The daily progressive-miner. [volume] (Ketchikan, Alaska) 1915-1919, 1918-08-30

world as the Apostle of Alaska" the
title given him by John W. Alexander,
who wrote his story for the world
about nine years ago. died at one
O'Clock this morning at New Metla-
katla his home for the past fifty-siy
years. from stroke of apopleXy. He
was first stricken on Tuesday and lin
gered in the valley of the shadow till
early this morning when he succumb-
ed. He remained unconscious from
the time he. was seized with the stroke
until his death.
Born in Beverly. Yorkshire, England
in April 1882. Father Duncan was in
his S6th year. and the 61sI year of
his missionary work among the ma
lives CT the Northern Pacific. He
seemed 10 have been destined from
the very beginning to follow the life
he chose. An incident which occur
I'D when he was but seven years old,
shows of what turn of mind he was.
A4Ac Qels nc q pSA4iis III AIS
clothes which he could not account
fer. He knew no one had given it TO
him. He knew he had not stolen it,
so concluded the devil had put it in
mis- pocket because he wanted to buy
him. No quicker had this idea come
10 him than he hurled the penny as
far away as his tiny hand could send
it saying, The devil shall have no
claims on me-
He first started life as CONNER
c;al traveller. but the call OF his life
work was too strong for him, and he
preached his first sermon to fellow
. .raveier who was an infdel. The
death OF his great friend, and pastor,
Rev. Carr. seemed to be the turning
point in his history. He decided then
% accept an offer made by The
Church Missionary Society" to educate
him for his work. For two years he
studied at Highbury College.
1t was in 1856 at the age OF "a, that
young Duncan. accepted the offer
made by the Society to sail for Vic
toria, and from there to Fort Simp-
so, fortified trading station of the
Hudson's Bay Company directly south
Of the then Russian boundary line,
under the care of Captain Provost, of
the H. NJ S. Virago, who had been
policing the waters of British Colum-
Dia extending for distance Of some
600 miles from Puget Sound to Dixon
Entrance He was the man who ap-
pealed TO the society to send mis-
sionary to the natives Of the Pacific
coast
After tedious journey of nearly
six months the Satellite arrived in
Esquimault harbor, near Victoria, in
June, 1857 Young Duncan proceeded
at once 10 the Fort at Victoria to OBJ
tain the consent OF the Governor Oh
the company TO travel On one OF the
company boats 10 the northland. The
/ governor nearly refused to let him go
saying IL would be just the same as
sending him 10 his death. He tried tc
persuade him to remain in Victoria
tut Duncan had been sen, to Fort
Simpson and there he was determined
10 go. After waiting about foul
months for the next steamer north
bound, he finally embarked for his des
tination, having made himself fam
liar, in the meantime with the Chin
COX language, traders jargon. He
left on September %. arriving five
days later being greeted by his future
charges running r. K and forth or
the beach carrying huge firebrands
When duncan arrived at Fort Simp
son, there we're located around thu
Fort min; tribes OF Indians with pop
Elaticn OF 1890 living In 40 houses
Only enc tribe proved 10 be part o
sIr. Duncans life work however, thu
,thrGthlsa, fpeopie Of the salt water
For eight months he stroye to mas
ter Ike language OF the Tsimsheans
before he attempted to preach tn
. gospel, fearing TO use the Chinook
lest they grasp the wrong meaning. III
. then proceeded with his work o
starting a school, which was attend
. Cd by one hundred and forty children
: and fifty adults, AZ soon as IL was OF
: encJ. Singing and games were use'
!, . ztart the great work OF cIyilizinl
tho people o, the forest.