The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-27
INDIAN TERRITORY AND
 ALASKA AT THE BIG FAIR
BY CHARLES EDWARD LLOYD.

Plans for the exhibit of the Indian Ter ritory at the St. Louis exposition are progressing rapidly. Hon. Thomas Ryan, first assistant secretary of the interior and chairman of the commission for the Indian territory, is busy formulating the outline of the exhibit.
 An official exposition folder issued by order of the executive commissioner, F. c. Hubbard, Muskogee, l. T., containing much valuable information about the re- sources of that region is on file at the in- terior department.
 The sum of $5O,OO0 is available for the collection and installation of the exhibit $25,OO0 was appropriated by congress and $25.OOO raised by popular subscription in the territory.
 The fruit exhibit will be exceptionally fine. This fall one hundred barrels of ap- pies will be shipped from the orchards of Indian territory and put in cold storage in St. Louis until the opening of the ex- position. Fresh strawberries, peaches' pears, grapes, etc, will be kept on con- yenient tables during the season.
 The coal operators of Indian territory are actively at work and a magnificent exhibit of this great industry is in pro- cess of formation. Products of the oil fields, deposits of asphaltum, lead, zinc, etc, native marbles granite and other building stones will be exhibited.
 Photographs of every town and notable locality in the territory will be furnish- ed by the chamber of commerce of each town and placed in albums to be deposited in the Territorial building on the exposi- tion grounds.
 There is no public school system in operation in Indian territory, but many district schools are maintained by the Indian nations. There are public schools in the large towns. From these. material for the educational exhibit for the St. Louis exposition will be selected.
 Many street fairs, carnivals etc., will be held in territory towns this fall. MT. Hubbard has asked that the best speci- mems of everything shown at these shall be taken in charge by local committees and sent to St. Louis later In this way a very comprehensive exhibit of the re- sources of the territory can be made with S50, GOO.
 MT. Ryan is pursuing a similar course as regards Alaska.
 The general agent for education In Alaska is Dr. Sheldon Jackson, author of d most interesting book on Alaska. He has had much experience in the north- west. He was one of the party to accom- pany Gen. John c. Fremont on his path finding expeditions. Dr. Jackson Is in im- mediate charge of arranging the Alaskan exhibit which will be one of the most picturesque and unique on the grounds.
 The Alaskan building will be a Hydah Indian house with totem poles at each corner. The tride of Hydah Indians now number 7SS They are a large. well-form- ed and handsome race, with light com plexion and have long been noted for their bravery and ferocity in war. Their houses are probably the most attractive among the Alaskan tribes, and for this reason one was chosen to represent Alas ka at the St. Louis exposition. The Fly l dahs are known as the Bull Dogs' of | the North Pacific. Years ago they did not | hesitate to attack and plunder English | and American vessels. In 1854 they held 1 the captain and crew of an American vessel in captivity until ransomed by the ] Hudson Bay Fur company. Their vil- l lages are remarkable for the number of totem columns. These are carved logs | from one to two feet in diameter and i from twenty to sixty feet high. Some 1 of them contain hollow cavities. in which 1 are placed the ashes of cremated chiefs l others are heraldic and represent the i family totem or orders. In some cases a | large oval opening through one of these | columns forms the entrance to the house
 
 entrance. The house is a large. low, plank building, from forty to fifty feet square 1 with a fireplace in the center of the 1 floor and a large opening in the roof l for the escape of the smoke. Some have inserted windows and doors in their build ings, and procured bedsteads, tables stoves, dishes and other appliances of civilized life.
 Their food consists largely of fish, driet or fresh, according to the season. Wild berries and deer are plentiful. The Der ries are preserved in fish oil for winter use. Their coast also abounds with goof clans. They raise large quantities oi potatoes.
 The Hydah are noted for their skill ir carving wood. bone. gold. silver and stone The finest of the great cedar canoes o the northwest coast are manufactured by them The exhibit in the Hydah house at St. Louis will contain many queer things showing how they live. their ingenuity, etc.