The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-08-13
MRS. HAINEs IN ALASKA.
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MRS. HAINES In ALASKA.
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are outcasts from their tribe.
These Indians have discarded their
symbols and use them only once q
year when they have their Potlatch
dance. Then, every one wears mask
to represent his clan. These dances
and feasts last week and the In
dams work themselves into such a
frezy that the soldiers have to send
them home.
They have very nice two-story
houses and several Of them are quite
wealthy we are told.
After passing the village the swells
come in from the ocean, the ship rolls
the waves dash against her sides with
laundering sound and the spray
splashes on to the deck; this does
not last lang as the run across the
Sound is small.
Most of us turned out early on the
morning Of the Goth to see the water
falls, many Of them coming out from
under snow. The Snake Falls con-
sist of a series Of falls winding from
the summit Of the mountain to the
base, where it abruptly drops into the
sea. For most part the day was rainy
and we had to content ourselves with
the Social hall or our staterooms,
while the decks were too damp to use.
Late in the afternoon we crossed
the International Boundry line and
steamed into Alaskan waters. Then
the wireless began to hum and we
were again in touch with our own.
About IL o'clock the lights Of Ket-
chikan, the first Alaskan port, we're
visible, and from that time until we
were at the pier and the gang plank
secured all was chatter and hustle.
We went ashore and visited the
shops (Which open any time Of night
ship comse in) and about 2 o'clock
a. m. twelve of us went to the head
of the falls of the Ketchikan river. 1t
winds through narrow gorge for
one and half miles and Is foaming
and dashing over the jagged rocks.
1t was very witching time of night
and just dangerous enough to be ex-
citing. as we followed an elevated foot
path made of planks and In places
there were steps sometimes up and
sometimes down, ratings gone in
places and holes in the walk; but,
when the Pilot, who was leader, came
to these places the word went down
the line and we held together and
made the trip safely.
We came back and went to see the
Chiefs totem pole. These poles are
hollow having an opening in the back,
where the bones of the departed chief
are placed at the end Of ten years. Il
We left Ketchikan at a. m. and
at 6 a. m. landed at Metlakahtla, the
most progressive Indian village in the
world.
Here Father Duncan met us at the
wharf and conducted us over the vii
lage; took us to the church which
the Indians had built under his in
structions; then to the town hall
where he gave us a short lecture tell
ing us some of his narrow escapes In
early days. He has been here So
years as missionary among the red
men.
He said the Indian nature could
stand any thing except taunt, in
suit an Indian and he fights you,
taunt him and he kills you.
The town hall Is a large building
with twelve gables joining to cir
cular center. He explained that it
was SO constructed for ventilation.
The natives exposed baskets, moe
casins and totem poles for sale. They
have happy faculty of knowing just
where we were going, pass them on
one corner and they would cut across
lots and meet us again on the next
one. They we're dressed CATER a
fashion, like white people. Father
Duncan and one of the teachers are
the only whites.
MRS. M. l.. HAINES.
AUTHORIZATION CELEBRATION.
xIxi>~.. -. II. -. A., icnA 49,