Arizona republican., 1907-05-26
The ABORIGINAL WAY
OF REFRIGERATION
Aborioinies Of Alaska Placed a Whole
Herd of Caribou in Cold Storage at
One Time to Furnish Meat for Win
(By c. H. z. Asquith.D

Seattle. May 21.-The recent discov-
cry in Alaska of great mammoth.
flesh bones. hair hide, teeth and all
preserved in the heart of vast ice
formation that has stood undisturbed
since the days when men wocshipped
i'll the temple of the Sun-God at Ephe-
sus. has aroused a great deal of inter-
est in scientific and journalistic circles
The management of the Alaska Yu-
kon- Pacific exposition which had the
good fortune OF securing possession OF
this best preserved prehistoric speci-
men yet discovered. has receiTed doz-
ems OF inquiries concerning this and
other northern curiosities which it is
the intention to place on exhibition
during the great worlds fair which will
take place at Seattle. June LIST to Oc-
tober Is. 1909.
In discussing his matter with Geo.
w. Carmack. who II will be remem-
bered is the discoverer of the Klondike
gold fields. the greatest placer deposit
vet found anywhere. a curious custom
of the aborigines OF Alaska came to
! light that bears somewhat on the
method by which this animal was pre-
served throughout the ages. Few men
know the Indian population OF Alaska
better than Carmack who has slept in
their tepees and won their respect and
friendship in the village. the hunting
field and the council chamber
Great herds Of moose and caribou
formerly roamed where the heart of
the civilization OF the gold-fieIds now
is. Along the south shore of the Yu-
kon. along the Klondike the Pellv. the
White. the Lewes and the Stewart riv-
ers great herds found ideal grazing
grounds. TIE reindeer moss on which
they fed was everywhere in abundance
and the number of other animals were
so great that the lean wolves found
easier food than by preying upon the
hers. In consequence thew multiplied
and grew fat and the Indians coveted
them for their meat, their skins and
their antlers. with which they decor
ated the hunting lodges
The meat supply. especially In win
ter. was uncertain. and the braves fire.
quently found whole herds whose meat
could not he preserved long enough to
be consumed. while other times. they
had to wander a dozen winter sleeps
before catching glimpse of a herd.
This led to unique plan of meat pre-
servation
Along the Yukon and its tributaries
are' great hills and cliffs. About the
middle of October the snow begins to
fall. and continues to fall until In some
places 1t is ten and fifteen feet deep.
Great avalanches gather. and at the
first suggestion OF winter thaw.
precipitate their hundreds OF thou
sands Of tons OF snow down the hill
side burying everything In the way.
| The Indians had studied the manner
OF the avalanches. and knew just when
thew We're to he expected. and on what
hills thew were most liable to occur
! When this season came around. the
| braves formed a large moose and car
thou hunting party and beat over a
wide expanse of country.
| When the herd was located. the kill
ing did not a. once begin as on form
er occasions. The braves spread ont
in great semi-circle and began to
| gently, drive the herd This took the
| greatest possible skill and gentleness.
| 90 n too vigorous action would scat
to- the herd over hundred square
miles Of country in such manner