Douglas Island news., 1900-12-26
KILLIsNOO ITEMS.

Since last writing we have had few days of very cold weather; as cold as we had last year in March, which was all the cold weather we got here. As soon as the weather moderated it be- gan showing, and in day and night one and half feet of snow fell, But it only lay day until it began rain ing, and it soon disappeared. We have had nice weather since.
 We have had two deaths in our vil- Iage lAngoonl within the past two weeks. The first, a man of high degree in his tribe. Jay is his English name; won't attempt to spell or pronounce his Indian name, it is too much for me. They buried him in great style, or at least fine for them. The coffin was Iin- ed with white surah silk and covered with green yelyeteen. It was made by an Indian who was visiting here from sitka and it looked very nice. They wrapped him in fae blanket used only on great occasions, such as pot latching and dancing. They also put several blankets inside the coffin, to- gether with his revolver, some ammuni- tien and other articles too numerous to mention. They always cover the face as soon as they die and no one is per mitted to see it. l said they buried him. We'll, they called it burying But they built house about six by eight feet, one-haIf story high, with two win dows in it, and laid him in it. In the spring when the ground is suitable they will dig grave, bury him, and put a fine fence around house and all Then great feast will be held. In, stead of mourning when their friends de they feast, and it seems a great time with them. The house they put him in was much better than the one he4ived iu. Then, in few days, a baby died. It was four months old. It was the time of the snow storm, so they made a little house (teut shaped) out of mus lin and fastened it up on poles about twelve feet high, aud put the baby in it. They made coffin for it, too, but not as fine one as Jay's. We'll, this is enough about the dead; 1 will tell you something about the living.
 One of the Indians who had begun building a house last spring finished it this week and they had about one hun dred and fifty of the Indians from Kill isnoo here to the feast and dance which followed in the evening. Such occasions are talked about and looked forward to for weeks before they cele- brate them. The host on such occa- sions doesn't have to provide all the eatables. Different ones who are invit- cd bring bread, canned fruit, cakes, etc, with them and make a present to him. Soon there will be two new houses fin Bhed, and then another big time for them. After these feasts and the usual good times are over many of the In dians leave here for Hoonah, where ehey feast and dance for one moon, and then return for the winter to entertain the Hoonah, Juneau and Sitka Indians for about two moons. There will be feasting and dancing then night and day. All this takes money for they pay tAe dancers in blankets and money, Some get as high as two hundred blan- kets and one hundred dollars in money They spend in winter nearly all they earn in summer Few lay up much money. But 1 don't know as blame them much for spending their money and getting the good of it while living for whatever is Ieft in the way of mon, ey or blankets at death is given to their friends and not to their family.
 This letter may not be interesting to She readers Of the News who live iR or near an Indian village but knowing that tbe paper has a largo circulation in the states as we'll as different parts of Alaska, I thought letter telling something about the habits and GUS, toms os the Indinns would not be out af place In a place like this it is diff