The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-30
Native Population in Western
Alaska Fast Decreasing.
CONDITIONS THAT PREVAIL
Census Enumerators Estimate That
sixty Per Cent. Have Died Within
the Past Year-Advent of the
White Man Responsible in Part
No Fire in Winter-Littie Cloth

among the great questions that are be-
ing studied by scientists, in connection
with the far Northern district of Alas
ka. is whether or not the advent of CIV
ilization into that section is making in
roads On the native races. Strange as 1t
may seem, within the past two years
the native population of Alaska has been
decreasing. and by those who have made
careful study of the matter IL is said
that within the past twelve months there
has been decrease OF fully 60 per cent.
in the number of those who in former
days were considered among the hardest
races and who. in sunshine or frost. were
physically strong and knew but very lit
tie OF fatigue.
AS matter OF fact. Investigations. II
is said. show that the native races Of the
new realm of gold are fast dying of.
and at the same rate of decrease, as in
the past two years. IL will only be a
short time until the Eskimo will be only
told OF In history or in the fireside tales
of those who have been the pioneers in
the land of six months night
In the work OF research the Alaska
Geographical Society has made extern
siye investigations and the above facts
are the result Of its labors. In July
last Arthur c. Jackson. president OF
the society, went to Alaska in the inter-
ests OF tho society. and during the two
Ahchthh VI Ills stdy tueT6 ne pdlu MUCH
attention to tho condition of the natives
Among the sights he witnessed. in a
number of the small Indian settlements
along the western coast of the district
and far into the interior, we're many
that were heartrending and told tale
OF want and suffering that are surely
carrying the native Eskimo to his DOOM
Mr.. Jackson returned to Seattle on the
Roanoke. and in an interview regarding
this subject, given at the Rainier Grand.
he said:
Eskimos Are Dying.
"The condition of the native Tslsmos
In Western Alaska is pitiful to behold.
During the past year disease has wrought
much havoc among them. and unless
some measures are taken shortly. by
ton 1t will only be short time until
that race OF people will be numbered
with the past. During our travels, for
,o my Wr,e s WAS WIN me we saw many
er to be forgotten.
ITO the advance Of civilization Is part
ly due their state. for 1t cannot be said
that the Eskimo has yet adapted him
self to the new conditions While was
at Cape Nome I talked with the census
supervisor, He informed me that many
OF his enumerators, who. did the work in
the Kovukuk district. brought in with
them stories of an appalling nature He
said that In several of the districts from
the reports that he had received he was
u
Indians had died from disease and pri-
walton since the enumeration began.
I'm several of the sections that we
visited we found little Indian huts in
which there had been no nre for the en-
tire winter season. Wood was scarce;
the head OF the family was either dead
or III with some one OF the many dis
eases that have been rampant among the
Indians of that section during the past
season, and there was no one left to
go on a journey for wood. So through
the long winter day and night these Inn
poverished people lived in squalid pow
erty with no FIRE to keep the body warm
or with which to prepare a meal. should
the victuals be in the house with which
to do It.
Many PitifuI sights.
''But this Is but one of the conditions
that we found among the Alaska Indians
that would mako the heart sad. Since
the advent of white men into the
district In great numbers. and ths con-
seauent Introduction OF firearms in album
dance the Indian has found II q COM
paratively easy matter TO get all the
guns he wanted: II was not long before
he understood that powder and ball was
a quicker method of gathering skins, TO
sell TO his white brother, than the
bow and arrow. The result OF this knowl-
edge was that whereas in former times
he killed as a rule. only a sufficient
number OF fur animals to keep him In
meat with arms In his possession he be-
gan TO ruthlesgly slaughter large num-
bers OF fur-bearing animals, thu meat
OF which he could not use and which
he allowed TO lie on the ground and rot.
He saw tho white man do this. and gave
no thought to the consequences, or that
he was not In the same position rs the
foreigner whom he attempted 10 follow.
THE result. OF this Ia that today there
ia n scarcity OF the fur-bearing animals
in Western Alaska The indian before
he realized H. was robbed Of his meat
subsistence and worse thnn all. proha-
bly,, IL tho fact that in this wanton de-
etruction he has lost the animals that
furnished him with the furs FROM which
he made his clothing. SO II has come 20
pass that during the las, winter. while
the house was cold, there was very littlo
meat and the average Eskimo had NOT
sufYtcient clothing 20 keep himself warm.
ut Is true that Within the past two
years the Alaska Indian has had n great
or revenue from his furs than ever be-
fore but the Indian up there Is Just as
irnprov ldant as the Indian In any other
paYt 81 the United States, ard so he has
r0thsnE left with which 60 purchase
! either feed or clothing. To these con-
! dltlans 20 large extent Is due the great
/ amount 81 disease and death that has
| prsvaflca In that district during the past
| wear aua thus Il can he saH that direct
/ IL 10 the advance Of civilization In Alhsk.
| sa sue the present crudition ~ the Es-
I klrao and his threatened extinction"
View Map. OF china.