The Cordova daily times., 1922-11-08

I SS~"e>>~O longs to the Order of the Raven. We find, too, hereabouts the clan of the Eagle, of the Bear, of the fish and the wolf
 And they painted on the graveposts
 of the graves yet unforgotten,
 Each his own ancestral totem,
 Each the symbol of his household Figures of the bear and reindeer, l Of the turtle, crane or beaver
 These totem poles are the most dis tinctive and remarkable, man-made feature in our new territory and are the least understood. The mysterious things are never found elsewhere, and they excite an absorbing interest which grows with the years. When they told Jacob certain facts about the land of Egypt, he believed them not, but when he saw the Egyptian wagons actually standing before him, his spirit revived and he said: 'It is enough" I All things in this great northland are so without bounds and so elusive l and mysterious that they are beyond belief but when one sees the actual original totem, once erected by the | aborigines he comes to himself, cred it's the strange facts and says, "It is enough"
 | It is something unexpected to find that it is always day time when the boat arrives, even if it be o'clock on dark night. People are said to hang their clothing on the head of the bed, like the harness put in readiness over fire horses. Their harness is loosened from it's support and falls into place. The people hasten to the boat in all kinds of incomplete attire. The squaWs, in long picturesque row, decorate the sidewalk leading up to the principal buildings of the town. They spread out their wares before them where they sit, and have a ne. culiar aversion to having anyone pass behind them.
 l The strangest sight ever saw on sea or land confronted me the instant entered the rather pretentious house Of Shakes, the famous Indian Chief. His squaw who survives him I saw on the street, and accompanied her home. The oldtime kingly residence sits on an island, except at low tide, when 1t can be approached dry shod, over some flat stones, once probably placed. The two grandchildren of the kingly pair had the key to the paddock and were paid an admission of two bits" After noticeable kindness of one of the young people, had the misfortune to call this grandchild nice boy, and was surprised to have the young In- dian reply, q am girl" I had then had two guesses touching the sex of the other native who stood by in over alls. She too was a "a girl" Young Indians are no better distinguished by their garb than are the Eskimos or the modern young women of the period when on excursion. At marriage the clergyman had to inquire" Which is the bride?" Now comes a new page in relation to relics. Each corner of the house reste upon an artistfcally Il carved and highly decorated totem pole. Here are the totem poles that were erected over the bodies of ten slaves who were buried alive. Not so many years ago if any captives were taken in fight, and the earlier In- dians were always fighting, they were made slaves. Indians fight only by ambush and surprise.
 More excitement was given to burials and other public exercises if a few slaves, who were well known, were tragically sacrificed. In this hab- itation which has come down from earlier generations, were great arm fuls of old Russian guns, which did service when Alaska figured on the school maps as Russian America. Here were ropes woven from the tex ture of cedar bark. Here was a very large resonant box which was struck at one place on the inside and it sounded like big bass drum This helped furnish the music for the dance, for except for the music, per sons dancing would be arrested. Here was hat 300 years old. tried hard to buy remarkable, exactly carved human foot and leg from the knee