The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-07-27

I ing a silk tile hate and long black
dress and other bellies of the city
were dressed in the costumes of the
frontier days. Known as the Mother
6-A-Mr. Biery Story
of the North, Mrs. Pullen now OPP
crates a modern hotel and unique
museum.
Another interesting character in
this town was Martin Itjen, who
took the editors in his famous street
car to all points of interest and de-
scribed the days of '98 while on tour.
We enjoyed this colorful and un-
usual ride and contact. Among many
other places he took us to the old
cemetery where "Soapy" Smith and
Frank Reid are buried. Another per-
sonal interesting experience in this
unusual town was the visit of about
thirty-fiye Of the Presbyterian editors
to the little Presbyterian mission
where they attended the Sunday
morning services.
PETERSBURG
We next made a four hour stop at
Petersburg, a fourishing little town
of 1900 population. 1t is situated
on Kitkoff Island at the north en-
trance to Wrangell Narrows. We
were furnished there with sea food
dinner in the high school gym which
consisted principally of Baked King
Salmon, trout, shrimp and crab.
Fishing dominated the entire town
although fur farming is becoming in
creasingly important.
FINAL Stop
The final stop in Alaskan territory
was Anette Island at the town of
Metlakatla. 1t was settled by Father
Duncen, an English missionary who
came to British Columbia. The mis-
sionary had misunderstanding with
the Church of England so he ap-
piled to the United States to do mis-
sionary work. The United States
government gave him this post as a
center of religious activity. The
population consists of about 600 well
hammered and civilized Indians who
formerly were the most vicious and
savage in Alaska. The outstanding
buildings in the town are two
churches-one a community church
seating 500 and the other a smaller
Presbyterian church. The only white
people on the Island are a few mis-
sionaries and teachers. The island is
Is miles long and 10 miles wide. We
were met by the Indian band and
were impressed by the excellent ap-
, pearance, good behaviour and excel
, lent English of the native Indians,
all of which is tribute to the work
of Father Duncen. The remains of
: the successful pioneer missionary
rest beside his church.
BACK TO u. S.
This was our last stop in Alaska
and all too soon we found our boat
docked in that great city of the
northwest, Seattle, where we arrived
about noon on June 20. Here our
group divided, some going southwark
to attend the Worlds Fair at San
Francisco. About rs of our group
came directly eastward from Seattle
along the route where the crops all
seemed especially green and the yield
unusually productive.
AS we look back over this trip we
, feel that this was one of the most
!, outstanding trips that we have ever
taken. Several aboard who had TAX
en- many trips abroad to Europe
Africa, South America declared that
this trip had been the most worth
while.
: Besides the daily scenic attractions
, along the route, the cordial greetings
of mutual friends we met on former
, National Editorial Association trips
through the states, as well as meet
!. ing new members, made the Alaska
trip especially enjoyable. A great
deal of credit is due Mr.. Don Eek
of Chicago, who conducted the sue
: cessful journey. The next annual
: meeting will be held in New York
: City. Texas has already extended
!. an invitation to hold the 1941 con.
| vention and tour through that state
!. We are thankful that we were able
: to make the trip and equally thank.
L full that we are safe back home again