Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-05-29

mowers. VI trees tn0r0 are
W none. Illimitable are its sum-
mer muskegs and its eight
month winter SHOWS. Yet the Eski-
mo is as jovial a soul as any that ever
came from southern lands where life
is Joy He Is humorist, although
he feeds on blubber and rotten fish: q
sportsman, although he knows not
soap and water, and a good fellow, al
though the shiftless Cree despises him
and calls him in insult husky"
Scattered over a wide area Of the
north, living in tribes distinguishable
to the traveller by slight linguistic
difference and local habits and GUS
toms. the Eskimo from Greenland to
the west coast of Hudson bay, are
one and the same people. They have
the same physical characteristics, live
In much the same way and think
much the same thoughts on hunting
and life as their visitors. the white
men. Even the fierce Nechilliks and
Igluliks of the far, far north with
whom the various trading companies
deal as rule through other tribes
acting as middlemen), have the same
taboos and angekoks Tor witch doc
tors) and quaint legends.
People Of Dirt.
Stunted, squat men seldom averag-
ing over Ave feet and half. they are
muscular and strongly built, but slow
Of limb and mind. With their curious
Chinese slanted eyes and inflated nos
trils, they are q people Of dirt and
laughter Their heavy black hair 10
worn by the males over the shoulders
to protect their large ears. Across
their thick lips comes the flash, - .
rule, Of perfect but discolored teeth.
Such L. the Eskimo gentleman-the
real lord Of the north.
A for the Eskimo bellies. they. too
have their virtues. Beauty Is . ques.
ton Of taste and probably the Eskimo
would not exchange his flat-faced
strong and sturdy mate with darl
brown eyes and natural bust, for the
fairest chorus girl. Very often, too
when these girls have European blood
In them their looks are far from un
oomely.
But to arrive at real understand
ing Of the Eskimo you must spend I
year at least among them. Thus only
can you arrive at = complete picture
Of their strange life wherein train
and banks and ofices and Telephones
have NO part. For they, like all print
tive races. are a nomadic people liv
ing under the bright stars. So w
may see an Eskimo's health. wealth
and content. SO, too. you may fac
starvation and hardship with him
And again you may watch the wage
Of the civilization that leave hin
robbed Of furs. pillaged Of Mvelihoo'
and branded with disease.
The Eskimo lives BY the chase 70
no neither ploughs nor farms. b
means Of the chase como his food an,
raiment and the fuel that 10 to warn
him through the long northern winter
His winter mansion IL the igloo o
snow house. his summer homo . tupi
or tent Of seal and deer skins.
When the days of the north begi
to spread out In January comes tn
Nskimo's hard times. For two month
or more life IL a burden, intolerabl
and bitter. yet fercely clutched at 70
all its uncertainty. The ice Is storr
seized and the seal on which the Esk
mo depends keep out in the open W,
ter. And 1t Is in this season tn
southern Eskimo strikes his annus
trail for the trade post. where he wi
barter q winters pelts for ammun
ton. tobacco and white mems bauble,
First provisions for the way must b
found and ut no other time are the
SO hard to obtain. So II comes I
pass that with little deer meat r,
served over from the fall and with
} scant stock of SEAL the company sci
forth. The long narrow komatil
are dashed, the dogs harnessed
them and the trail goes on in stage
Generally two or three families mai
them together. An old woman lead
the way. Then come the dogs IN
the sleds while scouting on each sid
wander the men In search Of se'
holes on the ice. The short day wanl
and small snowhouse has to be bui
from a convenient hummock.
Building 4 House.
First q veteran tests the snow
the neighborhood with his knife IT