The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-30
YASHNUSH, THE ALASKAN
nc CHIEF OF THE TAkUs To TARRY
IN WASHINGTON AGAIN.
81. Likes senator and Mrs. Fairbanks,
and VIII Make n second Visit to
Them This Winter.


- ,-errespondence Of the Journal
WlSHINGTON. Nov. 29.-The national
,i,sl is promised visit this winter from
distinguished citizen OF Alaska. the
.,,-btv chief of the Taku tribe of Indians
,, his own people the chief is known as
..vashnush." but to Washington and the
,--ited states generally he is plain Mr..
1obnson." The Alaskan chief paid visit
- washington during a former Congress
- Vas so we'll entertained in this city
,sat he has determined TO come again.
1yithin the last few days Senator Fairbanks
has received word from the chief that his
,-ssence in Washington may be looked for
IN December.
4 few years ago, when Senator Fairbanks
ms in Alaska on official business, he was
occompanled by Mrs. Fairbanks, and they
had the honor of being presented to the
cbisl of the Takus. The great warrior
took liking for the visitors and his tribe
entertained them with various unique
dances and other exhibitions. Senator Fair
hanks courteously extended an invitation
- the chief 70 visit Washington at any
tine he should find convenient. A few
Y,ouths later. and during a session of Con-
-rsss. the senator received a letter from
the chief announcing that he would arrive
IN washington and asking that room at
a hotel be engaged for him and that the
senator meet him at the railway station.
The letter did not give the hour, the day
~ The year when Mr.. Johnson would ar
rive Later. however. a telegram explain
frg more fully the chiefs plans came to the
senator and one afternoon Mr.. Johnson
vas set down. bag and baggage. in the
PENNSYLVANIA station. j. Carl Balm, one of
The young men attached to Senator Fair
banks's Office met the chief and after more
ar less pOW-WOWing and elaborate eXplana-
4iens escorted Mr.. Johnson to the National
Hotel on Pennsylvania avenue, in the near
reighb0rhood of the station. There Mr..
Johnson was housed during his two weeks
stay in Washington
The evening of the chiefs arrival he
called at the Fairbanks home TO pay his
respects 10 the family. True to the char
acteristics of the American Indian, he was
decidedly reserved and the family perhaps
never entertained "A less voluble guest. The
senator found the great chief in the par
I1r when he arrived late and greeted him
ton was a brief ugh which, no doubt,
expressed the greatest affection, but which
was a little less cordial than the usual
manner Of greeting in this city of Southern
hospitality.
Dir. Johnson was a frequent visitor at the
Fairbanks home during his stay of fort
neht in Washington. One of the first sug-
reStiOns he made TO the statesmen he met
here was that he be allowed to address the
Congress. He was politely though kindly
informed that this would be a rather ir-
regular proceeding, and, in fact, could
hardly be arranged. The chief continued
10 be of the opinion that he should be al
lowed TO speak. until he sat through a
days session of the Senate. After that
Il, IL L.
vited to address the Legislators.
Mr.. Johnson had been here but a short
time when he suggested that he would
Be pleased to accept an office at the hands
Of the government. In fact, he became
quite fond Of the idea, and the more he
cherished it the more decidedly convinced
he became that he should be made an Of
nee holder This was one of the things
about the chiefs personality that con-
vnced Washington that he was rapidly
becoming mOderniZed and was fit for real
Cl1zenship. Mr.. Johnson cOnfided to Sena-
tor Fairbanks that the job of taking the
census among the Indians of his country
would about suit him. 1t is the history
Of Washington that many a man has come
here convinced that he should be reward
ed With an office and has gone away dis
appointed. So ii was with the Alaskan chief.
But he found many things in the capital
10 interest him, and he soon forgot his dis
appointment.
Before he had been here a great while
Nj Johnson began 10 make some inquiry
as TO whether he was stopping at the best
hotel In town. He was told that the Ar
Iington was perhaps the most expensive
house, and he at once wanted to move
there. With all the assurance of a New
YORK millionaire he said he cared not for
expenses. He remained at the National
however. Johnson became quite fond of
pennsylvania avenue. for he found much
10 interest him on that thoroughfare
senator Fairbanks presented him to Pre-
sldent Mckinley, and on that occasion
ne really lost his habtual stoicism for the
TINE When the Indian was introduced
tne President arose from his chair, his fine
lace glowing with kindness, and greeted
tne chief with as much courtesy as he
would have received the head of a mighty
empire. on the way out of the White
House the chief observed with great en-
tnuslaSm: Me meet McKinley-Alaska pa
pers This was taken to mean that he
proposed the Alaskan newspapers should
give an account of his visit to the Presi-
cent OF the United States. Finally the
ehlet concluded his visit and set off for his
own country So much impressed with
Washington life that he has decided TO
come again Just what his mission is this
Tine has not Yet been disclosed. c. A. C.