The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-08-24

been abandoned. but we found It an
interesting village and were surprised
at the work being done here by Presby'
terrain and Episcopalian missions and
the Salvation Army.
juneau, the metropolis Of Alaska
and the seat OF government, lies AT tho
foot of PERCEPTIONS mountains. The
government house Is situated on tho
hills, as are many Of the residences.
Juneau Is braccd by numberlrss piles
ana piers TO prevent its slipping or
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.
SkGgwuy reminds mo Of a deserted
California boom" town. It depends
now chiefly or the railroad traffic.
There are several stores, in one OF
which We bought n white polar-bear
skin. Here we took the train for
White Pass. which is now easily reach.
ed. But we we're reminded Of tho
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 AZ
Killisnoo the entire population is en-.
gagged in making oil and fertilizer from
no to Tgt
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. Re-
yond is Mt Edgecomb. an extinct vol
cano. SItka is the Oldest Russian set
Element In Alaska, and many Of the
old block houses still remain The
! Greek church, built some 10 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.
ndorn the walls and silver censers
hang at one side. The inter, the vest
ments and crowns used in the mar
riage ceremony are very beautiful
We we're permitted to enter a cam
merry at Point Ellis and watch the
canning process. The Ash are first
! shoveled into n chute from the boat
and thence into the building Here
they are washed, heads and tails cut
OF and fms removed, then passed
through n machine which cuts them
into lengths right for canning After
sailing, the pieces are packed into
cans by machinery and passed along
a sliding plate where Indian girls
place piece OF tin on top. to prevent
solder getting In. On another sliding
forced down by machine. After be-
ing soldered the cans are passed
through hot water and then into u
vat, where they are steamed for IS
minutes Then O 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 and Chi.
nese.
The Alaskan Indians bear 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 worshpcd
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.