The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1900-11-10
ARE : THREATENED Z
WITH EXTINCTION
Starvation and III Treatment BY
Whites Killing OF the
E%squimaux.
lRELlEF ASKED FOR The NATIVES
General Randall Urges the Government
to DO Something for the Aborig-
Ines of Alnska-conditions
at Nome.

Washington. Nov. 7.-Brigadier Cen
George NJ. Randall, commanding
the department of Alaska, under date
of September 20. at st. Michael, has
his annual report. A great
deal Of the report is devoted to condi-
tons at Nome, which he found upon his
at a critical stage. 1t was diff
cult to obtain convictions by the jury
In the United States commissioners
court, which emboldened the lawless.
Labor organizations prevented men
from working for less thanisl an hour
and We're the cause of much restitution
and want and destruction of property.
Fully $4,000 people arrived at Nome
in June. Claim jumping was the order.
of the day. Nearly everyone seemed to
think he had a divine right to a k
of n claim or town lot which
he found. Many property wners were
disposed to defend their rights by TAX
Ing the law in their own hands. The
arrival of troops prevented bloodshed
and serious disorder. On the request
of the Chamber of Commerce, the mill
tnry o charge. thoroughly examined
all complaints and where the
Of property could be determined
such property wa placed in the possess
sion of the lawful owner. Captain w.
a. Bethel, who acted as judge advocate
In these cases. is highly praised by
General Randall.
The sanitary conditions We're placed
under the charge of Major Charles u.
Ebert, surgeon. who has heretofore re-
ported upon the conditions. The ener-
getic efforts of the military improved
these conditions during the summer.
There We're about 500 men working on
the beach at Nome With machinery at
one time and many declined to give an
swers concerning the prospects for
gold, while others admitted they We're
taking out only from "a to IS a day:
h beach was practically worked out
last year. The tundra is believed to be
rich. but 1t would require large capital
to produce results. There is a large
area of country which has not been
prospected where gold can yet be
found, but it requires men of expert
ance to develop such a country. Cen
sral Randall discusses the various
points where mining operations have
been In progress, most of which have
come to the knowledge of the public In
reports from Alaska.
He says it has been decided to estab-
iish a permanent military post on the
island of st. Michael. He recommends
the purchase of two stern wheel steam
srs for operations on the Yukon, and
that coal, forage Inc building material
intended for Alaskan posts be started
from Seattle not later than June Is and
shipped in sailing vessels for economy.
Also that a cable be laid from Seattle,
via Juneau and Skagway, to Valdez,
connecting with the telegraph line
now building over tie E-4Aiae-.aan
.oute from Valdez to Fort Egbert and
down the Yukon river to Fort Michael.
When this line is completed, General
Randall says military headquarters
should be in southern Alaska or Seat
tie. He recommends a life saving sta
ton in the vicinity of Nome. He also
that light houses with fog
whistles be established in southeast
Alaska at the following places: Cape
Fox, nea the southern boundary: Cape
Command, entrance from the north
Congas Narrows; Five Fingers, in
Frederick sound; also u fog signal at
Unimak pass. He also recommends a
military reservation at Dutch Harbor
and a coaling station, n thinks that
the need may arise at some future time
erecting Qualifications at this place.
Natives of Alaska
General Randall devotes considerable
space to the natives of Alaska, and
says that the Esquimau has been un-
noticed by those he has befriended and
mas been allowed to die for the lack Of
arc and food. For years he has ex-
tended his hospitality to Adventures
and his hut has been the shelter for
shipwrecked sailor Ind frosbitten
miner. From all points, Cape York,
Port Clarence, Topek. Golotln Bay, Yu-
ton river, reports nave been received OF
sickness. starvation and mortality SO
great that 1t promised to wipe out all
most the entire race. Lieutenant II. H.
Jarvis of the United States revenue
service reported these facts to General
Randall, and the tug Meteor was
placed at his disposal for relief work
and about u hundred destitute natives
cared for at Nome. The revenue cut
ter Bear has been distributing supplies
TO the destitute natives, While othersSi in
the vicinity of Fort st. Michael have
oeen cared for by the commanding Of
acer Of that post. The work OF Lieu.
tenant Jarvis is highly commended by
General Randall.
In closing this particular feature OF
his report General Randall y
in many parts Of the United States
provision has been made for the In
lian. Reservations have been esthb-
!ished for him and food and clothing
supplied. In Alaska it was not neces-
sary heretofore TO do much. but the
Slcdl IuSH VI Mh1lS men lHdI lOllOWGu=
the discoveries of gold has completely
changed everything. The game and fur
bearing animals have about disap-
peared and the natives means of sus-
tenance are gone.
"I therefore recommend that the gov
srnment afford some relief to the ma
lives until such time as they can take
care Of themselves"
He also has the following to say re-
garding relief to white men who VEN
tured into Alaska:
Il am of the opinion that it would
BE a mistake for the government togive
m general aid in future to the ven
classes of white men who
come to Alaska. About 800 have been
sent on transport and other vessels
this ear nj many more will be sent
before the close of navigation. The
conditions are now generally known
throughout the states and the expecta-
ton Of government aid in returning to
their homes In case OF failure has with
out doubt been the most hopeful pros,
pect in view to a considerable number
who have come to the country since
1897, and especially in the recent rush
to Nome
Population Of Indiana.
Washington, Nov. b.-The population
- rn5I,,a ~ otBn t,1 IN ;eH 9 E1c 400 r. a al, j,,ot