Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-01-09
GREATEST OF ALASKA CHIEFS.
Rules 5000 Indians, Speaks English and
Waars Boiled Shirt.

Rules 5000 Indians, SPEAKS sngisn ano
Wears a Boiled Shirt.
Chief Johnson, Of the Taku tribe
one of the most famous Indians in
Alaska, was recently in Salem. He
has under his charge 5000 to 6'ooo
Indians, and they look to him as their
ruler. He has six or seven large
stores, located at Dyea, Juneau and
other points and practically controls
the trade with his people. Every
three. years Chief Johnson has a big
potlatch, Mt which time he gives away
thousands of blankets and other things
useful to members of his tribe. He
had d pot!atch in 1896, and 1t cost'him
$4,000, and the one held last year
was almost as expensive.
There are other Indian chiefs IN
Alaska, but none who have as numer-
GUS dependents as Johnson. There are
probably twenty chiefs in all, the next
in point of number Of followers below
him having about 5000. One of these
chiefs is to give big potlatch to his
people this year, and so Chief Johnson,
the principal business man for the In
dams of that northern country. has
come down to make special purchases
of blankets and other articles suitable
for the extraordinary occasion.
It has been the custom Of the chler
to come here annually to make his pur-
chases from the Thomas Kay Woolen
Mill Company, but they were unable
to fill his order for 5000 blankets, as
they only had about 500 pairs on hand.
These he took and The remainder will
be sent later.
Chief Johnson has some members OF
his tribe in the Chemawa Indian
school, and he will visit that institu-
ton before he returns to his home IN
Alaska. This representative OF our
northernmost possession is not salts
fed with some Of the laws which have
been made at Washington to govern
the Indians. He bitterly opposes the
encroachments of the white man, 'and
says that the game Is disappearing
from the hunting grounds, and the fish
no longer swarm the streams as IN
years gone by. Hunting and fishing are
the only occupations of his people, and
he sees, at no distant date, these will
be destroyed and they will be SUNK
deeper into poverty and want than they
are at the present time. While speak
ing of the condition Of his people ne
showed a sincere interest in their well
fare and O determination to do every
thing in his power to add 10 their COM
fort and happiness. He says the chiefs
of the white men rule only for money,
but he rules his people without charge,
and they obey him and love him be-
cause he Is good and just to them.
He says the whiskey business in
Alaska is very detrimental to the In
dams, and he would like to see the
prohibition law enforced.
Chief Johnson dresses we'll, wearing
q white shirt and high collar, and
he has the appearance of an intelligent
man. He speaks fair English and Is
close observer and q shrewd business
man. He is q man Of great wealth,
probably one of the richest in Alaska,
and lives In the finest house in any Of
tile northern cities. He has ruled his
tribe since the death Of his father.
which occurred in 1880. He Is about
fifty years of age and Is strong and
hearty, enjoying the best Of health.
Oregon Statesman.