Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1916-08-03
FORMER BADGER
NOW RESIDES
IN FAR NORTH
Continued from first page.)

a most progressive and wide-awake
citizen.
Mrs. Grace Vrooman Bishop is also
a resident of juneau.
Dream-Like Location of Sitka
No tourist to Alaska should fail
to visit Sitka, the gem city of the
territory. The island upon which this
erstwhile capital is located is one of
a vast group Of islands reaching
about hundred miles west f. ON the
mainland. In front of the city small
Ter islands dot the blue waters Of the
Pacific in picturesque groups. Some
of these are mere verdure covered
rocks that project from the water;
others are large enough to afford hab-
itation for game and are continual
innovation to the sportmen. Stand
ing in the main thoroughfare of the
city a winding street leading from
the shore of the sea and losing itself
in the hazy recesses of the park, one
in the leafy recesses of the park, one
looks out over as charming a vista
as is to be found in all this country.
In the foreground outlined distinctly
against the blue of the sea and sky,
lie the larger islands, intensely green
in the bright Alaskan sunshine.
Farther in the distance smaller is
lands CLEAN and fade away in the
peaceful Pacific. Overhead sea gulls
lazily wing their way in an eternal
quest for food. Turning backward,
the eye is arrested by the rugged
snow-capped mountain peaks that
seem to guard the quiet city like
giant sentinels. The city itself rests
drowsily in it's island bed, apparent
" content with honors that are past
and mindful only of the tourists who
visit and enjoy it's beauty.
Islands are so numerous in Alaska
that one could have one for the ask
ing, but of course many of them are
of little value. Sitka is the old Rus
sian headquarters and old territorial
capital. Many Russians sleep in the
verdure-hidden cemetery on the hill,
and a few who have not passed on
still cling about the place. The old
church stands as a relic Of ancient
DAYS and is still open to the visitor.
Many of the Indians here have joined
the Russian church and when they
die they are buried in the old GENE
terv. One can read the names or the
Cars subjects, and Of the natives, on
the grave stones, when the thick
grass and low bushes are parted. The
old block house, falling to decay, is
on a hill near to the burying ground.
The government has established a
beautiful park and agricultural expe-
riment station at Sitka. The park is
on the seashore and is extensive. A
number of totem poles have been set
in cement along the paved roads, and
the place is kept in an attractive con-
dition. The experiment station is
growing some fine root crops, straw
berries, raspberries, blackberries, ap-
pies, pears, other fruits and grains.
Corn, of course, is out OF the ques-
ton. The station has done much to-
ward teaching the Indians how to
raise vegetables and fruits. We Wis
tied an Indian garden which was as
fine as any garden ever seen. There
were no weeds and all the plants were
thrifty. The red man was proud Of
his possession.
An Indian School
The Sheldon Jackson school, an in
dustrial and grade school for the
Indians, is located at Sitka. The
school is conducted by the Woman's
Board of Home Missions of the Pres
byterian church in the United States
and owns a beautiful site, with fine
buildings. There is no stress on re-
ligion, the energy being placed on
teaching the little Indian boys and
girls how to work in the home and
shop as we'll as on the farm. Among
the courses of study are domestic
art, domestic science, music, machine
shop, carpentry and others. The
boys and girls do all Of the neces-
sary work about the buildings and are
kept busy They are denied the use
of tobacco and an effort is made to
place them on a moral footing. When
the boat was ready to leave Sitka,
Mr.. and Mrs, III. P. Fem Of Jersey
City came on board to go home after
being connected with the school for
five years. The members of the fac
ulty and Indian children were at the
wharf to see them depart and this
gave us an opportunity to see the pu
pills of the school The children are