The Holbrook news., 1911-10-13

been abandoned, but we found it 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 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. It depends now; chiefly orA 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 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 clement 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 a 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- nery 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 machine which cuts them into lengths right for canning. After salting, 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 soIdered the cans are passed through hot water and then into 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 a retort where they are steamed for an hour. The output of this cannery is 10000 cases. The work is mostly done by Indians andi 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 a stupid look. They have some sense of humor, however. One wom- 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" I 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,