Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-10-06

at the WORK being done here by Presby-
terian and Episcopalian missions and
the Salvation Army.
Juneau. the metropolis of Alaska
and the seat of government. lies at the
foot Of precipitous mountains. The
government house is situated on the
hills. as are many Of the residences.
Juneau is braced by numberless piles
and piers to prevent its slipping of
into the ocean. Some of the houses
appear to be hanging on the side of
the mountain. The beach Is lined with
shacks occupied by Indians.
Skagway reminds me of deserted
California boom" town. II depends
now chiefly or the railroad traffic.
There are several stores. in one of
which we bought a white polar-bear
skin. Here we took the train for
White Pass. which is now easily reach.
ed. But wo were reminded of the
once-dreaded, ascent by the sight of
the old trail. traversed by so many
aching feet and hopeful hearts. We
are told that at one time 5000 horses
lay dead along the route. while 5000
people camped in the small diagonal.
shaped valley and started a town, few
signs Of which now remain. At
Killisnoo the entire population Is en-.
gagged in making oil and fertilizer from
herring. to be shipped to Japan.
We sailed from Skagway to Sitka,
the beautiful" through Pearl straits,
passing numerous small islands, on
one of which is situated the govern.
ment wireless telegraph station. Be-
yond is Mt Edgecomb. an extinct vol.
cano. Sitka is the Oldest Russian set.
tlement In Alaska and many of the
old block houses still remain. The
Greek church. built some 70 years ago.
Is very foreign with its bright green
! steeples and towers, surmounted by
cross Of gold. Fine old paintings,
overlaid with beaten gold and silver,
adorn the walls and silver censers
hang at one side. The miter, the vest.
ments and crowns used In the mar.
riage ceremony are very beautiful.
The site of the first mining camp in
Alaska, Sundrun, has long been de-
serted. AS we approached this point
We passed many small icebergs, appar-
emily pieces broken off from the Sun.
drum glacier, and on which the setting
sun sheds glorious rays, giving them
wondrous opalescent tints. The wealth
er is-clear and bracing, and in the dis
tance we have a fine view of the Fair
Weather range.
We were permitted to enter a can
merry at Point Ellis and watch the
canning process. The fish are first
shoveled into a chute from the boat
and thence into the building. Here
they are washed, heads and tails cut
of and fins removed, then passed
through a machine which cuts them
into lengths right for canning. After
sailing, the, pieces are packed into
cans by machinery and passed along
sliding plate where Indian girls
place a piece Of tin on top. to prevent
solder getting in. On another sliding
belt girls put on tin covers. which are
forced down by machine After be-
ing soldered the cans are passed
through hot water and then into
vat, where they are steamed for IS
minutes. Then a hole is punctured
in the top to let the steam out and
again soldered up. after which they
are passed to retort where they are
steamed for an hour. The output OF
this cannery is 10000 cases. The work
is mostly done by Indians and Chi.
nese.
The Alaskan Indians bear a strik.
ing resemblance to the Japanese race,
but as they usually go about with
their mouths partly open. they have
rather stupid look They have some
sense of humor, however One WON.
an, unable TO interest me in baskets.
and noticing me smile at her baby.
held the child out to me. crying: Two
dollars-him cheap" ! talked with
some of the intelligent Indians and
was told that they never worshiped
the devil or totem poles, but all in va.
rious ways worshiped the Great
Spirit, who. they believe. abode In the
high mountains and mighty ravines;
also they worshiped the sun and moon.
The totem pole takes the place of a
crest, distinguishing the four different
tribes.