The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1912-01-06
FsoUImAuI N ALASKA D0|Mc WELL
CONTINUED from Page ~

hunting boat scuttled by the tusks OF
sn infuriated walrus; he has fear
lesyly carried law into rough, lawless
winter whaling stations in the Arctic
ocean; he has faced death In score
Of forms. but of all these he will
say nothing. He prefers to talk about
| the governments Alaskan reindeer
herd. OF which he was the creator,
and is the present administrative
head.
I'VE got the idea OF importing
reindeer from Siberia that first win.
ter we were at Cape Prince OF Wales, "
he said. The country then had n
bad reputation. But after We had
Z learned little more OF the Esqul.
maux language We discovered that
most OF the trouble between Esdui.
maux and 'he whites resulted from
I IN treatment 81 the natives. We found
them kindly. good naturcd people,
with more native intelligence than
7 Indians have. aud eager TO learn the
White mans ways. Their chief faults
s'ere drunkenness and tendency Ia
steal whateye: they could.
we had scme trouble with them
al first. but We insisted on havins
our way. Wher they saw we wsr,
absolutely just and fair with thcm
their attitude changed. We taught
them that stealing and drinking were
wrong and they listened To us. To.
day II would be hard to find n more
honest people than the EsduimauN
living from Cape Prince OF Wales
northward. and drunkenness Is al
most unknown. Also, they are the
most advanced OF the Esauimauy In
carrying out our teachings OF clean
illness and hygiene.
THAT. first winter We learned that
the Esuuimauy wanted TO own rein
deer. but that the revenue officers
would not permit the importation.
Some of the natives even owned rein
deer In the Siberian herds across the
straits. And II seemed shame that
they were forbidden to bring their
property across from Asia, so near
that the Siberian heights could be
seen over the water on clear days.
1--WE appealed TO Washington for
permission to import reindeer. But
other government agents had preced-
ed us In this request. Before We had
a reply from our letter that summer
a revenue cutter put into port with a
shipment Of reindeer on board. We
were overjoyed to know that the pro-
hibition law had been removed. and
set about getting more.
In the year 1892 came the frs,
large Importation. We brought in
200 that year, and from these grew
our present herd. scattered through
out Alaska, and numbering over
S5. 900.
THE reindeer policy was gradually
evolved. We impress upon the Lapps
and EsquImauS that the reindeer are
exclusively their property and care,
For instance. they are not allowed TO
sell female reindeer TO white men,
so that the brood animals are to be I
perpetually in the custody and own
ership OF the natives.
we usually establish a reindeer
herd wherever We have native
school. The school superintendent
has supervision over the herd though
the animals are owned by the na-
tlyes. When a new herd Is to be
Y ioJ siopIeu oonusIddg 50 pol1 los
sIB ssAnGu snopIqWe 'Sunoi 'pslIels .
tour-year term. For his first years
services, In addition TO his living. the
apprentice receives siX reindeer; the .
iecond year eight. and the third year
en- and the fourth year ten. So that {
What you may term Journeyman
lerder owns thirty-four reindeer.
They are then free TO breed their
nimals and sell their calves or stock
4 any age or sex TO the other natives.
Reindeer are food, clothing and
TO the natives. As "
bod. reindeer is delicious, resembling
9th mutton and beef, but more pal
table than either. Along In October,
hen the deer are fat from a sum
ier's feeding on grasses and foliage, :.
ley are best for eating. The natives =
Ike reindeer tallow and mix red ,
oss berries into It, making the dish
ok like ice cream and which Is fine :,
J eat. +"
THE reindeer finds his food along n
le ways. He can paw through the
low when tethered out and find moss
eat. He is strong. so the driver
IN ride. And the reindeer can travel \
'rty miles day and keep II up for a
Aak ttunn