Douglas Island news., 1913-10-29
Educating the Natives

The following extracts from the re. port of the United States public school at Akiak, a remote village on the Kus. kokwim river, will be interesting to many of our readers because of the pe- culiarities of this strange people, and again because it was written by John B. Knbuck, we'll known in Douglas. He lived for a time in Douglas and was we'll liked by all who knew him. Years before he.had lost bis right arm, but that did not daunt him for a moment. He simply kept trying until he could write with his left hand, and then kept on with bis work. One day a one- armed beggar came to the Kilbuck home and was met at the front door by Mrs. Knbuck, of whom be solicited alms because of bis condition. Mrs. Eilbuck quietly led him through the house to the back yard, where her one- armed husband was industriously saw Ing wood The beggar went on to the next house.
 In bis report Mr. Kilbuck writes:
 "On the evening of July 8, 1911, the P.J. Abler, with the teachers for Akiak on board, slowly steamed past the fish. ing camp about three miles below the village of Akiak, and the pilot, David Hawk Skuviuk, called out to the men to come up and help unload the ship. There were shouts from the shore; in twinkling canoes were launched and forthwith a chase ensued, wherein the Abler had to burn more oil to keep ahead of the pursuers. At 6I0, accord ing to the ship's time, Akiak was reach ed, and as the water was high the vessel anchored close under the bank, ending her voyage of 24 days from Seattle with all on board in high spirits. In a few minutes was ashore and heartily welcomed by the natives, who had ar rived almost as soon as we did. Ac companied Kawagleg. the local chief, l at once looked over the ground. A site was selected at the lower end of the village, on ground that had hardly been covered by the last spring freshet, which was reported Go have the record for high water.
 The next day the ship was discharged of her freight, and at 3;30 everything was ashore. In a short time we wished our late shipmates a safe aud pleasant homeward voyage, and then turned to our work
 "When we arrived at Akiak there were Eve log cabins altogether above the ground, two cabins partially under the ground, and four of the old fash toned igloos; II habitations, occupied by 19 families. After the fishing season was over the natives returned to the home village. Tbe attractive appear ance of the schoolhouse appears to have prompted the desire for improvement; many began to work, some renovating cabins and others building new ones. As each cabin neared completion, few pieces of scrap lumber were furnished by the teacher in charge for the natives to use in making window and door frames and doors. A little red paint was also given for Finishing. When a cabin was ready for occupancy, Mrs. Kibuok hung a curtain over each win dow. After the first cabin was thus furnished, building boom followed. Every head of a family who was able to work went to work on cabin. The men had to go out and get a raft of logs before any building could be done, and then they worked like beavers. When cold weather set in there were six new cabins, the two that were partly unde ground had been rebuilt on top of the ground, and three of the old cabins were remodeled. Akiak now consists of 13 cabins above ground, one cabin partly under ground, and three igIoos; altogether 17 habitations, that house 90 people.
 "A few days after landing some ground was spaded up, which, after being prepared, was sown to radishes, lettuce and turnips. The natives were skeptical about the garden producing anything, but when the seeds sprouted one man spaded up 8 smell bed and worked faithfully to get the ground in fne shape This bed was soWn to rad- isbes. Everything did we'll, and our table was furnished with choice rad fshes and crisp lettuce. The native was