Seward daily gateway., 1926-06-02

Itcriptive writers, novelists, jour- nalists and geologists, that travel through Alaska for the purpose of gaining first hand information of it's bewildering scenic beauty, its endless resources, bird life, fisher ies, and countless other features, there is still-a story yet un- told.
 Alaska-meaning Great Coun- try"-has been truly named; no person who has lived or even visit ed in this northern land can ever say that the time spent here was in vain.
 Owned by Russia and populated by a primitive race of Aborigines of many tribes, clans and sects, about the only knowledge we have of the old races are the carvings upon the many wooden totem poles that foretell the history and ances- try of the chieftains and warriors of earlier days. These poles tell of the many conflicts between the Indian tribes and contain the le- gends of primitive people.
 Adjacent to the island of Akutan, which, by the way, is the largest, and beautiful beyond expression, lie the islands of Akun and Tidal go, both of which are held in re- serve and not available for lease for fur farming. These islands, with the Boring sea and North Pa cific ocean, flashing their shores for centuries past have made approach almost impossible; but on the north, or Boring sea side of these islands there is a safe little harbor for small power boats, and at this place on both the islands, are to be found indisputable proof of the love of the Great Spirit that was forever uppermost in hearts and minds of these primitive people.
 About one-half mile from the beach are the ruins of two church es; the one on Akun bears an in- scription in Russian, written on copper plate, of being erected in 1884. AS years rolled by and the church was crumbling to decay, the natives built a sort of a fortress over the sacred altar and commu- nion table, all of which stands in tact and imperishable to the pres ent day in silent testimony of a sublime divine faith of the early race.
 The only thing left of the church on Tidalgo, is the Cross, that has stood the ravages of time and the elements and while it leaves us no written message, it was doubt less erected before the other on Akun.
 It is inspiring to find on an iso- lated island the silent appeal for heavenly assistance that when we confront these sacred shrines, we bow our heads in reverence to such fidelity to their faith. It seems that their first thought was Christianity, afterwards came civilization and industry.
 These islands with their low sloping mountains, valleys and can yons, are covered with a heavy growth of grass, and different spe- cies of lichen, moss and mush- rooms, and these together with the natural shelter provided by the ov- erhanging crags and cliffs, make them an ideal home for the rein deer. The United States Govern ment will in the near future place a herd or deer thereon for the eX- elusive use of the natives of Aku- tan.
 If we could but turn time back ward for space of years, and i'm agine if we can, these modern na- tives revert to the dress and GUS toms of their forefathers. We would see them clad in magnificent re- galia of ermine, mink, and black fox skins, and ornamented by teeth and varia-colored sea shells, eagle feathers and breast plates of pre- cious wampun, dancing in rhyth- mic cadence to the primitive music of the tom-tom. The same god of music that ruled over the tribes