Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-01
HISTORICAL SPOT IN ALASKA.
Where Russians Made a Brave Stand
Against Savage Natives.

Not far from the sleepy town Of
Sitka in Alaska there is spot as
sociated with early Russian history
which President Taft has recently set
aside as national reservation. Tho
associations of the place have long
been recognized, and during his adj
ministration Gov. Brady caused some
totem poles to be erected there 10
mark the spot where the Russians
made a successful stand against the
natives.
This national reservation was Gre
ated under the law for the preserva-
ton of American antiquities. and as
a result 81 acres. through which flows
the beautiful Indian river, Will be free
from settlement or molestaton. on
this tract are the graves Of Il mid
shipman and six sailors who perished
in the Russian conquest Of 1904. The
setting aside of this spot is a tribute
To Russian daring in the history Of
the Pacific coast.
Much of the early history of the
settlement Of Alaska is connected
with Gov. Raranoff. that slight, hos
pitable. registering adventurer who
was q queer mixture of ability. cruel
ty and gentleness. He went from
ST. Paul Alaska, To establish capt
tai on the island where is now the
town of Sitka, and after being hand1-
capped in more ways than one ana
fighting several battles with the ma
tives he finally took possession OF the
tract which is now national feser-
walton. He erected Notifications and
buildings and started commercial
center for Russia Alaska. but he ac-
eemplished these things only after
much encouragement and loss of life
in The long struggle.
The reservation. which is not far
from the curving shore of the bay of
Sitka, has an approach not surpassed
fer beauty On the Whele Pacific coast.
From Sitka 10 the site Of the reser-
Walton the Russians laid ont mar
velons lovers lane man9 Years ago.
1t Is a walk built aleng the eurYing
beach. through the woods, across ana
along the banks Of the pretty Indian
river Up and down this walk the
Russians used 10 stroll. and present
dae jewellers in Sitka also make IL n
resort. Tall ferns run riot along the
path. Masses and lichens cover
every log and second crop of young
trees has sprung up under the stately
pines, many If which rival those of
California in hight. Beside the path
the grass forms n green carpet. Dc
casionally rustic bridge spans the
pretty Indian river. Blackberry
bushes, rose bushes. white clover
salmon berries and other native
shrubs border the walk and ravens
croak in the tall trees. while hum
mingbirds fly from branch 10 branch
II is like a path in wonderland. At
its beginning near the old town is
stone on which tradition asserts
Raranoff used to sit and drink until
his servants carried him home. The
bowlder is inscribed with Russian
characters.
Long before one reaches Sitka
which faces bay containing over so
beautiful rocky or wooded islands, the
towering rock of Katalon is seen. On
this rock the early Indian chiefs
erected their homes and later it was
chosen by Baranoff as the site for his
government house. Many stories are
told of how Russian men and women
danced and Toasted in Baranoffs
castle. 1t is said that niece of one
governor committed suicide in the
old mansion rather than marry a man
she did not love and that her lover
promptly made an end of his own life
when he discovered that she had died.
There are also stories of ghost that
walked the halls and walled, The
old castle was destroyed by fire long
ago. The most remarkable evidence
of Russian life in the town today is
the little Greek church. the cathedral
of the Archangel Michael. This old
wooden building faces the sea and
contains several relics. Among the
paintings in ii is one of the Madonna
and Child. the work of a Russian
artist. With the exception of the
face and hands much of the painting
is overlaid with beaten silver. The
ravens hover around the little belfry.
which is fitted with bells from Spain.
Not far away is the Indian raneherie
There are museum containing In
dian relics and a mission school.
1t is the scenery around the nation
al reservation that most impresses.
From here one can see Mt. Edge
combe, an extinct volcano. A re-
markable thing about Sitka is the
climate The thermometer seldom
goes below freezing in the winter and
the seasons are cool and equable.-
New York sun.