Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-10-15
ExiIes OF Religion.

.
Cumberland Sound, an inlet on the
vast unexplored area north of Hudson
bay. He did not learn of the death #
Queen Victoria for eighteen months
after its occurrence, when a storm-toss.
ed whaler entered the region and lm-
parted to him the news in July. 1902.
This devoted cleric has established
himself in that far-of country in
order to bring to the pagan Eskimos
the blessing of the Christian faith, but
the extremes to which men will go in
pursuit of wealth are illustrated by
the fact that there are two whaling
stations in the same region, the prin-
cipals of which, German aud a Scotch
man, have been thirty and thirty
seven years there, respectively, with
out once leaving.
Cumberland Sound is $50 miles
north Of Hudson Strait, and is one Of
the most desolate, cherries regions IN
the world. Two whaling stations are
established there, at Kekkerton and
Blacklead, and the fishing is done 10y
the Eskimos. These, through inter
course with the civilized men and the
use Of civilized weapons, have qure
lost their native art Of killing the lr-
viathans with the primitive harpoons
of bone and flint, which their ance,-
tors hurled with strong arms from
sealskin kayaks, tIring out the great
creatures by inflated skin buoys at.
tached to ropes of walrus hide.
Instead, the Eskimos pursue the
hunt after the civilized fashion-in
stout wooden boats, with steel harroon
and lines Of hemp-and the industry
pays chiefly because such labor is 40
cheap, being paid for IN goods and
necessares of life. As has been the
experience with aboriginal races else
where, the Eskimo can no longer re-
turn to his primitive conditions Of eI-
istence. He would certainly starve
if he did, and therefore he becomes
a dependent--a slave, indeed, IN all
but the name
At Kekkerton the factor is a Mr..
Mulch, Scotchman, who for twenty
seven years has remained welded TO
his solitary existence. The Blscklead
station is controlled by Mr.. Sheridan.
German, who has seen thirty years
there. Both have amassed consider.
able wealth, but evince no inclination
to return to the outer world, with all
the marvels Of science and art which
have marked the advancement Of the
last generation. Every two years
whaling steamer from Scotland visits
them, bringing supplies Tor them and
their Eskimo followers and removing
the stocks Of whale oil, whale bone,
hides, ivory and ether articles Of trade
accumulated in the meantime.
With these self-exiled settlers mon
ey has no meaning. Everything is
done by barter; every service paid for
with fragment Of iron or pound OF
biscuit. The profits Of the venture %
TO the credit Of their accounts in Alb.
erdeen, where the products are mark
eted, and, possibly, when beyond their
their labor, these two recluses may
90 back to civilization TO mourn the
lost advantages they are now too old
to enjoy.
They live IN frame houses, the only
ones besides the clergyman, in that
northern land. They fare on canned
foods, eked out with vension from the
musko1 Of the interor or steak from
the whales captured, by no means
unsppetizing dish. But they are not
averse 10 the raw seal, bear and wal
rus which the Eskimos affect, for no
man can maintain his strength more
than a season or two in that attitude
without consuming large quantities Of
raw fat meat.
The missionary, Mr.. Peck, has his
station between the two whaling posts,
and is gradually civilizing the 300 Es-
kimos who comprise the population.
The children are being taught En-
glish, but the status Of existence 10
very low. The natives are jolly,
happy. inofensive lot, but are slowly
dying out from the witheriDg contact
with civilization and the spread Of
diseases pertaining thereto. AS they
become infrm they are practically
pensioned by the whaling factors, all
as their requirements are but smpll.
it is not a serious matter 10 insure them
against want and distress 10 this world.
Il is remarkable what fascination
the frozen and remote north has for
those who come in contact with it.
The factors Of the Hudson Bay Com