Evening journal., 1905-04-05
Delaware MAN S
WORK IN alaska
DR.. J. B. briggs Stationed al
Point Hope-Gets But
One Mail a Year
TElCHIVG ESKIMO CHILDREN

lLhOlllBu lOhlUlu ullilplilh
The Rev. John B. briggs. NJ. ID, for |
merly of this State, went to Alaska as
a missionary 20 take charge Of the mis-
sion at Point Hope, on July il, 1890. Al |
that time, that district was entirely with |
out moral influence. The station was one /
of the most isolated in the world, with
but one mail a year and no companion
shin with white men; yet up to the tall
of 1894 he had had only one fur
Tough.
DIR briggs landed at Point Hope dur
ing n territ-s storm. The schooner which
contained materials for building 'his
bouse was delayed, so for several days
Dr briggs camped out in a hollow
sonare formed by his piled up boxes and
sheltered by an old sail. In getting his
goods ashore he lost most of his coal,
his trunk with nearly all his clothing was
water soaked and his chemicals for pho
tographing and making baking powder
were spoiled. His landing created quite
a sensation among the people. After
many delays and difficulties DR.. briggs
was able to take possession Of the mis-
sion house erected with the assistance OF
of3eers and men Of United States vessels
and whaling ships and on the lst day OF
October 1890. a school room was in readi-
ness. but on that date a nine days snow
storm set in.
In securing drift-wood TO make up for
the loss OF the coal he had the aid OF
two natives. Aukaloota and his wife
Arummumingya. Their friendship has
lasted ever since, and more faithful
friends" says the doctor, "a man could
hardly expect to find
He located his quarters about a mile
from the native village, called by the in
habitants Tigara-
When the school was all. ready and the
children invited he sat down to wait for
them-but nobody came. So the doctor
went out on the beach and captured his
first scholar. After teaching this boy
eight letters Of the alphabet he gave him
some pancakes and sent him home. This
was a good advertisement and the next
dav more children came; but only when
they were good did he allow them the
delicious cakes made of -four, water and
u,olasses. This was his only means Of
discipline.
TAe missionary says "the ratio Of
dAths TO births is three to one. This
seems a pity for they are really the only
fit people to populate this section of our
country. He suggested that the govern
ment should station a medical man at
each mission so that effective measures
might be taken TO prevent their ex-
termination. Or. briggs says: MY own
m6dical and surgical experience here has
been quite extensive; at times I have
had as high as five TO six patients a day.
If unable to walk they are brought in a
deersxin bag on a Sled If they are too
sick to come out and live in the village,
20 TO see them after school. When they
live far away ! have TO appoint some
Sunday. The long walk, anywhere from
- TO l6 miles wading through snow and
then along the beach. is anything but
agreeable. It takes a day to recover from
the fatigue The thermometer always
registers below zero each eyelash has It's
\ head Of ice. which If not frequently bro
IaAa of. will gradually obstruct the Wis
AK: the eyebrows and the moustache also
IA e their icicles.
After four years OF lonely work the
Rar E. II. Edison came to his help and
betreturned home for a well-earned rest
INIT in the States he was homesick for his
work and the Eskimos.
In July, 1896, he returned to Alaska
When his ship sighted of Point Hope
the natives came out IN their 'omeaks'
to greet him ana pored over the steam
er's side to welcome him. The next win
ter he had a new home. well covered
with sods four feet thick at the base anc
windows in the roof protected by cakes
Of ice six inches thick so that the hous'
retained its warmth. During this winter
the interest in the services was encourag
ing. The average attendance was abou
100 and not one light Sunday. on Easte
dav the room was so packed that h
found difficulty in finding standing room
while telling them about the day. The,
crowded about the windows and stood fl
the woodshed trying to hear what wa
said. Il doubt" says Dr. briggs 'i
there is a city or village i'm the Unite
states where the ratio to the population
of those who attend worship on Sunday
has been as large the past winter as her
on Point Hope" He says also that h
has accomplished much in teaching tn
people how to pray. They have consid
cradle confidence in theeeficacy of praye
and it has undoubtedly aided several i
preserving their lives in desperate situa
tions; their prayers giving them conf
dence 10 battle on.
DR.. briggs says the young men ar
now marrying their wives and there ar
now twenty Of the villagers regularl
married. All would do so. but believ
It is best to observe caution and MARI
only those who will prove a shining eS
ample to the others.
During the absence of DR.. briggs, VIII
is taking a much-needed vacation in thi
country, Edward T. Knapp volunteere
\ to take charge of the mission for a yea
The Junior Auxiliary Of Delaware Ia
worked for this mission for the past te
years. on Friday of this week DO
will be packed and sent to Driggs, VIII
especially requests that donations {
warm clothing be sent.
Contributions Of new and second-han
clothing will be gladly received by Mr.
Hail. of No 23OO Boulevard.
EPWORTH LEAGUE coNVENTlo