The Cordova daily times., 1918-08-15
STURDAY RACE OF ALEUTSFAST
 PASSING AWAY

The inhabitants of the islands to the westward are called Aleuts. after the territory or district in which they iGwell The Aleutian islands comprise la group extending over thousand miles to westward, and forming a boundary as it were between the Be ring sea and the Pacific ocean. There are many settlements on the penin- sula also, and the Pribiloff group, comprising the islands of St Peter and St. George, also is inhabited by members of this tribe The word Aleut is of obscure origin. but Is said by the natives themselves to mean been longer in contact with the whites than any other tribe of the North, and their ways have probably changed more than any other by such inter course.
 II Before their subjection by the Rus sians, with it's attendant cruelties and enforced slavery. they were merry race. full of life and spirit. and fond of amusements and practical jokes. | After being used as slaves by their Slavic conquerors for many genera tions their habits and spirits changed completely. until the first white men to come to the islands found them suspicious and hard to trade with first discovered by the Russians, but kind treatment and a desire to better their condition on the part of their masters would have worked wonders with this tribe, the most advanced and progressive of all the Alaskan native tribes.
 Certain records and legends. to- gether with data obtained from the Russians. would tend to show that at the time of the Russian invasion these people numbered about 25.ooO souls.
 The Aleut Is of average size. per haps rather below the medium, with countenance much like the Japa- nese. Their complexion is light brown, the augmentation being more pronounced in some individuals than in others. Their chests and arms are well proportioned from constant use of the paddle. while their legs from generations of sitting in their skin boats are somewhat curved. They are very industrious. always willing to work. and make faithful and obedi ent employees. Except when under the influence of liquor, of which they are inordinately fond. and which found it's way to them with the first white man, they are mild-tempered and pleasing to trade with.
 Formerly the number of wives was only limited by the wealth of the hus- band, but now they are homogeneous and the families also live in separate
 
 underground hut, Is still used eXten. sively. 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 the knees. of some sort of fur or bird skins No trousers were worn, but the mukluks or skin boots came above the knee. In wet weather a water proof coat made from the intestines lof the sea lion is worn. The same dress is worn to a great extent today. the natives, however. adopting the clothes and pantaloons of the whites where they are able to secure them. Some of them are very expert in the making of garments.
 Schools have been established at many points. and earnest men and women in the employ of the govern ment are teaching them to be self. supporting The government guards them carefully from contact with the worst of the white mans habits. and much progress is being made in their education A drink made with sugar and four fermented, used to be man. ufactured to some extent by the na- tives, but this practice has been dis couraged by the teachers, who point out its evil effects and the habit has been stamped out except in the most inaccessible of the 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 shellfish. They