The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-11-27

01DDES wild game in the park, announced
that 1t would give away free to the first 100
applicants 100 buffaloes On the condition that
these animals must not be killed, but must be
used for exhibition propagation purposes.
1t only a few years ago that America
awoke to the fact that the buffalo had Joined
the class of vanishing Americans" and that
unless the necessary steps were taken this noble
animal would be extinct. OF the millions which
had once roamed the plains of the Great West
only pitiful remnant remained in few public
parks and in the hands of private owners. In
breeding was weakening the stock and it seemed
only matter Of few years before the buffalo
must go the way of the passenger pigeon and
other birds and animals which had been ruth
iessly and wastefully slaughtered. Fortunately,
however, public sentiment was aroused in time
and steps were taken which guaranteed the
preservation Of the animals for the future
This latest announcement from government
officials indicates that the buffalo no longer need
be classified vanishing American" because
recent years have seen decided increase In the
number of buffaloes now alive. Although their
numbers will never be anywhere near the num-
bers which once inhabited this continent the
protection which the government has given to
the survivors and its encouragement of their
propagation in a scientific manner may mean
that buffalo meat may again become part Of
the regular American diet.
But more interesting than the possibilities sug-
gested by the increasing number of buffalo Is
the action taken by the government in our great
est territory, Alaska, for guaranteeing the future
meat supply of Americas millions Up there
more than 100000 reindeer now roam the fro
zen tundras Of the north and it is estimated that
by 1885 this number will be increased to almost
100000 In fact, within the last two decades the
raising of reindeer has grown to such proper
g nj in
the fishing industry.
Reindeer were introduced to Alaska in 1891
In that year sixteen were brought from Siberia
at the instigatiOn of DR.. Sheldon Jackson When
Doctor Jackson was sent to Alaska by the gov
eminent to establish schools among the natives,
he found his wards threatened with starvation
as result of the slaughter by white men of the
game animals on which the natives had depended
for food. He conceived the idea of replacing
the fast disappearing game with reindeer, the
principal domestic animal of Lapland and ST.
IBERIA. the climate and vegetation of which re-
sembled that of Alaska
Returning to the states and unable to interest
congress in the venture. Doctor Jackson sought
contributions from the public. He obtained So 14S
with which the first animals were procured in
Siberia. At the same time Siberian herdsmen
were brought over to for them.
In 1892 $50 more reindeer were imported. Con-
gress then became mildly interested and small
appropriations made possible importations
through the next ten years until, in 1902, when
the Russian government put embargo on fur
ther expectations from Siberia, 1880 animals
had been taken into Alaska
The Siberian herdsmen proved incompetent as
teachers for the Eskimos, and for time the
venture was threatened with failure. 1t was then
that Doctor Jackson went for advice to Prof Ras-
mus B. Anderson of Madison, Wis.,, who, while
minister to Denmark, had visited the reindeer
herds of Lapland. Doctor Jackson's early inter-
est had been aroused by a report on the industry
there made by the professor
In pursuance of Professor Anderson's advice.
Lapp herders were engaged to replace the ST.
berians as instructors to the Eskmos Each was
lent 100 animals from the government herd for
a period of years, at the end of which an equal
number Of reindeer were required to be returned
to the government. The Laps were permitted to
retain the increase.
The Eskimos were apprentced to the Lapps
for period of four years. At the end of the
first year each was given six reindeer, at the
end Of the second, eight, at the end Of the third
year, ten, and ten more at the end of his fourth
year Of training. With normal increases, each
mans herd would be almost 100 head by the
time he had completed his apprenticeship He
was well equipped to start in business for him.
self. Today, more than two-thrds Of the reindeer
of Alaska are owned by natives, Of whom some
5000 have been trained in their care.
The effect of this training on the Eskimos is
one of the most important results of the enter
prise. Within less than generation the rein
deer industry has advanced the natives Of Alaska
through one entire stage Of civiization-from
the primitive to the pastoral, from nomadic hunt
ers to civilized men, independent responsible,
assured Of support for themselves and an oppor-
tunity to acquire wealth. They have bank ac-
counts, purchase American clothing and food,
have adopted improved methods Of sanitation
and, In some instances, have built frame houses
from imported lumber
Between 1918 and 1925 more than 1,S75,OOO
pounds OF reindeer meat was shipped to the
United States from Alaska. Two hundred thou
sand pounds were shipped in 1923, while by
1925, the export had increased to $4,000 pounds.
The export for 1927 was expected almost to dou-
BILE that Of 1925, the amount depending ship
ping facilities. Reindeer meat sells In Nome for
Is to 20 cents a pound. 1t can be delivered at
Seattle for 10 cents pound and. with increased
shipments and improved methods of handling,
even this price can be reduced