The daily progressive-miner. [volume] (Ketchikan, Alaska) 1915-1919, 1918-08-30
WILLIAM DUNCAN, APOSTLE
OF ALASKADLES EARLY TODAY

In 1859. Mr.. Duncan decided that If
he vas to expect permanent results.
he must set his people away from the
scene Of their former savagery and
dete :iorating influence of bad whites
al the fort. who gave the Indians the
nhaming 'fire-water." 1t was not
until May 1862 however, that the de-
parture from British Columbia to New
Metlakatla, took place. Only fifty
left with Father Duncan in six canoes
others promising to follow later. Be-
fore starting out afresh however, Mr..
Duncan drafted rules which every
adult was required to pledge himself
before he could become a member of
this model community. They were
simple but definite and required that
the inhabitants must give up their In
dian devilty. conjurers or medicine
men. gambling. giving away their
property, painting their faces, drink
ing and to keep the Sabbath, send
their children to school, keep clean,
Industrious. honest, to build homes,
and pay the village tax.
In about two weeks three hundred
more natives joined the community,
among them two chiefs. By the fall
Of the year. thirty-fiye houses, had been
cree ed, as well as a large octagonal
church. capable of holding seven hun
dreG people and was soon taxed for
standing room even. This was later
torn down in 1865 to make place for
the magnificent Mission House.
Having vainly attempted to induce
Victoria merchants to establish a
branch store at Metlakatla, Father
! Duncan finally succeeded in saving
enough of his own salary paid him
by the Mission, to purchase small
stock of goods, and buy small schoon-
er. The Indians bought shares in the
toat, and soon the Carolina was sail
ing up and down the coast bringing
fCCd and supplies to Metlakatla i'll
exchange for the furs caught, marten
mink. and sea offers. He later sold
the steamer for $1,000 to the COM
pany after they had agreed to freight
his goods.
Soon a blacksmith shop, carpenter
shop and a sawmill were started. One
Ct the Indians after he had seen the
sawmill said he wanted to die so he
cou'i tell the chiefs in the spirit world
that Father Duncan had made water
saw wood. Later a community cOun
ell was established, with Father Dun
can as Judge, at which elders were
elected by the natives. A fire brigade
of six companies was also organized.
Later Mr. Duncan purchased a set of
brass band instruments and took les
sens On all of them, instructing the
natives one by one in their use. Later
. German machinst from Victoria in
structed them for three months. This
organization is known ali over the
world.
In 1871, Mr. Duncan returned to
E
months, returning to Metlakatla just
d year later. Spinning wheels had
been brought from England, and soon
the little village was humming. A
specially Of shawls was made, spun
iron the wool of the mountain sheep.
In 1874, the present church was
I'D ;t,fth
200, at a cost of over $4,000, by vol
untary contributions by the natives,
fani friends and admirers of Father
Duncan. Later twostory school
hcuze with. seating capacity of 800
was erected.
Tho town had now increased to a
population of 1000 people and Father
: Duncan was Preacher, pastor, school
master, doctor. magistrate, chief OF
police, mayor manager OF store, saw
mil. church builder architect book
keeper gardner. music teacher and ad-
: wiser.
, lie. celebrated his golden jubilee as
Missionary last year, when he recciv.
el congratulations from friends and
: prominent people all over the world.
For sixty one years, this Grand Old
r Man OF Alaska. labored and totled,
with hardships ana set backs always
cropping up TO interfere with his work
, hut always persevering and remaining
faithful to his trust till the end.