The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-26
PLANNING A BIG POTLATCH.
Alaska Indians Are Gathering Ma
tertsl for n Feast 20 Pacify the
Warning Tribes.

Special Correspondence t-Inteiligencer
SkAGWAY. Aug. ia congregation
Of Indian tribes Of Southeastern Alaska
II TO be held at Kluckwan. on the Dalton
trail. beginning the first week in Septem-
Der. 1t will be a notable affair. not only
for the fact that great numbers Of ma
lives will be present. but also for the
underlying motive OF the gathering. II
IL planned to make II the occasion Of tho
pacification Of two warning tribes of the
district between which the bitterest en-
nifty and periodical feuds have existed
for 600 years. They are the wrangels and
the Sitkas.
Kodowatt. chief OF another tribe. resid-
ing at Kluckwan, and far from the home
Of either the wrangels or the Sitkas. has
conceived the idea OF bringing peace be-
tween the two opposing peoples. IL Is
his intention TO hold a grand feast, or
''potlatch.'' which. in Its most literal In
depreciation, means a gift-making and
pleasure-creating event.
On such occasions the one giving tho
entertainment invites his friends and sur
rounding tribes ard gives to them many
and valuable presents. So heartily does
he enter into the work. that often every
thing he possesses, sometimes reaching
the value OF thousands OF dollars, Is given
away.
This celebration. Kodowatt says, Is to
be tho last OF the kind. He has issued in
vitations 10 the Wrangels and the Sitkas
to Join. and II IL his purpose to unite
them. after their long alienation, In bonds
OF love and friendship. and have the
old fellow Is bending his energies. He de-
potlatch. and that after Il the Indians
shall live AZ tho white man. and peace
shall reign among the tribes.
j. NJ fslankenburs, business man OF
Hainea which il not FAR from l<luekwan,
brings tho news OF the proposed potlatch
and the Intended reconciliation or the
'arhe trouhia between the Wrangels and
the Sitkas began yo years ago al Dig
had been invited and were present. The
wrangels proceeded 10 give their guests
a folly time, An became 90 tMhllant that
over only a few OF the sltkas had escaped
TO tell the tale of how 4 happened.
Then tho incensed sitkas thirsted Tor
the blood OF revenge. and they so' u,
last the sltkas showed friendly spirit
and invited the Wrnnsels 20 visit them.
They foolishly accepted.
with most gracious cStentaton. They got
their guests into large building The SIR
kss went IN also, but As the n1irth in.
creased and good cheer gained control
thu hosts began TO slip out. BEFORE the
Wrangels knew Il the Sitkas were all out
and had the doors barred Then the Sit
gels We're cremated. That was. perhaps,
100 years ago. but enough of the Wrangels
had remained AZ homo TO prolong the feld
ana keep the fires OF enmlty burning,
kodowatt has now undertaken 10 bring
peace 90 his brothers"
g weltzmann, Hsines merchant,
Who Is here, has sold a great amount
81 merchandise 10 the Indians for their
potlatoh KadawAts - the greatest buyer.
II have already sold and delivered 2TS
boxes ~ pilot bread, or bareback, 10 the
indians for the potlatch. Pilot bread ls
one 81 their greatest aelic8ciea, They dip
IL In lard soak Il In the oil Of the cRNd
fsh aud eat Il NTH the utmeaf delight. 7
have seen buck and his sluaw s't down
beside a box o. crackers and eat until an
we're gone.
"in the coming potlateh the Indians will
also eat great deal of sugar, canned
peaches. canned grapes. cakes aud can
dies I have sold so boxes At food sup
niles 10 George EhAftridge another mem-
hsf ~ the tribe who viii also take a big
part Ia the celebration. Many other In
fians have bought as high as twenty five
boxes"
81 Rlankenhurg brings the news that
chief kndowatt has decided 90 take a
Methodist missionary. now at kluckwAr.
where he works am0ug the natives, inta
hts tribe NJ 4 Seiion r. the mission
Arv kbaaMhtt has offered him three
names OF which ne f. 10 choose one. and
he viii then he considered wise man
IN the tribe auA PERHAPS ~ TIE royal
household Ore - tho names offered IN
The Raven" In order 20 Numor the
Indians Selioa viii accept their favor