The sun., 1908-01-15

How the Herd was Gathered ana what n
Means 90 the People.

To THE HDrroR OF THR SuN-Sir: Labra-
dor, like Alaska. IL the home Of the Barren
Ground Caribou. To both districts II Is native.
but owing to depletion from various causes
IL has been necessary TO Introduce new stock
TO Alaska from adjacent Siberia. and to
Labrador from Norway and LApland. few
reindeer were brought TO Alaska from Lap
land at the very start. and the first herders
and trainers In Alaska came from Lapland
But soon our intercourse with the Siborians
became more confidential aES frequent and
q large trade resulted. With the reindeer
directly imported. and their natural increase.
there ara at present about Is. In Alaska.
The expenditure on their account for purchase
and maintenance has been very nearly
Sl55, 900 In the ten years since the movement
to feplenish began. Congress has not be-
slowed grOldgingly. though it moved slowly
and feebly at first. These animals are nov
kept and used like domestic cattle for food.
milk. transportation. and various economic
purposes. especially for winter clothing.
Although there are no less than six railroads
under way in Alaska. with a dozen more N
contemplation and an aggregate Of 200 miles
constructed, according to Governor Hoggatt'
tanC6 OF the reindeer service for mail trans
portation and winter travel across country
cannot be approximately estimated. but T.
Will continue 70 De lndlspensaoie until ths
1 wortSy i Il that not letter RiS has A vet Seen
lost ON the long 1000 mile route from Valdez
The promoter Of all this benencencs was
the Rev. sheldon jackson. the Alaska agent
of the United states Bureau Of Education.
five years has been marvellous. He has led
the advance in all material progress.
Rev. Dr. Wiifred T. Grenfeil, the IndefstiSs-
Bile Labrador missionary, who Is even more
widely known than Jackson. plapnsd last
So prompt and vigorous was his action that
he was able TO ship a consignment OF 300
harness deer, By the last week in November.
from Boston to st. Anthony Mission station
are being wintered on the abundant indigenous
moss found in the vicinity. As soon as the
ice Leaves ths e9sss sD9 n sPTbng b they w g.
should be doubled in number by natural
The dinHculrles Of making this collection
and shipment are detailed by DR.. Grenfells
Boston agent. W: II. Reed, 10 Broad street.
subscribers to the reindeer fund. / quote
from his circular:
suitable steamers have been extremely hard tn
ln the season, account Of the danger OF IOc and
Rfter nearly three months Of enort steamer
was nnslly chartered for el 100: htted for the
SSySge she yIs 70 6s ready 20 recslyS , the der
supply Of moss for forage for the voyage. The
aud the steamer ali assembled on the spot a. .
given date. Failure In any one respect would
arrived before the moss, they might starve. n
both were ready before the steamer the forage
would disappear and there would be Scant supply
10 be provided The moss comes from the
far northern wIlds where there Is no other veReta
tiOn, and IL has to be transported from the noun
tains 20 the coast by deer sledges, total OF 5On
loads OF $40 pounds each. 10 was big undertaking.
requiring time. IL could not begin until the ground
well frozen and the snow had come. The long
continued mild weather In l4apland and Norway
added seriously TO the troubles OF the agents who
had the matter In charge.
The Iaplanders with whom the arrangements
was made hxed the dates OF shipment with ample
margins for delays, but this season the margin
may not prove to he sufficient. Families OF Lap
landers with their dogs TO accompany the deer
and herd and train them were contracted for. and
every detail OF their emigration had 20 be arranged.
Once on board fifteen TO twenty days ought ~
sufnce for the voyage.
Meanwhile the treasury OF the reindeer fund lS
open for any additions TO Il that may he sent 20
Mr.. Reed. we shall need money for the main
tenance Of the deer until they are domesucated
and trained 10 Tighten the burdens OF the people.
TO give cup OF milk 20 the babies, and food cloth
ing aud TRANSPORTATION 20 those who hghtlng
so hard battle in the frozen North.
The deer are now at their half way stations
and the outlook presages happier future
for the people Of that desolate region The
whole Labrador coast II vibrating with the
welcome that IL awaiting the coming OF the
reindeer. Our summer visitors and tenn
pOrary sOiOurners will be enabled TO invest
gate and note progress. CHARLES HALLocK
SoUTHOLD. l.. l., January 10.