The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1937-10-13
A CHAT WITH CHARLEY BROWER

1t was our good fortune yesterday to have chat
with Charley Brewer, who was in town from his home
at Point Barrow, bound for trip to the States AS
virtually everyone knows Mr. Brewer is the man who
has lived on the Arctic coast for more than half
century-53 years to be exact-and whose name is
synonymous with Arctic Alaska.
At 76 the pioneer is fit as fiddle and eager for
life He has snap to his step and CLEAN in his eye
that would do credit to 30 years younger. 1t is
refreshing and inspiring to talk to such man as
Charley Brewer. He emanates the zest for life and
the future His sound philosophy that the past is
Just series Of incidents, the present the moment
to live and the something to be looked forward
to with anticipation rekindles faith in mankind
that overshadows the human grumblings which we
hear every hand and too often succor.
For example Mr.. Brewer is keenly interested in
the present search for the lost Russian filters The
fact is that he may have to cut his trip south short
if Sir Hubert wilkins decides to come suddenly north
to make second hunt for the missing aviators. Will
kins plans to base at Point Barrow and he wants his
old friend Charley Brewer to be at Barrow to help
him out when he starts operations. Brewer has been
there with help and advice every time Wilkins has
been in the Arctic and he'll be there again when
wilkins comes north even if he has to hurry back
from the States That's the kind of man Brewer
is. He passed his word that he'd do what he could
and for So years Charley Brewers word has been as
good his bond in the north. If wilkins wires that
he'll be at Barrow certain time to start searching
operations, Brewer will be there about the time
He said he would and that's all that is necessary He
will
Incidentally Mr. Brewer is of the theory that the
hunt for the filters hasn't covered all the Territory
necessary Never Pathfinder, the pioneer has no
criticism of the search which has been conducted
He does suggest however that the hunt be extended
a little to the westward After half century
watching the ice Mr.. Brewer concludes that the ice
movement in that is west Thus if the filters
were down this side of the pole and not mmedi-
ately adjacent to the Arctic coast, which has been
very thoroughly searched the ice drift would carry
them far west Of the 148h meridian which they were
reported to be following closely. He is of the theory
that search west of Point Barrow and north, is
more likely be productive of results than to the
east because of the ice movement AS matter OF
fact he passed the suggestion along to the Russians
now stationed the breaker Krassin at Barrow
keeping up the search and those men have been
swinging and to the west in their long
hunt for Levanevisky and his companions.
Some of Mr. Brewers suggestions on other things
concerning the north mighty interesting For
instance he points out that with the machinery
in motion to turn the RENDERS back to the natives
one of the primary problems is getting the animals
rounded up and under human control again. In the
years that reindeer have been up the Arctic they
have scattered all over the north coast country he
says, and in order to handle them domestic ami
mails in large numbers again it will be necessary to
gather them up herds and then do intensive
herding He estimates it will take quite few years
to accomplish such roundup Then he is of the
belief there may be another little difficulty which
may be overcome in time The Eskimo isn't at hear
a herdsman. He is primarily hunter. 1t isn't just
in keeping with his philosophy of life to watch
bunch of reindeer so he butcher them in thu
fall He'd rather be out taking his chances on wrest
ing his living from nature in the wild. Thus human
nature enters into the reindeer problem
And in this same vein, speaking of the Arcti
native Mr. Brewer makes another interesting obser
vation Fifty three years among Eskimos has con
vinced him that the white man is largely responsible
for the modern Eskimo's troubles. The white man ha
taught the latter a good many things which are o
no value to him in making his livelihood in the Arctic
While the young Eskimo has been learning the teach
ings of the white man. the bad as well as the good
he has neglected to learn how to build kayak am
do the countless other things his father had to do
keep alive. He's gone modern with the radio am
has tendency to worry more about his soul thai
where the winters meat supply is coming from MI
Brewer very frankly states that it is his belief that
the MISSIONARIES Wouiu leave the Arcuc Tor 70 year,
the Eskimo would get back to living as he should fo
existence in that country, his father and grand
father did before him. The pioneer, it should b
explained was taking no rap at the teaching of re
ligion by any particular group but at the teaching
of white man generally whether religious or other
wise And probably he is entirely right What goc
are dozen oranges to an Eskimo who needs fat
keep hin, warm?
1t was an interesting half hour with Mr.. Browe
thanks to our mutual friend, Charley Hawkeswortl