The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-09-06
DARK OUTLOOK IN ALASKA
Deplorable Condition of Affairs
Found by Captain Tuttle.
Measles, Influenza, and Pneumonia
" Edespread Among the Indians.
From. Many PIaees-Urgent Need
of Food to Prevent Starvation.

Captain futile, of the revenue cutter
Bear, has reported to Captain Shoemaker,
chief OF the Revenue Cutter Service, that
most Geplorabie condition of affairs ex-
lists among the natives on the Alaskan
coast north of Nome, and also Oil the 81
rerian coast. In his quest for rel deer for
DR., Sheldon Jackson. special agent OF the
Bureau OF Education, Captain futile de"
cided to go along the north coast or ST.
IBERIA as far as Kolutchin Bay. When oil
Sinr0ck an officer and a surgeon were sent
ashore. and reported an epidemic OF measles
and pneumonia, with many of tie natives
sick. Medicines were left, and the Bear
proceeded to Port Clarence
At that point the Rev. MI. Brevig, the
Government school teacher, reported much
sickness and many deaths among the ma
tives The surgeon prescribed for those i'll
and medicines were left. Clarence City
was substantially deserted, the Inhabitants
having left for a new gold field. Cape York
vas reached July IS, and officers sent
ashore reported the same fatal illness
among the natives. At Cape Prince OF
Wales the same condition prevailed. At
East Cape Village, Siberia, the natives re-
ported many deaths and much Sickness
while at Whalen, Siberia, all the natives
were sick, and refused to barter for deer.
At St Lawrence Bay Captain TutJIe
found nearly all the natives sick or dead
Surgeon Hawley took a census OF St Law
renee Island and found thirty-six deaths.
out of population of 2S3- The natives AZ
| Kirge Island. reached July 81, came along
side and reported most OF the people de43
Captain futile says:
The natives are thoroughly Qem0raIIZe0
through fright and superstition This IS
the time they should be securing their
winter supply OF food. Instead of doing SO
they are remaining in their huts eating
what little supply of food they may have
and making no provisions for the winter
/ If il were not for the relief now afforded
| them it is my opinion there would not be
| 10 per cent of them alive next June.
| Special Agent Evans offered supplies,
which were landed, and the Bear steamed
! n0rthward ana reached Nome August 8.
/ II is Captain Tuttle's intention to stop at
! Port Clarence, and from there go to the
destitute districts, after which he will re-
! lieve the suffering in the vicinity of Nome.
Considerable haste is necessary, or the
/ Bear will be frozen in and will not be
able to return before next spring.
| Captain futile has forwarded the follow
| ing letter from Dr. Sheldon Jackson:
United States Steamship Bear.
Port Clarence, Aug. /, 1900.
Capt Francis futile, r c. s. Com
| handing Cutter Bear:
! Dear Sir: I have Just returned from
a visit to the Government reindeer station
and Lutheran Mission at Teller. Alaska.
and find the influenza which is epidemic
/ along the whole COaStamOng the Eskimo,
| is raging there with great violence. Since
! you landed the Rev Mr.. Breyig and family
at Teller about month ago he reports
that fully one-half of the Eskimo around
the station have died Eleven have died
/ during the last week. In some eases whole
i families have disappeared, both parents
| aud children being dead. In others the
! parents and some of the children have
| died leaving young children orphans, with
| no near relatives to feed or care for them
| The salmon are turning in their wa
| ters, but there are not sufficient num-
| Der of well people to catch them and
| thus provide food both for the present
and for next winter. The ravages of the
| disease have been SO great that a panic
has seized the native population and the
dead are left unburied in their homes II
| his desperation one who died few hours
| afterward OF influenza shot and killed
| the 'Shaman. The indian doctor was
| himself sick and would probably have
| Gted in day or two if he had not beer
| shot
cinity are beginning TO collect at Teller
| for food and medical attendance The
Rev Mr. Brevts, although not a physi-
| clan, has set UP a few tents and is run
ming temporary hospital as best he can
| having twelve sick under his care He
| has also taken into his family SO fan
| twelve orphan children. For the chill
dren, the sick, and their families he has
! TO furnish food from his own supplies
| He IS in great need Of pilot bread, -four
and clothing TO be issued to the natives
| in extreme distress There is no record
for half a century of the same distress
| that is now prevalent along the whole
| Behring Sea coast.
| Asking your consideration and atten-
! ton TO some practical method of relief and
| also suggesting that the great need be
! called to the notice of'Brigadier Genera
| Randall commanding the Department OF
Alaska. have the honor, etc.
SHELDON JACKSON