardening going on behind him By and
by it occurs to him that something is
the other scythes, and turning finds his
corps of workers pursuing their own wild
q IAnarenck, Strong he calls, didn't I
tell you to follow me?
50 But Mr. Garrison
90 Never mind what Mr.. Carlson did.
Yog must work my way now; 1870
once more all is peace and sublim1ty,
while the scythes cut out their long fur
| Ouist again loses the pursuing zip and
| looks around once more for his followers.
| and after looking in all directions he fin
| ally discovers them upon the roof of an
| old house, gazing out to sea and specu-
| latfng upon how soon the natives will
| arrive from the north to trade reindeer
/ skins for fox skins. And SO it goes. They
are veritable children"
| 4 must close my diary for this year.
| The vessel has come for me and will leave
| in a few hours, so L must hurry to get
ready. You can address me at Eaton next
l year and send letters to arrive at Seattle
| before June 5, 1900 You might also ad-
! dress a letter via Unalaska earlier than
/
/ before leaving St Lawrence Island.
! shall long for the winter to pass that
| may know how you all are again
| st. Lawrence Island. to which DR.. Ler-
| rigo went for the winter, is a large island
| living about mid between Alaska and
| the Asiatic coast at the southern entrance
| to the Behring Strait.