Douglas Island news., 1918-08-30
STURDY RAGE
 PASSING AWAY
The Aleuts, Once a Sturdy Race, Are Rapidly Feeling the Effects
 of Civilization

thousand miles Co westward, anu forming a boundary as it were be- tween Che Boring sen and tho Pacific ocean. There arc many settlements on Che peninsula also, and the Prib- Inoff group, comprising Che islands of st. Peter and St George, also is inhabited by members of this tribe. The word Alcut Is of obscure origin, but is said by thc natives themselves Co mean "men of the East" The Alcuts have been longer in contact with tho whites than any othr tribe of thc North, and their ways have probably changed more than any other by such intercourse.
 Before their subjection by the Russians, with its attending cruel ties and enforced slavery, thoy were merry race. full of life and spirit. and fond of amuscmonts and prac- ticaI jokes. After being used as slaves by their Slavic conquorors
 for many generations their habits and spirits changed completely, until thc first white men Co come Co the
 islands found them suspicious and hard Co trade with. They were prob ably sayagcs when first discovered by Che Russians. but kind treatment and desire Co better their condi- ton on the part of their masters
 would have worked wonders with ! this tribe. thc most advanced and progressive of an Che Alaska native tribes
 Certain records and legends. to- gcther with data obtained from the Russians. would tend to show that at one time these people numbered about 25,OOO souls.
 The Alcut is of average size, per haps rather below Che medium, with countcnance much like the Jap ancsc. Their complexion is light brown, che pigmcntation being more pronounced in some individuals than i'm others. Their chests and arms are we'll proportoncd from constant use of Che paddle. while their legs from generations of sitting In their skin boats. are somewhat curved. They are very industrious, always willing Co work. and make faithful and obcdicnt employees Except when under Che influence of liquor, or which they arc inordinately fond, and which found its way Co them with Che first white man, they are ImiId-tcmpcrcd and pleasing to trade with.
 Formerly Che number of wives was only limited by Che wealth of thc husband. but now they are monoga- nous and Che families also live in separate huts or borabaras. The barabara. or underground hut. isl Isuu used extensively. being the type of shelter best suited to the fierce gales and driving rains of the winter period.
 The original native dress was the parka. made with tight sleeves and sufficiently long to reach below Che knees, of some sort of fur or bird skins. No trousers were worn. but Che mukluks or skin boots came above the knee. In wet weather a waterproof coat made from the in- tcstnes Of Che sea lion ls worn. The same dress is worn today, the ma tiycs. however adopting the clothes and pautaloous of Che whites where they are able Go secure them. Some of them are very expert in the mak- ing Of garments
 Schools have been established at many points. and earnest men and
 7mcn iu thc employ Of the govern iaent arc teaching them to be self
 supporting. The government guards them carefully from contact with the worst of Che white mans habits, and much progress is being made in their education. A drink made with sugar and flour, fcrmcntcd, used to be manufactured to some extent by Che natives, but this practice has been discouraged by the teachers, who point out its evil effects, and the habit has been stamped out ex- cept i'm the most inaccessible Of Che islands.
 The chief article of food of these people is fish, the various kinds such as cod. halibut and salmon being caught and stored as they come in season. Besides these are many kinds of water fowl and shelldsh.
 They also buy many articles fom the trading posts, such as tea. to- bacco. flour. sugar, condensed milk and candy. They are very fond of sweets. and whole families may be seen eating condensed mill, from the cans. large quantities being pur- chased.
 The chain of islands inhabited by the Aouts are mostly of volcanic for
 nation. with towering peaks, active cratcrs and steep, forbidding shores,
 where the seas thunder necessarily, making navigation difficult and dan
 gcrous Tho most western settle ment of tho chain is Chlchagof on L.L.- .-lnnh nl ALLn Ln lnrmnr Llmna