The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1920-08-06
CARIBOU HERDS
ENORMOUS SAYS
NATURE WRITER
Animal Life Described by
Scientist Who Spent Four
Years in Study

down the Yukon in two canoes rig
ged catamaran, two years as doc
tor and nurse in log cabin hos
pital at Ruby and a year camping
at the base of Mt Mckinley are
among the experiences of DR.. A
b. Jones and Mrs. Jones who lef
here July IA, 1916 for the interior
to secure data for book DR.. Jone!
will write. After four years trav
cling by canoe, launch or dog team
as their journey required, DR.. ant
Mrs. Jones arrived in Juneau or
the Alameda Wednesday,
While in the Interior DR.. Jone!
studied the wild fauna, perpetua
ton of wild game and the condi
ton of the Natives.
Enormous Caribou Herds
Though it has been stated tina
there are less than 10000 caribou
in the Territory, Judging from thu
herds we saw in the Mt. Mckinley
region, Tanana Crossing and Eagle
would say that 100000 is ;
poor estimate of the number Of carl
bou in the country. Reindeer herd
ers are succeeding in rapidly in
creasing their herds.
THE moose DR.. Jones said, "ar'
about holding their own. However
the promiscuous killing of COW
moose by Natives and white mel
is powerful detriment to the per
petuation of the moose family.
The lynx, which have beer
scarce for about four years ar
coming back. Marten and mink ar
scarce, but they, too, are becomins
more plentiful Beaver are dyin:
rapidly from some disease Fox ar
scarce because of the illegal use o
poison by trappers with which t,
exterminate them
1.-The fox farmers who tame thei
| animals and allow people to Sc
who are having real success wit
| their industry Those who ALLOW
| their fox to run wild have had ser
, ious losses through the killing o
the young animals by nervous fe
males, who either bury the young
or crush them to death.
Natives in Good Shape
''The Natives as a whole are il
good condition. Generally they are
prosperous and self-supporting DR.
f. l.. Forbes, superintendent of the
Bureau of Education for the Upper
Yukon, with whom we have been
travelling up the river, has done
more good for the Natives of that
country than anyone else They
know and appreciate it, and are all
his friends"
Exciting Trip
DR. and Mrs. Jones made the trip
from juneau to Ruby, l, 450 miles
long, by canoe in about ten weeks.
Between Juneau and Skagway they
were wrecked twice and were with
out other food than tea and dog
salmon for four days Through
Rink Rapids and Five Finger Rap
ids they experienced thrilling es-
capes from disaster. In Ruby they
established hospital in log ca
bin and remained there winter and
summer for two years. Each Fall
would find them up the Yukon in
their launch, hunting, trapping, fish
ing, taking pictures and acquiring
data regarding the Indians for DR..
Jones book.
Camp At Mt. Mckinley
They made their last stand at
the base of Mt. Mckinley. the high
est mountain on tho continent. Max
ing camp there last September they
remained until this Spring.
Mrs. Jones, pretty and small, has
done her share during the primitive
life she and her husband have led
during the last four years in the
North She has shot moose, deer,
bear, muskrat and squirrels, shared
rabbits and grouse, and kept trap
line eight miles long During one
of her husbands trips last winter
she was alone for fifteen days, her
only companion a malamute, that
was companionable at mealtime only
She has with her a number OF
squirrel skins, killed, skinned and
stretched by herself, which she will
have made into a coatee for her
daughter.
Though they have enjoyed it i'm
mensely, neither DR.. or Mrs. Jones
would advise anyone to attempt tC
take a similar outing.
Dr. and Mrs. Jones. who are stay
Ing at the Gastineau Hotel, will re-
main here until after the opening
Of the game season, for deer anC
duck hunting. They will then g
to California for another outing