The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-08-21
INDUSTRIES OF ALASKA.
Hon. Horace cummins Tells What a
Great Country II Is,

From an interesting letter dealing at
great length with details written by
Hon. Horace Cummins from Shakan,
Alaska, which The GAINESVILLE Argus was
permitted to read that paper gathers
that the chief industries of that country
so far as that particular spot is concern
ed are fishing and canning, numbering,
mining and shipping of marble. Mr..
Cunmins is manager of a canning COM
pany organized something over a year
ago in Mankato. It's success has been
phenomenal. Last year its shipments
aggregated eighty-fve car loads. This
season it will far exceed that amount.
The company is also interested in lum-
boring to large extent. A large mill
under charge of Mr.. Cummins is sending
hundreds of thousands of feet to all
points, north and south, east and west,
wherever there is on opening and a set
Element. One consignment contained
one hundred and seventy-five thousand
feet. The lumber is hemlock and spruce
and of course is of the fest quality.
At points not for from Shakan hundreds
and thousands of men are employed in
! mining. Large quantities of gold are
taken out annually and new mines are
constantly being developed. In addition
to all this companises are being organic
ed to quarry the rich deposits of marble
which abound in vast quantities and of
all qualities. With these four industries
to be fully developed the country has a
great future before it. Mr.. Cummins
speaks very highly of the natives-they
| are quiet and orderly, intelligent, indus
trious and faithful workers. They are
employed in the mills in large numbers
and are great workers. As a rule they
are emotional and susceptible to religious
, influences to greater or less degree.
| The Salvation Army has captured them
| in that vicinity almost entirely. A
church has been erected and upon invita-
ton of the leaders Mr.. Cummins has ad-
| dressed them on sundry occasions. Their
devotional attitude in church is one
which might well be model Mr.. Cum
minis says, for church goers in the states.
| Among other things mentioned was the
experience of climbing a mountain at the
rear of the town and looking down into
the depths of the sea. The feeling pro-
duced will never be forgotten. Above
rose the precipitous cliffs clothed in per-
petual snow; below, the shaggy sides of
the mountain covered with it's enormous
growth of spruce and hemlock in ever
lasting green; beyond and still farther
down the deep green of the sea while
, over all the rays of the descending sun
shone respondent in its glory and
beauty Another experience was that
of falling into the bay while assisting
loggers in getting the cut to the mill
The cold water from the mountains pro-
duced a chill but its effects were not ap-
parent as winter clothing was utilized
Immediately. Had it not been for help
at hand Immediately MIR. Cummins
might now be sleeping at the bottom OF
the sea. Other experiences were noted
but enough has been given to indicate
the scope and extent of the industries
and the character of the country. Mr.
Cummins has great faith in its future
But nevertheless he will rejoice when
once again he shall set foot on the soil
of Minnesota He may be assured that
all his friends will be glad to welcome
him home.