The Ely miner., 1911-08-25
AzlW SERExT az GzEZGaQT

been abandoned, but we found 1t an
interesting village and were surprised
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 off
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 a deserted
California boom" town. 1t depends
| now chiefly or the railroad traffic.
There ar.s several stores, in one of
which we bought white polar-bear
skin. Here we took the train for
White Pass, which is now easily reach
ed. But we 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 sore 20 years ago,
is very foreign with IT'S 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.
We were permitted to enter a can.
merry at Point Ellis and watch the
canning process. The fish are first
shoveled into chute from the boat
and thence into the building. Here
they are washed, heads and tails cut
off 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 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 soldercd the cans are passed
through hot water and then into q
vat, where they are steamed for 45
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 Gone by Indians and Chi.
nese
The Alasaan Indians bear a strik.
ing resemblance to the Japanese race
but as the7 usually go about with
their mouths partly open, they have
rather stupid look. They have some
sense of hunor, however. One WON
an, unable TO interest me in baskets
and noticing me smile at her baby,
held the child out to me, crying: 1.-TWO
dollars-him cheap" l 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.