The Kusko times., 1929-08-24
VACHON TELLS OF BIG POT.
 HATCH ATTANANA--NATIVES
 MAKE MERRY FOR WEEKS
(Fairbanks News-Miner.)

" a1i DdIkhS NCWo-VAAHSl'
 Panama was the gathering place last month for natives from many points along the, Panama and Yukon rivers, who came together to hold big potlatch, according to Peter Va-. chon, who returned to Fairhanks a few days ago after making a trip to Tanana..t.
 Led by their tribal cfneftains, about 25O Indians congregated at Ta1rana, he says, and for two weeks the aas- e;ent ceremonies of Alaska natives Uere re-enacted. Some of the lead- CTS were Chief Peter Henry of Cross jacket and his wife; Chief Albert of Panama and his wife; former Chief Jestin, an important medicine man, former Chief Matthews of Panama and his wife; Chief Johnny Smoke. and his wife from Stevens Villages. Chief Pitka,e bachelor of Kokrines, and Chief Jimmy Charley and his, wife Tiny, from Minto.-
 Thousands of dollars worth of pesents were given away during the. festivities, Mr. Vachon declared, and the potlatch was one of the biggest held along the, river for mary years.
 Shortly before it opened Chief Mat thews was married to Jenny Evan, wife of Chief Andrew Evan of the Crossjacket Indians, who died about three years ago altar as long rule.
 All Chief Andrews heirlooms and prized possessions were given away during the potlatch to relatives and friends. Among tiiee heirfUoms was an old spear handed down to him by his father, who ruled over the Cross jacket trine all His life. The spear came first, it is believed, from Chief great-gret-great-grandfather and was used in early days before the advent of firearms tos kill brown bear ands other big game.
 A fine, mooseflide coat, beaded and fur-trimmed, which had been prized by the chief, was presented to rela- tive, in accordance with native eus-' tom. There were also valuable neck laces and other articles which were distributed
 The potlatch was given in honor of Chief Andrew Evan and othsrrnotable dead of the Tznana. and Yukon val leys.
 In two weeks time Chief Henry and his wife gave away $4,000 worth of Hudson Bay. blankets. leather suit- cases. and bags, guns and clothing.
 Presents distrlpnted by former Chief Jestin and his wife were worth about $2O0O, and Alhert (Pilot) gave away blankets and clothing to the value of S1,5O0. Beaded moccasins, blankets and ather valuable gifts. worth at least $2,5OO, came from Chief. Jimmy Charley and lilly Char ley.
 Harry Sa mand Theodore: Sam. from Stevens Village, bra@ ght $3,000 worth of high-priced guna,. .cather ar ticles, clothing and Hudson. Bay blan- kets to Panama as gifts
 Every day different chief would have charge of feeding the potlatch- ars, who 'ived in 3ents. they ate in the open, oil cloth hcii..: spread on the grass
 Henry, Chief Albert C2.!ot), former
 Talks were made bAS Chief Peter Chief Jestin and forn,ei Chief Jacob Star. The last evenisg. of the cele- bration was one of gre.. rejoicing. It was then that present. were given away. The ceremony l.arte. at 9. at night and was not finished until 4:30 o'clock. the next. molals. s.
 Tribal dances were n3ld, in a dance kal, and there songs composed in honor of the dead were sung.
 All the natives re taved presents, hut Mr. Vscaon and- il 5 brother Ali~- drty,y vuarp tlxo nnlv .ax t Q mon sO 5hnn-