The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1910-02-11

ent depleted condition is the largest
fur seal herd in the world. The seals
of his herd breed upon the islands Of
St. Paul and st. George during the
summer and annually in the fall leave
them and proceed through Boring sea
and the passes between the Aleutian
islands into the Pacific ocean. Some
of them go as far as Santa Barbara
channel off southern California.
Generally speaking, this annual mi
grafton of the herd begins in Novem-
Der, and by the latter part of Decem.
Der there are few ii any animals left
on the islands. They remain away
until the following spring, the first
arrivals usually appearing about May
l and the last the latter part of June
or July 1.
At the time of the discovery Of
these islands by the Russians fur
seal, sea otter, walrus, sea lions
and foxes were found in almost
unlimited numbers. The killing of
all these species of animals proceeded
with wanton prodigality from 1855
until 1885, when the fur herd was re-
duced to less than 100000. a closed
season was established on the islands
from 1885 to 1850, during which
period only SO many seals were killed
as were necessary to furnish food and
clothing for the natives, while the kill.
/ ing of females was prohibited entirely.
AS a result of these drastic meas
ures, the herd was gradually rehabili-
tated, and during the first 20 years of
American possession 100000 male
| seals were killed annually for com.
mercial purposes. From 1856 to 1909,
both inclusive, there have been killed
up the islands about 5,10O,50O seals.
| Since 1870 over 100000 skins,
yielding revenue to the government
of over s10,OOO,0OO, have been killed
and shipped from the islands.
The natives living upon the islands
are not the least interesting of its
inhabitants. They are Aleuts, being
members of the race living upon the
Aleutian chain, from which they were
brought originally by the Russians to
| aid in killing the seals. They are
a simple. kindly people. with whom
the whites have never had any trouble.
Policemen are unknown on the is
lands. and would have no work to do
| If they were present
The people are exceedingly polite
and civil, not only in their intercourse
with the whites, but among them
selves. There is no misery or desti-
| futinn fhnno Oh
in snug frame dwelling which is
plainly but neatly furnished. The SAN
itary arrangements of the villages are
| carefully looked after by the officials
| OF the government and the company.
I After the islands became a part of
the United States the natives gradu.
ally discarded the old Russian cos.
tunes and now all dress like ordinary
Americans. Some of the women have
developed excellent seamstresses. A
! few of the islanders have substantial
sums to their credit. upon which they
! draw interest.
The women are great gossips. Both
women and men make and receive
calls on their saints days, and as
these are numerous, social intercourse
| is generally active. Most of them
give dinners on the anniversary of
their birthday.
Seal meat is the principal food of
ALL They are passionately fond of
4 butter, and are also great lovers of
sweet crackers and canned fruit. A
tremendous quantity of tea is brewed
and drunk every year. Their samo-
vars and tea kettles of American make
are bubbling and boiling from the mo-
ment the housewife stirs herself at
daylight until the fire goes out when
they sleep.
| Weddings and christenings are oc.
casions of especial significance in the
church life and are also celebrated
with teasting and merrymaking in the
homes after the church portion is over
with.