The Cordova daily times., 1919-06-05
EARLY HISTORY OF E A M 0 US
 MT. KAT MAI


 from Kodiak island, was once a pros. porous and thriving settlement. It was not only thronged with hundreds of trappers and traders, but was the outfitting post for the sea otter hunt CT, and was the center of transit for traffic and travel across the benin sula. Three different routes converg- ed here and made the station of much importance. Now its glory has de- parted and beyond "a few houses, a cannery and hundred or so natives nothing is left to denote it's former grandeur. In former days it was no uncommon sight to see a small fleet of vessels in the bay, and the post natives and travelling adventurers.
 The people of the two villages, Naknek and Ugaguk, came down to Katmai to do their shopping, and to dispose of their furs, undertaking a very arduous and dangerous tramp over mountains and glaciers and across deep and dangerous streams in preference to taking the equally dan gerous canoe or bidarky voyage to Bristol bay posts. Only at long in- tervals would a party proceed to Nushagak to visit the Russian priest +o 1uh o1 hnnn assigned without regard to locality or convenience.
 Katmai, before the mountain of the same name blew it's head off sev- eral years ago, was a district rich in furs and fish, with indications of pe- troleum, sulphur, coal and other min eral being found, the Russians under Baranoff thoroughly exploring the coast and interior for precious metals. The sea was filled with salmon and codfish, and the native and Russian hunter only had to climb the hills that rear their snow covered summits i'm mediately beind the summit to se- cure all the caribou, goats and bears they desired.
 Most of them, however, preferred to brave the perils of the deep and put up with the dangers and discom- forts of sea otter hunting, and in case of a shortage of food to leave the deer and goats on the mountain undisturbed.
 Sea otter parties were fitted out here and were taken to the hunting grounds by small sloops or schooners owned and operated by the trading companies. The old men and youths remained at home and employed their time hunting or trapping bears and foxes, the latter principally of the black or cross variety. Salmon filled the streams, and codfish were to be found everywhere in the vicin- ity; and formed staple article of food for the Kenai who waxed strong and prosperous.
  penetrated this district under the leadership of two powerful compa- nies in 1781 and 17S9 they made war upon each other unmercifully. Pirat1- cal deeds and bloodshed were of fre- uuent occurrence for ten years until Baranoff with his iron will and hand settled the disputes by sending the combatants packing back to the Si- berian prisoners, or made short shr1ft of them, confiscating their outfits. ~ Historically this whole region Is one of the most interesting in Alaska. It is also of great interest to ethnolo- xists because here are found the only instances where the interior native tribes of the Athabaskan family in- fringed on the coast The, people known as Fanatics, Kinnats or Tin mats are a strongly defined race, but with none of the characteristics of the natives inhabiting Kodiak and the sur rounding district. The height of the Kenai natives is greater than that Of the Aleut or Eskimo, and full grown man of less than feet inches was rarely encountered. The natives were slim, 1.-the and sinewy; the eyes were set straight in the head without the Mongolian characteristics of the Aleuts, the nose was aquilfne and prominent; the mouth was large with full lips, the chin frequently receding; the skin was perceptibly darker than that of the Eskimo or Aleut; and the hair was thick and coarse and worn !. much longer than by the other na- tives. The males gathered it into a thick stubby braid. hanging down over the back, and smeared with grease and sometimes powdered over with