The Cordova daily times., 1922-12-16
A Brief Account of Early Education In Alaska ~ -


TedueT tO d nlStoiy oi euuSoIioii III Alaska, it is we'll to review briefly the events leading up to the discov- cry and settlement of the Territory, thereby linking the past with the present, and making clear some of the problems which confronted the early Russians and which yet make unique and difficult the administra- ton of education in this great Elm pire of the North.
 In the sixteenth century, Russia's .despotism drove many. Cossacks and Russians from Ruia,' III Euorpe, and started them across the Siberian wastes on a journey which was ulti- mately to terminate in what is now Alaska They reached the shores of the Pacific on Okhotsk Sea and founded Okhotsk in 1888. half century later, the peninsula of kam- -chatka was discovered and explored to some extent.
 
 knowledge of America and, as re- suit, the Russians were left to learn of the "belshaia zemlia,' or great land" from other sources. There were many indications that land lay at no great distance to the east ward Trunks of tall fir trees as we'll as of other trees that were not to be found in Siberia were from time to time thrown upon the shores. Land birds came to the coast from the east and again returned east ward. Occasionally foreign built boats containing queer implements and weapons were borne in by the waves. Those scientifically minded Individuals argued that if such were the case, the sides of this wholly or partially inclosed sea would be near CT together further north.
 Information regarding the matter was sought, therefore, among the Chuckchi, who inhabited the region north of the Anadir River and di- reetly across the Strait from Ameri- ca These people knew of a great land to the east whose shores on a clear day could be seen from some of the nearby islands. The inhabi- tants of this land occasionally traded with the Chuckchi and at other times made war upon them.
 Following the receipt of this in formation, varius unsuccessful at tempts were made to explore more definitely northeast Siberia and to learn something about tie supposed land to the eastward, but without definite results. @-@ -' '"t
 Peter the Great now became inter- ested in what might be for him an American Russia. As result of his enthusiasm two expeditions were were launched, known, because of their starting point, as the first and second Kamchatka expeditions. Both were under the command of Vitus Boring, Danish captain in the Russian service. The first was forthe purpose of determining defin- itely whether or not Asia and Ameri- ca were separate continents. This expedition set forth from the Kam- chatka River on July 20, 172S, after three years in reaching this point. On this journey Boring discovered St. Lawrence Island. and sailed through the strait which bears his name. After proceeding far enough to satisfy himself that the coast of Asia turned definitely to the west ward and that America and Asia were not united, he returned to Kamchatka.
 The second Kamchatka expedition started from Russia in February, 1733, and had as it's objective the mainland of the American continent. Due to many delays, however, the expedition was not finally launched upon the last leg of the journey un- til the two vessels St. Peter and St. Paul, under command of Boring and Alexei Chirikof, respectively, set sail from Avatcha Bay, Kamchatka, on June 4, 174l On this expedition, from which Boring never returned, several points along the Aleutian Islands were touched.
 Boring himself sailed eastward to Cape St. Elias, from which point Mt. Elias was sighted on July 16, both so called by Boring from the day on which the discovery was made. Chir- ikof undertook still another expe- dition in the summer of 1742, but because of unfayorable weather con ditions returned again to Kamchatka after reaching Attu Island ;
 These yOYageg Of Rerinr and Chfr.