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58  th  Congress,  j 
2<l  Session.  j 


SENATE. 


j  Document 

j  No.  210. 


THIRTEENTH  ANNEAL  REPOR' 


ON 


WITH 


MAP  AND  ILLUSTRATIONS, 

BY 


SHELDON  JACKSON,  LL.  D., 

GENERAL  AGENT  OF  EDUCATION  IN  ALASKA. 


1903. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE. 


LETTERS  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 


In  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 

March  1%,  190  If. 

Resolved ,  That  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  be  directed  to  transmit 
to  the  Senate  the  report  of  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson  upon  “  The  intro¬ 
duction  of  domestic  reindeer  into  the  district  of  Alaska.” 

Attest:  Charles'  G.  Bennett, 

Secretary . 

By  H.  M.  Rose,  Chief  Clerk. 

[Indorsement.] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington ,  March  Ilf ,  190 If. 

Respectfully  referred  to  the  Commissioner  of  Education,  for  imme¬ 
diate  compliance  with  the  within  resolution,  with  return  of  this  paper. 

Thos.  Ryan,  Acting  Secretary . 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington.  March  15 ,  190 If . 

Sir:  I  am  in  receipt  of  Senate  resolution  of  the  12th  instant- — 

That  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  be  directed  to  transmit  to  the  Senate  the 
report  of  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson  upon  “  The  introduction  of  domestic  reindeer  into  the 
district  of  Alaska.  ’  ’ 

In  response  thereto,  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  copy  of 
i  a  letter  from  the  Commissioner  of  Education  forwarding  the  report 
indicated  in  the  above-mentioned  resolution,  together  with  its  accom¬ 
panying  maps  and  illustrations. 

Very  respectfully,  E.  A.  Hitchcock, 

Secretary. 

The  President  of  the  Senate  pro  tempore. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  I).  C. ,  March  15 ,  190 If. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge,  by  reference  from  you,  a 
copy  of  a  resolution  adopted  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  on 
March  12,1904,  “  directing  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  transmit 
to  the  Senate  the  report  of  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson  upon  the  introduc¬ 
tion  of  domestic  reindeer  into  the  district  of  Alaska  for  1903.” 

In  compliance  with  said  resolution,  I  have  the  honor  to  forward 
herewith  the  report  of  the  United  States  general  agent  for  education 
in  Alaska  on  the  subject  and  covering  the  period  named. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner. 

The  honorable  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


3 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Action  of  the  United  States  Senate . .. .  3 

Action  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior .  3 

Letter  of  transmittal,  Commissioner  of  Education  to  Secretary  of  Interior .  3 

Letter  of  transmittal,  Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  the  United  States  Senate _  3 

Annual  report  of  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson .  9 

Arrangement  with  apprentices . 10 

Proposed  purchase  in  Siberia .  11 

Personnel .  11 

Point  Barrow  reindeer  herd .  12 

Kotzebue  reindeer  herd .  12 

Cape  Prince  of  Wales  reindeer  herd .  13 

Gam  bell  reindeer  herd  (St.  Lawrence  Island) .  13 

Teller  reindeer  herd .  13 

Eaton  reindeer  herd .  14 

Nulato  reindeer  herd .  14 

Kuskok wim  reindeer  herd .  14 

Supervisor  of  reindeer .  15 

Tabulated  statement  of  reindeer  in  Alaska .  15 

Number  and  location  of  Eskimo  apprentices .  17 

List  of  reindeer  stations . . .  17 

List  of  reindeer  stations  needed .  17 

Increase  from  1892  to  1903  .  18 

Herds  loaned  to  mission  stations .  18 

Herds  loaned  to  Laplanders .  18 

Congressional  appropriations  from  1894  to  1904  .  18 

Expenditure  of  appropriations  for  the  year  1902-3  .  19 

Reindeer  an  important  factor  in  the  civilization  of  the  Eskimos .  .  19 

Reindeer  and  the  miners . . .  .  21 

Reindeer  and  the  carrying  of  the  United  States  mails .  22 

Reindeer  in  connection  with  relief  expeditions .  24 

Reindeer  for  transportation  and  freighting .  26 

The  itinerary  of  Dr.  William  Hamilton,  assistant  agent . .  31 

Cooperation  of  State  and  Treasury  Departments .  34 

APPENDIX. 

Request  to  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  for  the  transportation  of  the  agents  of  the 

Bureau  of  Education  on  the  revenue  cutters .  37 

Letter  of  instructions  to  assistant  agent  of  education  in  Alaska .  40 

Itinerary  of  William  Hamilton,  Ph.  D.,  assistant  agent  of  education  in  Alaska.  41 


5 


6  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

Annual  report —  Page. 

Point  Barrow  reindeer  station .  57 

Kotzebue  reindeer  station . 59 

Cape  Prince  of  Wales  reindeer  station .  63 

Gambell  (St.  Lawrence  Island)  reindeer  station .  66 

Teller  reindeer  station . . .  80 

Golofnin  reindeer  station .  85 

Eaton  reindeer  station .  86 

Nulato  reindeer  station . 103 

Bethel  reindeer  station . 104 

Daily  journal  of  the  Teller  reindeer  station,  by  T.  L.  Brevig .  110 

Correspondence  concerning  the  establishment  of  a  new  reindeer  station  in  the 

neighborhood  of  Wainright  Inlet .  134 

Correspondence  concerning  the  purchase  of  reindeer  in  Siberia .  137 

Reindeer  imported  from  Siberia  subject  to  inspection  and  customs  duties .....  151 

Governor  Brady  on  the  reindeer .  155 

Brigadier-General  Funston,  U.  S.  Army,  concerning  reindeer.... .  155 

Judge  James  Wickersham  on  the  reindeer .  156 

D.  A.  McKenzie,  United  States  Commissioner,  concerning  the  reindeer  and 

Eskimos  in  Alaska . 156 

Mr.  E.  L.  Bosqui,  United  States  Commissioner,  Alaska,  concerning  the  use  of 

reindeer .  161 

Paul  Du  Chaillu  on  reindeer  in  Alaska . 164 

A  decennial  review  of  the  introduction  of  reindeer  into  Alaska,  by  Gilbert  G. 

Grosvenor . 165 

American  caribou,  by  Madison  Grant . 174 

Index . 191 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Subject. 

Photographer. 

Number. 

Reindeer: 

Herd  at  the  seaside . 

F.  H.  Wennbcrg. . 

1 

. do . 

2 

3 

4 

Traveling . 

£j 

Traveling  in  a  blizzard . 

G 

Crossing  the  mountains . 

7 

Laplander  and  wife  on  skees . 

F.  H.  Wennbcrg.. 

8 

Caribou: 

Grant’s . 

10 

Newfoundland . 

Andrew  J.  Stone. . 

11 

Swimming . . 

R.  T.  Varnum _ 

9 

Greenland . 

12 

Stone’s . 

13 

Osborn’s . 

14 

Grant’s  C . 

15 

An  Eskimo  boy  (from  Mrs.  S.  Bernardi) . 

16 

An  Eskimo  girl  (from  Mrs.  S.  Bernardi) . 

17 

Public  schools: 

Golofnin . 

Kotzebue . 

lo 

Gambell . 

Wm.  Hamilton _ 

lo 

Ol 

St.  Michael . 

LL 

oo 

Wales . 

LL 

1  Q 

Unalaska . 

A.  B.  Kinne . 

Uriga . 

Joseph  Say 

28 

29 

on 

Wood  Island . 

Sax  man . 

o  i 

Kasaan . 

ol 

Klinquan . 

QO 

Wharf  scene,  St.  Michael . 

Wm.  Hamilton  . . . 

oJ 

21 

Street  scene  in  Nome . 

Nowell 

or: 

Drying  tom  cod  (from  Mrs.  S.  Bernardi) . 

LO 

24 

Wild  flowers,  northwestern  Alaska  (from  Mrs.  S.  Bernardi) 

23 

Dr.  E.  0.  Campbell  and  wife . 

Wm.  Hamilton ... 

20 

Dutch  Harbor . 

26 

Wharf  at  Dutch  Harbor . 

27 

Baptist  Mission,  Wood  Island . 

...do  ... 

31 

Chilkat  dancing  costumes  (from  Miss  Mackintosh) 

J.  M.  Blankenberg 

32 

Native  school  building,  Sitka . 

Wm.  Hamilton  . . . 

34 

Walk  to  Indian  River . 

do 

33 

Rev.  Edward  Marsden  and  wife . 

38 

Schoolhouse,  Kasaan,  Alaska . 

35 

Group  of  Simpsean  boys  ready  to  start  for  school . 

37 

40  41  42 

Reindeer  marks . 

THIRTEENTH  ANNUAL  REPORT 


ON  THE 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education,  Alaska  Division, 

Washington ,  D.  C.,  December  31,  1903. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  thirteenth  annual  report  on  the 
introduction  of  reindeer  into  Alaska.  The  winter  of  1902-3  was  one 
of  unusual  severity,  both  as  to  the  degree  of  cold  and  depth  of  snow. 
In  many  sections,  especially  along  the  coast,  there  was  a  succession  of 
thawing  and  freezing  of  the  snow  until  several  layers  of  ice  and  crust 
had  been  formed*  so  thick  that  even  the  hard  hoofs  of  the  reindeer 
could  not  dig  down  to  the  moss,  and  in  those  sections  it  became  neces¬ 
sary  to  drive  the  reindeer  farther  away  from  the  coast,  where  these 
conditions  did  not  exist.  Notwithstanding  the  unfavorable  conditions, 
the  reindeer  did  surprisingly  well.  During  the  spring  of  1903,  1,877 
fawns  were  born  and  lived.  The  reindeer  multiply  rapidly.  From 
the  1,280  reindeer  which  have  been  imported  from  Siberia  between 
the  3rears  1892  and  1903  and  from  their  natural  increase,  7,983  living 
fawns  have  been  born  in  Alaska.  Commencing  with  79  fawns  surviv¬ 
ing  in  the  spring  of  1893,  over  500  were  born  in  1898  and  over  1,000 
in  1901,  and  it  is  reasonable  to  expect  that  over  2,000  will  be  born  in 
the  spring  of  1904.  Thus  the  herds  are  increasing  by  a  progressive 
increment  and  doubling  their  number  by  birth  every  three  years. 

At  present  there  are  6,505  reindeer  gathered  in  eleven  herds  at 
nine  central  stations.  Seventy-five  persons  have  an  ownership  in  these 
deer.  They  are  distributed  as  follows:  2,841  belong  to  68  Eskimo 
herders;  741  are  loaned  to  missionary  stations  of  the  Norwegian  Evan¬ 
gelical  Synod,  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Union,  the  Presbyterian, 
Moravian,  Roman  Catholic,  and  Friends;  500  loaned  to  5  Laplanders; 
650  owned  by  5  Laplanders;  1,435  are  the  property  of  the  Evangelical 
Swedish  Union,  the  Episcopal,  Presbyterian,  Norwegian  Evangelical 
Synod,  Moravian,  Friends,  and  Roman  Catholic  mission  stations;  and 
338  are  still  remaining  in  the  Government  herds  to  be  hereafter  loaned. 

The  reindeer  are  held  by  their  owners  subject  to  the  conditions  of  a 
written  agreement  with  the  United  States  which  prevents  the  slaughter 


9 


10  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

of  the  female  deer  for  meat  and  the  sale  of  female  deer  to  an}^  other 
party  than  the  Government,  and  insures  the  instruction  of  the  appren¬ 
tice  in  the  arts  of  training  and  breaking  the  deer  to  harness.  Surplus 
male  deer  are  allowed  to  be  sold  to  miners  or  others  for  meat  or  trans¬ 
portation  purposes.  The  Eskimo  apprentice  during  the  five  years  of 
his  training  is  supported  and  clothed  either  by  the  Government,  the 
mission  station,  or  a  herder,  according  as  he  is  employed  by  one  or  the 
other  of  these  parties.  In  addition  to  food  and  clothing  he  is  allowed 
the  loan  of  two  female  deer  per  year,  upon  which  he  must  place  his 
mark  and  consider  the  deer  and  her  offspring  as  the  beginning  of  a 
future  herd,  subject  to  Government  limitations.  If  at  the  end  of  five 
years  the  apprentice  is  judged  to  be  skilled  in  the  training  of  reindeer, 
he  is  loaned  a  sufficient  number  of  additional  deer  to  increase  his  hold¬ 
ing  to  50  animals.  These  deer  are  usually  retained  in  the  general  herd 
under  the  care  of  an  experienced  Lapp  and  the  supervision  of  the 
mission  station  with  which  the  herder  is  connected.  This  general 
supervision  extends  for  twenty  years,  at  the  termination  of  which  the 
Government  or  missionary  station  gives  up  all  supervision  or  control. 

If,  however,  during  this  period  of  twenty  years  the  herder  indulges 
in  a  protracted  season  of  intemperance,  abandons,  or  otherwise  fails 
to  care  for  the  herd,  the  Government  is  at  liberty  to  dispossess  him  of 
its  loan,  and  reloan  the  same  to  other  parties  who  may  give  evidence 
of  making  a  better  use  of  the  loan.  This  works  no  injustice  to  the 
individual  herder,  as  the  herder  during  the  five  years  of  his  appren¬ 
ticeship  has  had  from  the  Government  or  missionary  station  regular 
food  and  substantial  clothing,  far  better  than  he  would  have  had  if 
he  had  remained  away  from  the  herd.  The  same  is  true  after  the 
years  of  his  apprenticeship  are  ended;  he  will  continue  to  receive  food 
and  clothing  from  his  herd.  When  an  apprentice  becomes  a  herder 
he  is  expected  to  secure  the  support  of  himself  and  family  by  the  sale 
of  surplus  male  deer  to  butchers  and  miners,  and  expected  to  train 
some  other  apprentice.  In  most  cases  this  apprentice  is  some  member 
of  the  herder’s  family.  There  are  now  25  Eskimo  herders  who  have  j 
served  an  apprenticeship  of  five  years  or  more,  supported  at  the  dif- 
ferent  stations.  The  herders  have  61  Eskimos  now  under  training  as  ; 
apprentices  who  do  not  own  any  deer.  As  many  of  the  herders  have  j 
families  of  growing  children  and  relatives  living  with  them,  it  is  esti¬ 
mated  that  at  least  300  natives  are  now  obtaining  their  support  from 
the  deer. 

Thus  for  the  $183,000  appropriated  up  to  the  present  year  by  the 
Government  for  the  introduction  of  reindeer  into  Alaska,  the  Govern¬ 
ment  has  to  show  6,505  reindeer  used  for  the  instruction  and  support 
of  about  300  Eskimos. 

On  January  3,  1903,  the  Commissioner  of  Education,  with  the  ap¬ 
proval  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  made  an  agreement  with  the 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  11 


Northeastern  Siberian  Company  (Limited)  for  the  delivery  of  800 
female  reindeer  by  said  company  to  the  Government  at  the  Teller 
reindeer  station.  The  company  is  reported  to  have  secured  in  Siberia 
700  deer  in  fulfillment  of  its  agreement  with  the  Government,  but 
before  navigation  opened  in  northern  Bering  Sea  the  Russian  Govern¬ 
ment  recalled  its  permission  to  export  the  deer  to  Alaska.  On  account 
of  this  action  of  the  Russian  Government  no  deer  were  exported  from 
Siberia  to  Alaska  during  the  year. 


PERSONNEL. 

General  superintendent:  Carl  O.  Lind,  M.  D.,  Unalaklik,  Alaska. 

Local  superintendents:  Samuel  R.  Spriggs,  Point  Barrow;  Dana  H. 
Thomas,  Kotzebue;  Hugh  J.  Lee,  Cape  Prince  of  Wales;  Tolef  L. 
Brevig,  Teller;  Edgar  O.  Campbell,  M.  D.,  Gamble  (St.  Lawrence 
Island);  O.  P.  Anderson,  Golofnin;  Carl  O.  Lind,  M.  D.,  Unalaklik 
(Eaton);  Adolf  Steeker,  Kuskokwin;  Julius  Jette,  Nulato. 

Laplander  teachers:  Alfred  Salmonsen  Nilima,  Kotzebue;  Isak 
Andersen  Bango,  Nulato;  Nils  Klemetsen,  Teller;  Per  Larsen  Anti 
and  Ole  Pulk,  Gamble;  Ole  Olesen  Bahr  and  Nils  Persen  Bals  Una¬ 
laklik  (Eaton);  Per  Nilsen  Bals,  Nulato;.  Nils  Sara  and  Per  Spein, 
Bethel,  Kuskokwim  Valley. 

Eskimo  herders  and  apprentices: 

Point  Barrow:  Ahlook,  Electoona,  Shoudla,  Tokpuk,  Panigeo, 
Segevan,  Paneoneo,  Powun,  Ungawishok,  Otpelle,  Ingnoven. 

Kotzebue:  Okamon,  Oghoalook,  Minungon. 

Cape  Prince  of  W ales :  George  Ootenna,  Stanley  Kivyearzruk,  James 
Keok,  Thomas  Sokweena,  Frank  Iyatunkuk,  Joseph  Enungwouk, 
Sinrok,  Karmun,  Oblee,  Ongnalook,  Masoak,  Oknaklook,  Teomok, 
Peter  Ibiono,  Okboak,  and  Erheruk. 

Gambell  (St.  Lawrence  Island):  Sepilla,  Putlkinhok,  and  Pinink. 

Teller:  Ablikak,  Dunnak,  Sekeoglook,  Serawlook,  Sagealook,  Cox- 
rook,  jr. ,  Kotezuk,  Neeluk,  Mrs.  Inmmklina,  Nunasarlook,  Ehrnak,  jr., 
Ahberina,  Etugeeuk,  Ahneemausook,  Emausrook,  Dora,  Elahkan, 
Ogeelesook. 

Golofnin:  Constantine,  Toktok,  Tautook,  Ahmahkdoolik,  Pamak- 
cheerk,  Albert  Angotak,  Benjamin  Jutmans,  Peter  Egelak,  Mrs. 
Dexter. 

Unalakleet:  Moses,  Okitkon,  Tatpan,  Nellagoroak,  Stephen  Ivanoff, 
Mary  Andrewuk,  Kotoak,  Angalook,  Sagoonuk,  Accebuk,  Avogook, 
Amikravinik,  Sakpillok,  Koutchok,  Moses  Koutchok,  Big  One. 

Nulato:  Stephen  Annu,  Alexander  Kulana,  and  John  Rorondelel. 

Kuskokwim:  Wasili  and  Robert. 


12  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

STATIONS. 

Point  Barrow. — The  annual  supplies  for  the  herders  and  apprentices 
at  this  station,  shipped  from  San  Francisco  in  May  last,  failed  to  reach 
Point  Barrow  on  account  of  the  unusual  ice  conditions.  The  schooner 
Madsen  reached  within  about  100  miles  of  the  station,  when  it  was 
compelled  to  turn  back;  the  supplies  were  returned  to  San  Francisco. 
This  would  have  left  the  station  dependent  upon  the  reindeer  herd  for 
almost  its  entire  subsistence.  Fortunately,  however,  some  supplies 
were  procured  from  the  whalers  as  they  were  starting  on  their  return 
trip  to  San  Francisco.  In  view  of  the  failure  of  the  annual  mail  and 
supplies  to  reach  Point  Barrow,  it  has  been  decided  to  establish  an 
additional  station  south  of  Point  Barrow  at  the  edge  of  the  summer 
ice  fields.  Counsel  was  taken  of  Captains  Tuttle  and  Healy,  also  of 
Lieut.  D.  H.  Jarvis,  of  the  Revenue-Cutter  Service,  with  reference 
to  the  best  point  on  the  coast  that  could  unfailingly  be  reached  every 
summer,  and  upon  their  suggestions  Wainwright  Inlet  has  been 
selected  and  this  coming  summer  it  is  hoped  to  erect  the  necessary 
buildings  and  start  the  station. 

This  new  station  will  be  of  much  assistance  in  operating  the  new 
winter  reindeer  mail  route,  which  has  been  established  by  the  Post- 
Office  Department  at  Washington  between  Kotzebue  and  Point  Bar- 
row,  a  round  trip  of  about  1,500  miles. 

It  is  recommended  by  Doctor  Marsh,  superintendent  of  the  Point 
Barrow  reindeer  station,  that  Ahlook,  Shoudla,  and  Paneoneo,  with 
their  reindeer,  be  sent  to  the  new  Wainwright  Inlet  station,  and  that 
Electoona  and  Otpelle  be  sent  to  the  Kivalena  River,  near  Point  Hope. 

Lieut.  D.  H.  Jarvis,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  famous  reindeer  relief 
expedition  to  the  whalers  at  Point  Barrow  in  the  winter  of  1897-98, 
suggests,  as  the  result  of  his  experience,  that  relay  stations  be  estab¬ 
lished,  commencing  with  Kotzebue,  in  the  following  order:  First,  at  a 
point  100  miles  north  of  Kotzebue  (Corwin  Lagoon);  second,  at  Kiva¬ 
lena  River,  near  Point  Hope;  third,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  coal 
mines  at  Cape  Lisburne;  fourth,  about  midway  between  the  coal  mines 
and  the  Wainwright  Inlet  station;  fifth,  Wainwright  Inlet;  sixth,  at 
a  point  between  Cape  Beaufort  and  Kukpowruk. 

During  the  winter  of  1902-3  an  epidemic  broke  out  among  the  ani¬ 
mals  in  the  neighborhood  of  Point  Barrow,  called  by  the  natives 
44  mullo  kully  ”  or  crazy.  The  dogs  died  by  scores;  the  mission  station 
lost  7  dogs,  the  whaling  station  out  of  70  dogs  saved  only  12;  some 
families  lost  every  dog  they  owned.  The  disease  extended  to  the 
foxes  and  also  to  the  reindeer.  Natives  out  trapping  could  walk 
around  and  knock  sick  foxes  in  the  head. 

Kotzebue. — The  winter  of  1902-3  was  one  of  unusual  severity,  the 
thermometer  registering  51°  below  zero  and  the  snow  lying  with  an 
average  depth  of  7  feet.  Notwithstanding  the  depth  of  snow  and 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


13 


the  difficulty  of  the  reindeer  procuring1  food,  the  grown  deer  came 
through  the  winter  without  any  losses  from  starvation  and  in  fairly 
good  condition.  The  effect  of  the  difficulty  of  securing  sufficient 
food  was  found  in  an  unusual  number  of  deaths  among  the  fawns. 
The  superintendent  reports  a  growing  interest  in  the  reindeer  upon 
the  part  of  the  natives,  and  he  states  that  now  without  exception  the 
young  men  are  glad  of  the  opportunity  to  be  taken  into  the  herd  as 
apprentices.  lie  recommends  that  the  peninsula  between  Hotham 
Inlet  and  Kotzebue  Sound  shall  be  set  apart  by  the  President  as  a 
reindeer  reserve. 

Cape  Prince  of  Wales. — Six  of  the  herders  at  this  station  have  accu¬ 
mulated  a  sufficient  number  of  deer  to  be  self-supporting.  Next  year 
another  will  enter  upon  self-support,  and  in  the  following  year,  1905, 
there  will  be  two  others.  Four  of  the  Eskimo  herders  in  the  fall  of 
1902  ordered  their  supplies  at  San  F rancisco.  These  supplies  were 
sent  up  during  the  past  summer  and  aggregated  in  value  $4,200.  This 
sum  included  lumber  bought  by  one  of  the  Eskimo  herders  for  a  live- 
room  house,  30  by  20  feet  in  size.  In  addition  to  these  independent 
Eskimo  owners  there  are  five  mission  apprentices  and  live  herders 
apprentices,  making  10  Eskimos  who  have  an  actual  interest  in  this 
herd.  The  past  winter  was  not  a  favorable  one  for  the  herds,  there 
being  an  unusual  depth  of  snow  and  an  unusual  amount  of  ice  formed 
from  the  December  rains,  followed  by  severe  cold.  This  icy  crust  to 
the  snow  made  it  difficult  for  the  deer  to  dig  through  to  procure  moss. 

Gambell  (St.  Lawrence  Island). — The  report  notes  that  in  many  level 
places  the  snow  covered  the  ground  to  a  depth  of  10  feet,  an  average, 
however,  not  being  over  2  feet.  During  the  season  five  sets  of  pack 
harness  and  two  additional  sleds  were  made.  Frequent  trips  were 
made  during  the  summer  looking  for  stray  deer  and  especially  in 
familiarizing  the  herders  with  the  best  pasturage  for  the  deer  and 
good  camping  places  for  the  men.  During  the  winter  of  1902-3  a  long 
reindeer-sled  trip  was  made  around  the  island  in  search  of  wrecked 
sailors  that  were  said  to  be  upon  the  island.  The  report  proved  to  be 
a  canard.  An  epidemic  of  bronchitis  and  hydrophobia  carried  off  a 
large  number  of  dogs,  and  among  them  the  Lapp  herding  dogs,  so 
that  now  there  are  none  in  connection  with  the  herd. 

At  this  village  there  has  always  been  a  difficulty  in  securing  appren¬ 
tices  that  have  taken  any  real  interest  in  the  reindeer. 

Teller. — On  the  20th  of  December,  1903,  100  reindeer  belonging  to 
the  Government  in  this  herd  were  loaned  to  Nils  Klemetsen  and 
removed  to  his  station  at  Golofnin.  With  him  were  the  Eskimo 
herder,  Tautook,  with  108  deer,  and  Ahmukdoolik,  with  10  deer. 
Fifty-seven  additional  deer  belonging  to  the  Government  were  driven 
to  Unalakleet  and  loaned  to  Nils  Sara.  In  March,  1903,  a  white  man 


14  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


who  had  traded  whiskey  to  the  herder  for  reindeer  meat  was  con¬ 
victed  and  sentenced  to  jail  for  five  months.  The  herder  and  his 
brother-in-law,  both  of  whom  had  become  drunk  and  disorderly,  were 
convicted  and  sentenced.  The  orphanage  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran 
Mission  at  Teller  is  reported  as  caring  for  30  Eskimo  children. 

Eaton  ( Unalaldeet ). — On  September  6,  1902,  the  two  herds  were 
driven  from  their  summer  quarters  on  the  peninsula  to  their  winter  1 
pasturage,  the  main  herd  under  the  supervision  of  Ole  O.  Bahr  to 
South  River,  and  the  other  in  charge  of  Per  Spein  to  a  river  still 
farther  east. 

On  November  17, 1902,  Nils  Klemetsen,  Nils  Sara,  and  Nallagorook  ; 
were  sent  to  Teller  to  bring  back  the  Government  deer  which  were  at 
that  point.  Returning  to  Unalakleet  early  in  February,  in  accordance 
with  contract,  Klemetsen  received  the  loan  of  100  deer.  On  February  j 
5  Nils  Sara  and  Per  Spein,  with  their  families  and  herds,  were  started  j 
for  their  new  station  at  Bethel,  on  the  Kuskokwim.  They  were  assisted 
on  the  journey  by  Nils  Klemetsen  and  the  native  herder  Tatpan.  The 
two  herds  were  fat  and  strong  and  said  to  have  been  the  finest  ever 
sent  out  from  Eaton.  Soon  after  they  had  left  Unalakleet  storms 
commenced  that  lasted  through  Februaiy,  March,  and  April.  After  j 
many  hardships  they  reached  the  Yukon  River  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Andreafski.  Crossing  the  river  on  the  ice  they  found  that  on  the 
south  side  the  moss  was  covered  with  such  a  heavy  coating  of  solid 
ice  that  the  reindeer  were  unable  to  secure  pasturage,  and  they  were  j 
compelled  to  retrace  their  steps  to  the  northern  side  of  the  river  and ! 
go  into  camp,  where  they  have  been  compelled  to  remain,  suffering  i 
much  inconvenience,  from  the  1st  of  April  to  November  25.  The  25th  : 
of  November  the  journey  was  resumed  and  Bethel  was  finally  reached 
December  3,  1903. 

On  the  5th  of  April  the  Eaton  herd  was  driven  from  its  winter  . 
quarters  to  the  fawning  ground  on  the  south  side  of  Shatolik  Moun¬ 
tain,  about  40  miles  distant.  The  station  reports  an  unusual  depth  of 
snow  and  severe  cold,  the  thermometer  registering  at  one  time  72°  j 
below  zero. 

On  the  26th  of  April  Nils  Bals  and  family  arrived  after  a  hard  trip 
from  the  Kuskokwim,  and  later  Mr.  Bals  was  placed  in  charge  of 
Mary’s  herd. 

JVulato. — The  station  reports  during  the  winter  of  1902-3  that  the 
usual  winter  pasturage  was  covered  with  7  feet  of  snow  and  the  herd 
was  transferred  10  or  15  miles  south  of  Nulato,  where  the  snow  was 
not  so  deep. 

During  the  summer  Isaak  Bango,  Laplander  in  charge,  was  trans-  i 
ferred  to  the  Teller  station,  his  place  being  taken  by  Nils  Persen  Bals. 

Bethel  ( Kuskokwim  River). — Mr.  Bals  and  his  son,  who  had  been  in  | 
charge  of  the  herd  at  this  station  for  two  years,  in  February  last 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  15 


resigned  and  returned  to  Unalakleet.  Messrs.  Sara  and  Spein,  who 
were  started  in  February  last  to  take  the  place  of  the  Messrs.  Bals, 
were  storm-stayed  at  Andreafski  and  detained  there  until  November. 
It  is  hoped  that  they  finally  arrived  in  safety  at  Bethel  about  the 
close  of  1903. 

SUPERVISOR  OF  REINDEER. 

Carl  O.  Lind,  M.  I).,  a  medical  missionary  of  the  Swedish  Evan¬ 
gelical  Church,  and  a  former  teacher  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of 
Education  in  Alaska,  has  been  appointed  supervisor  of  the  reindeer 
herds  in  Alaska,  with  headquarters  at  Unalakleet. 


STATISTICAL  TABLES. 


Special  attention  is  called  to  the  gratifying  progress  of  the  reindeer 
enterprise,  as  exhibited  in  the  following  tables. 

Herds  of  reindeer. — The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  fawns 
born  during  the  spring  of  1903  and  the  number  of  domestic  reindeer 
in  the  nine  herds  in  Alaska,  July  1,  1903: 


Number ,  distribution ,  and  ownership  of  domestic  reindeer  in  Alaska. 

OWNERSHIP  AT  POINT  BARROW. 


Owners. 


Mission  and  Government . 

Ahlook  (Eskimo) . 

Eiectoona  (Eskimo) . 

Shoudla  (Ojello)  Eskimo . 

Tokpuk  and  son  Panigeo  (Eskimo) 

Segevan  (Eskimo)  . 

Paneoneo  (Eskimo) . 

Powun  (Eskimo) . 

Ungawishok  (Eskimo) . 

Otpelle  (Eskimo) . 

Ingnoven  (Eskimo) . 


Total 


Adults. 


Male.  Female.  Total. 


Fawns,  1903. 


Male.  Female.  Total. 


450 


Total. 


138 

140 

113 

55 

38 

31 

25 

21 

21 

22 

8 


OWNERSHIP  AT  KOTZEBUE. 


Government . 

Mission . 

Nilima . 

Okamon  (Eskimo)  .. 
Oglivalek  (Eskimo) . 
Wimungen  (Eskimo) 
White  miners . 

Total . 


50 

145 

195 

195 

19 

17 

36 

22 

22  | 

44 

80 

16 

18 

34 

25 

25 

50 

'84 

1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

2 

5 

1 

2 

3 

2 

2 

5 

1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

2 

5 

5 

88 

186 

274 

49 

51 

100 

379 

OWNERSHIP  AT  CAPE  PRINCE  OF  WALKS 


American  Missionary  Association 

Ootenna,  George  (Eskimo) . . . . 

Iveok,  James  (Eskimo) . 

Kivyearzruk,  Stanley  (Eskimo) .. 

Sokweena,  Thomas  (Eskimo) _ 

Enungwouk,  Joseph  (Eskimo) _ 

-  Iyatunkuk,  Frank  (Eskimo) . 

|  Ebiana,  Peter  (Eskimo) . . 

Okbaok  (Eskimo) . 

].  Erheruk  (Eskimo) . 

|  Total . 


122 

303 

425 

94 

75 

169 

594 

53 

119 

172 

31 

34 

65 

237 

60 

98 

158 

27 

36 

63 

221 

39 

100 

139 

38 

24 

62 

201 

17 

63 

80 

16 

21 

37 

117 

13 

25 

38 

7 

5 

12 

50 

14 

23 

37 

7 

6 

13 

50 

4 

11 

15 

1 

3 

4 

19 

6 

12 

18 

2 

2 

20 

5 

11 

16 

16 

333 

765 

1,098 

221 

206 

427 

1,525 

16  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA 


Number,  distribution,  and  ownership  of  domestic  reindeer  in  Alaska — Continued. 

OWNERSHIP  AT  GAMBELL  (ST.  LAWRENCE  ISLAND). 


Owners. 

Adults. 

Fawns,  1903. 

Total. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Government . 

100 

54 

154 

OWNERSHIP  AT  TELLER. 


Government . 

25 

25 

1 

1 

26 

Mission . 

94 

103 

197 

51 

33 

84 

281 

Ablikak  (Eskimo) . 

43 

74 

117 

24 

16 

40 

157 

Dunnak  (Eskimo) . 

23 

32 

55 

11 

18 

29 

84 

Sekeoglook  (Eskimo)  . 

25 

23 

48 

48 

Serawlook  (Eskimo) . . 

1 

1 

2 

5 

7 

8 

Sagealook  (Eskimo) . 

14 

11 

25 

25 

Coxreok  ( Eskimo)  . . 

1 

5 

6 

6 

Ehrnak  (Eskimo) . . 

1 

5 

6 

6 

Total . . 

185 

258 

443 

104 

94 

198 

641 

OWNERSHIP  AT  GOLOFNIN  BAY. 


Mission . . . 

122 

111 

233 

37 

50 

87 

320 

Constantine  (Eskimo) . 

13 

16 

29 

3 

2 

5 

34 

Toktok  (Eskimo) . 

6 

14 

20 

3 

6 

9 

29 

Nils  Klemetsen . 

21 

76 

97 

24 

35 

59 

156 

Tautook  (Eskimo) . 

45 

55 

100 

19 

22 

41 

141 

Ahmahkdoolik  (Eskimo) . 

1 

8 

9 

4 

2 

6 

15 

Pamakcheerk,  J.  (Eskimo) . 

1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

2 

5 

Angotak,  Albert  (Eskimo) . 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

3 

Benjamin  Jutmans  (Eskimo) . 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

3 

Egelak,  Peter  (Eskimo) . 

2 

2 

4 

1 

1 

2 

6 

Mrs.  Dexter  (Eskimo) . 

3 

2 

5 

1 

1 

2 

7 

Hendrickson ,  K . : 

1 

1 

1 

Government . 

1 

1 

1 

Ole  Bahr. . . . 

2 

2 

2 

Ivanoff,  Stephan  (Eskimo) . . 

1 

1 

l 

Nellagoroak  (Eskimo) . 

1 

1 

1 

Okitkon  (Eskimo) . 

2 

2 

2 

Lindseth,  J.  T . . . 

1 

1 

1 

Total . 

224 

289 

513 

93 

122 

215 

728 

OWNERSHIP  AT  UNALAKLEET. 


Government . 

16 

42 

58 

95 

73 

168 

226 

Swedish  Mission . . . 

40 

100 

140 

140 

Episcopal  Mission  . . . . 

16 

60 

76 

22 

16 

38 

114 

Moses  (Indian) . 

24 

26 

50 

50 

Ole  O.  Bahr . 

50 

90 

140 

32 

25 

57 

197 

Okitkon  (Eskimo) . 

48 

84 

132 

4 

12 

16 

148 

Tatpan  (Eskimo) . . . . 

30 

51 

81 

17 

10 

27 

108 

Nellagoroak  (Eskimo) . 

8 

19 

27 

5 

10 

15 

42 

Ivanoff ,  Stephan  (Eskimo) . 

14 

19 

33 

5 

4 

9 

42 

Capt.  E.  S.  Walker,  U.  S.  Army . 

1 

1 

Golofnin  Mission . 

2 

2 

2 

Bethel  Mission . 

8 

8 

8 

Mary  Andrewuk  (Eskimo) . 

84 

131 

215 

17 

20 

37 

252 

Kotoak  (Eskimo) . . 

8 

12 

20 

3 

6 

9 

29 

Angalook  (Eskimo) . 

13 

17 

30 

7 

-6 

13 

43 

Sagoonuk  (Eskimo) . 

10 

25 

35 

5 

6 

11 

46 

Accebuk  (Eskimo) . 

8 

10 

18 

5 

5 

23 

Avogook  (Eskimo) . . 

3 

2 

5 

2 

7 

Amikravinik  (Eskimo) . 

3 

3 

6 

2 

4 

10 

Sakpillok  (Eskimo) . 

1 

1 

2 

4 

2 

2 

4 

Koutchok  (Eskimo) . 

1 

3 

1 

1 

5 

Moses  Koutchok  (Eskimo) . 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

Big  One  (Eskimo) . . . 

1 

2 

3 

1 

1 

4 

Total . 

389 

698 

1,087 

216 

200 

416 

1,503 

OWNERSHIP  AT  NULATO. 


1 

39  j  91 

r 

130 

41 

Mission 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  17 


Number ,  distribution ,  and  oumersliip  of  domestic  reindeer  in  Alaska — Continued. 


OWNERSHIP  AT  BETHEL  (KUSKOKWIM  VALLEY). 


Owners. 

Adults. 

Fawns,  1903. 

Total. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Government. . 

176 

176 

Per  Spein . 

40 

39 

87 

127 

31 

33 

64 

191 

Nils  Sara . 

99 

138 

92 

74 

212 

Mission  . . 

121 

213 

Total . 

79 

186 

533 

31 

33 

259 

792 

Grand  total . 

4,628 

1,877 

6, 505 

Table  showing  number  and  location  of  Eskimo  apprentices ,  and  number  of  reindeer  owned 

by  same. 


* 

Stations. 

Number 

of 

appren¬ 

tices. 

Number 
of  rein¬ 
deer. 

Number 
of  sub¬ 
appren¬ 
tices. 

Point  Barrow . 

11 

474 

11 

Kotzebue . 

3 

15 

1 

Cape  Prince  of  Wales 

9 

3 

931 

9 

St.  Lawrence  Island . 

9 

3 

Teller . 

334 

17 

Golofnin . „ . 

12 

249 

4 

Unalakleet . 

16 

815 

16 

Bethel . . 

4 

3 

8 

Nulato _ 

6 

Total _ 

68 

2,841 

61 

SUMMARY. 

Total  number  of  Eskimo  in  Alaska  oAvning  reindeer .  68 

Total  number  of  reindeer  owned  by  Eskimo .  2,841 

Total  number  of  subapprentices  not  yet  owning  reindeer .  61 

Total  number  of  Eskimo  owners  of  deer,  and  apprentices .  129 

Herders  serving  five  years’  apprenticeship .  25 


List  of  reindeer  stations. 


Place. 

When 

estab¬ 

lished. 

Total 

deer, 

1903. 

Teller  (Port  Clarence) . 

1892 

1894 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1900 

1901 
1901 
1901 

641 

1,525 

728 

1,503 

612 

154 

792 

379 

171 

Cape  Prince  of  Wales . 

Golofnin . 

Eaton  (Unalakleet) . 

Point  Barrow . 

Gambell  (St.  Lawrence  Island) . 

Bethel . 

Kotzebue . 

Nulato . 

Total  number  of  deer,  October,  1903 . 

6,505 

List  of  reindeer  stations  needed,  1904 ■ 

[Number  of  reindeer  required  at  each  station,  100,  at  $25  each.] 

Place. 

Cost  of 
deer. 

Wainright  Inlet . 

$2,500 

2,500 

2,500 

2,500 

Point  Hope . 

Betties . 

Copper  Center . 

Total  cost  of  deer . 

10, 000 

S.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 2 


18  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA 


Increase  from  1892  to  1903. 


Year. 

To  bal¬ 
ance 
from  pre¬ 
vious 
year. 

Fawns 

sur¬ 

viving. 

Pur¬ 

chased 

during 

summer. 

Total 
Octo¬ 
ber  1. 

Sold, 

butch¬ 

ered, 

died. 

Carried 

forward. 

1S92 . 

171 

171 

28 

143 

1893  . 

143 

79 

124 

346 

23 

323 

1894 . 

323 

145 

120 

588 

96 

492 

1895 . 

492 

276 

123 

891 

148 

743 

1896  . 

743 

357 

1,100 

100 

1,000 
1,132 
1,733 
2, 394 
2, 692 

1897 

1,000 

466 

1,466 

a  334 

1898  . 

1,132 

1,733 

2,394 

2,692 

625 

161 

1,918 
2, 693 
3,179 

185 

1899  . 

638 

322 

299 

1900  . . . 

756 

29 

487 

1901 . . 

1,110 

200 

4,002 

538 

3, 464 
4,795 

1902 . 

3, 464 

1,654 

30 

5, 148 
6,505 

353 

1903  . 

4,795 

1,877 

' . 1 

a  246  deer  were  killed  in  the  relief  expedition  to  the  whalers  at  Point  Barrow. 


TABLE  OF  HERDS  LOANED  BY  THE  GOVERNMENT. 

A  number  of  reindeer  have  been  loaned  b}^  the  Government  to  mis¬ 
sionary  societies  and  natives,  the  Government  reserving  the  right, 
after  a  term  of  three  to  five  years,  of  calling  upon  the  mission  station 
or  individual  for  the  sam.e  number  of  deer  as  composed  the  original 
herd  loaned. 

Herds  at  mission  stations  in  Alaska. 


Mission. 

Number 

loaned. 

In  herd, 
1903. 

When  loaned. 

When  due. 

Congregational  mission,  Cape  Prince  of  Wales . 

118 

594 

Aug.,  1894 
Jan.  16,1896 
.do 

Returned. 

Swedish  Evangelical  Mission,  Golofniri  Bav . 

50 

320 

Do. 

Protestant  Episcopal  Mission,  Golofnin  Bay . 

50 

114 

Do. 

Presbyterian,  Point  Barrow . 

100 

Sept.,  1898 
July  30,  1900 
Sept.  1,  1900 
Mar.,  1901 

Sept.,  1903 
July,  1905 

Presbyterian,  St.  Lawrence  Island . . 

70 

150 

Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran,  Teller . 

100 

281 

Sept.,  1905 
Mar.,  1906 

Roman  Catholic,  Nulato . . . 

100 

171 

Moravian,  Bethel . . . 

88 

213 

Feb.  26,  1901 

Feb.,  1906 

Moravian,  Carmel . . 

88 

188 

. do . 

Do. 

Friends’  Mission,  Kotzebue . . 

95 

195 

Sept.  2,  1901 
July  24,  1903 

Sept.,  1906 
July,  1908 

Swedish  Evangelical,  Unalakleet . 

100 

100 

Annual  loan  of  herds  to  Laplanders. 


Location. 

Year. 

Males. 

Females. 

Total, 

Ole  Olesen  Bahr . 

Eaton . 

1901  ! 

25 

75 

100 

Nils  Persen  Sara . 

Kuskokwim . 

1901  ; 

25 

75 

100 

Per  Matthisen  Spein  . . 

. do . 

1901 

25 

75 

100 

Alfred  Salmonsen  Nilima . 

Kotzebue . . 

1901 

24 

75 

99 

Nils  Klemetsen . 

Golofnin.  .. 

1902 

25 

75 

100 

Congressional  appropriations  for  the  introduction  into  Alaska  of  domestic  reindeer  from 

Siberia. 


1894  .  $6, 000 

1895  .  7, 500 

1896  . 7,500 

1897  .  12,000 

1898  . . .  12, 000 

1899  . . .  12, 500 

1900  .  25,000 


1901  .  |25, 000 

1902  .  25, 000 

1903  . 25,000 

1904  .  25,000 


Total . . .  183,000 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  19 


Expenditure  of  appropriations  “ Reindeer  for  Alaska ,  1908.” 


Amount  appropriated .  $25, 000. 00 


Salaries  of  six  employees .  3, 247. 29 

Supplies  for  stations .  6, 408. 05 

Freight .  691.50 

Traveling  expenses . .  139. 00 

Printing  of  annual  report  (1,000  copies) .  471. 13 

Photographs  and  electros  for  report .  18. 95 

Coal .  1,650.00 

Purchase  of  reindeer .  5, 727. 12 

Balance .  6, 646. 96 


Total .  25,000.00 


REINDEER  AN  IMPORTANT  FACTOR  IN  THE  CIVILIZATION  OF  THE 

ESKIMOS. 

For  some  months  past  the  newspapers  have  from  time  to  time  pub¬ 
lished  cases  of  destitution  among  the  Eskimos  and  the  natives  of 
•  northern  and  central  Alaska,  also  accounts  of  the  ravages  of  con¬ 
sumption  and  other  diseases,  and  the  demoralization  caused  by  the 
proximity  to  the  saloons  that  are  being  established  in  the  new  mining 
settlements.  While  these  newspaper  reports  are  doubtless  more  or 
less  exaggerated,  yet  from  the  official  reports  of  Brig.  Gen.  Fred¬ 
erick  Funston  to  the  Adjutant-General  United  States  Army,  Wash¬ 
ington,  D.  C.,  of  Mr.  James  W.  Witten,  special  inspector  of  the 
General  Land  Office,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  both  of  which 
reports  are  printed  in  the  appendix  of  the  report  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  Interior,  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1903,  from  inter¬ 
views  had  with  members  of  the  committee  of  the  United  States  Senate 
I  that  visited  Alaska  during  the  past  summer,  and  from  my  personal 
knowledge,  there  is  a  certain  amount  of  destitution,  a  prevalence  of 
consumption,  and  demoralization  from  liquor  that  should  receive 
attention  from  the  General  Government. 

This  raises  the  question  what  that  attention  should  be  and  how 
these  natives  can  be  made  valuable  helpers  and  assistants  in  the 
development  of  the  county  by  the  white  men  now  there  engaged  in 
mining  operations. 

Any  successful  method  of  accomplishing  such  desirable  results  must 
keep  clearly  before  it  the  aim  to  prepare  the  natives  to  become  a  help 
to  the  immigrants  who  come  from  the  States  for  the  purpose  of  con¬ 
ducting  mining  operations.  There  are  two  things  which  the  native 
may  be  taught  to  do  which  will  enable  him  to  help  the  immigrant: 
First,  he  may  be  taught  how  to  create  a  supply  of  cheap  food;  second, 
he  may  be  taught  how  to  supply  a  cheap  transportation  by  means  of 
reindeer.  It  is  known  that  in  the  river  valleys  certain  garden  vege¬ 
tables  may  be  produced  in  large  quantities,  even  up  to  the  Arctic 
Circle  and  for  50  miles  beyond  it.  The  native  knows  how  to  take  fish 
from  the  rivers  and  from  the  sea  for  his  family  use,  and  with  proper 
training  can  be  made  an  equally  successful  fisherman  for  the  market. 


20  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


The  experience  of  the  past  twelve  years  has  proved  that  he  can  also 
become  skillful  in  raising  reindeer  for  food.  With  the  gradual  dis¬ 
appearance  of  the  caribou  and  moose  in  sections  of  Alaska  and  the 
difficulty  and  expense  of  bringing  beef  and  mutton  from  the  States  to 
the  inland  mining  camps,  it  is  of  great  importance  that  the  Eskimo  be 
trained  to  raise  reindeer  with  which  to  supply  the  immigrant  miner 
with  fresh  meat. 

When  in  the  winter  of  1897-98  400  sailors  engaged  in  whaling  were 
imprisoned  in  the  ice  off  Point  Barrow  and  in  danger  of  perishing 
with  scurvy  and  starvation,  they  were  saved  by  the  reindeer  herd 
driven  b}^  Eskimos  from  Bering  Strait  to  Point  Barrow  and  slaugh¬ 
tered  for  food. 

Already  68  Eskimos  and  1  Indian  (many  of  whom  have  served  a  five 
3T ears’  apprenticeship  learning  the  business)  own  2,841  deer.  Rein¬ 
deer  multiply  rapidly.  From  the  1,280  Siberian  reindeer  imported 
between  1892  and  1903  and  from  their  natural  increase  7,983  fawns 
have  been  born  in  Alaska. 

The  Eskimo  has  always  been  skillful  in  driving  dogs,  and  now  under 
instruction  he  is  proving  equally  skillful  in  driving  reindeer,  and  upon 
various  occasions  when  the  opportunity  has  offered  has  invariably 
demonstrated  his  ability  to  successfully  transport  with  reindeer  mails, 
freight,  and  passengers  between  mining  camps.  Under  contract  with 
the  Post-Office  Department  the  United  States  mail  has  been  carried 
by  reindeer  teams  on  the  four  postal  routes  between  St.  Michael  and 
Kotzebue,  Eaton  and  Nome,  Teller  and  Deering,  and  Kotzebue  and 
Point  Barrow  (this  latter  being  the  most  northern  mail  route  in  the 
world).  With  the  increase  of  reindeer  and  trained  native  teamsters 
such  service  will  become  universal  in  northern  and  central  Alaska. 

When  the  native  has  thus  become  useful  to  the  white  man  by  sup¬ 
plying  the  markets  with  fish  and  fresh  meat,  and  when  he  has  become 
herdsman  and  teamster  with  reindeer,  he  has  not  onlv  assisted  the 
white  man  in  solving  the  problem  of  turning  to  the  use  of  civilization 
the  vast  Territory  of  Alaska,  but  he  has  also  solved  his  own  problem. 
If  useful  to  the  white  man  as  a  self-respecting  and  industrious  citizen, 
he  has  become  a  permanent  stay  and  prop  to  civilization,  and  his 
future  is  provided  for. 

The  conclusion  resulting  from  this  is  that  the  native  must  be  taught 
in  school  how  to  speak  English  and  be  trained  in  industrial  schools 
in  the  simple  arts  of  agriculture  and  of  reindeer  herding  and  team¬ 
ing  with  a  view  to  provide  cheap  food  and  cheap  transportation  for 
the  use  of  the  immigrant. 

To  accomplish  such  training  it  is  important  that  an  increased  num¬ 
ber  of  small  industrial  schools  shall  be  established  at  centers  convenient 
to  the  native  population. 

At  these  schools,  in  addition  to  elementary  instruction  in  the  English 
language,  there  shall  be  given  special  instruction  (a)  in  making  fish 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  21 


nets  and  in  adopting  improved  methods  of  catching  and  preparing 
fish  for  family  use  and  for  sale;  (b)  in  the  care  and  raising  of  reindeer, 
and  in  their  breaking  in  and  use  in  transportation;  ( c )  and  wherever 
the  conditions  of  soil  and  climate  will  allow,  in  the  cultivation  of  hardy 
vegetables. 

While  destitution  is  not  at  present  very  widespread  among  the 
natives,  yet  it  may  be  wise  to  have  at  each  of  these  schools  a  small 
supply  of  food  and  clothing  to  afford  temporary  relief  for  very  special 
cases  of  destitution.  The  principal  of  the  school  can  be  made  a  bonded 
officer  of  the  Government,  and  be  charged  with  the  care  and  distribu¬ 
tion  of  such  supplies  without  additional  expense  to  the  Government. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior  has  again  and  again  called  the  atten¬ 
tion  of  Congress  to  the  need  of  hospitals  for  the  natives.  These 
should  be  provided  for  at  once.  But  when  the  hospitals  are  erected 
they  will  necessarily  be  accessible  to  comparatively  limited  areas.  In 
addition  to  the  proposed  hospitals,  very  important  service  may  be  ren¬ 
dered  and  a  greatly  increased  number  of  natives  benefited  by  the 
employment  of  a  physician  in  connection  with  each  of  the  industrial 
schools.  This  plan  has  been  in  successful  operation  at  several  of  the 
missionary  stations  in  Alaska. 

REINDEER  AND  THE  MINER. 

While  the  original  purpose  in  the  introduction  of  domestic  reindeer 
into  Alaska  was  to  assist  in  the  civilization  of  the  natives  arid  to  help 
them  to  a  better  and  more  certain  method  of  gaining  a  livelihood,  yet 
the  reindeer  will  prove  equally  important  to  the  whites  who  may  seek 
homes  or  engage  in  business  in  subarctic  Alaska. 

In  the  development  of  the  rich  mineral  resources  of  that  region  he 
will  find  the  reindeer  and  the  Eskimo  herder  and  teamster  the  connect¬ 
ing  link  between  himself  and  the  resources  of  nature — for  his  comfort 
and  for  his  profit. 

The  ordinary  white  man  is  unwilling  to  undergo  the  drudgery  of 
herding  in  that  rigorous  climate,  and  unwilling  to  work  for  the  small 
compensation  that  is  paid  for  such  services.  He  can  do  better.  His 
directive  ability  can  lie  more  profitably  employed  as  merchant  and 
manager  of  transportation,  in  employing  and  directing  the  trained 
Eskimo  herders  and  teamsters. 

With  the  increase  of  domestic  reindeer  in  Alaska,  it  will  become 
possible  for  white  men  to  own  large  herds,  hut  the  men  that  will  do 
the  herding  and  teaming  will  always  be  Eskimos  and  Laplanders. 

Thus  the  Eskimo,  trained  as  herder  or  teamster,  will  prove  valuable 
to  the  white  man,  and  the  white  man  in  turn,  as  director  and  employer, 
will  be  valuable  to  the  native. 

Already  the  reindeer  have  given  evidence  of  some  of  the  ways  in 
which  they  will  prove  an  important  factor  in  the  development  of  the 
great  north  region. 


22  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

As  the  reindeer  is  the  only  draft  animal  in  arctic  regions  that  is  ] 
able  to  secure  its  own  food  while  on  a  journey,  the  question  of  cheap¬ 
ness  and  speed  will  bring  it  into  universal  use. 

They  will  cany  passengers,  mails,  and  freight  between  the  mining 
camps  and  the  trunk  railways  that  will  }^et  penetrate  Alaska. 

EMPLOYMENT  OF  REINDEER. 

As  the  reindeer  are  more  and  more  coming  into  use  in  the  develop¬ 
ment  of  northern  and  central  Alaska  a  recapitulation  of  their  employ¬ 
ment  in  mail  canying,  relief  expeditions,  freighting,  etc.,  is  of  interest. 

In  summer  these  enterprises  are  carried  on  with  the  aid  of  steamers 
along  the  water  courses,  but  in  the  fall,  winter,  and  spring  recourse 
is  had  to  reindeer  and  dogs. 

REINDEER  AND  THE  CARRYING  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  MAILS. 

Reindeer  mail  between  St.  Michael  and  Kotzebue ,  with  a  branch 
line  to  Golofnin. — During  the  summer  of  1899  the  Second  Assistant 
Postmaster-General  gave  to  Mr.  William  A.  Kjellmann,  superintendent  j 
of  the  reindeer  in  Alaska,  as  subcontractor,  the  carrying  of  the  mail  on 
route  No.  78110.  This  route  called  for  three  round  trips  during  the 
winter  of  1899,  between  December  1, 1899,  and  May  31,  1900,  between 
St.  Michael,  Eaton,  Golofnin,  and  Kotzebue — the  latter  place  being 
north  of  the  Arctic  Circle.  Mr.  Kjellmann  being  compelled  to  return 
to  the  States  on  account  of  sickness,  gave  the  work  into  the  hands  of 
Mr.  David  Johnson  Elliott,  who  employed  Johan  Peter  Johannesen, 
a  Laplander,  not  in  the  employ  of  the  Bureau  of  Education,  as  mail 
carrier.  The  service  was  successfully  performed  with  reindeer,  each  j 
round  trip  of  1,240  miles  being  through  an  unbroken  wilderness  with¬ 
out  a  road  or  trail.  The  Bureau  of  Education  being  very  anxious  to 
provide  its  schools  on  this  route  with  mail  facilities,  and  desiring  to 
show  what  the  reindeer  could  do,  and  at  the  same  time  give  practice 
and  experience  to  its  apprentices  in  reindeer  teaming,  allowed  the  me 
of  three  or  four  deer  with  sledges  manned  by  apprentices  from  the  ( 
Eaton  station  without  compensation. 

Reindeer  mail  bettoeen  Eaton  and  Koine  {post-office  route  Ko.  78113). —  I 
In  the  fall  of  1899  the  Post-Office  Department,  wishing  to  expedite  and 
increase  the  mail  service  along  the  Yukon  River  and  to  Nome  to  a 
semimonthly  winter  service,  on  the  23d  of  November,  gave  a  contract 
for  a  semimonthty  mail  between  Nome  and  Eaton  to  Mr.  William  A. 
Kjellmann,  who  had  eight  months  previously  severed  his  connection 
with  the  Government  on  account  of  ill  health.  Mr.  Kjellmann,  not  I 
having  recovered  his  health,  employed  Mr.  David  Johnson  Elliott,  of 
Nome,  to  take  charge  of  this  mail  route.  Mr.  Elliott  was  also  taken 
sick  and  went  to  the  hospital  in  Nome  for  the  winter.  To  prevent  a 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


23 


failure  in  the  delivery  of  the  mail  at  Nome,  the  post-office  inspector  at 
St.  Michael  directed  Dr.  F.  H.  Gambell,  Government  superintendent 
of  reindeer  and  postmaster  at  Eaton,  to  put  on  a  service  to  Nome  at 
the  expense  of  the  contractor.  Mr.  Newman  Sherzer  was  relieved 
from  his  duties  as  assistant  superintendent  at  the  station  and  appointed 
manager  of  the  reindeer  mail  service  to  Nome  by  Doctor  Gambell. 
On  the  1st  of  March,  1900,  the  reindeer  started  from  Eaton  with  the 
mail  for  Nome.  Five  consecutive  successful  trips  were  made,  thus 
completing  the  winter  contract. 

At  the  close  of  the  service  Doctor  Gambell,  in  behalf  of  the  Eaton 
reindeer  station,  made  out  a  bill  against  Mr.  Kjellmann,  charging  him 
with  the  wages  of  the  men,  station  supplies,  use  of  the  reindeer,  etc., 
amounting  to  $1,863.50.  Of  this  sum  Mr.  Kjellmann  paid  the  carrier, 
Mr.  Sherzer,  $500.  He  also  sent  to  Sheldon  Jackson  his  power  of 
attorney  and  a  check  for  $1,000,  with  which  to  pay  Mr.  Kjellmann’s 
indebtedness  to  the  Eaton  reindeer  station  for  expenses  incurred  in 
carrying  this  mail,  objecting  to  certain  items  on  account  of  informality 
of  the  vouchers,  which  items  aggregated  $363.50.  Accordingly  Mr. 
Jackson,  as  Mr.  Kjellmann’s  attorney,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of 
the  Commissioner  of  Education,  expended  the  thousand  dollars  received 
from  Mr.  Kjellmann  to  replace  supplies  at  the  reindeer  stations  as 
follows: 

Reindeer  supplies  from  S.  Foster  &  Co.,  San  Francisco,  Cal . $257.  26 


Reindeer  supplies  from  Armour  Packing  Company .  139.  50 

To  Mr.  W.  T.  Lopp,  for  services  of  himself  and  assistants  in  transferring  a 
herd  of  Government  reindeer  from  Cape  Prince  of  Wales  to  Kotzebue,  by 

direction  of  the  Bureau  of  Education .  350.  00 

To  Nils  P.  Bals,  in  payment  of  wages  as  instructor  of  apprentices  in  the  care 
and  management  of  reindeer .  253.  74 

Reindeer ,  pack  saddles ,  and  sleds  f  urnished  Mr.  N.  V.  Hendricks , 
subcontractor  on  mail  route  between  Weare  and  St.  Michael. — In  the 

spring  of  1900  Mr.  N.  V.  Hendricks,  a  trader  on  the  Yukon  River 


and  subcontractor  on  the  post-office  mail  route  between  Weare  and 
St.  Michael,  arranged  with  Doctor  Gambell,  superintendent  of  Gov¬ 
ernment  reindeer  station  at  Nome,  for  the  use  of  a  few  reindeer, 
saddles,  and  sleds  for  carrying  the  mail  between  St.  Michael,  Eaton, 
and  Nulato,  a  distance  of  about  200  miles  each  way. 

Reindeer  mail  route  between  Home,  Candle ,  and  Deering. — During 
the  winter  of  1901-2  Mr.  J.  T.  Lindseth  secured  the  contract  for 
carrying  the  United  States  winter  mail  from  Nome,  via  Teller,  York, 
Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  Shismaref  Inlet,  to  Candle  City  and  Deer¬ 
ing,  on  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean,  a  distance  of  260  miles.  His 
reindeer  during  the  winter  traveled  6., 000  miles.  The  mail  carriers 
were  Amund  Hansen,  Isak  Salamonsen  Nikkila,  and  Johan  Peter 
Johannesen.  Johannesen  lost  his  life  near  Candle  City,  being  frozen 
to  death  while  carrying  this  mail.  His  reindeer  team  was  afterwards 


24  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

found  well  and  in  good  condition.  He  had  previously  carried  the 
mail  for  the  Norwegian  Government  many  years  in  Lapland.  Mr. 
Lindseth  hired  reindeer  from  their  owners  (Eskimo  herders  who  had 
completed  their  apprenticeship  at  one  or  the  other  of  the  reindeer 
stations  in  Alaska).  The  Bureau  of  Education  had  no  connection  with 
the  matter. 

Reindeer  mail  route  between  Kotzebue  and  Point  Barrow.— One,  of 
the  great  needs  of  Alaska  is  better  communication  and  postal  facilities. 
This  is  especially  the  case  north  of  the  Arctic  Circle.  Although  at 
Point  Barrow  the  Government  has  had  a  relief  station  and  a  public 
school,  and  the  Presbyterians  a  mission  station,  and  capitalists  a 
whaling  station  for  the  past  dozen  years,  yet  the  place  has  had  but 
one  mail  a  year,  and  on  three  occasions  during  the  past  twelve  years 
the  yearly  mail  failed  to  reach  them.  The  conditions  were  so  distress¬ 
ing  that  Mr.  S.  R.  Spriggs,  the  Government  teacher,  while  on  a  year’s  j 
furlough  with  his  relatives  in  New  York,  availed  himself  of  the  oppor¬ 
tunity,  and  with  the  assistance  of  friends  made  application  to  the  ' 
Post-Office  Department  for  a  winter  mail,  which  was  granted,  and  a  ! 

contract  for  carrying  the  same  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Spriggs.  The  , 

distance  from  Kotzebue  to  Barrow  via  Point  Hope  is  630  miles,  making 
a  round  trip  of  1,300  miles,  north  of  the  Arctic  Circle,  over  a  country 
without  a  road  or  trail,  and  through  a  long  winter  night  with  the  ther¬ 
mometer  ranging  from  20°  to  60°  below  zero.  He  is  allowed  by  the 
Post-Office  Department  $750  for  each  round  trip,  a  sum  barely  suffi¬ 
cient  to  cover  the  incidental  expenses  and  allow  a  slight  compensation 
to  the  hardy  Eskimo  drivers,  who,  at  the  risk  of  their  lives,  carry  the 
mail  on  this  northernmost  postal  route  in  the  world.  The  time  con¬ 
sumed  in  making  each  round  trip  will  be  between  two  and  three  j 
months.  There  will  be  times  when  they  will  be  storm  bound  in  their 
snow  huts  for  several  days  at  a  time.  The  Bureau  of  Education,  to 
encourage  and  assist  these  pioneers  of  civilization,  to  furnish  the  Gov¬ 
ernment  employees  at  Barrow  with  mail  facilities  and  to  practice  and 
train  its  apprentices  in  reindeer  freighting,  allows  the  use  of  a  few 
deer  without  compensation. 

Reindeer  mail  routes  between  Teller  and  Wales,  and  between  Teller 
and  Igloo  are  in  operation  during  the  winter  of  1903-1904. 

REINDEER  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  RELIEF  EXPEDITIONS. 

Transportation  of  United  States  troops  with  camp  equipage  and 
rations  from  St.  Michael  to  Golofnin  and  return. — In  the  fall  of  1896 
gold  mines  were  discovered  on  Snake  River,  near  Cape  Nome,  Alaska, 
and  during  the  winter  there  was  a  stampede  to  the  new  mines  from  j 
St.  Michael,  Kotzebue  Sound,  and  the  mining  districts  on  the  lower 
Yukon  that  received  the  information.  The  influx  of  a  large  popula¬ 
tion  into  a  region  where  there  was  an  insufficiency  of  supplies  and 
shelter  required  the  presence  of  United  States  troops  to  preserve  the 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


25 


|  peace.  An  application  was  made  by  Captain  Walker,  in  command  of 
the  camp  at  St.  Michael,  to  Mr.  Kjellmann  for  transportation,  in 
response  to  which  Lapps  and  reindeer  were  sent  from  Eaton  station 
to  St.  Michael,  and  transported  troops,  with  their  tents,  rations,  and 
camp  equipage,  from  St.  Michael  to  the  Golofnin  Bay  mining  region. 
When  there  was  no  longer  any  need  for  their  presence  at  Golofnin 
Bay  the  Lapps  and  reindeer  returned  the  soldiers  to  St.  Michael  with- 
;  out  accident  or  difficulty. 

Military  expedition  to  Kotzebue. — In  January,  1901,  information 
having  reached  Nome  that  the  Eskimos  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kotze- 
bue,  400  miles  distant,  were  starving,  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort 
Davis  ordered  Dr.  J.  Be  vans,  army  surgeon  at  the  post,  to  make  a 
trip  of  investigation.  He  and  his  part}^  were  furnished  at  Teller  b}T 
Superintendent  Brevig  with  live  reindeer,  together  with  sleds  and 
drivers,  for  a  three  months’  trip. 

Relief  of  soldiers  engaged  in  building  a  military  telegraph  line.  —  In 
the  fall  of  1900  the  War  Department  had  three  construction  parties, 
aggregating  about  110  officers  and  enlisted  men,  engaged  in  the  work 
of  building  a  Government  telegraph  line  between  Unalaklik  and 
Kaltag,  on  the  Yukon  River.  As  the  winter  storms  came  on  one 
after  another,  all  work  had  to  be  suspended,  rations  began  to  fail,  and 
mule  transportation  gave  out.  Li  this  emergency  General  Randall, 
in  command  of  the  military  department  of  Alaska,  requested  Doctor 
|  Gambell  to  take  all  the  deer  teams  that  could  be  spared  and  go  to  the 
relief  of  the  Government  party.  Accordingly,  on  the  4th  of  Decem¬ 
ber,  Doctor  Gambell  started  with  three  deer,  leaving  Mr.  Lindseth, 
who  had  for  about  fifteen  months  been  an  employee  at  the  Eaton 
reindeer  station,  to  follow  the  next  day  with  32  deer  and  the  necessary 
drivers  and  sleds. 

The  troops  were  found  in  camp  18  miles  west  of  Kaltag,  and  with 
their  camp  equipage  were  brought  through  deep  snow  to  a  new  camp 
established  near  Old  Womans  Mountain,  a  distance  of  50  miles.  The 
troops  being  left  in  a  place  of  safety,  the  deer  teams  were  sent,  at  the 
request  of  the  commanding  general,  to  St.  Michael  for  the  transpor¬ 
tation  of  provisions  for  the  men  and  telegraphic  supplies,  all  of  which 
they  secured  and  delivered.  They  were  also  employed  during  a 
portion  of  the  winter  in  drawing  telegraph  poles  from  the  woods. 

Relief  of  wrecked  and  ice-imprisoned  whalers. — In  the  fall  of  1897 
word  was  received  on  the  Pacific  coast  that  8  whaling  ships  and  275 
men  had  been  caught  in  the  ice  in  the  neighborhood  of  Point  Barrow 
with  only  three  months’  provisions  in  their  ships,  and  that  the  ships 
would  necessarily  be  detained  for  twelve  months,  if  not  sooner  crushed 
in  the  ice,  before  they  could  escape,  and  that  starvation  faced  the 
whalers.  A  relief  expedition,  which  ultimately  cost  nearly  $100,000, 
was  instituted  by  the  Government  for  the  rescue  of  those  men. 


26  INTRODUCTION*  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


Lieutenants  Jarvis  and  Bertholf  and  Surgeon  Call  were  put  ashore 
near  Nunivak  Island  to  move  northward  with  dogs  about  750  miles  to 
Point  Radney  and  Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  where  the  reindeer  herds  of 
the  Congregational  Missionary  Society  (in  charge  of  W.  T.  Lopp, 
their  missionary),  and  of  Antisarlook  (an  Eskimo  reindeer  owner),  were 
in  pasture.  With  nearly  500  reindeer  from  these  herds,  accompanied 
Messrs.  Lopp  and  Antisarlook,  the  officers  proceeded  to  Point  Bar- 
row,  where  as  many  reindeer  as  were  needed  were  slaughtered  and 
issued  as  rations  to  the  destitute  whalers.  The  total  number  of  rein¬ 
deer  killed  was  2-16. 

In  accordance  with  the  promise  made,  the  deer  borrowed  were  re¬ 
turned  during  the  summer  of  1900,  the  second  year  after  the  expedi¬ 
tion,  together  with  the  annual  increase  of  fawns  during  two  seasons, 
making  a  total  of  1,042  reindeer. 

REINDEER  FOR  TRANSPORTATION  AND  FREIGHTING. 

A  winter  trip  of  <2,000  miles. — Since  the  commencement  of  the  enter¬ 
prise,  in  1892,  the  obstacles  that  it  was  predicted  would  prevent  the  suc¬ 
cessful  introduction  of  domestic  reindeer  into  Alaska  have  either  been 
proved  to  be  groundless  or  have  one  by  one  been  met  and  overcome. 
Having  shown  b}^  actual  experience  that  they  could  be  bought,  trans¬ 
ported,  and  successfully  propagated,  it  remained  to  give  a  practical 
demonstration  of  their  ability  to  traverse  any  part  of  the  country  under 
the  most  unfavorable  circumstances,  and  with  a  temperature  at  times 
lower  than  experienced  by  some  of  the  Arctic  expeditions. 

This  was  done  in  the  winter  of  1896-97.  At  3  p.  m.  on  the  10th  of 
December,  1896,  with  the  temperature  at  15°  below  zero,  Mr.  William 
A.  Ivjellmann,  the  superintendent,  accompanied  by  the  Lapps  Per 
Aslaksen  Rist  and  Mikkel  J.  Nakkila,  started  from  the  Teller  station 
with  9  sleds  and  17  head  of  reindeer  to  demonstrate  the  capacity  of  the 
hardy  and  swift  animal  for  winter  travel  in  Alaska.  Native  trails  and 
well-known  sections  of  country  were  ignored,  to  show  the  ability  of 
the  deer  to  traverse  unbeaten  tracks.  The  course,  while  traveled  by 
compass,  was  a  zigzag  one,  in  order  to  better  learn  the  extent  and 
abundance  of  moss  pasturage.  Scaling  high  mountain  ranges,  shoot¬ 
ing  down  precipitous  declivities  with  toboggan  speed,  plodding  through 
valleys  filled  with  deeply  drifted  snow,  laboriously  cutting  a  way 
through  the  man-high  underbrush  of  the  forest,  or  steering  across  the 
trackless  tundra,  never  before  trodden  by  the  foot  of  white  man; 
gliding  over  the  hard-crusted  snow,  or  wading  through  slush  2  feet 
deep  on  imperfectly  frozen  rivers  unknown  to  geographers,  were  the 
experiences  of  the  trip. 

The  second  day  of  the  journey,  with  the  temperature  43°  below  zero, 
and  over  a  rough,  broken,  and  pathless  country,  they  made  a  distance 
of  60  miles. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


After  celebrating  Christmas  with  Rev.  Mr.  Hultberg  and  the  Swedish 
missionaries  on  Golofnin  Bay,  December  30  found  Mr.  Kjellmann’s 
party  crossing  Norton  Sound,  an  arm  of  Bering  Sea,  and  getting  into 
a  crevasse  tilled  with  snow,  from  which  they  escaped  without  much 
damage. 

The  next  day,  keeping  on  the  ice  along  the  coast,  hummocks  were 
found  so  steep  that  steps  had  to  be  cut  up  and  over  them  to  enable  the 
deer  to  cross. 

On  new  year’s  day.  coming  to  a  flagstaff  projecting  from  a  huge 
snow  bank,  they  found  under  it,  completely  buried  in  the  snow,  the 
comfortable  home  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Karlsen  and  the  Swedish  mis¬ 
sionaries  at  Unalaklik.  On  the  afternoon  of  January  11,  and  morning 
of  the  12th,  85  miles  were  made  in  twelve  hours.  The  native  guides 
at  St.  Michael  being  afraid  to  undertake  a  winter  trip  across  the 
country  to  Ikogmute,  the  Russian  mission  on  the  Yukon  River,  and 
affirming  that  it  could  not  be  done,  Mr.  Kjellmann  started  on  January 
19  without  them,  traveling  by  compass. 

On  the  23d,  while  crossing  a  barren  mountain  range,  the}T  were 
overtaken  by  that  dread  specter  of  arctic  regions,  a  Russian  poorga.a 
Neither  man  nor  beast  could  stand  against  the  blast.  The  reindeer 
were  blown  down  and  the  loaded  sleds  overturned.  The  men,  throw¬ 
ing  themselves  flat,  clung  to  one  another  and  to  mother  earth  to  keep 
from  being  blown  away.  Gravel  and  pieces  of  crushed  ice  flew  t/j 
darkening  the  air.  A  lull  coming  toward  evening,  with  great  diffi 
culty  a  little  coffee  was  made,  after  which  the  storm  broke  with 
renewed  fury  during  the  night,  wffiich,  to  the  travelers,  clinging  to  the 
earth  with  desperation,  seemed  endless.  The  following  day  a  belt  of 
timber  was  reached  and  rest  and  safety  secured.  January  25  and  26 
found  them  cutting  a  wa}7  for  the  deer  and  sleds  through  a  dense 
forest,  from  which  they  Anally  emerged  to  wade  through  snow  and 
water  2  feet  deep  and  the  temperature  at  zero.  On  the  31st  they 
encountered  a  succession  of  driving,  blinding  snowstorms  while  cross¬ 
ing  the  tundra  south  of  the  Yukon  delta,  being  reduced  to  such  straits 
that  the}7  were  compelled  to  cut  the  railing  from  their  sleds  for  fuel. 
On  February  5  the  storm  passed  away,  leaving  the  temperature  at  73° 
below  zero,  causing  even  the  reindeer  to  break  loose  from  their  tethers 
and  tramp  ceaselessly  around  the  tents  for  warmth. 

Notwithstanding  the  severe  cold,  the  journey  was  continued,  and  at 
2  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  they  found  shelter  and  a  warm  welcome 
from  the  Moravian  missionaries  at  Bethel.  On  the  10th  of  March, 
between  the  Kuskokwim  and  Yukon  rivers,  a  lake  15  miles  wide  was 
crossed. 

The  struggle  for  life  commenced,  however,  on  the  11th,  when  they 
reached  the  Yukon,  and,  contrary  to  information,  found  no  moss  for 


«  An  arctic  blizzard. 


28  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


the  deer.  A  push  was  made  up  the  Yukon  to  reach,  if  possible,  the 
Episcopal  mission  at  Anvik.  There  being  no  food,  the  march  was 
kept  up  all  night,  the  men  plowing  their  way  through  loose  snow 
from  2  to  1  feet  deep,  and  on  through  the  12th,  with  snow  falling  fast. 
That  afternoon  two  of  the  deer  fell  dead  and  were  left  with  their 
sleds  where  they  fell,  while  the  journey  continued  uninterruptedly 
through  the  blinding  snow  the  second  night.  On  the  13th  two  more 
deer  dropped  dead  and  were  abandoned,  as  the  party  with  desperate 
energy  pushed  ahead  day  and  night  for  food  and  life.  On  the  11th 
another  deer  fell  in  his  traces.  That  evening  a  native  hut  was  reached 
and  the  continuous  march  of  four  days  and  three  nights  without  sleep 
or  rest  and  without  food  for  the  deer  was  over.  Trees  were  cut  down 
by  the  Lapps  that  the  deer  might  browse  on  the  black  moss  that 
hung  from  them,  while  Mr.  Kjellmann,  suffering  with  a  high  fever, 
was  put  to  bed  by  the  medicine  woman,  and  dosed  with  tea  made 
from  some  medicinal  bark.  On  the  17th  one  of  the  Lapps,  who  had 
been  scouring  the  country ,  reported  moss  upon  a  mountain  60  miles 
away.  The  deer  were  unharnessed  and  driven  to  the  distant  pastur¬ 
age,  while  Mr.  Kjellmann  continued  his  journey  to  Anvik  on  skees. 
In  the  hospitable  home  of  Rev.  Mr.  Chapman  he  was  nursed  back  to 
health  and  strength. 

The  return  journey  to  the  Teller  station  was  made  without  any  spe¬ 
cial  adventure,  except,  on  the  16th  of  April,  getting  into  a  crack  in  the 
ice  while  crossing  Norton  Sound  and  soaking  the  load  with  salt  water. 
On  the  21th  of  April  the  Teller  station  was  safely  reached  after  a  trip 
of  2,000  miles,  the  longest  ever  recorded  in  any  land  as  made  by  the 
same  reindeer. 

The  result  of  this  trial  trip  has  convinced  missionaries,  miners, 
traders,  and  others  residing  in  northern  and  central  Alaska  that  domes¬ 
tic  reindeer  can  do  for  them  there  what  they  have  been  doing  for  cen¬ 
turies  in  Lapland;  that  when  introduced  in  sufficient  numbers  they 
will  supplant  dogs,  both  for  traveling  and  freighting,  furnish  a  rapid 
means  of  communication  between  widely  separated  communities,  and 
render  possible  the  full  and  profitable  development  of  the  rich  mineral 
interests. 

At  the  Teller  station  the  sled  deer  were  kept  in  constant  practice, 
both  on  their  own  account  and  also  for  the  training  of  the  Eskimo 
apprentices.  Including  the  trip  to  the  Kuskokwim  Valley,  the  aggre¬ 
gate  number  of  miles  driven  was  over  10,000. 

Reindeer  freight  line  between  St.  Michael  and  Nome. — Late  in  the 
fall  of  1898  gold  was  discovered  on  Snake  River  near  Cape  Nome,  and 
during  the  following  winter  there  was  a  miners’  stampede  from  St. 
Michael,  Kotzebue  Sound,  and  the  lower  Yukon  Valley  to  the  new 
mines.  As  there  was  no  adequate  supply  of  provisions  within  300 
miles  of  the  mines  and  an  abundant  supply  in  the  warehouses  of  the 
large  trading  companies  at  St.  Michael,  at  the  request  of  said  compa- 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  29 


nies  Mr.  Kjellmann,  superintendent  of  Eaton  reindeer  station,  agreed, 
as  an  act  of  humanity,  to  transport  for  the  companies  a  limited  amount 
of  food  from  St.  Michael  to  Nome,  which  was  done,  and  payment  for 
the  same  was  rendered  by  the  trading  companies  by  furnishing  needed 
provisions  to  the  Eaton  reindeer  station. 

During  the  same  winter  of  1898-99  the  Swedish  Mission  at  Golof- 
nin,  using  their  own  reindeer,  freighted  supplies  to  Nome  on  their  own 
account. 

During  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  there  being  a  scarcity  of  provisions 
on  the  overland  route  between  Dawson  and  Nome,  Mr.  Kjellmann, 
superintendent  of  Eaton  reindeer  station,  freighted  some  provisions 
from  St.  Michael  to  Norton  Sound  for  G.  L.  Stanley  A  Co.  Payment 
for  the  same  was  made  in  supplies  to  the  Eaton  reindeer  station. 

During  the  same  winter  of  1900-1901  Mr.  W.  T.  Lopp,  missionary 
of  the  American  Missionary  Association,  organized  an  express  and 
freight  line  between  Nome  and  Teller,  in  order  that  the  Eskimo  herders 
at  Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  using  their  own  deer  and  sledges,  might  have 
a  way  of  earning  a  support,  with  a  result  that  they  secured  $600  in 
gold. 

The  same  season  the  Eskimo  apprentices  at  Teller,  S}7nrock,  and 
Golofnin  reindeer  station,  using  their  own  deer,  did  considerable 
transporting  of  miners  and  supplies  to  various  outlying  mining  camps. 
In  this  connection  especial  mention  is  made  of  Kozebuk,  a  young  man 
or  boy  about  17  years  old,  the  youngest  of  the  three  mission  appren¬ 
tices  at  Teller  station.  In  May  he,  with  Johan  Tornensis,  took  a  train 
of  eighteen  loaded  sleds  to  Tuttle  Creek,  on  the  Arctic  slope,  about  65 
miles  from  the  station;  Kozebuk  driving  a  string  of  live  deer  with 
loaded  sleds,  the  last  four  being  tied  to  the  preceding  sled.  From 
there  he  alone  took  two  harnessed  deer  with  sleds  and  ten  loose  deer 
to  Mr.  Lopp’s  herd,  45  miles  distant,  returning  to  camp,  and  in  a  week 
taking  ten  more  deer  to  Mr.  Lopp’s  herd.  Returning  to  camp  on 
June  1,  he  started  for  the  station  with  four  deer  and  eight  empty 
sleds  during  the  worst  possible  condition  of  travel,  the  snow  melting 
and  the  rivers  opening,  arriving  at  the  station  June  4,  without  acci¬ 
dent  and  the  deer  in  good  condition,  having  traveled  245  miles. 

In  the  winter  of  1901-2  two  miners  at  Nome  purchased  two  sled 
deer  from  Mary  Antisarlook.  The  deer  were  worked  in  harness  like 
horses  and  hauled  on  sleds  790  pounds  each  from  Nome  to  Good  Hope, 
250  miles.  After  reaching  Good  Hope  they  were  used  in  delivering 
supplies  from  the  stores  to  the  miners’  cabins  in  the  neighborhood. 
During  July,  when  supplies  of  provisions  ran  short,  one  of  them  was 
killed  and  sold  for  meat,  and  the  other  was  made  the  pet  of  the  camp. 

The  same  winter  from  Cape  Prince  of  W ales  reindeer  station,  eleven 
deer  were  sold  by  the  herders  to  the  miners  for  transportation  pur¬ 
poses;  they  were  worked  in  harness  like  horses  and  each  drew  700 
pounds  per  load. 


30  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


From  the  Teller  station  an  apprentice,  Kozebuk,  made  two  trips  to 
Sbishmaref  Inlet  district,  a  round  trip  of  400  miles,  and  one  to  Golof- 
nin  Bay  and  return  (400  miles),  carrying  supplies  for  the  miners. 
Another,  Serawlook,  made  one  trip  to  Shishmaref  Inlet  and  one  to 
Golofnin  Bay.  In  addition  to  the  above  five  trips  numerous  trips 
were  made  b}7  the  apprentices  between  the  winter  camp  and  station,  a 
round  trip  of  about  120  miles. 

From  Eaton  station  the  superintendent  states  in  his  report  that  two 
prospectors  who  attempted  to  freight  their  supplies  from  St.  Michael 
to  the  Buckland  River  with  dog  teams,  failed  on  account  of  not  being 
able  to  procure  food  for  the  dogs.  Returning  to  Unalaklik  (Eaton) 
the}"  hired  Okitkon,  who,  with  five  of  his  deer  and  sleds,  took  them 
and  their  supplies  to  destination  without  difficulty. 

On  July  19,  1902,  Judge  E.  L.  Bosqui,  who  had  been  appointed 
United  States  commissioner  for  the  valley  of  the  Colville  River,  Arc¬ 
tic  Alaska,  left  Nome  on  the  U.  S.  revenue  cutter  Bear  for  Point 
Barrow,  which  place  was  reached  in  twenty-one  days.  At  Point  Bar- 
row  he  had  expected  to  be  able  to  employ  natives  with  their  dogs  to 
take  him  to  his  destination  on  the  Colville,  over  200  miles  along  the 
Arctic  coast  to  the  eastward  of  Point  Barrow,  but  owing  to  an  epi¬ 
demic  of  sickness  he  was  unable  to  secure  the  expected  help  and  was 
obliged  to  remain  at  Barrow  from  August  12  to  November  23,  when 
Dr.  H.  Richmond  Marsh,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  Government  rein¬ 
deer  at  that  station,  came  to  his  rescue.  Thirty-six  deer  were  taken 
from  the  herd  and  twenty  sleds  carrying  about  250  pounds  each  were 
loaded  with  supplies  for  the  judge,  his  deputy,  and  five  natives,  who 
accompanied  the  party.  As  a  majority  of  the  deer  had  not  been 
broken  to  harness,  it  was  a  case  of  training  while  on  the  road,  which 
greatly  delayed  the  progress  and  added  to  the  annoyance  of  travel.  ; 
The  Arctic  night  had  commenced  and  the  thermometer  stood  from  40 
to  60  degrees  below  zero.  The  party  kept  closely  along  the  coast, 
except  where  they  came  to  bays  and  inlets,  which  they  crossed  upon  ice 
from  point  to  point.  When  they  reached  Harrison  Bay  they  turned 
and  proceeded  inland  before  reaching  their  destination  at  the  Arillage 
of  Jarvis  on  the  Colville.  Owing  to  their  imperfect  acquaintance  with 
the  route,  and  the  difficulty  of  traveling  with  half-trained  deer,  and 
inability  to  travel  over  four  or  five  hours  during  the  twenty-four,  on 
account  of  want  of  sufficient  light,  the  trip,  which  should  have  been 
made  in  fifteen,  consumed  thirty  days. 

Dana  Thomas,  Quaker  missionar}^  at  Kotzebue,  writes,  August  14, 
1903,  as  follows: 

The  old  prejudice  of  Alaskan  miners,  who  have  always  heretofore  used  dog  teams  i: 
as  beasts  of  burden  in  this  wrork,  is  fast  dying  away  before  the  very  evident  supe¬ 
riority  of  the  reindeer  for  such  work.  Only  those  who  have  gone  long  journeys  i 
with  dog  teams,  and  have  been  compelled  to  load  the  greater  part  of  the  sled  with  food  : 
tor  the  dogs  or  to  pay  very  high  prices  for  the  same  along  the  course  of  travel,  can 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  31 


fully  appreciate  the  great  advantage  of  using  reindeer  that  are  to  be  driven  all  day, 
knowing  that  when  resting  time  comes  the  deer  will  find  their  own  food  in  the  deer 
moss  that  covers  the  tundra  in  this  region. 

The  different  white  men  who  have  used  deer  during  the  past  unusually  severe 
winter  on  the  upper  Ivowak  River,  north  of  the  Arctic  Circle,  have,  without  a  single 
exception,  been  more  than  pleased  with  same. 

Charles  Dankurt  left  this  place  in  December  last  with  five  deer,  some  of  them  not 
well  broken.  They  were  soon  so  well  trained  and  so  gentle  that  he  and  his  wife 
had  no  trouble  in  driving  them,  going  a  distance  of  about  300  miles  up  the  Kowak 
(north  of  Arctic  Circle).  His  deer  are  so  gentle  that  he  tells  us  they  will  follow' 
him  or  his  wife  about  and  take  food  from  their  hands. 

In  April  of  this  year  Doctor  Benson,  of  Candle  Creek,  left  that  place  with  his  two 
companions,  using  four  deer  which  hauled  the  three  men,  together  with  sleeping 
bags,  camping  outfit,  and  four  months’  supply  of  food.  They  traveled  a  distance  of 
about  500  miles  over  tundra  and  across  mountain  ranges.  After  snow  disappeared 
they  used  the  deer  as  pack  animals,  strapping  the  burden  upon  the  willing  little 
animal’s  back.  At  the  last  stage  of  the  trip,  when  the  men  had  to  cross  a  river  or 
to  go  down  the  same  in  boats,  the  deer  had  become  so  gentle  that  w  hen  turned  loose 
they  would  swim  the  streams  after  the  boat,  or  follow  after  the  same  along  the  river 
bank.  Both  of  these  gentlemen  declare  that  reindeer  are  by  far  the  best  animals 
to  use  as  means  of  traveling  or  as  pack  animals  in  this  region. 

During'  the  year  I  have  read  with  much  interest  “The  Land  of  the 
Long  Night,”  by  Paul  Du  Chaillu.  While  written  for  3Toung  people, 
the  book  contains  so  much  information  concerning  the  reindeer  idus- 
try  in  Lapland,  told  in  an  entertaining  way,  that  it  can  not  fail  to 
interest  and  instruct  older  people  as  well,  and  I  would  recommend 
that  a  copy  be  sent  to  each  of  the  reindeer  stations  in  Alaska. 

THE  CRUISE  OF  DR.  WILLIAM  HAMILTON,  ASSISTANT  AGENT. 

The  extended  tour  of  inspection  of  public  schools  and  reindeer 
stations  in  Alaska  was  this  season  made  by  Dr.  William  Hamilton, 
the  assistant  agent.  The  following  is  an  abstract  of  his  itinerary: 

Leaving  Washington  May  4,  Doctor  Hamilton  joined  the  U.  S.  S. 
Thetis ,  at  Seattle.  On  May  26  the  Thetis ,  Capt.  M.  A.  Healy,  com¬ 
manding,  left  Seattle  with  Unalaska,  the  largest  settlement  on  the 
Aleutian  Islands,  as  her  objective  point,  where  she  arrived  June  5. 
While  the  Thetis  was  coaling  for  her  Arctic  cruise  Doctor  Hamilton 
inspected  the  public  schools  at  Unalaska  and  conferred  with  the  teach¬ 
ers  and  with  the  members  of  the  local  school  committee,  who  here,  as 
elsewhere  throughout  Alaska,  by  acting  as  auditors  and  advisers,  assist 
the  Bureau  of  Education  in  carrying  on  the  Alaska  school  service. 
Extensive  repairs  to  the  school  building  at  Unalaska  were  authorized. 

On  June  11  the  Thetis  left  Unalaska  harbor  heading  for  Nome  in 
order  to  render  assistance  to  merchant  vessels,  if  necessary.  The 
season  was  unusually  late,  and  in  approaching  Nome  the  Thetis 
encountered  a  great  deal  of  ice.  Ice  fields  were  drifting  about  off 
Nome,  causing  the  large  passenger  steamers  that  had  just  succeeded 
in  pushing  their  way  to  this  important  distributing  point  frequently 


32  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


to  shift  anchorage  in  order  to  avoid  being  driven  ashore  by  the  pres¬ 
sure  of  the  ice. 

At  Nome,  which  can  be  reached  by  steamer  from  Seattle  in  eight  or 
nine  days,  letters  and  recent  newspapers  were  received,  fresh  stores 
were  obtained,  and  the  mail  for  the  remote  places  in  the  Arctic,  whose 
onl}7  means  of  communication  with  the  outside  world  is  the  annual 
visit  of  the  cutter,  was  taken  on  board. 

At  Nome  considerable  anxiety  was  felt  for  the  safety  of  the  steam¬ 
ship  Portland ,  which  was  long  overdue.  Captain  Healy  without 
delay  started  in  search  of  the  missing  vessel.  Three  days  were  spent 
in  the  difficult  work  of  pushing  through  the  ice  in  that  part  of  Bering 
Sea  where  the  Portland  had  last  been  sighted,  without  finding  any 
trace  of  the  missing  steamer.  While  in  the  neighborhood  of  St. 
Lawrence  Island,  where  there  is  a  public  school,  a  Presbyterian  mis¬ 
sion  and  a  reindeer  station,  an  attempt  was  made  to  reach  the  island. 
St.  Lawrence  Island  was  found  to  be  icebound  and  it  was  impossible 
to  approach  within  many  miles  of  land. 

On  June  20  the  Thetis  returned  to  Nome,  where  the  Portland  was 
found  safely  at  anchor.  On  account  of  the  unusually  heavy  ice  in 
Bering  Sea  it  was  impossible  to  continue  the  cruise  until  June  26, 
when  a  second  attempt  was  made  to  reach  St.  Lawrence  Island. 
Heavy  ice  and  almost  continual  fog  were  encountered,  and  not  until 
June  29  did  the  Thetis  succeed  in  reaching  the  village  of  Gambell, 
near  Cape  Chibukak,  at  the  northwestern  extremity  of  the  island. 

Dr.  Edgar  O.  Campbell  and  Mrs.  Campbell,  the  teachers  on  this 
remote  island,  were  found  to  be  in  good  health  and  spirits.  A  few 
hours  were  spent  in  exchanging  the  news  of  the  past  year,  in  visiting 
the  school,  in  inspecting  Government  property,  and  in  attending  to 
miscellaneous  business  in  connection  with  the  station. 

At  Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  where  the  Thetis  arrived  July  2,  on 
account  of  ice  fields  drifting  rapidly  northward  on  the  strong  current 
through  Bering  Straits  it  was  impossible  to  communicate  with  the 
village,  and  the  ship  proceeded  to  a  somewhat  sheltered  bay  a  few 
miles  to  the  south  of  the  cape.  Mr.  Rognon  and  Mr.  Lee,  the  teacher 
and  the  missionary  at  Wales,  came  to  the  Thetis ,  and  considerable 
business  in  connection  with  the  school  and  reindeer  station  at  Cape 
Prince  of  Wales  was  transacted,  the  visit  of  inspection  being  of 
necessity  postponed  until  later  in  the  season. 

At  St.  Michael  the  Thetis  was  delayed  for  about  three  week  await¬ 
ing  the  arrival  of  the  Yukon  River  steamer  having  on  board  Senator 
Charles  H.  Dietrich,  of  Nebraska,  who  had  received  permission  from 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  make  the  arctic  cruise  on  the  Thetis. 
At  St.  Michael  business  connected  with  the  school  was  attended  to  and 
supplies  were  purchased.  The  reindeer  station  at  Unalakleet,  on  Nor¬ 
ton  Sound,  was  also  visited,  and  Dr.  Carl  O.  Lind,  the  superintendent 
of  reindeer  herds  in  Alaska,  was  consulted. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


33 


On  August  2  the  Thetis  left  Nome  and  started  on  its  cruise  to  Point 
Barrow,  the  extreme  northwestern  cape  of  the  continent,  visiting  the 
mission  station  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  at  Point  Hope  en 
route. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Icy  Cape,  August  6,  heavy  ice  was  encountered. 
During  the  following  days  many  unsuccessful  attempts  were  made  to 
proceed  farther  north.  On  August  8,  near  Point  Belcher,  about  80 
miles  southwest  of  Point  Barrow,  Captain  Healy  decided  to  give  up 
the  attempt  to  reach  Point  Barrow,  hardly  enough  coal  remaining  in 
the  bunkers  to  take  the  ship  back  to  Dutch  Harbor  on  the  Aleutian 
Islands,  the  nearest  coaling  station,  more  than  1,100  miles  distant. 

The  mail  for  Point  Barrow  was  left  at  Point  Hope  to  be  forwarded 
by  the  overland  mail  route  which  is  to  commence  operations  during 
the  winter  of  1 903-1. 

While  the  Thetis  was  in  Kotzebue  Sound  Doctor  Hamilton  had  a 
consultation  with  Mr.  Dana  Thomas,  in  charge  of  the  reindeer  station 
at  Kotzebue,  near  the  entrance  to  Hotham  Inlet.  Here,  as  at  every 
other  station  in  Alaska,  the  wisdom  of  introducing  reindeer  to  aid  in 
the  development  of  the  country  and  as  a  future  means  of  support  for 
those  of  the  natives  who  are  intelligent  enough  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  opportunity  to  become  owners  of  reindeer  is  being  demonstrated. 

After  cruising  along  the  Siberian  coast  adjacent  to  Bering  Straits, 
where  the  villages  of  Whalen  and  Indian  Point  were  visited,  the  Thetis 
returned  to  Alaskan  waters,  anchoring  off  Cape  Prince  of  Wales 
August  16.  This  time  it  was  possible  to  communicate  with  the  shore. 
Several  hours  were  spent  in  the  village,  the  school  and  mission  being 
visited.  In  the  village  is  a  store  conducted  entirely  by  natives,  and 
several  frame  buildings  are  evidences  of  the  ambition  of  the  more  pro¬ 
gressive  natives  to  improve  their  condition. 

On  August  IT  Teller  reindeer  station,  on  the  north  shore  of  Port 
Clarence,  was  inspected.  Since  the  commencement  of  the  importation 
of  deer,  in  1892,  Port  Clarence  has  been  the  receiving  station  for  the 
deer  brought  from  Siberia  and  the  distributing  point  for  the  other 
reindeer  stations  in  Alaska. 

On  its  way  southward  the  Thetis  called  at  King  Island;  the  sea 
being  unusually  smooth  it  was  possible  for  a  party  from  the  ship  to 
land  and  visit  this  remarkable  village  of  cliff  dwellers  and  to  explore 
the  cave  which  from  time  immemorial  has  been  used  as  a  storehouse 
by  the  natives.  At  the  time  of  the  visit  of  the  Thetis  the  island  was 
deserted,  the  inhabitants  being  absent  on  the  mainland. 

On  August  21  the  final  visit  for  the  season  was  made  to  the  teach¬ 
ers  on  St.  Lawrence  Island.  During  the  summer  Doctor  Campbell 
had  completed  the  erection  of  a  building  to  be  used  as  a  hospital  for 
the  natives.  Here  Mr.  Thomas  Richards,  who  during  the  coming 
winter  of  absolute  isolation  will  assist  Doctor  Campbell,  left  the  ship. 

S.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 3 


34  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


St.  Paul  Island,  the  largest  of  the  Pribilof  or  Seal  Islands,  was  vis¬ 
ited  August  25,  and  its  adaptability  for  the  reindeer  industry  ascer¬ 
tained  b}T  a  drive  of  about  30  miles  over  the  tundra. 

On  August  27  the  Thetis  anchored  in  Dutch  Harbor,  completing 
the  northern  part  of  her  cruise.  The  ship  was  thoroughly  overhauled 
and  coal  was  taken  on  board  for  the  remainder  of  the  cruise.  Just 
before  leaving  Dutch  Harbor  the  Thetis  received  for  transportation  to 
civilization  the  passengers  and  crew  of  the  schooner  Peering,  whim 
had  been  driven  on  the  rocks  by  the  strong  currents  in  Akutan  Pass. 

Having  an  unusually  large  number  of  persons  on  board,  it  was 
desirable  for  the  Thetis  to  make  the  voyage  homeward  with  as  little 
delay  as  possible.  Valdez  was  the  only  place  visited  between  the 
Aleutian  Islands  and  Sitka,  where  the  Thetis  arrived  September  17. 
While  in  Sitka  Doctor  Hamilton  had  frequent  consultations  with 
Mr.  William  A.  Kelty,  superintendent  of  schools  in  the  Sitka  district, 
and  inspected  the  two  public  schools  in  Sitka.  The  Thetis  returned 
to  Seattle  by  the  outside  passage  through  the  North  Pacific. 

By  the  courtesy  of  Capt.  Francis  Tuttle,  Doctor  Hamilton  made  the 
voyage  from  Sitka  to  Seattle  on  the  U.  S.  S.  Perry  through  the  inside 
passage;  he  was  thus  enabled  to  visit  and  inspect  the  public  schools  at 
Killisnoo,  Hoonah,  Haines,  and  Saxman.  The  Perry  arrived  at  Seattle 
October  11. 

After  attending  to  various  matters  of  business  with  the  firms  in 
Seattle  and  San  Francisco  that  had  furnished  supplies  for  the  schools 
and  reindeer  stations  in  Alaska,  Doctor  Hamilton  returned  to  Wash¬ 
ington  October  26,  completing  a  tour  of  inspection  that  had  covered 
about  16,000  miles. 

COOPERATION  OF  STATE  AND  TREASURY  DEPARTMENTS. 

As  in  former  years,  the  honorable  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasuiy  and 
Capt.  Charles  F.  Shoemaker,  chief  of  the  Revenue-Cutter  Service, 
granted  Dr.  William  Hamilton,  assistant  agent  of  education  in  Alaska, 
transportation  on  the  revenue  cutters  Thetis  and  Perry ,  where  he 
received  from  Capt.  M.  A.  Healy  and  the  officers  of  the  revenue 
cutter  Thetis  and  from  Capt.  Francis  Tuttle  and  the  officers  of' the  rev¬ 
enue  cutter  Perry  many  facilities  in  the  work  of  inspecting  schools  and 
reindeer  stations.  Thanks  are  also  due  to  the  honorable  the  Secretary 
of  State  and  the  Hon.  Charlemagne  Tower,  ambassador  to  the  Court 
of  Russia,  for  negotiations  with  the  Russian  authorities  concerning 
the  exportation  of  domestic  reindeer  from  Siberia  to  Alaska. 

All  of  which,  with  accompanying  papers,  map,  and  illustrations,  is 
respectfully  submitted. 

Sheldon  Jackson, 

General  Agent  of  Education  in  Alaska. 

The  Commissioner  of  Education. 


ILLUSTRATIONS  FOR  REINDEER  REPORT, 
1903. 


HERD  OF  REINDEER  AT  THE  SEASIDE. 


f 


PACKING  WITH  REINDEER. 


REINDEER  DIGGING  UP  THE  SNOW  TO  GET  THE  MOSS  BENEATH. 


LASSOING  REINDEER. 


THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE  LONG  ARCTIC  NIGHT. 


TRAVELLING  IN  A  BLIZZARD. 

From  “The  Land  of  the  Long  Night,"  by  Paul  du  Chaillu, 


S  Doc.  210 — 58-2.  No.  7. 


Copyright,  1899,  by  Charles  Scribner’s  Sons. 

CROSSING  A  MOUNTAIN  RANGE. 

From  “The  Land  of  the  Long  Night,”  by  Paul  du  Chaillu. 


LAPLANDER  AND  WIFE  ON  SKEES,  LAPP  HERDING  DOGS. 


SWIMMING  CARIBOU,  BIRCHY  PONDS,  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


S.  Doc.  210 — 58- 


No.  10. 


Length,  nose  to  root  of  tail,  80  inches:  height  at  shoulder,  44|  inches.  Courtesy  of  American 
Museum  of  Natural  History. 


ALLEN  L 


GRANT’S  CARIBOU  (  RANGIFER  GRANTI, 


S.  Doc.  210-58-2. 


NO.  11. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  CARIBOU  (RANGIFER  TERR/CNOV/E,  BANGS). 

Showing  development  of  brow  and  bez  antlers.  Length,  nose  to  root  of  tail.  75|  inches;  height 
at  shoulder,  47  inches.  Antlers:  Length  of  main  beam.  29  *  inches;  greatest  spread.  28  inches: 
total  points,  37.  Courtesy  of  American  Museum  of  Natural  History. 


No.  12. 


S.  Doc.  210-58-2. 


GREENLAND  CARIBOU  (RANGIFER  GRCENLANDICUS,  GMELINL 

Specimen  from  west  coast  of  Greenland.  Antlers:  Length  of  main  beam,  49  inches: 
greatest  spread,  39  inches;  total  points,  22.  Courtesy  of  American  Museum  of 
Natural  History. 


S.  Doc.  210—58-2. 


NO.  13. 


STONE’S  CARIBOU  (TYPE)  (RANGIFER  STONEI,  ALLEN). 

>ength  of  main  beam,  49  inches;  greatest  spread.  34  inches;  total  points,  36. 
of  American  Museum  of  Natural  History. 


Antlers;  I 


Courtesy 


No.  14. 


S.  Doc.  210 — 58-2 


OSBORN’S  CARIBOU  ( RANGIFER  OSBORNI,  ALLEN  >. 

Specimen  from  Oassiar  Mountains,  British  Columbia.  Antlers:  Length  of  main  beam,  14  inches; 
greatest  spread,  381  inches;  total  points,  3(5.  Courtesy  of  author. 


S.  Poo.  210—58-2. 


NO.  15. 


GRANT’S  CARIBOU  (TYPE)  (RANGIFER  GRANTI,  ALLEN). 

Specimen  from  Alaska  peninsula.  Antlers:  Length  along  curvature,  33j 
inches;  greatest  spread,  35}  inches;  total  points,  27.  Courtesy  of 
American  Museum  of  Natural  History. 


AN  ESKIMO  BOY. 


AN  ESKIMO  GIRL. 


S.  Doc.  210—58-2. 


NO.  17. 


S.  Doc.  210—58-2. 


NO.  18. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  GOLOFNIN,  ALASKA  (  ESKIMOS*.  MRS.  O.  P.  ANDERSON,  TEACHER. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  KOTZEBUE,  ALASKA  'ESKIMOS).  MRS.  OTHA  THOMAS,  TEACHER. 


Doc.  210 — 58—2. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  CAPE  PRINCE  OF  WALES  (ESKIMOS).  O.  J.  ROGNON,  TEACHER. 


No.  20, 


S.  Doc.  210— 5S-2. 


DR.  AND  MRS.  E.  O.  CAMPBELL,  GAMBELL.  ST.  LAWRENCE  ISLAND. 


s.  Doc.  210-58-2.  No.  21 . 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  CAMBELL,  ALASKA  'ST.  LAWRENCE  ISLAND— ESKIMOS ).  DR.  E.  O  CAMPBELL, 

TEACHER. 

Photograph  by  William  Hamilton. 


WHARF  SCENE  AT  ST.  MICHAEL. 

Photograph  by  William  Hamilton. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  ST.  MICHAEL,  ALASKA  (ESKIMOS).  FRANKLIN  MOSES,  TEACHER. 


Doc.  210 — 58-2.  NO.  23 


WILD  FLOWERS,  NORTHWESTERN  ALASKA. 


Doc.  'J10 


ESKIMOS  DRYING  TOM  COD  FOR  WINTER. 


No.  25. 


STREET  SCENE  IN  NOME.  ALASKA. 


No.  26. 


DUTCH  HARBOR,  ALASKA. 


No.  27 


A  WHARF  SCENE.  DUTCH  HARBOR,  ALASKA. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  UNALASKA,  ALASKA.  MR.  AND  MRS.  WM.  A.  DAVIS,  TEACHERS. 


210 — 58- 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  UNGA,  ALASKA  ( ALEUTS ).  F.  A.  GOLDER.  TEACHER. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  WOOD  ISLAND,  ALASKA  (ALEUTS).  CHARMES  F.  MILLS,  TEACHER. 


BAPTIST  MISSION,  WOOD  'SLAND,  ALASKA. 


CHILCAT  DANCING  COSTUMES. 


No.  33, 


S.  Doc.  210 — 58-2 


FOOTPATH  TO  INDIAN  RIVER,  SITKA,  ALASKA. 
Photograph  by  William  Hamilton. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  SAXMAN,  ALASKA  '  THLINGET MISS  SELMA  PETERSON,  TEACHER. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL  BUILDING,  SITKA,  ALASKA  ( THLINGETS ).  MRS.  S.  A.  SAXMAN,  TEACHER. 


SCHOOLHOUSE  AND  TEACHER’S  RESIDENCE,  KASAAN,  ALASKA. 


No.  36 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  KASAAN,  ALASKA  (HYDAH).  ARCH  R.  LAW,  TEACHER. 


210-58-2.  NO.  37. 


DR.  SHELDON  JACKSON  AND  A  GROUP  OF  SIMPSEAN  BOYS  FROM  METLAKAHTLA,  STARTING  FOR  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  INDUSTRIAL 

SCHOOL,  SITKA,  ALASKA,  MAY  4,  1888. 


Doc.  210 — 58-2.  NO.  38 


MRS.  EDWARD  MARSDEN  (LUCY  KININHOOK,  FULL-BLOODED  THLINGET ).  REV.  EDWARD  MARSDEN  (FULL-BLOODED  SIMPSEAN),  PRESBYTERIAN 

MINISTER,  IN  ALASKA. 


Doc.  210—58-2 


NO.  39. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOL,  KLINQUAN,  ALASKA  (HYDAH).  SAMUEL  G.  DAVIS  (NATIVE),  TEACHER. 


No.  40, 


s.  Doc.  210-58-2. 


S.  Doc.  210—58-2. 


No.  41  . 


No.  42. 


S.  Doc.  210—58-2. 


P PEND] 


REQUEST  TO  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  FOR  TRANSPORTATION 

Oh  THE  REVENUE  CUTTERS  OF  THE  AGENTS  OF  THE  BUREAU 

OF  EDUCATION. 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  I).  C. ,  March  18 ,  1903. 

Sir:  Referring  to  the  fact  that  for  thirteen  seasons  past,  with  the 
single  exception  of  the  summer  of  1898,  through  the  permission  of 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  the  courtesy  of  the  Chief  of  the 
Revenue-Cutter  Service,  and  of  the  captains  commanding  the  cutters 
cruising  in  Alaskan  waters,  the  general  agent  of  education  for  Alaska 
has  been  able  to  establish  and  inspect  schools,  visit  reindeer  stations, 
and  procure,  purchase,  and  transport  domestic  reindeer  into  Alaska, 
and  also  to  the  fact  that  on  account  of  there  being  no  regular  lines  of 
steamers  that  furnish  the  necessary  facilities  for  the  prosecution  of 
this  work  this  Bureau  has  depended  for  the  continuance  of  the  impor¬ 
tant  work  in  these  distant  regions  upon  the  cooperation  of  the  Treasury 
Department  and  the  facilities  afforded  by  its  revenue  cutters,  I  there¬ 
fore  respectfully  suggest  that  a  letter  be  written  to  the  honorable  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  requesting,  if  compatible  with  the  rules  of 
his  office — 

First.  That  he  will  kindly  instruct  the  commanding  officers  of  the 
revenue  cutters  in  Alaskan  waters  to  extend  to  the  agents  of  this 
Bureau  such  facilities  as  may  be  convenient  to  them  and  necessary  for 
their  work  of  inspection. 

Second.  As  commercial  steamers  do  not  call  at  Gambell,  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  St.  Lawrence  Island,  it  will  be  of  special  assist¬ 
ance  if  the  commanding  officer  of  the  U.  S.  S.  Thetis  can  be  instructed 
to  convey  the  agent  of  this  Bureau  to  that  place,  either  calling  at 
Gambell  on  his  way  north  from  Dutch  Harbor  or  making  a  trip  from 
Nome  to  Gambell  and  return  at  such  time  as  shall  be  convenient  for 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  vessel. 

Third.  Recalling  the  fact  that  in  northern  and  western  Alaska  there 
are  a  number  of  teachers  and  schools  at  places  where  there  are  no 
courts  of  law  or  Government  officials  for  the  protection  of  property, 
and  where  the  only  semblance  of  Government  control  is  the  authority 
exercised  by  the  captain  of  the  revenue  cutter,  it  is  further  suggested 
that  }mu  request  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  if  compatible  with  the 
rules  of  his  office,  to  authorize  the  commanding  officer  of  the  cutter 


37 


38  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

Thetis  to  extend  to  the  missionaries  and  Government  teachers  outside 
of  the  reach  of  courts,  such  protection  as  he  can,  and  also  that  he  give 
special  attention  to  preventing  unlawful  encroachments  upon  the  rein¬ 
deer  herds  fostered  by  the  Government  in  that  region. 

Fourth.  That  the  commanding  officer  of  the  cutter  which  shall  go 
north  to  Nome  be  instructed,  if  not  interfering  with  the  plans  of  the 
Revenue  Cutter  Service,  to  reach  St.  Lawrence  Island  at  the  same  time 
with  the  whaling  ships,  as  they  follow  the  receding  ice  moving  north, 
and  prevent  the  landing  of  liquor  for  the  natives  on  that  island.  In 
the  absence  of  the  cutter  from  the  island  the  past  two  or  three  seasons 
during  the  visits  of  the  whalers  considerable  liquor  has  been  landed 
and  much  trouble  created  by  consequent  drunkenness  of  the  natives. 

Fifth.  Mr.  Samuel  R.  Spriggs,  who  has  been  a  Government  teacher 
at  Point  Barrow,  between  four  and  five  hundred  miles  north  of  the 
Arctic  Circle,  for  three  years,  came  out  last  fall  with  his  wife  on  the 
U.  S.  S.  Bear  for  a  temporary  change  of  climate.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Spriggs  are  ready  this  spring  to  return  to  that  distant  arctic  post  and 
take  up  their  work  in  the  Government  service.  As  there  are  no  suit¬ 
able  vessels  upon  which  they  can  travel  north  of  Port  Clarence,  I 
would  suggest  that  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  be  requested  to 
authorize  the  commanding  officer  of  the  cutter  that  visits  that  post  to 
receive  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spriggs  on  board  his  vessel  at  Port  Clarence 
and  convey  them  to  their  destination  at  Point  Barrow. 

Sixth.  As  Point  Barrow  is  the  most  distant  and  difficult  school  sta¬ 
tion  under  the  Government  to  reach,  I  would  further  ask  that  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  instruct  the  captain  of  the  cutter  visiting 
that  place  to  receive  on  board  at  Seattle,  and  deliver  at  that  station 
for  the  use  of  the  Government  school,  15  tons  of  anthracite  coal  in 
sacks;  also  the  annual  mail  for  that  station,  and  also  a  small  consign¬ 
ment  of  medical  supplies  and  surgical  instruments  for  the  use  of  the 
physician  among  the  natives. 

Seventh.  That  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Thetis  be  instructed  to 
convey  from  Seattle  to  St.  Lawrence  Island  the  annual  mail  for  that 
place. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  39 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY  GRANTS  PERMISSION  FOR  THE 

AGENTS  OF  THE  BUREAU  OF  EDUCATION  TO  TRAVEL  ON  THE 

REVENUE  CUTTERS  IN  ALASKAN  WATERS. 

Treasury  Department, 

Office  of  the  Secretary, 

Washington ,  March  30,  1903. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  commu¬ 
nication  of  the  21st  instant,  inclosing  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Com¬ 
missioner  of  Education,  in  which  the  request  is  made  that  the  general 
agent  of  education  for  the  district  of  Alaska,  and  other  representa¬ 
tives  of  the  Bureau  of  Education,  be  furnished  with  transportation  on 
the  revenue  steamer  Thetis  on  her  cruise  in  Alaskan  waters  to  Nome 
and  Point  Barrow  the  coming  season,  etc. 

In  reply  I  have  respectfully  to  state  that  the  wishes  of  the  Commis¬ 
sioner  of  Education,  as  expressed  in  his  letter,  will  be  complied  with 
this  season  as  in  the  past. 

Respectfulty,  H.  A.  Taylor, 

Acting  Secretary. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


INSTRUCTIONS  FROM  THE  SECRETARY'  OF  THE  TREASURY  TO  THE 
COMMANDING  OFFICER  OF  THE  THETIS. 

Treasury  Department, 

Office  of  the  Secretary, 

Washington ,  Ajpril  °20,  1903. 

Sir:  Referring  to  instructions  of  even  date,  you  are  further  in¬ 
structed  as  follows: 

1.  The  honorable  the  Secretaiy  of  the  Interior  has  requested  as 
follows: 

That  commanding  officers,  Revenue-Cutter  Service,  in  Alaskan  waters,  be  instructed 
to  extend  to  the  agents  of  the  Bureau  of  Education  in  the  prosecution  of  their  work, 
such  facilities  as  may  be  convenient  to  them  and  necessary,  for  the  work  of  said 
agents’  inspections. 

That  the  agent  of  said  Bureau  be  conveyed  to  St.  Lawrence  Island,  from  Gambell, 
when  bound  north  from  Dutch  Harbor,  or  by  making  a  trip  from  Nome  to  Gambell 
and  return,  at  such  time  as  may  be  convenient  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
vessel. 

That  the  commanding  officer  extend  to  the  missionaries  and  Government  teachers, 
out  of  reach  of  the  courts,  such  protection  as  he  can,  and  that  he  give  special  attention 
to  preventing  unlawful  encroachments  upon  reindeer  herds  fostered  by  the  Govern¬ 
ment  in  those  regions. 

That  the  cutter  making  the  northern  cruise  reach  St.  Lawrence  Island  at  the  same 
time  with  the  whaling  fleet,  as  they  follow  the  receding  ice  moving  north,  and  pre¬ 
vent  the  landing  of  liquor  for  the  natives  at  that  island. 

That  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spriggs  (the  former  being  a  Government  employee)  be  con¬ 
veyed  from  Port  Clarence  to  Point  Barrow. 


40  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

That  the  Thetis  be  directed  to  receive  on  board  at  Seattle,  Wash.,  15  tons  of  anthra¬ 
cite  coal  in  sacks,  to  be  delivered  at  Point  Barrow;  also  the  annual  mail  and  a  small 
consignment  of  medical  stores  and  surgical  instruments  for  the  use  of  the  Govern¬ 
ment  physician  among  the  natives,  and  also  the  annual  mail  for  St.  Lawrence  Island. 

All  of  the  foregoing  requests  being  in  the  line  of  public  service, 
and  there  being  no  other  advantageous  method  of  meeting  the  demands, 

you  are  directed  to  comply  with  the  same  as  far  as  practicable. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 


Respectfully , 

R.  B.  Armstrong, 

Assistant  Secretary. 

Capt.  M.  A.  Healy,  R.  C.  S., 

Commanding  TJ.  S.  Steamer  Thetis , 

Seattle ,  Wash. 


LETTER  OF  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  ASSISTANT  AGENT  OF  EDUCATION  IN 

ALASKA. 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  D.  C. ,  May  0,  1903. 

Sir:  With  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  you  are 
hereby  detailed  to  inspect  the  public  schools  and  industrial  schools  in 
Alaska  during  the  coming  summer. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  has  granted  my  request  that  you  may 
be  permitted  to  travel  upon  the  revenue  cutters  during  the  discharge 
of  your  official  duties.  You  will  join  the  U.  S.  S.  Thetis  at  Seattle 
and  proceed  northward  upon  that  vessel.  As  occasion  offers,  you  will 
secure  transportation  upon  other  vessels  in  Alaskan  waters. 

You  are  directed  to  visit  and  inspect,  as  far  as  possible,  the  schools 
at  Wood  Island,  Kodiak,  Afognak,  Unga,  Unalaska,  St.  Michael, 
Unalakleet,  Golofnin,  Teller,  Port  Clarence,  Wales,  Kotzebue,  and 
Gambell  (St.  Lawrence  Island). 

Your  actual  necessary  expenses  on  this  tour  of  inspection — railroad 
and  sleeping-car  fare,  steamship  fare,  and  subsistence — will  be  paid 
from  the  appropriation  46  Schools  outside  incorporated  towns,  Alaska.” 

You  are  authorized  and  instructed  on  your  journey  across  the  con¬ 
tinent  to  stop  at  all  places  where  you  have  business  in  the  interests  of 
your  work  to  transact. 

Very  respectfully,  yours,  W.  T.  Harris, 

Commissioner. 

Mr.  William  Hamilton, 

Assistant  Agent  of  Education  in  Alaska ,  Washington ,  1).  C. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  41 


ITINERARY  OF  WILLIAM  HAMILTON,  PH.  D. 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education,  Alaska  Division, 

Washington ,  I).  C.,  December  1J+,  1903. 

Sir:  In  compliance  with  your  instructions  to  join  the  U.  S.  S.  Thetis , 
for  the  annual  tour  of  inspection  of  United  States  public  schools  and 
reindeer  stations  in  western  and  arctic  Alaska,  I  left  Washington  on 
May  4  and  arrived  at  Seattle  six  days  later.  The  Thetis  was  still  on 
the  dry  dock  at  the  navy-yard  at  Bremerton,  where  the.  repairs 
required  to  put  the  vessel  in  perfect  condition  for  the  Arctic  cruise 
were  being  completed.  On  May  11  the  Thetis  arrived  and  tied  up  to 
a  buoy  in  Seattle  Harbor,  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  U.  S.  S.  Manning 
with  a  quantity  of  stores  from  San  Francisco  for  the  use  of  the  Thetis 
during  her  long  cruise.  There  were  unexpected  delays,  the  Manning 
having  encountered  severe  weather  between  San  Francisco  and  Seattle. 
On  May  26  the  last  details  were  complete — the  ship’s  stores  and  the 
mail  for  the  Arctic  stations  safely  stowed  away — and  at  4  a.  m.  the 
Thetis  steamed  away  from  Seattle,  northward  through  Puget  Sound, 
turned  into  the  Straits  of  Fuca,  and  at  8  p.  m.  rounded  Cape  Flattery 
and  passed  out  into  the  North  Pacific  Ocean. 

The  roster  of  the  officers  of  the  Thetis  was  as  follows:  Capt.  Michael 
A.  Healy,  commanding;  executive  officer,  First  Lieut.  Charles  E. 
Johnston;  navigator,  Second  Lieut.  Frank  B.  Goude}T;  Third  Lieut. 
Hiram  R.  Searles;  Third  Lieut.  Francis  R.  Shoemaker;  chief  engineer, 
Levin  T.  Jones;  assistant  engineer,  William  L.  Maxwell;  assistant 
engineer,  Henry  T.  Powell;  surgeon,  Henry  Horn,  M.  D.  Mrs. 
Healy  accompanied  us  during  the  entire  cruise. 

The  voyage  between  Seattle  and  the  Aleutian  Islands  was  unevent¬ 
ful.  At  dusk,  on  June  3,  land  was  sighted — the  snow-streaked,  rocky 
pinnacles  of  the  Krenitzin  group  of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  jutting  above 
the  western  horizon.  Soon  the  fog  came  down  like  a  blanket  and  for 
the  next  thirty-six  hours  the  vessel  was  enveloped  in  an  impenetrable 
cloudy  world  of  very  narrow  limits,  everything  beyond  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  ship  being  lost  to  view. 

The  Aleutian  Islands,  a  series  of  partially  submerged  mountain 
peaks,  70  in  number,  extend  westward  from  the  Alaskan  peninsula 
a  thousand  miles  toward  Asia.  These  volcanic  peaks  are  entirely 
treeless,  dwarf  specimens  of  creeping  willow  being  the  nearest 
approach  to  timber  found  in  this  region.  Grasses,  moss,  and  wild 
flowers  cover  the  hillsides  and  valleys  during  the  summer  months. 
The  Aleutian  chain  forms  a  barrier  between  the  North  Pacific  Ocean 
and  Bering  Sea,  entrance  being  usually  obtained  through  one  of  the 
three  passes  near  the  eastern  end  of  the  chain  of  islands— Unimak, 
Akutan,  or  Unalga.  Tide  rips  and  rocks  are  found  in  these  narrow 


42  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


passes  and  onl}T  in  clear  weather  is  it  safe  for  a  vessel  to  attempt  to 
pass  through  them.  While  waiting  off  the  islands  for  the  fog  to  lift, 
the  crew  of  the  Thetis  spent  several  hours  in  catching  cod,  with  which 
these  gloom}^  waters  teem. 

June  5,  dawned  bright  and  clear.  During  the  days  of  fog  the  ship 
had  drifted  out  of  sight  of  land,  but  at  about  8  o’clock  in  the  morning 
land  was  again  sighted  many  miles  distant  on  the  starboard  bow.  In 
a  few  hours  we  were  coasting  along  the  rocky  shores  toward  Unalga 
Pass,  enjoying  the  superb  panorama  of  mountain  ranges  crowned  with 
snow,  their  slopes  intensely  green,  bold  headlands  and  towering  pinna¬ 
cles  against  whose  rocky  bases  the  surf  was  beating.  The  precipitous 
cliffs  are  frequented  by  birds  in  enormous  numbers;  a  shot  fired  from 
the  deck  of  a  passing  vessel  will  bring  them  out  of  their  nests  in  the 
clefts  of  the  rock  in  myriads  and  the  air  will  be  white  with  fluttering 
wings;  in  foggy  weather  their  harsh  cries  often  warn  the  navigator  of 
too  near  approach  to  land.  Just  before  entering  Unalga  Pass  we 
steamed  over  a  smooth  sea  whose  surface  was  black  with  countless 
whale  birds  that  fled  in  great  flocks  at  our  approach. 

About  noon  we  rounded  the  familiar  Priest  Pock,  an  outlying  pin¬ 
nacle  somewhat  resembling  a  Russo-Greek  priest  in  full  canonicals, 
and  entered  Unalaska  Harbor.  Near  the  head  of  the  harbor  are  two 
villages,  Dutch  Harbor  (Udakta  post-office)  and  Unalaska,  trading 
posts  and  coal  stations  maintained  by  the  North  American  Commercial 
Company  and  the  Alaska  Commercial  Company,  respectively.  Dutch 
Harbor  is  the  more  recently  established  trading  post  and  consists  of  a 
store,  hotel,  and  houses  occupied  by  the  employees  of  the  North  Amer¬ 
ican  Commercial  Company.  The  village  of  Unalaska  was  founded  by 
the  Russians  about  1760,  and  it  is  intimatety  connected  with  the  history 
of  Russian  occupation  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  The  large  Greek  Church 
with  its  green  Byzantine  dome  is  a  striking  feature  in  the  landscape. 
During  the  summer  months  Unalaska 'Harbor  is  the  rendezvous  for 
the  shipping  in  that  part  of  the  world.  The  ships  of  the  arctic  whaling 
fleet  call  there  for  coal,  water,  supplies,  and  mail,  leaving  information 
of  the  movements  of  the  ice  in  Bering  Sea  and  receiving  news  of  the 
busy  world  to  the  south.  The  large  passenger  steamers  from  Seattle 
or  San  Francisco  en  route  to  Nome  stop  there  in  order  to  obtain  coal 
and  to  give  their  hundreds  of  passengers  an  opportunity  to  break  the 
monotony  of  the  long  voyage  by  enjoying  a  day  on  shore.  This  harbor 
is  the  headquarters  of  the  United  States  revenue  cutters  and  of  the 
British  gunboats  engaged  in  the  Bering  Sea  patrol. 

At  2  p.  m.,  June  5,  the  Thetis  tied  up  to  the  wharf  at  Dutch  Harbor, 
and  coaling  for  the  arctic  cruise  commenced  without  delay.  During 
the  following  days  I  visited  and  inspected  the  public  school  at  Unalaska, 
and  had  frequent  consultations  with  Miss  Ann  Mann  and  Mr.  William 
A.  Davis,  the  teachers;  also  with  Mr.  N.  Gray,  Dr.  A.  W.  Newhall, 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  43 


and  Mr.  T.  Richards,  members  of  the  local  school  committee.  Many 
urgently  needed  repairs  to  the  school  building  were  authorized. 

Throughout  this  region  of  Alaska  there  are  numerous  waifs — chil¬ 
dren  whose  fathers  are  unknown.  Here  at  Unalaska  the  Methodist 
Woman’s  Home  Mission  Society  in  1889  entered  upon  the  noble  work 
of  taking  these  destitute  children  out  of  their  squalor  and  mental 
darkness  and  by  surrounding  them  with  the  influences  of  a  Christian 
home  lifts  them  into  a  higher  civilization.  From  a  beginning  with 
two  orphan  waifs  from  Attu,  the  westernmost  island  of  the  Aleutian 
chain,  the  Home  family  had  in  1903  increased  to  about  40  children  in 
two  large  and  commodious  buildings.  Dr.  A.  W.  Newhall  is  the 
superintendent  of  this  establishment. 

At  6.30  p.  m.,  June  11,  the  lines  were  cast  off  and  the  Thetis  started 
from  Dutch  Harbor  on  her  cruise  through  Bering  Sea  and  the  Arctic 
Ocean,  Nome  being  her  objective  point.  On  June  14  ice  was  encoun¬ 
tered  and  until  the  16th  the  ship  steamed  slowly  in  the  direction  of 
Nome  through  scattered  floes  or  following  leads  in  the  ice  fields.  At 
7  p.  m.,  June  16,  the  Thetis  came  to  anchor  about  2  miles  off  the  town 
of  Nome.  Seven  large  passenger  steamers,  the  first  of  the  season, 
had  arrived  earlier  during  the  same  day.  Great  masses  of  ice  were 
drifting  about  offshore,  causing  the  steamers  frequently  to  shift  their 
anchorage  in  order  to  avoid  the  danger  of  being  driven  ashore  by  the 
pressure  of  the  ice  or  losing  their  anchors  by  the  snapping  of  the 
anchor  chains. 

There  is  no  harbor  at  Nome;  the  town  lies  along  the  unprotected 
beach  open  to  the  unchecked  assaults  of  Bering  Sea.  The  tented  cit}7 
of  the  days  of  the  gold  rush  of  1898  has  given  place  to  a  town  of 
frame  buildings  lying  on  the  flat  tundra  onty  a  few  feet  above  the  sea. 
With  the  enterprise  characteristic  of  new  towns  in  Alaska,  Nome  has 
secured  for  itself  almost  all  the  comforts  of  civilization  that  are  found 
in  a  town  of  its  size  in  the  thickly  irdiabited  parts  of  our  country; 
boarded  streets,  water  supply,  fire  department,  electric-light  system, 
cold-storage  plants,  telephones,  newspapers,  and  a  suburban  railway 
S  to  the  Anvil  Creek  mines.  During  the  summer  months  it  is  only 
eight  or  nine  days  by  steamer  from  Seattle  and  its  stores  are  well  sup¬ 
plied  with  provisions,  clothing,  and  all  the  necessaries  and  many  of 
the  luxuries  of  life.  At  Nome  we  received  much-appreciated  letters, 
newspapers,  and  magazines  from  the  States,  and  the  ship’s  stewards 
purchased  supplies  of  fresh  provisions. 

One  of  the  duties  of  the  Revenue-Cutter  Service  is  to  furnish 
assistance  to  ships  in  times  of  peril  and  disaster.  During  the  past 
twenty  years  the  vessels  of  this  service,  cruising  in  Bering  Sea  and  the 
Arctic  Ocean,  have  rescued  and  taken  from  those  sterile  shores  more 
than  a  thousand  shipwrecked  sailors  and  destitute  miners,  and  have 
saved  from  starvation  the  natives  of  many  an  arctic  village.  The 
U.  S.  S.  Bear  has  made  a  magnificent  record  in  this  noble  work. 


44  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

The  first  news  received  at  Nome  was  that  the  steamer  Portland,  with 
hundreds  of  passengers,  was  long  overdue,  and  it  was  feared  that  she 
had  been  imprisoned  by  the  ice  fields  in  northern  Bering  Sea.  Accord¬ 
ing^,  as  soon  as  the  provisions  for  the  ship  and  the  mail  for  those 
places  in  the  Arctic  Alaska,  whose  only  reliable  means  of  communication 
with  the  outside  world  is  the  annual  visit  of  the  cutter,  had  been  taken 
on  board,  anchor  was  weighed  and  the  Tlietis  headed  for  that  part  of 
Bering  Sea  where  the  Portland  had  last  been  sighted.  During  the  next 
sixty  hours  we  followed  many  courses  through  the  ice  fields  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  Bering  Sea,  and  a  sharp  lookout  was  kept  for  the 
missing  vessel.  The  captain  had  promised  an  extra  month’s  pay  to 
the  man  who  first  sighted  the  Portland;  accordingly,  in  addition  to  the 
regular  watch  on  deck  and  in  the  crow’s  nest  at  the  foremast  head, 
each  of  the  other  masts  had  its  fringe  of  volunteer  observers.  The  ice 
pack  was  found  to  extend  in  a  solid  mass  from  King  Island,  a  short 
distance  south  of  Bering  Strait,  to  St.  Lawrence  Island.  Having 
skirted  the  edge  of  the  impenetrable  ice  along  that  entire  distance, 
and  having  carefulty  explored  the  region  where  the  Portland  would 
be  likely  to  be,  without  finding  any  trace  of  the  vessel,  Captain  Healy 
decided  to  return  to  Nome.  On  the  way,  an  attempt  was  made  to  reach 
St.  Lawrence  Island,  where  there  is  a  public  school  and  Presbyterian 
Mission,  but  the  island  was  inclosed  by  heavy  ice,  and  it  was  not  pos¬ 
sible  to  approach  within  10  miles  of  the  land.  During  this  search  for 
the  Portland  among  the  ice  fields,  schools  of  walrus  were  sighted,  and 
the  peculiar  illusions  caused  by  mirage  were  frequently  seen.  Upon 
our  arrival  at  Nome,  during  the  morning  of  June  20,  the  Portland 
was  found  safely  riding  at  anchor  in  the  roadstead. 

On  account  of  the  unusually  heavy  ice  in  Bering  Sea  it  was  evident 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  continue  the  cruise  for  several  days  to 
come.  From  June  20  to  June  26  the  Thetis  remained  olf  Nome,  fre¬ 
quently  getting  up  steam  and  shifting  her  anchorage  in  order  to  avoid 
the  massive  ice  fields  that  drifted  about,  a  constant  source  of  danger — 
to  navigation.  During  these  days  of  waiting  there  were  many  drills, 
fire  drills,  abandon  ship,  muster  and  inspection,  the  manual  of  arms, 
and  gun  drill. 

On  June  26  it  was  thought  it  would  be  possible  to  work  through 
the  ice  and  make  a  landing  on  St.  Lawrence  Island,  and  the  captain 
decided  to  make  another  attempt  to  reach  the  village  of  Gambell,  near 
the  northwest  cape  of  the  island.  Once  more  we  headed  into  the  ice 
fields,  and  during  the  following  days  we  were  repeatedly  stopped  by 
the  ice  and  fog.  In  the  vicinity  of  St.  Lawrence  Island  dense  fog  was 
encountered.  The  cliffs  of  the  island  might  loom  up  before  us  at  any 
moment,  and  the  captain  proceeded  with  great  caution.  About  noon, 
June  29,  there  was  a  rift  in  the  all-enveloping  gray  curtain  and  the 
forbidding  dark  coast  suddenly  appeared.  For  several  hours  we 
steamed  slowly  along  the  wide  strip  of  ice  that  continuously  fringed 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  45 


the  shore.  On  the  surface  of  the  ice  we  noticed  great  brown  masses 
that  in  the  distance  we  supposed  to  be  piles  of  drift-wood  tossed  up  by 
the  waves.  Closer  inspection  showed  them  to  be  hundreds  of  walrus 
lying  on  the  ice;  the  difficulties  of  navigation  in  the  vicinity  of  this 
ice-fringed,  fog-bound,  rocky  coast  precluded  the  possibility  of  secur¬ 
ing  any  of  these  denizens  of  the  frozen  seas.  At  9  p.  m.  we  again  ran 
into  impenetrable  fog,  and  the  ship  came  to  a  standstill  about  2  miles 
from  shore.  During  the  night  we  frequently  had  to  steam  out  of  the 
way  of  drifting  ice  fields. 

Next  morning  the  cruise  along  the  deserted  shore  of  St.  Lawrence 
Island  was  resumed.  About  noon  the  Thetis  anchored  3  miles  from 
the  village  of  Gambell,  near  Cape  Chibukak,  at  the  northwestern 
extremity  of  the  island,  where  there  is  a  settlement  of  from  300  to 
400  Eskimos  who  eke  out  a  precarious  existence  b}^  hunting  the  whale, 
walrus,  seal,  and  fish  of  the  adjacent  sea. 

St.  Lawrence  Island  is  a  long,  narrow  strip  of  land  in  northern 
Bering  sea,  40  miles  east  of  Indian  Point  on  the  Siberian  coast,  110 
miles  south  of  Bering  Straits,  and  about  120  miles  southwest  of  Nome, 
its  surface  is  a  rolling  tundra  with  here  and  there  a  range  of  barren 
hills.  It  is  a  cheerless,  desolate  region,  swept  by  the  arctic  gales; 
during  eight  or  nine  months  it  is  an  island  in  an  icebound  sea, 
absolutely  inaccessible  to  the  outside  world.  It  is  without  a  tree, 
without  agricultural  possibilities,  and,  so  far  as  known,  without  min¬ 
eral  resources.  On  the  island  are  large  tracts  of  reindeer  moss  which, 
as  grazing  ground  for  herds  of  reindeer,  redeem  the  island  from 
absolute  worthlessness.  For  the  civilization  of  the  natives,  the  Bureau 
of  Education  has  since  1891  maintained  a  public  school  in  the  village 
of  Gambell,  and  in  order,  if  possible,  to  provide  means  of  support  for 
the  natives,  in  1900  placed  a  herd  of  reindeer  on  the  island.  A  mission 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  has  been  maintained  here  since  1892. 
During  the  short  summer,  when  the  island  can  be  reached  b}r  ships, 
its  only  visitors  are  a  few  of  the  arctic  whalers,  en  route  to  the  whaling 
grounds  of  the  far  north,  and  the  revenue  cutter  on  its  annual  cruise. 
The  annual  mail  is  brought  by  the  cutter  and  the  provisions  and  other 
supplies  for  the  teachers  are  delivered  once  a  year  by  the  ship  which 
the  Bureau  of  Education  sends  with  supplies  for  all  the  arctic  stations. 

Very  soon  after  the  vessel  came  to  anchor,  Dr.  Edgar  O.  Campbell, 
who  is  the  public  school-teacher,  medical  missionary,  and  superintend¬ 
ent  of  the  reindeer  herd  on  this  island,  came  on  board  without  delay. 
I  accompanied  Doctor  Campbell  back  to  his  home  in  the  village,  where 
I  met  Mrs.  Campbell.  The  next  few  hours  were  spent  in  exchanging 
the  news  of  a  year,  in  inspecting  the  school  and  Government  property, 
in  attending  to  the  miscellaneous  business  connected  with  the  carrying 
on  of  the  school,  and  in  taking  photographs.  Doctor  Campbell’s 
account  of  his  work  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  report. 


46  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

At  7  o’clock  the  next  morning  the  Thetis  weighed  anchor  and  headed 
for  Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  the  westernmost  point  of  the  North  Ameri¬ 
can  Continent.  At  4  a.  m.  July  2,  we  were  abreast  of  the  Cape  Prince 
of  Wales  mountain,  rendered  remarkable  by  the  jagged  rocks  extend¬ 
ing  for  miles  along  its  summit.  The  sea  between  the  ship  and  the 
village  was  full  of  cakes  of  ice  drifting  rapidly  northward  through 
Bering  Strait  on  the  swift  current.  Communication  with  the  shore 
by  means  of  the  ship’s  boats  was  impossible;  steaming  southward  to  a 
small  bight  between  the  highland  of  Cape  Prince  of.  Wales  and  Cape 
York,  the  Thetis  came  to  anchor,  somewhat  sheltered  from  the  ice  fields. 
About  8  a.  m.  an  oomiak  load  of  natives,  who  had  been  out  hunting 
came  on  board.  After  considerable  persuasion  they  consented  to  take 
a  letter  to  Mr.  Rognon,  and  Mr.  Lee,  the  teacher  and  missionary  at 
Wales,  requesting  them  to  come  out  to  the  ship  if  possible.  Toward 
evening  these  gentlemen  arrived,  and  in  the  cabin  of  the  Thetis  con¬ 
siderable  business  was  rapidly  transacted,  the  visit  to  the  village  being 
postponed  until  later  in  the  season.  At  10  p.  m.  Mr.  Lee  and  Mr. 
Rognon  returned  to  the  village  with  the  mail  and  the  supplies  for  the 
school.  During  July  3  the  Thetis  was  joined  off  Cape  York  by  several 
vessels  of  the  arctic  whaling  fleet,  and  by  the  schooner  Laura  Madsen , 
of  San  Francisco,  having  on  board  the  annual  supplies  for  the  schools 
and  missions  on  the  shores  of  Bering  Sea  and  the  Arctic  Ocean;  all 
these  ships  were  barred  by  the  ice  from  progress  northward. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  in  honor  of  the  day,  the  vessels  were  gay  with 
flags,  and  at  noon  a  salute  of  21  guns  from  the  Thetis  sounded  out  over 
the  ice  fields.  Captain  Healy  entertained  the  captains  of  the  whalers 
and  Capt.  Philip  H.  Cook,  of  the  Madsen ,  at  dinner  in  the  cabin. 
During  the  afternoon  the  sailors  engaged  in  various  games — masthead 
races,  shoe  races,  and  other  frolicking.  Captain  Healy  had  intended 
to  visit  Teller  reindeer  station,  on  the  north  shore  of  Port  Clarence,  at 
this  time.  This  great  arm  of  the  sea  remaining  fast  locked  in  the  ice, 
an  entrance  was  impossible.  Returning  to  Nome,  July  6  and  7  were 
spent  at  anchor  and  sundry  repairs  to  th4  engine  were  made. 

At  8  a.  m.  July  8,  we  were  under  way,  with  the  Swedish  mission  sta¬ 
tion  on  Golofnin  Bay  as  our  objective  point.  When  we  passed  Cape 
Darby  and  Rocky  Point,  at  the  entrance  to  Golofnin  Bay,  a  strong 
southwest  wind  was  blowing  directly  into  the  bay  and  piling  up 
great  seas  on  the  beach,  making  a  landing  impossible.  Accordingly, 
the  ship  continued  her  course  toward  St.  Michael  through  Norton 
Sound,  tinged  with  the  flood  of  fresh  water  which  the  rivers  pour  into 
it,  and  covered  with  driftwood  brought  down  from  the  interior. 

At  7  a.  m.  J uly  9,  the  Thetis  dropped  anchor  under  Whale  Island, 
off  the  village  of  St.  Michael,  60  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Yukon. 
At  this  place  a  stockade  fort  was  established  by  the  Russians  in  1833. 
Until  the  completion  of  the  White  Pass  and  Yukon  Railway  three 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  47 


years  ago,  St.  Michael  was  the  principal  outlet  for  the  Yukon  trade 
and  the  onty  store  of  supplies  for  the  interior  of  Alaska.  During  the 
season  of  open  navigation — June  to  October — it  is  the  point  of  trans¬ 
fer  from  ocean-going  vessels  to  the  river  steamers.  The  village  con¬ 
sists  of  an  extensive  army  post,  two  hotels,  the  offices  and  lodging 
houses  of  the  Northern  Commercial  Company  and  the  North  American 
Trading  and  Transportation  Compan}-,  and  a  small  native  settlement. 

The  Thetis  remained  at  anchor  off  St.  Michael  until  August  1,  await¬ 
ing  the  arrival  of  the  Yukon  River  steamer  having  on  board  United 
States  Senator  Charles  H.  Dietrich,  of  Nebraska,  and  Miss  Dietrich, 
who  had  received  permission  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to 
make  the  arctic  cruise  on  the  Thetis.  Senator  Dietrich  had  expected 
to  meet  the  Thetis  at  St.  Michael  about  July  8,  his  steamer  being  due 
on  that  day;  but  sand  bars  and  shallows  play  havoc  with  the  schedules 
of  the  Yukon  River  steamers,  and  when  one  takes  passage  at  either 
end  of  the  river  route  it  is  a  matter  of  mere  conjecture  as  to  when  he 
will  arrive  at  his  destination. 

During  this  period  of  waiting  I  had  several  consultations  with  the 
members  of  the  local  school  committee  for  St.  Michael,  Maj.  R.  H. 
Wilson,  U.  S.  Army,  and  United  States  Commissioner  Merritt,  regard¬ 
ing  the  affairs  of  the  school.  The  teacher,  Mr.  Franklin  Moses,  was 
absent  up  the  Yukon,  having  secured  employment  during  his  vacation 
in  connection  with  the  Quartermaster’s  Department  of  the  Army. 
By  the  courtesy  of  Capt.  I.  N.  Hibberd,  in  charge  of  the  transporta¬ 
tion  department  of  the  Northern  Commercial  Company,  I  was  afforded 
an  opportunity  to  visit  Unalakleet,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Unalakleet 
River,  at  the  eastern  end  of  Norton  Sound.  At  Unalakleet  there  is  a 
public  school  and  a  mission  of  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Union.  It  is 
also  the  headquarters  of  Mr.  Axel  E.  Karlsen,  who  during  the  past 
year  has  had  the  oversight  of  the  reindeer  herds  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Unalakleet. 

The  upper  end  of  Norton  Sound  is  full  of  shoals  and  it  is  difficult  of 
navigation  for  a  vessel  drawing  more  than  a  few  feet.  It  was  there¬ 
fore  deemed  unwise  for  the  Thetis  to  make  the  attempt  to  reach 
Unalakleet.  It  could,  however,  be  reached  by  the  small  steamer 
Meteor ,  which  is  used  by  the  Northern  Commercial  Company  as  a  dis¬ 
patch  boat  between  headquarters  at  St.  Michael  and  places  in  the 
vicinity.  The  services  of  the  Meteor  being  in  constant  demand  in  St. 
Michael  Harbor,  it  was  possible  for  her  to  make  the  extra  trip  to 
Unalakleet  only  at  such  a  time  as  she  could  be  spared.  It  happened 
that  on  this  occasion  she  left  St.  Michael  at  8  o’clock  in  the  evening, 
arriving  at  Unalakleet  about  2  o’clock  the  following  morning.  As 
her  time  was  exceedingly  limited  I  hurriedly  transacted  my  business 
with  Mr.  Karlsen  and  Mr.  Carl  O.  Lind,  who  has  just  been  appointed 
superintendent  of  the  reindeer  herds  in  Alaska,  between  2  and  4  a.  m. , 


48  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

when  it  was  necessaiy  to  return  on  account  of  falling  tide  and  urgent 
business.  Lieutenant  Goudey,  the  navigating  officer  of  the  Thetis , 
accompanied  me  on  this  trip  in  order  that  he  might  obtain  information 
regarding  the  upper  part  of  Norton  Sound  which  might  be  of  service 
to  him  in  future  cruises.  At  this  season  of  the  year  there  is  no  night, 
and  the  transaction  of  our  midnight  business  was  not  hampered  by 
darkness.  There  were,  however,  swarms  of  mosquitoes  which  attacked 
us  as  soon  as  we  landed  and  continued  their  operations  unceasingly 
until  we  were  out  in  the  sound  again. 

Observations  during  our  recent  visit  to  St.  Lawrence  Island  had 
led  me  to  decide  that  it  was  not  wise  to  leave  Doctor  Campbell  and 
Mrs.  Campbell  alone  on  the  island.  This  being  also  the  opinion  of 
Captain  Healy,  it  was  determined  to  send  an  assistant  to  Doctor  Camp¬ 
bell,  if  a  suitable  person  for  that  position  could  be  procured  in  this 
region.  At  St.  Michael,  in  the  employ  of  the  Northern  Commercial 
Company,  we  found  Mr.  Thomas  Richards,  who  had  been  boatswain 
on  the  U.  S.  S.  Bear  for  eight  years,  and  had  also  been  assistant 
keeper  of  the  refuge  station  at  Point  Barrow.  He  has  had  long 
experience  in  dealing  with  the  Eskimos,  and  possesses  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  life  in  the  Arctic.  He  was  highly  recommended  by 
Captain  Healy,  who  had  been  in  command  of  the  Bear  during  Mr. 
Richards’  period  of  service.  Mr.  Richards  accepted  the  position,  and 
on  July  13  came  on  board  the  Thetis  for  transportation  to  St.  Lawrence 
Island. 

During  the  afternoon  of  July  27  the  Northern  Commercial  Com¬ 
pany’s  steamer  Healy  arrived,  having  on  board  United  States  Senators 
Burnham,  Dillingham,  Nelson,  and  Patterson,  the  members  of  the 
Senate  Committee  on  Territories,  who  were  making  an  official  visit  to 
Alaska;  also  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  of  the  Senate  and  other  gentlemen 
connected  with  the  Senatorial  party.  During  the  remainder  of  this 
and  the  following  day  the  Senators  were  busily  engaged  in  interview¬ 
ing  the  leading  men  of  St.  Michael,  obtaining  information  at  first 
hand  regarding  legislation  needed  for  Alaska.  On  the  evening  of 
July  28  Capt.  Omar  J.  Humphrey  and  Capt.  I.  N.  Hibberd,  in  charge 
of  the  affairs  of  the  North  American  Trading  and  Transportation 
Company  and  the  Northern  Commercial  Company,  respectively,  gave 
a  banquet  in  honor  of  the  members  of  the  Senatorial  party,  at  which 
guests  from  the  army  post,  the  revenue  cutters  Thetis  and  Me  Culloch , 
and  the  village  of  St.  Michael  were  also  present.  There  were  no 
speeches,  and  the  informality  and  cordial  spirit  of  the  occasion  were 
greatly  enjoyed.  After  the  banquet  many  of  the  guests  accompanied 
the  Senators  on  board  one  of  the  harbor  tugs  and  escorted  them  to  the 
U.  S.  S.  McCulloch ,  on  which  they  left  for  Nome  at  about  11  p.  m. 

On  August  1  Senator  Dietrich  and  Miss  Dietrich  arrived  on  the 
river  steamer  Sara ,  and  were  received  on  board  the  Thetis.  They 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  49 


were  our  fellow-passengers  during  the  rest  of  the  summer.  At  9.30 
the  same  evening  the  Thetis  steamed  out  of  St.  Michael  Harbor  en 
route  for  Nome. 

At  Nome,  on  August  2,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Peter  Trimble  Rowe,  who  was 
making  his  official  tour  of  inspection  of  the  mission  stations  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  western  Alaska,  joined  the  Thetis  for 
transportation  to  Point  Hope.  Bishop  Rowe  visits  this  remote  sta¬ 
tion  once  ever}^  three  years.  It  can  be  conveniently  reached  onU  on 
the  annual  cruise  of  the  revenue  cutter. 

Upon  leaving  Nome,  August  3,  we  encountered  rough  weather. 
During  the  night  we  passed  through  Bering  Straits  and  entered  the 
Arctic  Ocean.  On  August  4  we  anchored  off  Point  Hope.  From  the 
high  ground  of  the  mainland  a  narrow  strip  of  absolutely  barren 
land,  only  a  few  feet  above  the  sea,  extends  about  16  miles  into  the 
Arctic  Ocean.  Its  shape  gives  this  projection  its  native  name,  Tigerah 
(The  Finger).  It  has  evidently  been  formed  by  ice  fields  grounding 
and  pushing  up  the  sand  and  stones  into  a  ridge  before  them.  Near 
the  ocean  end  of  this  narrow  peninsula  is  the  native  village,  a  cluster 
of  sod  huts.  About  a  mile  to  the  eastward  are  the  mission  buildings, 
and  about  the  same  distance  nearer  to  the  mainland  are  several  whaling- 
stations,  inhabited  by  white  men. 

A  party  from  the  Thetis  accompanied  Bishop  Rowe  ashore  and  visited 
Dr.  John  B.  Driggs,  the  medical  missionary  in  charge  of  the  station. 
Doctor  Driggs  hospitably  entertained  us  at  a  lunch  in  which  the  prin¬ 
cipal  article  of  food  was  steak  from  the  Row  head  whale,  prepared  by 
native  cooks.  The  cooking  reflected  credit  upon  the  cooks  and  their 
instructor.  Doctor  Driggs  has  been  in  charge  of  this  mission  continu¬ 
ously  since  1890,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months  during  the  winter 
of  1895,  when  he  visited  the  States.  At  Point  Hope  the  sun  sinks 
below  the  horizon  about  December  10  and  rises  again  about  January 
3,  giving  Doctor  Driggs  and  his  associates  a  night  of  more  than  five 
hundred  hours.  In  the  long  dusk  of  the  arctic  winter,  lamps  are 
required  in  the  schoolroom  continuously  from  November  to  February. 
The  gales  sweep  unobstructed  over  the  ice  fields  and  the  low-lying  land; 
the  snow  flies  in  perfect  sheets,  almost  blinding  those  who  leave  the 
shelter  of  their  houses;  it  seems  at  times  as  if  the  mission  building 
itself  must  be  blown  from  its  foundations.  Sometimes,  before  the 
Arctic  Ocean  is  imprisoned  by  the  winter  ice,  great  seas  break  upon 
the  narrow  strip  of  land,  almost  submerging  it  from  shore  to  shore. 
Formerly  the  land  extended  farther  into  the  ocean;  during  an  autumn 
storm  the  ice  pack  came  down  upon  it  with  such  violence  as  to  sweep 
away  a  considerable  portion,  submerging  a  number  of  native  huts. 
The  effects  of  mission  and  school  work,  here  and  at  other  places  in 
Alaska  where  these  beneficent  influences  have  been  at  work,  are  evident 


50  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


in  the  brighter,  more  intelligent  expressions  of  the  faces  of  the  natives 
and  in  the  greater  amount  of  cleanliness  to  be  found. 

Near  Cape  Lisburne,  a  rugged  headland  850  feet  in  height,  coal  has 
been  discovered  and  has  been  mined  to  some  extent.  While  searching 
for  the  missing  steamer  Portland ,  and  during  our  almost  constant 
troubles  with  ice,  a  great  quantity  of  coal  had  been  consumed  by  the 
Thetis ,  and  Captain  Healy  wished  to  replenish  the  bunkers  from  this 
arctic  mine.  We  were  greatly  disappointed  on  arriving  at  this  place, 
August  6,  to  find  that  the  few  miners  who  had  been  there  earlier  in 
the  season  had  ceased  their  operations,  the  mine  was  deserted,  and  no 
coal  could  be  obtained. 

During  the  following  days  we  coasted  through  scattered  ice  fields 
northward  along  the  coast,  which  for  hundreds  of  miles  is  almost  level 
with  the  sea.  In  thick  weather  it  is  almost  impossible  to  distinguish 
the  land  from  the  water.  On  August  6,  near  Icy  Cape,  we  sighted 
the  beacon  which  the  Bear  had  erected,  in  1902,  as  an  aid  to  naviga¬ 
tion.  At  this  point  the  lookout  in  the  crow’s  nest  reported  impene¬ 
trable  ice  ahead  and  anchor  was  dropped  about  4  miles  from  shore. 
For  the  next  thirty-six  hours  we  remained  in  this  region,  frequently" 
shifting  anchorage  to  avoid  the  drifting  ice.  During  this  period  of 
waiting,  several  shooting  parties  left  the  ship  and  explored  the  neigh¬ 
boring  beach  and  tundra. 

Icy  Cape  was  the  northernmost  point  reached  by  Capt.  James  Cook, 
August  18,  1778,  when  searching  for  the  Northwest  Passage,  and  it 
received  its  name  from  him.  From  this  extreme  northern  limit  of  his 
explorations  he  proceeded  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  where  he  met  his 
death. 

It  was  important  for  the  Thetis  to  reach  Point  Barrow  and  deliver 
the  annual  mail  to  the  teachers,  missionaries,  and  whalemen  at  that 
northwesternmost  point  of  the  continent.  Accordingly,  many  attempts 
were  made  to  penetrate  the  ice,  but  with  little  success. 

On  August  8,  in  the  vicinity  of  Point  Belcher,  about  80  miles  south¬ 
west  of  Point  Barrow,  it  was  found  impossible  to  proceed  farther 
north.  The  supply  of  coal  was  barely  sufficient  to  take  the  ship  back 
to  Dutch  Harbor,  the  nearest  coaling  station,  about  1,400  miles  away. 
It  might  be  several  weeks  before  the  ice  would  leave  the  shore,  mak¬ 
ing  it  possible  to  approach  Point  Barrow.  On  the  evening  of  August  8 
Captain  Healy  reluctantly  decided  to  give  up  the  attempt  to  reach 
Point  Barrow  this  season  and  the  Thetis  headed  southward. 

On  August  10,  we  arrived  at  Point  Hope  and  left  with  Doctor 
Driggs  the  mail  for  Point  Barrow,  which  Doctor  Driggs  agreed  to 
forward  to  its  destination  by  the  overland  mail  route,  which  is  to 
commence  operations  during  the  winter  of  1903-4.  Bishop  Howe 
returned  on  board  and  was  with  us  until  the  ship  reached  Nome  again. 
At  2  p.  m.  August  11,  the  Thetis  anchored  off  Cape  Blossom,  in  Kotze- 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  51 


bue  Sound.  During*  the  evening  Mr.  Dana  Thomas,  the  superintendent 
of  the  Friends’  Mission  at  Kotzebue,  near  the  entrance  to  Hotharn 
Inlet,  came  on  board  and  I  *  had  a  hurried  interview  with  him.  His 
report  for  the  year  is  printed  elsewhere  in  this  appendix.  At  9.15 
the  Thetis  was  again  under  way. 

After  making  a  detour  to  the  Siberian  coast,  where  the  villages  of 
Whalen  and  Indian  Point  were  visited,  we  anchored  off  the  village  of 
Wales  at  noon  August  16.  Mr.  Lee  and  Mr.  Rognon  at  once  came 
out  to  the  ship  and  several  of  us  returned  with  him  to  the  village  in 
aft  oomiak.  From  time  immemorial  the  oomiak  has  been  the  general 
utility  boat  used  by  the  Eskimos  throughout  this  region.  It  is  about 
20  feet  long,  3^  feet  beam,  and  3  feet  deep;  it  is  constructed  of  drift¬ 
wood,  over  which  walrus  or  sea-lion  hide  has  been  tightly  stretched. 
It  is  flat-bottomed  and  can  easily  be  dragged  through  the  surf  over 
the  shallows  and  high  on  the  beach  out  of  reach  of  the  waves.  When 
turned  upside  down  on  shore  it  affords  the  natives  shelter  from  rain 
storms.  These  oomiaks  are  quite  seaworthy,  and  in  them  during  the 
summer  men  and  women,  with  their  children,  dogs,  cooking  utensils, 
and  the  miscellaneous  property  acquired  bv  these  inveterate  traders, 
make  long  voyages  up  and  down  the  Alaskan  coast.  The  natives  of 
Cape  Prince  of  Wales  in  their  oomiaks  frequently  cross  the  40  miles 
of  rough  water  of  Bering  Strait  and  visit  the  villages  along  the 
Siberian  shore. 

The  village  of  Wales  has  a  native  population  of  about  500;  it  is  the 
largest  village  on  the  Alaskan  coast.  Since  1890  a  station  of  the 
American  Missionary  Association  (Congregational)  and  a  public  school 
have  been  maintained  at  this  place.  The  mission  at  Wales  was  the 
first  to  receive  a  herd  of  reindeer.  Eskimos  now  own  hundreds  of 
deer  of  their  own,  and  if  they  retain  the  habits  of  thrift  which  the 
missionaries  and  teachers  inculcate  they  will  be  the  wealthiest  natives 
in  that  region,  and  their  influence  will  be  increasingly  felt  far  and 
wide  among  the  Eskimos  of  the  other  villages. 

At  Wales  is  a  store  conducted  by  natives  (Akbaok  &  Co.),  and  sev¬ 
eral  small  frame  buildings  among  the  driftwood  huts  are  evidences  of 
the  ambition  of  the  more  enterprising  natives  to  improve  their  prim¬ 
itive  conditions.  At  the  time  of  our  visit  the  village  was  almost 
deserted,  the  natives  being  absent  on  hunting  expeditions  along  the 
coast  or  engaged  in  the  less  praiseworthy  occupation  of  loafing  in  the 
outskirts  of  Nome. 

During  the  afternoon  we  visited  Mr.  Lee  and  his  family  in  the 
mission  house  on  the  hill  overlooking  the  village,  inspected  the  school 
building,  and  paid  short  visits  to  some  of  the  native  huts.  At  9 
o’clock  in  the  evening  the  Thetis  was  under  way  for  Port  Clarence. 
Very  early  in  the  morning  of  August  17  we  arrived  at  Teller  reindeer 
station,  on  the  north  shore  of  Port  Clarence,  an  arm  of  the  sea  which 
indents  the  western  end  of  the  Seward  Peninsula  a  short  distance 


S.  Dot:.  210,  58-2 - 5 


52  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ^ALASKA. 

south  of  Bering  Straits.  It  was  first  visited  and  described  by  Captain 
Beechey,  of  H.  M.  S.  Blossom ,  1827,  who  named  it  Port  Clarence  after 
the  Duke  of  Clarence.  It  is  a  good  harbor,  free  from  the  ocean  swell, 
and  is  the  rendezvous  for  the  arctic  whaling  fleet  that  here  in  July  of 
each  year  awaits  the  arrival  of  the  coal  tender  from  San  Francisco. 
As  a  rule,  the  bay  is  clear  of  ice  about  June  25.  The  season  of  1903 
was  exceptional. 

Port  Clarence  being  the  nearest  harbor  to  that  part  of  Siberia  from 
which  reindeer  have  been  obtained  since  1892,  it  has  been  the  receiv¬ 
ing  point  for  the  deer  brought  over  season  after  season  by  theU.  S.  S. 
Bear.  From  Teller  reindeer  station,  winter  after  winter,  herds  have 
been  sent  out  over  the  frozen  tundra  to  the  other  centers  of  the  rein¬ 
deer  industry  in  Alaska. 

August  17  was  one  of  those  perfect  days  which  in  midsummer  some¬ 
times  gladden  the  traveler  in  the  arctic  regions.  The  sun  shone 
brightly,  the  air  was  mild,  and  the  sea  smooth.  Mr.  T.  L.  Brevig, 
who  has  been  the  superintendent  of  Teller  reindeer  station  for  many 
years,  came  out  to  the  Thetis  before  anyone  on  board  was  stirring, 
except  those  on  watch,  and  reported  that  the  reindeer  herd  was  graz¬ 
ing  about  5  miles  distant  from  the  station,  but  that  a  messenger  had 
been  sent  to  tell  the  herders  to  drive  the  deer  to  the  station  in  order 
that  we  might  see  them.  Going  ashore,  we  walked  several  miles 
along  the  beach  and  met  the  herd  coming  to  the  station.  On  our 
way  we  passed  the  stump  of  one  of  the  telegraph  poles  erected  in 
1867  by  the  expedition  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company, 
which  endeavored  to  construct  a  telegraph  line  across  Alaska  to  con¬ 
nect  with  the  line  across  eastern  Siberia.  The  success  of  the  trans- 
Atlantic  cable  caused  this  project  to  be  abandoned. 

While  we  accompanied  the  herd  back  to  the  station  we  had  ample 
opportunity  to  observe  the  deer  at  close  range.  A  reindeer  is  usually 
brown  in  color,  white  spots  appear  on  some,  and  a  few  are  pure  white. 
The  average  height  at  the  shoulder  is  about  3i  feet,  and  the  weight  of 
a  full-grown  deer  is  perhaps  250  pounds.  Reindeer  are  very  gregari¬ 
ous  and  are  easiU  herded;  two  or  three  dogs  easily  keep  a  herd  of 
several  hundred  from  scattering.  They  do  not  have  to  be  fed,  graz¬ 
ing  for  themselves  winter  and  summer  on  the  reindeer  moss  ( Cladonia 
rangiferina)  and  grass  which  abound  throughout  northwestern  and 
arctic  Alaska.  In  the  winter  they  paw  away  the  snow  with  their 
front  hoofs  and  easily  reach  the  moss  and  grass  beneath,  unless  the 
snow  is  covered  with  a  coat  of  ice,  which  herders  must  then  break  for 
them.  They  do  not  require  the  shelter  of  a  shed  in  winter.  During 
the  calving  season — March  and  April — the  herds  are  kept  under  the 
lee  of  the  hills,  which  furnish  all  the  protection  they  require. 

After  a  very  enjoyable  visit  to  the  station  we  returned  to  the  Thetis , 
and  during  the  afternoon,  in  one  of  the  ship’s  sailing  cutters,  made  a 
voyage  to  the  town  of  Teller,  near  the  head  of  the  bay.  Teller  was 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


53 


formerly  a  flourishing  town,  the  distributing  point  for  supplies  for 
this  section  of  the  countiy.  The  mining  district  in  which  it  is  situated 
not  proving  rich,  there  has  been  an  exodus  from  Teller,  and  it  is  now 
a  deserted  town;  streets  of  neatly  built  frame  houses  empty  and  going 
to  wreck  and  ruin  are  a  depressing  reminder  of  the  days  of  the  town’s 
prosperity.  The  Bureau  of  Education  formerly  maintained  a  public 
school  at  this  place,  but  here,  as  elsewhere  in  the  mining  regions  of 
Alaska,  the  school  had  to  be  discontinued  on  account  of  lack  of  pupils. 

On  Angust  18  we  visited  King  Island,  a  mass  of  basalt  about  a  mile 
in  length  rising  800  feet  above  the  sea  near  the  southern  end  of  Bering 
Straits.  There  is  no  beach  anywhere  on  the  island,  the  sea  breaking 
directly  against  the  rocks,  and  it  is  seldom  that  a  landing  can  be  made 
with  ship’s  boats.  On  this  occasion  the  sea  being  unusually  smooth,  a 
party  from  the  Thetis  succeeded  in  exploring  the  cave  to  the  right  of 
the  ravine  on  the  south  side  of  the  island.  Into  the  mouth  of  the  cave 
the  sea  dashes.  There  is  a  shaft  leading  from  the  top  of  the  island 
into  the  cave;  through  this  cleft  in  the  mountain  the  snow  has  drifted, 
forming  a  bank  10  or  50  feet  high,  a  barrier  between  the  outer  and 
inner  parts  of  the  cave.  By  means  of  steps  cut  in  the  hard  snow  and 
a  rope  securely  fastened  near  the  summit  of  the  snow  bank,  we  over¬ 
came  this  obstacle  and  penetrated  into  the  interior  of  the  cave.  From 
time  immemorial  this  cavern  has  been  used  as  a  storehouse  by  the 
King  Island  natives.  Walrus  and  seal  meat  are  cached  among  the 
rocks.  *  In  the  floor  of  the  inner  cave  are  entrances  to  shafts  which 
appear  to  extend  deep  down  into  the  island.  The  rocks  are  slippery 
with  the  slime  of  ages,  and  the  air  is  indescribably  foul  from  the 
putrefaction  of  masses  of  meat. 

The  cliffs  of  King  Island  rise  precipitously  from  the  ocean.  Near 
the  entrance  to  the  cave  a  ravine  rising  from  the  ocean  at  an  angle  of 
about  45  degrees  scars  the  cliff.  On  the  sides  of  this  ravine  cluster  the 
huts  of  these  arctic  cliff  dwellers.  Their  winter  homes  are  huts  rudely 
constructed  of  unhewn  stone;  their  summer  dwellings  are  rectangular 
tents  of  walrus  hide  stretched  over  driftwood  frames,  guyed  to  the 
rocks  to  prevent  them  from  being  blown  out  to  sea.  This  unique  set¬ 
tlement  was  visited  by  Capt.  James  Cook,  August  6,  1778,  and  named 
b}r  him  King  Island,  after  Lieut.  James  King,  a  member  of  his  party. 
At  the  time  of  our  visit  the  village  was  absolutely  deserted,  the  popu¬ 
lation  having  migrated  to  the  mainland  for  the  summer. 

On  August  19  Bishop  Bo  we  left  us  at  Nome,  and  here  once  more 
stores  of  fresh  provisions  were  purchased. 

An  August  21  we  made  our  second  and  tinal  visit  for  the  season  to 
the  exiled  teachers  on  St.  Lawrence  Island.  During  the  summer 
Doctor  Campbell  and  the  native  carpenters  had  constructed  an  annex 
to  the  station  building,  which  was  to  be  used  as  a  hospital.  This  build¬ 
ing  reflects  credit  upon  the  industry  and  ability  of  Doctor  Campbell 
and  his  assistants.  Here  we  left  Mr.  Richards,  who,  during  the  coming 


54  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


winter  of  absolute  isolation  from  the  outside  world,  will  assist  Doctor 
and  Mrs.  Campbell  in  the  work  of  the  station. 

The  next  place  at  which  we  touched  was  the  village  of  St.  Paul, 
on  the  island  of  the  same  name,  the  largest  of  the  Pribilof  group,  con¬ 
sisting  of  St.  Paul,  St.  George,  Otter  and  Walrus,  the  so-called  seal 
islands,  in  southern  Bering  Sea. 

In  1786,  when  the  supply  of  furs  upon  the  Aleutian  Islands  began 
to  decrease,  efforts  were  made  to  discover  the  summer  retreat  of 
the  fur  seal,  large  numbers  of  which  were  observed  going  northward 
through  the  passes  between  the  Aleutian  Islands  in  June  of  each  }^ear. 
But  so  well  were  these  small  islands  hidden  in  the  almost  perpetual 
fog  of  Bering  Sea  that  the  Russian  navigator  Gerassim  Gabrilovich 
Pribilof  cruised  around  them  for  three  weeks  in  his  vessel  St.  George 
without  discovering  them.  At  last  the  fog  lifted  and  the  green  shores 
of  the  island  were  disclosed,  its  rocky  beaches  covered  with  myriads  of 
seal.  In  after  years  these  islands  became  the  “bank”  which  supplied 
Baranof,  the  chief  manager  of  the  Russian- American  Fur  Company, 
with  funds  to  pay  the  expenses  of  his  establishment  in  Alaska.  If  he 
needed  supplies  for  his  trading  posts  all  he  had  to  do  was  to  obtain 
them  from  the  American  and  British  ships  which  visited  him  at  Sitka, 
and  send  their  owners  to  the  Pribilof  Islands  to  take  their  pay  in  seal¬ 
skins.  In  order  that  the  supply  of  seal  might  not  be  exhausted,  in 
1805  the  Russian  Government  prohibited  all  killing  of  seal  for  a  period 
of  five  years  and  the  rookeries  regained  their  former  numbers.  For 
a  few  years  after  the  transfer  of  Alaska  to  the  United  States  the 
slaughter  of  the  seals  was  carried  on  without  any  restraint  whatever. 
In  1869  the  islands  were  declared  a  Government  reservation  and  a 
company  of  soldiers  stationed  on  them.  In  1870  the  seal  fisheries 
were  leased  for  20  years  to  the  Alaska  Commercial  Company,  of  San 
Francisco,  at  an  annual  rent  of  $55,000,  and  a  tax  of  $2.62^  on  each 
skin.  In  1890,  at  the  expiration  of  their  lease,  the  Alaska  Commer¬ 
cial  Company  had  paid  into  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States 
$5,956,565.67.  Since  1890  the  lease  of  these  fisheries  has  been  held 
by  the  North  American  Commercial  Company,  also  of  San  Francisco; 
the  present  annual  rent  is  $60,000  and  the  tax  on  each  sealskin  taken 
is  $10.  Pelagic  sealing  arid  rookery  raiding  have  so  diminished  the 
numbers  of  seals  visiting  the  islands  that  about  20,000  is  now  the 
average  number  killed  by  the  company  each  season. 

At  9  a.  m.  August  25  the  Thetis  anchored  several  miles  out  from 
the  village  of  St.  Paul.  Without  delay  a  boat  left  the  ship  taking  a 
party  for  a  visit  to  the  village  and  the  seal  rookeries.  Mr.  H.  Chi¬ 
chester,  the  agent  of  the  Treasury  Department,  kindly  accompanied 
us  from  the  village  to  the  nearest  of  the  rookeries,  which  is  the  name 
given  to  the  tracts  along  the  shores  of  the  island  which  are  frequented 
by  the  seal  during  the  summer  months.  At  these  places  the  grass  has 
long  since  disappeared,  and  the  rocks  have  been  worn  smooth  by  the 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


successive  generations  of  the  amphibian  millions  that  have  clambered 
over  them  for  an  unknown  period  of  years.  Hundreds  of  seals  were 
seen  lying  on  the  sand  or  frolicking  in  the  adjacent  waves. 

Hearing  that  numbers  of  sea  lions  were  to  be  found  with  the  seal  at 
the  rookeries  near  Northeast  Point,  about  30  miles  away,  Senator 
Dietrich  expressed  a  desire  to  visit  this  out-of-the-way  spot.  I 
wished  to  see  as  much  of  the  island  as  possible  in  order  to  form  an 
idea  of  its  adaptability  for  the  reindeer  industry.  Accordingly  the 
two  mules  on  the  island  were  hitched  to  the  company’s  buckboard,  and 
Mr.  Allis,  of  the  North  American  Commercial  Company,  and  Mr. 
Chichester  very  kindly  escorted  us  on  our  drive  over  the  rough 
tundra  to  this  remote  corner  of  the  island.  We  were  amply  repaid. 
The  number  of  seal  at  Northeast  Point  far  exceeds  the  number  at  the 
rookeries  near  the  village,  and  we  had  ample  opportunity  to  observe 
the  tawn}r  sea  lions.  These  huge  animals  once  frequented  Bering  Sea 
in  large  numbers,  but  they  are  now  becoming  rare.  The  undulating 
surface  of  the  island,  covered  with  grasses  and  moss,  with  fresh-water 
lakes  here  and  there,  is  admirably  adapted  for  reindeer  herding. 
Night  had  fallen  by  the  time  we  returned  to  the  village  of  St.  Paul. 
During  the  afternoon  Lieutenant  Goudey  and  a  boat’s  crew  from  the 
Thetis  had  come  to  take  us  back  to  the  ship;  meanwhile  the  wind  had 
shifted,  and  it  was  not  thought  safe  to  attempt  to  pass  in  the  darkness 
the  reef  which  almost  bars  the  entrance  to  the  small  harbor.  How¬ 
ever  we  decided  to  make  the  attempt,  and  rowed  out  from  the  wharf 
toward  the  mouth  of  the  harbor.  Soon  the  sound  of  breakers  was 
heard  and  suddenly  a  line  of  gleaming  surf  appeared  just  ahead  of  the 
boat.  The  narrow  passage  between  the  rocks  could  not  be  distin¬ 
guished.  Having  in  mind  the  fact  that  some  years  ago  a  boat  return¬ 
ing  to  the  Bear  under  similar  circumstances  was  capsized  in  these  icy 
waters  and  several  lives  lost,  we  determined  to  return  to  the  village. 
With  the  cordial  hospitality  characteristic  of  the  employees  of  the 
great  trading  companies  throughout  Alaska,  Mr.  Allis  and  Mr.  Chi¬ 
chester  welcomed  us  again  and  entertained  us  for  the  night.  From 
the  cliff  above  the  village  Lieutenant  Goudey  signaled  with  a  lantern 
to  the  Thetis  lying  offshore  and  conveyed  the  news  that  we  would  not 
return  until  daylight.  The  following  morning  we  passed  the  reef 
successfully  and  returned  to  the  ship. 

During  the  afternoon  of  August  26  we  were  abreast  of  the  village 
of  St.  George.  On  account  of  the  heavy  surf  no  landing  could  be 
made  here.  Signals  were  hoisted  upon  the  flagstaff  in  front  of  the 
headquarters  of  the  North  American  Commercial  Company,  request¬ 
ing  the  Thetis  to  steam  around  the  island  to  Garden  Cove,  a  sheltered 
bay  on  the  opposite  shore,  whither  a  runner  carrying  the  mail  would 
be  at  once  sent.  At  1  p.  m.  the  Thetis  anchored  off  this  protected 
spot,  and  the  mail  for  the  States  was  received  on  board. 


56  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


At  5  p.  m.  August  27  the  Tlietis  anchored  in  Dutch  Harbor,  ending 
her  summer’s  cruise  in  Bering  Sea  and  the  Arctic  Ocean.  The  next  ten 
days  were  spent  in  coaling,  making  extensive  repairs  to  the  engine, 
and  in  overhauling  the  ship  preparatory  to  her  homeward  voyage. 
During  this  time  I  again  inspected  the  public  schools  at  Unalaska. 

On  the  evening  of  September  5  a  native  in  a  bidarka  made  his 
appearance  in  the  harbor  and  reported  that  the  schooner  Abbie  M. 
Deering  had  been  wrecked  on  the  rocks  near  Akutan  Pass  and  that 
immediate  assistance  was  needed.  The  U.  S.  S.  Manning ,  Captain 
McClellan  commanding,  at  once  steamed  out  of  the  harbor  to  the 
relief  of  the  distressed  vessel  and  returned  with  the  shipwrecked  pas¬ 
sengers  on  the  morning  of  the  6th.  The  shipwrecked  people  were 
received  on  the  Thetis  for  transportation  to  the  States.  The  Deering 
had  left  Nome  August  27,  with  39  passengers  en  route  for  Kodiak 
Island,  where  a  rich  gold  find  had  been  reported.  She  had  been 
becalmed  in  Akutan  Pass  September  4  and  driven  upon  the  rocks  by 
the  strong  current.  The  passengers,  crew,  and  baggage  were  landed 
on  the  rocks  and  sheltered  from  the  elements  in  tents  made  from  the 
vessel’s  sails,  and  a  letter  was  dispatched  to  Dutch  Harbor,  30  miles 
distant,  asking  for  immediate  assistance. 

At  7  a.  m.  September  7  the  Thetis  cast  off  from  the  dock  at  Dutch 
Harbor  and  commenced  her  eastward  voyage. 

During  the  morning  we  sighted  the  Deering  lying  on  the  rocks, 
apparently  a  complete  wreck.  For  the  next  few  days  we  coasted  along 
the  southern  shore  of  continental  Alaska,  frequently  sighting  its  bar¬ 
ren  cliffs  and  mountain  ranges,  but  we  did  not  touch  at  any  point 
until  we  reached  Valdez,  in  Prince  William  Sound,  September  12. 
At  this  place  the  trail  to  the  interior,  constructed  by  the  War  Depart¬ 
ment,  commences.  Valdez  has  been  selected  as  the  starting  point  for 
one  of  the  all-American  routes  to  the  Yukon  Valley. 

During  the  three  days’  voyage  between  Prince  William  Sound  and 
Sitka  we  encountered  rough  weather,  and  the  shelter  afforded  by 
Sitka  Harbor,  where  we  arrived  September  17,  was  very  welcome. 

The  voyage  through  the  tortuous  waters  of  the  “inside  passage” 
being  dangerous  for  a  vessel  without  a  pilot,  and  no  pilot  being  obtain¬ 
able  in  Sitka,  Captain  Healy  decided  to  return  to  Seattle  by  the  out¬ 
side  passage  through  the  North  Pacific.  Wishing  to  visit  as  man}^  of 
the  public  schools  in  southeast  Alaska  as  possible,  I  left  the  Thetis  at 
Sitka,  September  19,  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  mail  steamer  which 
would  touch  at  many  of  the  villages  in  which  our  schools  are  situated. 

Late  in  the  evening  of  the  19th  the  U.  S.  S.  Perry  arrived  at  Sitka; 
having  completed  her  summer’s  work  in  southeastern  and  western 
Alaska  she  was  homeward  bound  and  had  come  to  Sitka  for  coal. 
Captain  Tuttle,  commanding  the  Perry ,  gave  me  a  cordial  invitation  to 
make  the  rest  of  my  voyage  on  the  Perry. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


57 


While  in  Sitka  I  frequently  visited  the  public  schools,  which  are  in 
charge  of  Mr.  Grant  Smith,  Mrs.  M.  A.  Saxman,  and  Miss  Constance 
J.  Stowell;  also  the  industrial  shops  of  the  Presbyterian  Industrial 
School,  and  greatly  enjoyed  the  courtesies  extended  by  hospitable 
friends  in  Sitka. 

At  6  a.  m.,  September  26,  the  Perry  commenced  her  homeward 
voyage  to  Seattle.  She  was  commanded  by  Capt.  Francis  Tuttle,  and 
her  officers  were  Second  Lieut.  Harry  G.  Hamlet,  Third  Lieut.  William 
A.  Whittier,  Third  Lieut.  Thos.  M.  Molloy,  Chief  Engineer  John  B. 
Coyle,  Asst.  Engineer  Lorenzo  C.  Farwell,  Asst.  Engineer  G.  A. 
Glover,  and  Surg.  R.  N.  Hawley. 

On  the  way  to  Seattle  I  visited  the  public  schools  at  Killisnoo,  Hoo- 
nah,  Haines,  and  Saxman. 

After  a  pleasant  voyage  we  arrived  at  Seattle  at  3  p.  m.  October  11. 
After  purchasing  and  arranging  for  the  shipment  of  certain  school 
supplies  that  were  needed  in  western  Alaska  without  delay,  I  left 
Seattle  for  San  Francisco  October  15.  In  San  Francisco  I  attended 
to  various  matters  of  business  with  the  firm  that  had  furnished  the 
supplies  for  the  stations  in  Arctic  Alaska.  On  October  26  I  arrived 
in  Washington,  completing  a  tour  of  inspection  that  had  covered  a 
distance  of  16,000  miles. 

I  desire  to  express  my  appreciation  of  the  numerous  courtesies 
received  from  Capt.  Michael  A.  Healy,  commanding  the  U.  S.  S. 
Thetis ,  from  Capt.  Francis  Tuttle,  commanding  the  U.  S.  S.  Perry , 
and  from  the  officers  attached  to  those  vessels.  By  the  cooperation  of 
these  gentlemen  I  was  enabled  to  visit  many  schools  in  remote  villages 
which  could  not  have  been  reached  in  any  other  way. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  yours, 

William  Hamilton, 
Assistant  Agent  of  Education  in  Alaska . 

Hon.  W.  T.  Harris,  LL.  D., 

Commissioner  of  Education. 

(Through  Sheldon  Jackson,  LL.  D.,  general  agent  of  education  in 
Alaska.) 


ANNUAL  REPORT  POINT  BARROW  REINDEER  STATION. 

Barrow,  Alaska,  July  7,  1903. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  612  deer  at  this  station. 

Our  loss  this  year  has  been  unprecedented — 75,  from  a  variety  of 
causes.  The  greatest  loss  was  in  what  the  natives  call  “mullo-kully,” 
or  crazy.  All  animals  around  here  were  affected — dogs,  foxes,  and 
deer.  The  dogs  died  by  scores.  I  lost  7;  some  families  lost  every 
dog  they  owned.  The  trading  station  out  of  70  dogs  saved  12.  Peo¬ 
ple  out  trapping  walked  around  knocking  sick  foxes  on  the  head,  and 


58  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

hardly  a  week  passed  without  one  of  the  deer  succumbing.  The  most 
provoking  part  about  the  deer  was  that  the  meat  was  not  even  good 
enough  for  the  Eskimos  to  eat,  although  they  eat  seals  thoroughly 
ripened  by  the  sun  for  four  or  five  months. 

In  view  of  the  mail  route  established  this  year,  I  would  recommend 
that  Electoona  and  Otpelle  be  sent  to  the  Kivalena  River,  near  Point 
Hope,  and  Ahlook,  Shoudla,  and  Paneoneo  near  Icy  Cape.  Also  that 
these  two  outfits  receive  but  half  rations  from  now  on,  and  get  the 
other  half  from  pay  for  using  their  deer  and  killing  the  surplus  males. 
Electoona  and  Otpelle  could  be  transferred  to  the  Kotzebue  district. 

The  herders  finishing  five  years’  apprenticeship  are:  Otpelle,  22 
deer;  Segevan,  31;  Paneoneo,  25;  Tokpuk,  38  (including  his  son’s 
deer). 

Tokpuk’s  son,  Panigeo,  has  been  with  the  herd  five  years,  three  as 
“  boy”  and  two  as  herder,  and  Tokpuk  will  leave  his  deer  with  Pani- 
geo’s  at  the  central  herd,  and  spend  what  time  he  wants  there  him¬ 
self.  He  has  a  frame  house  here  and  quite  a  number  of  natives  trap¬ 
ping  and  whaling  for  him,  independent  of  his  working  for  me  with 
the  deer.  In  a  few  years  he  will  be  the  big  “  umalik”  in  this  district. 
He  and  his  wife  are  the  two  most  reliable  natives  I  know.  I  also  want 
to  keep  Segevan  at  the  herd  without  pay  in  deer,  and  on  half  rations. 
I  will  give  him  the  balance  to  have  him  work  for  me  part  of  the  time. 
As  I  have  to  stay  here  some  years  more,  I  have  built  a  house  on  the 
Kulugaru  River,  50  miles  or  so  inland,  and  will  have  the  deer  there 
and  spend  as  much  time  as  I  can  spare  working  directly  with  the  deer 
myself. 

If  it  is  at  all  possible,  will  you  request  the  Bear  to  bring  us  five 
bucks  from  Kotzebue  to  exchange  for  five  of  ours,  next  summer.  I 
think  our  strain  is  becoming  too  much  interbred;  many  of  the  fawns 
were  badly  deformed  this  spring — hare-lips,  one  nostril,  albinos,  and 
some  too  weak  to  live. 

I  will  have  bucks,  with  moss  enough  to  keep  them,  within  access  of 
the  Bear  next  summer,  so  as  to  waste  no  time,  if  you  can  arrange  it. 

Two  years  ago  }^ou  asked  me  to  economize  in  the  food  requisition. 
I  did  so,  but  did  it  too  well.  The  ocean  seemed  utterly  barren  last 
winter,  and  also  the  rivers,  so  that  all  the  natives  depended  entirely 
on  civilized  food,  and  every  fox  caught  by  the  boys  had  to  be  turned 
into  food  at  the  station.  I  doubt  if  25  seals  were  caught  by  these  300 
people  last  winter.  We  had  162  living  fawns. 

Ojello  died  during  the  measles  epidemic,  and  I  turned  over  the  deer 
to  his  son  Shoudla,  who,  though  lame,  is  a  very  capable  man.  As 
soon  as  ice  forms  in  the  rivers  we  will  count  the  deer  individually  by 
the  brands. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

H.  R.  Marsh,  M.  D. 


Hr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  59 


ANNUAL  REPORT  KOTZEBUE  REINDEER  STATION. 

Kotzebue,  Alaska,  July  9 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  The  past  winter  has  been  the  severest  ever  known  in  this 
region,  snow  lying  to  an  average  depth  of  about  7  feet;  a  temperature 
of  —  54:  degrees  was  reached  in  January,  yet  in  spite  of  this  the  grown 
deer  came  through  in  fairly  good  condition,  and  among  them  we  have 
no  fatalities  to  record  because  of  the  severeness  of  the  climate.  The 
large  death  list  among  the  fawns  was  no  doubt  due  to  the  fact  that  the 

c3  C) 

mother  deer  had  not  sufficient  nourishment  for  them,  though  perhaps 
a  severe  blizzard  that  set  in  after  they  had  commenced  to  fawn  was 
the  direct  cause  of  a  number  of  deaths. 

The  mission  has  been  able  to  sell  only  one  male  deer  during  past 
year,  receiving  $50  for  same. 

The  white  men  who  have  used  deer  to  travel  about  with  in  this  neighbor¬ 
hood  are,  I  believe,  without  a  single  exception,  well  satisfied  with  same. 

We  have  not  killed  an}^  of  the  deer  yet  for  the  purpose  of  eating 
them,  though  we  used  the  meat  of  portion  of  two  that  had  broken 
their  legs  and  had  to  be  killed.  The  natives  are  very  much  interested 
in  the  herd,  and,  without  exception,  the  young  men  are  nbw  glad  of 


the  opportunit}^  to  act  as  herders. 

Total  number  of  deer  at  this  station: 

Male . 143 

Female . . .  236 

379 

Total  number  of  deer  owned  by  United  States: 

Male .  50 

Female .  145 


Mungnok,  another  herder,  has  not  earned  any  deer  yet. 


195 


Mission  deer  trained  to  harness . 

Nilima’s  deer  trained  to  harness .  . 

White  miners’  trained  to  harness . 

Number  of  fawns  of  this  spring  surviving  (about) . 

Number  of  fawns  of  this  spring  dead . 

Number  of  sleds . 

Sets  of  harness . 

Number  of  old  deer  dying  during  year  (the  majority  from  broken  limbs,  1  killed 
by  animals,  2  died  in  giving  birth  to  young,  3  from  unknown  causes;  none 
were  killed  for  their  meat) . 


8 

4 

5 

100 

31 


8 

8 


12 


This  year’s  fawns  have  not  as  yet  been  marked,  and  the  number 
owned  by  Nilima  and  mission,  and  sex  of  same,  is  an  estimate,  but  is 
approximately  correct.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  introduction  of 
reindeer  in  this  neighborhood  will  prove  in  years  to  come  a  very  great 
blessing  to  the  Eskimos. 

Yours,  most  respectfully,  Dana  Thomas, 

Superintendent  Kotzebue  Mission. 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


GO  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA, 


SUPPLEMENTARY  REPORTS. 

Kotzebue  Station,  August  ij,  190 4. 

The  old  prejudice  of  Alaskan  miners  who  have  always  heretofore 
used  dogs  as  beasts  of  burden  in  this  north  land  is  fast  dying  away 
before  the  very  evident  superiority  of  the  reindeer  for  such  work. 
Only  those  who  have  gone  long  journeys  with  dog  teams  and  have  been 
compelled  to  load  the  greater  part  of  the  sled  with  food  for  the  dogs, 
or  to  pay  veiy  high  prices  for  the  same  along  the  course  of  travel,  can 
fully  appreciate  the  great  advantage  of  using  reindeer  that  can  be 
driven  all  da}T,  knowing  that  when  resting  time  comes  the  deer  will 
find  their  own  food  in  the  highly  prized  deer  moss  that  covers  the 
tundra  in  this  region. 

The  white  men  who  have  used  deer  during  the  past  unusually  severe 
winter  on  the  upper  Kowak  River,  north  of  the  Arctic  Circle,  have 
without  a  single  exception  been  more  than  pleased  with  the  same.  In 
April  of  this  year  Doctor  Bensen,  of  Candle  Creek,  left  that  place  with 
his  two  companions,  using  four  deer,  which  hauled  the  three  men, 
together  with  sleeping  bags,  camping  outfit,  and  four  months  ’  supply 
of  food;  they  traveled  a  distance  of  about  500  miles  over  tundra  and 
across  mountain  ranges.  After  the  snow  disappeared  they  used  the 
deer  as  pack  animals,  strapping  the  burden  upon  the  willing  little 
animal’s  back.  At  the  last  stage  of  the  trip,  when  the  men  had  to  cross 
a  river  or  go  down  the  same  in  boats,  the  deer  had  become  so  gentle 
that  they  were  turned  loose  and  they  would  swim  the  streams  after  the 
boat,  or  follow  after  the  boats  along  the  river  banks. 

Charles  Danker t  left  this  place  in  December  last  with  five  deer, 
some  of  them  not  well  broken.  They  were  soon  so  well  trained  and  so 
gentle  that  he  and  his  wife  had  no  trouble  in  driving  the  deer,  going 
a  distance  of  about  300  miles  up  the  Kowak.  His  deer  are  so  gentle 
that  he  tells  us  they  will  follow  him  or  his  wife  about  and  take  food 
from  their  hands.  Both  of  these  gentlemen  declare  that  reindeer  are 
by  far  the  best  animal  to  use  as  means  of  traveling  or  as  pack  animals 
in  this  region. 

Concerning  the  Okhotsk  deer,  a  few  of  which  we  have  in  our  herd, 
1  can  not  speak  very  definitely.  I  do  not  think  their  weight  is  much 
greater  than  that  of  the  other  reindeer;  they  do  not  seem  to  breed  at 
as  early  an  age,  but  they  seem  to  be  a  bit  more  hardy  and  are  much 
longer  limbed.  The  Okhotsk  deer  in  this  herd  can  walk  as  fast  as  the 
others  trot,  and  if  they  are  superior  to  the  Alaskan  deer  it  lies  111  the 
fact  that  they  can  cover  a  greater  distance  in  the  same  number  of 
hours,  and  apparently  without  being  as  greatly  tired  out. 

Most  respectfully, 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Dana  Thomas. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  61 


Friends  Mission, 
Kotzebue ,  Alaska ,  August  10 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  note  in  a  recent  letter  from  thee  that  the  Government 
has  not  done  anything  as  yet  concerning  prohibition  of  salmon  can¬ 
nery  here.  For  some  reason,  probably  a  financial  one,  the  proposed 
cannery  has  not  materialized  as  yet,  but  I  fear  it  is  only  a  question  of 
time  when  we  shall  be  cursed  with  such  an  improvement. 

Some  white  men  are  fishing  here  this  season,  and  have  such  long 
nets  that  our  natives  have  not  been  able  to  catch  many  fish  in  their 
short  nets — probably  less  than  1  ton  of  fish  has  been  caught  and  dried 
by  our  resident  natives,  and  there  will  be  a  very  great  shortage  of 
food  here.  If  our  goods  arrive  I  shall  have  a  pretty  fair  supply  of 
flour,  etc.,  so  that  there  will  not  in  all  probability  be  any  starvation  in 
this  immediate  neighborhood. 

We  understand  that  our  supplies  have  been  sent  on  sailing  vessel 
sent  out  by  Foster  &  Co.  We  are  very  anxiously  awaiting  the  arrival 
of  same  here,  as  we  have  had  so  many  severe  storms  of  late. 

I  have  thought  of  the  possibility  of  the  Govern meut  setting  aside 
this  ground  here  as  a  “reindeer  station  reservation.”  A  radius  of  15 
miles  from  Cape  Blossom  would  probably  suffice,  though  25  miles  would 
be  better.  This  ground  is  unclaimed  now,  save  that  occupied  by  the 
mission.  This  will  very  effectually  shut  out  any  cannery  in  this  neigh¬ 
borhood,  and  will  insure  future  pasturage  for  deer.  I  don’t  know  how 
feasible  this  plan  is,  but  offer  it  as  a  suggestion  for  you  to  pass  upon. 
If  this  can  be  done  it  should  be  soon,  before  anyone  has  established 
property  rights  here. 

Most  respectfully,  Dana  Thomas, 

Kotzebue  Reindeer  Station. 

Sheldon  Jackson. 


Kotzebue,  Alaska,  August  li rh  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  The  Thetis  was  here  two  days  ago  and  I  had  the  unex¬ 
pected  pleasure  of  meeting  Mr.  Hamilton  aboard  her.  Only  a  short 
time  before  I  had  received  word  that  he  would  not  be  able  to  get  here 
this  season.  I  spoke  to  him  concerning  the  plan  1  had  just  written  to 
thee  about,  i.  e. ,  the  setting  aside  of  a  tract  of  land  here  as  a  reindeer 
reservation.  He  seemed  to  think  the  idea  feasible  and  good  and  said 
it  had  been  done  elsewhere,  and  suggested  that  I  write  thee  as  to 
amount  needed.  Will  say  that  10  miles  with  Cape  Blossom  as  the 
center  would  do,  but  twice  that  much  would  be  better.  Much  of  this 
is  taken  up  in  tide  land  and  lakes,  so  there  is  not  so  much  pasturage  as 
the  area  included  would  seem  to  indicate.  1  believe  that  the  future 


62  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


welfare  of  the  herd  here  will  depend  greatly  upon  this  and  would  sug¬ 
gest  the  need  of  haste,  as  any  day  may  bring  some  one  with  a  home¬ 
stead  entiy,  etc.  At  suggestion  of  Mr.  H.,  I  write  a  supplementary 
report  to  be  added  to  my  yearly  report  of  the  Kotzebue  reindeer 
station. 

The  Madsen ,  carrying  our  supplies,  has  not  yet  arrived  here,  but 
we  are  hoping  for  her  early  arrival. 

Most  respectfully, 

Dana  Thomas. 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Kotzebue,  Alaska,  July  % 8 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  am  in  receipt  of  thine  of  the  sixth  month,  13.  Reply¬ 
ing  to  same,  will  say  that  other  apprentices  to  be  put  on  will  be  given 
two  female  deer  only  first  year.  I  do  not  think  there  is  any  proba¬ 
bility  of  our  apprentices  leaving  us;  they  are  our  brightest,  most 
reliable  boys,  and  our  natives  are  very  honest  and  trustworthy.  Out 
of  some  hundreds  of  natives  here,  during  the  past  season  we  have  not 
had  a  single  case  of  drunkenness;  whisky  traders  find  no  profit  in 
coming  here.  At  present,  about  500  Eskimos  are  camped  about  our 
house,  which  is  not  locked  at  night;  my  tools  lie  about,  vet  nothing 
is  ever  stolen.  We  have  never  even  smelt  liquor  on  a  native’s  breath. 
We  have  made  tobacco  so  unpopular  among  them  that  they  never 
smoke  in  our  presence,  and  only  about  5  per  cent  use  it  at  all.  They 
are  the  most  wonderful  lot  of  people  I  have  ever  lived  among,  and  white 
men  tell  us  they  are  far  superior  to  the  natives  at  Teller,  Prince  of 
Wales,  and  Point  Hope,  where  they  have  in  the  past  come  in  contact 
with  vicious  white  men. 

About  100  have  been  converted  to  the  cause  of  Christ  this  past 
month,  and  we  now  have  296  members  who  are  in  good  standing. 

We  will  remain  here  at  least  one  year  longer;  then  as  He  wills  it. 

No  one  had  any  money  in  those  places  you  spoke  of  (Candle  and 
Durang)  last  winter.  About  five  men,  all  told,  were  able  to  pay  the 
price  we  would  have  to  charge  for  reindeer  meat. 

We  were  very  much  pleased  with  our  reindeer  trip,  my  wife  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  175-mile  trip  driving  her  own  reindeer,  handling 
same  without  difficulty. 

With  best  wishes  for  thy  continued  good  health,  1  remain, 

Most  respectfully,  His  and  thine, 


Dana  Thomas. 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Concerning  suggestion  of  I.  H.  Cammack,  and  which  I  believe  he 
said  came  from  thee,  “that  I  sell  Laplanders  goods  at  cost,”  will  say 
that  1  shall  do  so  with  pleasure;  have  indeed  done  so  in  the  past  when 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


63 


they  have  bought  of  me,  charging  simply  San  Francisco  prices,  with 
freight  added.  Have  not,  in  fact,  been  able  to  supply  them  with  all 
the}7  needed.  Mr.  Nilima  has  had  three  Laplanders  besides  his  wife 
to  keep  the  greater  part  of  last  season,  so  that  he  has  used  far  more 
than  the  goods  that  came  for  him.  He  had  had  a  very  comfortable 
house  built  near  the  mission  buildings,  and  I  believe  intends  to  make 
this  his  permanent  home. 

Am  very  short  of  official  stationery;  should  be  very  thankful  for 
same  if  none  has  been  sent  on  revenue-cutter  Thetis. 


ANNUAL  REPORT  CAPE  PRINCE  OF  WALES  REINDEER  STATION. 

Wales,  Alaska,  July  1 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  annual  report 
of  the  reindeer  herd  at  the  Cape  Prince  of  Wales  Congregational 
Mission  Station  for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1903: 

The  winter  of  1902-3  was  not  a  very  good  one,  as  the  snow  on  the 
Arctic  slope  was  very  deep  and  the  rains  in  December  caused  ice  to 
form  which  was  hard  for  the  deer  to  dig  through  to  procure  moss. 
Then,  too,  the  lateness  of  the  spring  kept  the  ground  covered  so  long 
that  the  deer  became  very  thin  before  the  breakup,  when  they  could 
j  get  good  food. 

During  the  fawning  season  179  fawns  were  born,  but  as  the  snow 
covered  the  ground  at  that  time  the  young  ones  had  a  hard  time  of  it, 
and  52  of  them  perished  of  exposure,  leaving  a  total  of  127  fawns  to 
date.  During  last  November  a  number  of  deer  died — the  herder  boys 
say  they  went  crazy,  so  they  had  to  be  killed.  Just  about  that  time 
there  was  a  disastrous  lire  in  my  house  and  as  all  my  attention  was 
j  occupied  in  repairing  the  burnt  places  1  did  not  get  to  the  herd  to 
see  the  44 crazy”  deer,  so  can  give  no  idea  of  what  the  disease  was 
like.  During  the  year  the  total  loss  in  the  herd  from  sickness  and 
i  slaughtering  was  181. 

I  have  adopted  a  new  system  in  regard  to  the  payment  of  appren¬ 
tices — that  is,  new  for  this  herd.  The  boys  will  not  receive  their  deer 
until  the  end  of  live  years  of  apprenticeship,  when  they  will  get  25, 
with  a  loan  of  25  more  from  the  mission.  In  this  way  the  boys  will 
I  devote  better  attention  to  mission  deer  than  the}^  would  if  they  owned 
[  some  of  their  own,  as  they  did  under  the  old  rule  of  being  paid  every 
}  year.  Sninoh  and  Karnum,  two  of  the  boys  who  owned  a  few  deer, 
turned  theirs  back  to  the  mission  to  await  the  end  of  their  live  years. 


64  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


The  following  is  a  table  showing  the  ownership  of  the  deer  at 
present: 

Ownership  of  reindeer  in  American  Missionary  Association  herd  at  Cape  Prince  of  Wales, 

Alaska. 


Name  of  owner. 


Sex. 


Old 

deer. 


Fawns. 


Total. 


American  Missionary  Association 

George  Ootenna . 

Janes  Keok . . 

Stanley  Kivyearzruk . 

Thomas  Sokweena . 

Joseph  Enungwouk . 

Frank  Iyatunkuk . 

Peter  Ebiana . 

Okbaok  . 

Erheruk . 


/Male  .. 
/  Female 
[Male  .. 
/Female 
/Male  .. 
/Female 
/Male  .. 
/Female 
/Male  .. 
/Female 
/Male  .. 
/Female 
/Male  .. 
/Female 
/Male  .. 
/Female 
/Male  .. 
/Female 
/Male  .. 
/Female 


122 

803 

53 

119 

60 

98 

39 

100 

17 

63 

13 
25 

14 
23 

4 
11 

6 

12 

5 
11 


94 

216 

75 

378 

31 

84 

34 

153 

27 

87 

36 

134 

38 

77 

24 

124 

16 

33 

21 

84 

7 

20 

5 

30 

7 

21 

6 

29 

1 

5 

3 

14 

0 

6 

2 

14 

0 

5 

0 

11 

Total . 

Grand  Total 


Male  .. 
Female 


333  221 

765  206 


554 

971 


1,098 


427 


1,525 


Respectfully  submitted. 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Hugh  J.  Lee, 

Resident  Missionary  in  Charge. 


[Letter  from  Hugh  J.  Lee  regarding  progress  of  the  reindeer  enterprise  at  Cape  Prince  of  Wales.] 

Editor  The  Nome  Nugget:  So  much  has  been  said  and  written  about  the  introduc¬ 
tion  of  domestic  reindeer  into  Alaska  by  the  Government  that  tends  to  throw  ridicule 
on  the  subject,  that  I  feel  impelled  to  say  a  little  on  the  subject  that  may  tend  to 
change  the  present  opinion  of  the  public  in  regard  to  the  usefulness  of  the  reindeer  to 
the  Alaskan  Eskimo. 

I  can  only  cite  facts  concerning  the  herd  of  the  Congregational  Mission  at  Cape 
Prince  of  Wales,  where  I  have  been  for  the  past  year. 

We  have  at  the  Cape,  or  in  that  vicinity,  about  1,500  reindeer.  These  deer  are  all 
owned  either  by  the  mission  or  Eskimo  reindeer  herders.  A  little  more  than  half 
of  the  entire  herd  is  at  present  owned  by  the  natives,  however,  and  to  show  that 
they  are  of  benefit  to  the  natives  I  will  say  that  the  bill  paid  to  a  San  Francisco  firm 
by  four  of  them  for  their  year’s  oufit  this  season  amounted  to  about  $4,200. 

This  sum  includes  lumber  bought  by  one  of  the  four  for  a  five-roomed  house,  30  by 
20  feet,  which  is  a  much  better  house  than  many  of  those  in  the  city  of  Nome. 

It  is  true  that  a  limited  number  of  natives  have  as  yet  become  owners  of  a  sufficient 
number  of  the  deer  to  be  self-supporting.  At  present  there  are  but  six  of  the  herders 
who  are  self-sustaining.  Next  year  there  will  be  one  more,  and  in  the  following  year 
there  will  be  two  more  graduates.  The  plan  under  which  we  are  working  now  is 
this: 

We  take  an  apprentice  who  will  receive  his  board  and  clothing  for  five  years,  or 
all  through  his  apprenticeship.  At  the  expiration  of  the  five  years  he  will  be  suffi¬ 
ciently  well  educated  in  the  care  of  the  deer  to  thoroughly  understand  handling 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


65 

them,  and,  as  he  is  taught  English,  he  will  be  able  to  do  business  with  the  wdiite 
population.  He  will  receive  his  compensation  for  the  five  years  that  he  has  worked, 
the  number  of  deer  he  will  receive  being  25,  or  5  a  year.  In  addition  he  will  receive 
from  the  mission  a  loan  of  25.  more  deer,  so  that  he  will  have  a  good  working  capital. 

The  increase  from  these  50  deer  will  serve  to  maintain  him  in  good  shape,  and  his 
number  will  increase  so  that  at  the  expiration  of  five  years  more  he  can  pay  back  his 
loan  of  25  and  still  have  more  than  50  deer  with  which  to  continue  business.  When 
his  herd  numbers  100  he  will  be  in  a  position  to  feed  and  clothe  an  apprentice, 
who  will  receive  the  same  opportunity  as  the  mission  apprentice. 

In  addition  to  the  6  independent  owners,  there  are  now  5  mission  apprentices  and 
5  herder’s  apprentices,  making  16  who  have  an  actual  interest  in  the  herd. 

In  the  past  the  owners  have  been  nearly  all  related  to  each  other,  so  that  but  a 
very  few  families  have  been  benefited,  but  the  rule  now  in  vogue  is  that  all  new 
apprentices  must  be  boys  who  are  not  related  to  other  deer  owners.  I  hope  in  this 
way  to  introduce  the  ownership  of  the  reindeer  into  as  many  different  families  as 
possible. 

This  new  rule  was  greeted  with  cheers  by  the  population  of  the  village,  as  they 
were  beginning  to  feel  jealous  of  the  Kingegan  reindeer  aristocracy,  and  the  new 
rule  is  that  no  boy  shall  become  an  apprentice  until  he  shall  have  learned  some 
English.  There  is  no  law  to  compel  them  to  attend  the  Government  school,  and 
sometimes  the  boys  are  inclined  to  be  irregular  in  their  attendance;  but  as  the 
reindeer  boy  will  have  to  do  business  with  English-speaking  people  a  knowledge  of 
the  language  is  necessary,  and  the  boys  are  so  anxious  to  become  partners  in  the 
benefits  of  the  reindeer  herd  that  the  rule  gives  them  an  incentive  to  study. 

There  are  already  enough  reindeer  in  Alaska  to  furnish  the  bulk  of  the  meat  supply 
for  the  country  without  depleting  the  number  now  in  the  various  herds.  The  mis¬ 
sionary  representative  will  assist  the  native  reindeer  owners  in  disposing  of  their 
meat,  and  several  times  when  I  have  received  orders  for  meat  I  have  let  the  boys 
fill  the  order,  so  that  they  could  get  the  wherewithal  to  buy  their  flour  and  other 
supplies. 

It  is  my  purpose  to  sell  enough  of  the  mission  deer  to  furnish  the  food  and  clothing 
for  all  the  mission  apprentices  without  calling  on  the  missionary  association  for  aid 
from  the  outside.  This  can  be  easily  done  by  putting  the  meat  on  the  market,  and 
it  is  now  my  intention  to  see  that  the  people  of  Nome  are  supplied  with  fresh  meat 
all  winter. 

1  am  not  familiar  with  the  methods  of  the  Government  in  regard  to  the  manage¬ 
ment  of  their  various  herds,  but  I  imagine  they  are  similar  to  mine.  If  such  is  the 
case  much  of  the  criticism  we  have  heard  is  unjust,  for  it  will  require  but  a  few 
years  to  make  the  Eskimos  a  self-supporting  and  prosperous  race. 

Our  deer  came  from  the  Government  in  the  first  place,  and  other  missions  have 
received  deer  which  they  handle  on  some  similar  plan  to  mine,  so  that  the  natives 
in  various  parts  of  the  country  are  being  benefited. 

******* 

Promising  to  write  you  another  letter  about  the  reindeer  as  a  beast  of  burden,  I 
remain, 

Yours,  sincerely, 


Hugh  J.  Lee. 


66  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


ANNUAL  REPORT  GAMBELL  (ST.  LAWRENCE  ISLAND)  REINDEER 

STATION. 

Gambell,  St.  Lawrence  Island,  Alaska, 

June  SO,  1903. 

Sir:  Herewith  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  you  my  second  annual 
report  covering  the  third  year  since  the  introduction  of  reindeer  on 
St.  Lawrence  Island: 

THE  REINDEER. 

Winter. — It  has  not  been  so  cold,  neither  have  we  had  the  terrific 
wind  that  makes  the  cold  so  much  more  intense,  but  the  snow  for  that 
reason  has  lain  where  it  fell  and  has  covered  the  ground  in  some  level 
places  to  a  depth  of  10  feet.  The  average  depth  of  snow,  however, 
has  not  been  more  than  2  feet. 

Breaking  deer  to  pack  saddle  and  sled. — Five  sets  of  pack  harness 
were  made  last  summer,  and  used  on  one  or  two  summer  excursions 
looking  for  some  lost  deer  and  in  reconnoitering  the  fields  for  good 
moss  land  and  camping  places.  This  was  a  new  experience  for  the 
apprentices  and  much  appreciated,  for  they  saw  that  one  could  in  this 
way  go  over  most  of  the  island  without  having  to  think  of  the  dog-food 
question. 

In  the  month  of  September  the  seven  old  bucks  were  altered  for 
sled  deer,  making  fourteen  in  all.  Thirteen  were  caught  up,  named, 
and  broken  to  harness  and  used  in  hauling  wood  and  in  trips  to  and 
from  the  station.  The  boys  have  made  considerable  progress  in 
learning  to  drive.  In  the  various  trips  the  Lapps  always  took  the 
lead,  consequently  few  of  the  deer  were  trained  for  independent  driving 
and  the  boys  knew  little  else  than  to  follow  behind.  After  repeated 
instructions  the  boys  were  put  in  the  lead  and  were  taught  how  to  drive. 

Two  new  sleds  were  made  last  fall  and  shod  with  steel.  One  of 
them,  according  to  Anti’s  suggestion,  was  made  short  and  broad. 
Upon  this  one  was  put  the  heavy  iron  sent  up,  and  it ’has  stood  some 
very  rough  usage.  Two  more  sleds  were  built  by  the  Lapps  and  the 
boys  together  from  the  wood  I  brought  over  from  Port  Clarence  two 
years  ago.  We  should  have  a  fresh  supply,  as  the  other  has  partially 
rotted.  The  bark  should  all  be  removed  before  shipping.  The  boys 
have  each  shaped  out  a  set  of  wood  for  harness. 

Lapp  or  herding  dogs. — At  the  close  of  last  year  we  had  one  fairly 
good  female — 44  Chappie”  (a  full-blood  Lapp  dog),  and  five  half-breed 
pups.  Two  of  the  pups,  a  male  and  a  female,  with  short  tails,  44  Pike” 
and  44 Fannie,”  promising  to  make  good  deer  dogs,  were  soon  sent  to 
the  herd  and  learned  rapidly.  4 4 Tim”  died  in  July.  It  was  later 
thought  that  possibly  44 Susie”  might  also  learn,  so  she  was  sent  to 
camp,  and  gave  good  promise.  Captain  Tuttle,  November  12,  brought 
us  two  fuU-blood  Lapp  puppies  from  Dunnak  at  Port  Clarence,  and 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


67 


these  were  named  “Bob”  and  “Lassie.”  Both  were  very  poor  and 
sick,  which  we  soon  found  was  due  to  tapeworms.  “Bob”  rallied 
under  treatment  and  soon  became  a  great  favorite,  very  teachable 
and  bright,  and  we  had  hopes  of  having  a  good  breed  of  dogs  for 
the  herd.  “Lassie,”  however,  owing  to  a  lack  of  proper  atten¬ 
tion  in  the  camp,  gradually  weakened  and  died.  “Sam,”  though 
possessing  too  much  Eskimo  blood  for  a  herder,  had  broken  in  well  as 
a  sled  dog,  but  was  attacked  by  a  disease  resembling  hydrophobia, 
from  which  so  many  dogs  on  St.  Lawrence  Island  have  died.  Next  an 
epidemic  of  bronchitis  carried  off  “Pike,”  “Susie,”  and  “Fannie”  and 
it  was  only  by  vigorous  treatment  that  we  saved  three  of  our  sled  dogs, 
having  turned  our  kitchen  into  a  dog  hospital.  This  left  only  the 
original  “Chappie”  at  the  camp,  and  she  was  attacked  with  hydro¬ 
phobia  and  died  about  two  weeks  later,  so  that  since  January  12  we 
have  had  no  dogs  in  the  camp. 

Fawning. — Under  the  subtitle  “Weather”  we  spoke  of  the  anxiety 
we  had  lest  there  should  not  be  sufficient  moss  for  the  deer  until  the 
spring  thaw  and  the  lack  of  any  choice  in  the  selection  of  a  fawning 
place,  but,  by  driving  the  herd  a  long  way  and  with  an  earlier  thaw 
than  usual,  the  herd  was  preserved  and  fawning  began  April  17.  l$y 
the  29th  35  were  reported,  and  May  6  40.  We  feel  that  as  regards  the 
fawns  we  have  been  very  fortunate  indeed. 

School. — This  is  one  bright  spot  in  our  work  and  is  a  constant  source 
of  joy  and  encouragement  to  us.  The  books  show  the  remarkable 
record  of  attendance,  being  an  average  of  52.5  for  the  one  hundred 
and  forty-six  days  of  school  taught,  9  of  the  entire  enrollment  of  59 
being  neither  absent  nor  tardy  during  the  year,  4  others  being  only 
one  time  tardy,  10  others  were  not  more  than  live  days  absent  at  the 
beginning  of  the  year  when  their  parents  had  not  yet  returned  from  the 
summer  hunt  and  camp.  Still  others  have  good  and  sufficient  excuses 
for  very  slight  differences  between  their  records  and  that  of  those 
already  named.  A  few  were  excused  from  attendance  because  they 
were  needed  at  home  in  support  and  care  of  the  family.  Two  or  three 
others  should  have  come,  but  their  attendance  could  not  have  been 
secured  without  serious  difficulty  with  the  parents  or  guardian,  and  in 
one  case  the  boy  himself,  who  will  surely  grow  into  as  troublesome  a 
character  as  his  father  before  him.  His  name  is  Enok.  He  persisted 
in  hanging  about  the  deer  camp,  though  warned  away,  until  at  last  the 
apprentices  themselves  attempted  to  drive  him  away,  when  he  drew  a 
knife.  They  took  this  away  from  him  and  tied  him  up,  but  this  did 
not  cure  him.  He  has  been  a  mischief-maker  among  the  boys  in  our 
home,  fighting  some  and  inciting  others  to  riot,  lies,  disobedience,  and 
insolence. 

The  deportment  of  the  scholars  in  school  was  all  that  we  could  ask. 
We  have  nothing  but  praise  for  the  children,  though  some  of  the 
S.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - £ 


68  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOJNtESTlC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


grown  people  have  caused  us  much  trouble.  Kolo,  who  gave  us  his 
youngest  boy  two  years  ago,  has  frequently  countermanded  our  instruc¬ 
tions  to  him  and  caused  us  more  difficulty  in  managing  an  older  son, 
Gootoomu,  whom  he  loaned  to  Omogo,  one  of  the  big  Indian  Point 
men  who  assaulted  me  last  spring  while  I  was  acting  as  customs  col¬ 
lector.  Kolo  is  also  the  father  of  the  boy  Enok,  to  whom  I  have  just 
referred,  and  though  he  is  himself  afraid  to  make  any  demonstration 
he  does  a  lot  of  outside  talk  and  mischief  when  not  watched.  One  day 
I  had  occasion  to  punish  Gootoomu  for  laziness  and  disobedience.  A 
report  was  soon  made  to  his  father,  Kolo,  who  came  to  the  school- 
house,  asked  some  questions  of  those  near  the  door,  then  went  out  and 
told  Omogo,  who  came  in  bristling  with  bigotry  and  insolence  and 
demanded  a  stick  and  my  hand  that  he  might  whip  me.  Then  he 
talked  Eskimo  to  the  school  and  English  to  me,  calling  me  all  the  bad 
things  he  could  think  of,  defying  the  United  States  Government,  say¬ 
ing,  “I  don’t  care!  I  don’t  care!  my  little  baby  all  die.”  I  quietly  but 
very  firmly  denied  him  my  hand,  let  him  talk  until  he  had  run  down, 
then  began  to  talk  about  his  little  boy,  who  was  a  bright  little  fellow, 
the  idol  of  a  fond  father’s  heart.  At  last  he  quieted  down  and  took  a 
seat  on  one  of  the  desks,  while  I  went  on  with  school,  which  was  then 
near  closing  time.  As  soon  as  all  had  gone  our  smallest  adopted  boy 
came  running  to  meet  me,  and  I  took  him  up  in  my  arms  and  walked 
past  the  now  quiet  Omogo  into  our  private  rooms  and  told  Mrs.  Camp¬ 
bell.  Omogo’s  brother,  Miukok,  also  kept  another  boy,  Komoyi,  in  a 
state  of  insubordination,  so  we  thought  best  not  to  insist  on  the  attend¬ 
ance  of  these  two. 

We  felt  that  the  circumstances  justified  our  punishing  another  boy, 
and  soon  after  school  the  stepfather  and  several  of  his  clan  came  in, 
full  of  wrath,  ready  to  fight,  but  after  a  long  talk  went  queitly  out, 
and  the  boy  attended  school  with  better  results  ever  after. 

An  address  by  the  general  superintendent  and  the  captain  of  the 
revenue  cutter,  at  the  time  of  their  annual  visit,  gently  and  firmly 
insisting  on  the  attendance  of  all  children  on  the  roll  and  noninter¬ 
ference  by  parents  or  guardians  would  tend  greatly  to  enhance  the 
efficiency  of  the  school  and  the  general  behavior.  At  this  writing 
Omogo  has  gone  to  Indian  Point,  fearing  the  visit  of  the  Thetis  and 
Captain  Healy,  just  as  he  ran  away  last  year  after  assaulting  me  to 
avoid  the  Bear  and  Captain  Tuttle. 

The  general  deportment  has  been  good.  We  have  little  reason  to 
complain.  If  the  people  of  civilized  lands,  enjoying  the  light  of  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  were  only  half  as  well  behaved  there 
would  be  little  need  of  jails,  lawyers,  courts,  and  insane  asylums. 
There  being  no  whale  caught  here  last  year,  there  was  little  material 
for  the  manufacture  of  liquor;  the  only  case  I  could  learn  of  being 
that  of  the  father  of  my  interpreter  and  two  of  liis  friends,  who  used 
flour  that  I  had  paid  for  interpreting. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALSAKA.  69 


A  snowstorm  experience. — December  16  word  was  brought  us  by 
natives  of  Southwest  Cape  that  tracks  were  seen  on  the  south  shore 
of  the  island,  as  of  hungry  men  seeking  food  and  wood. 

After  a  consultation  with  John  Thomas  Lopez,  the  whaleman  win¬ 
tering  here,  we  decided  to  make  an  effort  to  go  as  far  as  the  wreck  of 
the  Balaena  or  the  JEagret.  Securing  two  native  young  men  to  help 
us  and  as  good  dog  teams  as  we  could  collect,  we  made  about  45  miles 
along  the  north  shore,  when  it  began  to  storm.  Some  of  the  dogs 
gave  out,  others  ran  away,  and  the  natives  being  afraid  to  go  farther, 
we  decided  to  return.  When  we  reached  the  reindeer  camp  I  consulted 
with  Per  Larsen  Anti,  who  told  me  we  had  five  sled  deer  near,  so  I 
decided  to  take  them  and  one  of  the  Lapps  with  two  of  our  apprentice 
boys  and  make  another  attempt. 

Mr.  Thomas  returned  to  the  station  with  a  note  to  Mrs.  Campbell, 
and  came  down  early  the  next  morning,  December  21,  and  went  with 
me,  the  party  consisting  of  Mr.  Thomas  Lopez,  Ole  Pulk,  Sepillu,  Putl- 
kinhok,  and  myself.  A  storm  came  on  soon  after  we  started  and  we 
could  not  tell  which  way  we  were  going,  but  we  made  the  mountain 
pass  all  right,  and  the  next  night  camped  on  the  beach  on  the  south 
side.  Two  days  more  brought  us  to  the  Balaena  place,  where  we 
spent  Christmas,  exploring  the  coast,  but  looking  in  vain  for  signs  of 
any  one  attempting  to  winter  on  the  island.  The  return  to  the  village 
at  Southwest  Cape  took  us  four  days,  owing  to  a  blinding  snowstorm 
in  which  Thomas  and  the  Lapp  became  separated  from  us  two  days 
and  nights,  and  the  bo}7s  lost  from  me  on  the  second  day,  leaving  me 
alone  with  three  deer.  On  the  morning  of  the  third  day  Thomas  and 
Pulk  nearly  ran  over  my  camp  in  the  snow,  and  we  finished  the  trip 
to  Southwest  Cape  village,  where  we  found  the  boys  had  preceded  us 
b}7  twenty-four  hours.  Here  we  were  treated  very  kindly  by  the  peo¬ 
ple,  who  welcomed  us  as  from  the  dead. 

They  did  everything  they  could  for  us,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
second  day  we  secured  a  guide  and  returned  home,  reaching  the  station 
about  8  p.  m.,  December  31,  having  been  gone  just  two  weeks  lacking 
one  day.  In  this  trip  I  learned  much  of  the  topography  of  the  island, 
but  could  not  tell  much  about  the  moss  or  lakes  owing  to  the  heavy 
fall  of  snow. 

Medical  work. — In  July  of  last  year  we  had  an  unusual  number  of 
deaths  due  to  bronchitis.  As  soon  as  the  snow  clears  off  the  ground 
the  people  begin  to  uncover  their  warm  winter  sleeping  rooms,  to  put 
on  thin  shoes  and  little  or  no  stockings,  and  in  short  to  cast  off  as  much 
as  possible  of  the  warm  clothing  which  they  should  continue  to  wear 
at  this  time  of  year,  when  the  air  is  damp  and  chilly  and  the  ground  is 
wet  and  cold  from  fog,  rain,  and  melting  snow.  Thus  they  fall  an 
easy  prey  to  a  pharyngitis  or  bronchitis  that  woidd  be  successfully 
combated  by  a  civilized  being.  But  the  great  difficulty  in  this  as  in 


70  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

all  work  with  them  is  their  obtuseness.  They  continue  to  follow  the 
paths  of  their  fathers  in  spite  of  all  that  has  been  told  them.  Many 
of  them  come  for  medicine,  but  consider  it  only  as  a  fetish  like  that  of 
their  own  doctors,  and  hang*  up  the  bottle  in  the  house  without  taking 
it.  Others  take  the  medicine  as  they  please  and  not  as  I  direct,  and 
yet  they  are  anxiously  inquiring  why  so  many  are  dying.  The}7  are 
all  so  afraid  to  die  that  when  death  approaches  they  beg  to  be  hung  or 
shot  or  stabbed  or  to  be  allowed  to  do  it  themselves. 


Vital  statistics,  St.  Lawrence  Island. 


Year. 

Births. 

Deaths. 

Popula¬ 

tion. 

1897  . . . 

365 

1899  . . 

7 

13 

334 

1900  . 

9 

44 

299 

1901 . 

3 

48 

264 

1902  . .  . 

11 

9 

264 

1903 . 

6 

25 

261 

I  know  that  the  births  and  deaths  for  1902  and  all  the  figures  for 
1903  are  correct,  for  I  know  nearly  everyone  personally. 


LOG  BOOK  KEPT  BY  OLE  J.  PULK  (NORWEGIAN),  AT  GAMBELL,  ST. 

LAWRENCE  ISLAND,  ALASKA,  1903. 

Reindeer  Camp,  February  #,  1903. 

P.  L.  Anti,  Sippela,  and  Puttkenhok  came  from  station  for  food 
with  three  deer.  Ole  Polk  has  been  to  see  the  herd  and  moved  them 
a  little,  and  Sippela  and  Puttkenhok  made  a  hole  to  the  lake. 

Tuesday,  February  3. — Cold  weather,  north  wind  strong,  sky  clear, 
but  blowing  hard.  Mr.  Anti  and  I,  with  two  of  the  boys,  went  to  see 
the  herd;  we  turned  loose  one  deer,  a  sled  deer  named  Tundra,  and 
caught  one  deer  named  Hartellar,  but  did  not  catch  Roger  because  he 
is  too  wild  for  lassoing.  Kalooka  and  his  wife  stayed  overnight  at 
the  camp,  and  Peneyah  remained  in  the  house,  cooked  and  split  wood. 
He  made  a  hole  to  the  lake  and  shoveled  snow. 

February  4- — Cloudy  weather;  strong  wind  blowing.  Mr.  Anti  and 
the  boys  fixed  some  sled  bottoms  and  broke  up  an  old  sled  into  pieces, 
while  Anti  and  Sippela  and  Peneyak  split  wood  and  made  a  hole  to 
the  lake;  Ole  cooked  and  fixed  a  handle  to  the  Lapp  butcher  knife; 
Puttkenhok  looked  after  the  sled  deer,  but,  not  finding  them,  came 
back;  Kalooka  and  wife  stayed  all  night  again. 

Thursday ,  February  5. — Cloudy  weather;  north  wind  blowing  hard. 
Peneyak  and  I  went  to  see  them  break  the  deer  and  brought  Hostella 
out  and  killed  him;  Ole  butchered  him.  The  native  boys  made  a  hole 
to  the  lake,  which  took  three  hours  to  make. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


71 


Friday ,  February  6. — Clear  weather;  little  north  wind.  Sippela 
and  I  and  Puttkenhok  got  the  three  deer  and  gathered  wood  with 
them,  Sippela  and  Puttkenhok  bringing  the  deer  down  to  the  post. 
Mr.  P.  L.  Anti  went  to  the  lookout  to  see  the  herd  and  reported  it  all 
right.  Ole  and  Peneyak  split  wood  and  Ole  made  a  hole  to  the  lake. 

Saturday ,  February  7. — Clear  weather;  north  wind  blowing.  Ole 
went  to  move  the  deer  and  to  see  the  herd,  which  was  at  the  same 
place  it  was  left  by  Anti.  Anti  and  the  boys  were  busy  about  the 
house  making  a  sled;  two  natives  at  the  camp  to-day;  Puttkenhok 
cooked  and  Ole  split  wood,  which  Puttkenhok  helped  carry  to  the 
house. 

Sunday ,  February  8. — Fine  and  clear.  Anti  and  Ole,  Puttkenhok  and 
Peneyak  went  to  see  the  deer  and  move  them  a  little;  also  to  look  after 
the  herd,  which  was  going  too  far  to  the  other  side,  when  we  caught 
Roger.  Walked  about  20  miles  on  the  trip.  Three  Eskimos  stayed 
at  the  camp  all  night.  Peneyak’s  mother,  Puttkenhok’s  brother,  and 
another  boy,  caught  a  fox. 

Monday ,  February  9. — Clear  and  fine  weather.  In  the  morning 
early  I  had  to  split  the  wood  because  the  native  boys  stayed  in  the 
house  all  day  and  burned  what  dry  wood  was  in  our  room.  After¬ 
wards  Puttkenhok  and  I  went  to  see  the  deer  and  move  them,  and  took 
two  deer  to  get  wood.  I  teach  Roger  and  load  the  wood  all  right  with 
him.  We  have  a  little  trouble  at  the  camp;  the  boys  came  home 
before  I  did  and  tied  the  deer  down  to  the  post;  I  came  later  and  tied 
Roger  in  the  same  way.  Then  we  heard  the  dogs  barking,  and  went 
out  without  cap  and  gloves  to  see  Roger  break  his  holder  line  and  run 
away  with  five  dogs  running  after  him.  I  returned  to  the  house,  ate 
a  few  bites,  and  when  I  went  to  look  after  Roger  he  could  not  be  seen, 
but  saw  his  tracks.  Anti  stayed  in  all  day  and  made  a  sled  and  split 
wood.  Peneyak  was  cook  and  Puttkenhok  killed  another  fox. 

Tuesday ,  February  10. — Clear  and  fine;  little  wind  southwest.  Mr. 
Anti  and  Sippela  went  to  see  the  herd  and  found  it  all  right.  Roger 
came  in  the  herd,  but  had  lost  his  horns.  Anti  found  the  harness  and 
brought  it  to  the  camp.  I  remained  in  the  house  all  day  because  my 
hands  were  very  sore  from  having  been  frozen  while  splitting  wood. 

Wednesday ,  February  11. — Cloudy  weather,  strong  northeast  wind 
blowing.  Peneyak  went  to  see  the  deer  and  move  them,  while  Per 
Larsen  Anti  made  a  sled.  Anti  and  Puttkenhok  split  wood,  made  a 
hole  to  the  lake,  and  got  some  water.  Sipela  was  cook. 

Thursday ,  February  1 <2. — Cloudy  weather,  northeast  wind  blowing. 
Puttkenhok  went  to  see  the  deer  and  move  them  to  another  place. 
Anti  and  Sipela  made  a  new  sled  with  the  help  of  Puttkenhok;  Ole 
Polk  cooked  and  made  a  hole  to  the  lake  for  water.  Peneyak  cooked 
in  the  evening;  the  wind  changed  about  6  o’clock. 


72 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTCT  ALASKA. 


Friday ,  February  13. — Cloudy,  warm  weather;  don’t  know  the 
direction.  Anti  and  Peneyak  went  to  catch  the  deer  and  Sipela, 
Anti,  and  Penayak  went  for  wood;  Ole  and  Sipela  brought  the  deer 
to  the  post,  and  Puttkenliok  split  the  wood  and  cooked.  In  the  even¬ 
ing  the  weather  became  clear  and  smooth. 

Saturday ,  February  1J+. — Cloudy  weather,  blowing  a  little  north¬ 
east,  and  the  water  is  not  far  off.  Sipela  went  early  this  morning  to 
hunt  seal;  he  killed  one  and  Peneyak  went  to  see  the  deer  and  move 
them.  Anti  and  Ole  made  harness  and  tugs  ready  for  use.  Mr.  Anti 
split  the  wood  and  Sipela  made  a  hole  to  the  lake  for  water. 

Sunday ,  February  15. — Cloudy  weather,  with  northeast  wind  blow¬ 
ing.  Puttkenliok  went  to  see  after  the  deer  and  found  them  all  right, 

o  c^>  j 

the  rest  of  us  stajdng  in  the  house  and  had  a  church  meeting,  praying 
and  singing.  Peneyak  cooked  and  made  a  hole  to  the  lake  for  water. 
Ole  also  cooked  and  split  the  wood. 

Monday ,  February  16. — Cloudy  weather,  northeast  wind  blowing 
hard;  stormy.  Everybody  busy  in  the  house — Anti  softening  a  deer¬ 
skin  all  day  long;  the  boys  fixed  their  bunks,  and  Ole  split  the  wood 
and  he  and  Puttkenliok  cooked. 

Thursday ,  February  19. — Cloudy  weather,  northeast  wind.  Boys 
came  from  station.  Mr.  Anti  looked  for  the  herd  and  found  it  all 
right.  Ole  and  Peneyak  brought  the  deer  down  to  the  stake.  .  Peneyak 
split  the  wood  and  cooked. 

February  20. — Cloudy,  with  southeast  wind  blowing  hard.  Mr. 
Anti  and  Peneyak  went  to  see  the  deer  and  move  them.  Ole  split  the 
wood;  Anti  got  some  ice  and  made  the  water;  Sipela’s  mother  stayed 
at  the  camp  over  night. 

Saturday ,  February  21. — Cloudy  weather,  northeast  wind  blowing 
a  little.  Mr.  Anti  and  Pene}rak  went  to  see  after  the  deer  and  move; 
took  two  deer  and  a  sack  of  coal  and  sled  and  left  to  go  to  the  moss 
hill.  The  boys  broke  the  sled,  and  Ole  and  Sipela  took  the  deer  to 
the  post.  Ole  split  the  wood  and  got  some  water. 

Sunday ,  February  22. — Cloudy  weather,  northeast  wind  blowing. 
This  morning  Puttkenliok  went  to  see  after  the  deer  and  move  them. 
Anti  and  boy  kept  Sabbath  day  in  church,  praying  and  singing  hymns; 
and  the  boys  made  the  hole  in  the  lake. 

Monday ,  February  23. — Weather — first,  light  wind;  later  in  the 
day,  fog.  Ole  and  S.  Puttkenliok  took  two  deer  and  got  some  wood. 
Mr.  Anti,  with  Peneyak,  went  to  see  the  herd  and  found  it  all  right. 
They  brought  the  herd  nearer.  Ole  brought  the  deer  and  Puttkenliok 
split  the  wood,  while  Sipela  stayed  in  the  house  with  the  “messenger 
woman” — Sipela’s  mother.  Anti  turned  out  a  deer  named  Tuttle  and 
got  the  water,  which  is  quite  a  distance  off. 

Tuesday ,  February  21±. — Cloudy  weather;  north  wind  blowing.  Anti, 
Sipela,  and  Peneyak  fixed  the  breaking  sleds.  Arizona,  Alabama, 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  73 


and  Ole  went  to  see  the  deer  and  move.  Puttkenhok  cooked,  and 
Ongnoson  came  to  the  camp  looking  for  traps  and  the  u  messenger 
woman,”  who  went  to  the  station.  Ole  J.  Polk  cooked  and  cleaned 
the  house. 

Wednesday ,  February  25. — Clear;  east  wind.  New  sleds  made. 
Bottoms  and  Anti  and  Sipela  split  the  burning  wood  and  Pene}rak 
cooked.  Plenty  of  6  4  messenger”  boys  and  myself  at  the  camp.  • 

February  26. — Clear;  west  wind.  Made  new  sleds  ready  and  S. 
Puttkenhok  went  to  see  the  deer  and  move;  Ole  and  Puttkenhok  split 
the  wood  and  Sipela  cooked  with  nry  help.  Ole  made  a  hole  to  the 
lake  and  got  water. 

February  27. — Cloud}^  weather;  smooth.  Wind  blowing  a  little. 
Anti  and  myself  made  harness.  Sipela  has  been  to  see  the  deer  and 
move  them.  Puttkenhok  cooked  and  Mr.  J.  T.  Boys  has  been  at  the 
camp,  also  Ongnoson. 

Saturday ,  February  28. — Cloudy  weather;  south  wind  blowing  hard. 
Anti  made  the  harness  and  went  to  see  the  deer.  Ole  shoveled  the 
snow  on  top  of  the  house  and  around  it;  the  afternoon  was  misty;  rain 
and  very  strong  wind  blew  and  the  water  is  open  far  off.  Mr.  J. 
Thomas  Boya  has  been  here.  Ole  split  the  wood. 


A  SAMPLE  MONTH  FROM  THE  LOG  BOOK  OF  SEPILLA,  AN  ESKIMO  REIN¬ 
DEER  HERDER,  AT  ST.  LAWRENCE  ISLAND. a 

Saturday ,  1. — March  month.  Peniuk  cooked.  Snowing  day. 
Sipilla  and  Petenkuk  went  to  move  work  deer.  Peniuk  shoveling 
snow.  Sholook  come  from  S.  E.  Cape  and  two  women  and  one  boy. 
Peniuk  split  wood.  Petenkuk  make  hole  lake.  Sipilla  got  water, 
one  barrel. 

Sunday ,  2. — Petenkuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Sipilla  and  Peniuk  went 
go  to  station,  got  prevecan  (provisions). 

Monday ,  3. — Petenkuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Sipilla  and 
Peniuk  came  from  village.  Brought  food  and  two  sack  coal.  Kerappl 
and  Blexen  drug.  Anti  stay  station  one  week;  he  sick.  Petenkuk 
take  two  deer  for  head  wood;  make  fast.  Anti  and  Sipilla  split  wood. 

Tuesday ,  J±.- — Sipilla  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Petenkuk  got 
wood,  two  driving  deer.  Peniuk  went  to  see  deer;  all  right.  Anti 
and  Petenkuk  split  wood.  Sipilla  and  Peniuk  take  two  driving  for 
head  wood. 

Wednesday ,  5. — Peniuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Four  boys  went  to 
move  work  deer.  Boys  take  lasso.  Sipilla  and  Peniuk  got  deer 
behind  work  deer  place;  break  one  deer.  Turn  out  Donder  and 

aSepilla  has  had.  perhaps,  the  advantage  of  a  mission  school  for  two  or  three 

winters. 


74  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


Blexin.  Anti  split  wood.  Mr.  Egan  came  from  village.  Mr.  Egan 
take  station  deer  meat.  Sipilla  and  Petenkuk  make  hole  lake. 

Thursday ,  6. — Petenkuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Sippilla 
went  got  after  wood.  Mr.  Egan  came  from  village.  Peniuk  and 
Mr.  Egan  went  to  see  deer;  all  right.  Mr.  Egan  count  deer.  Sipilla 
and  Peniuk  take  two  driving  head  wood.  Mr.  Egan  go  back  station 
in  evening.  Petenkuk  split  wood. 

Friday ,  7. — Sipilla  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Peniuk  and  Peten¬ 
kuk  got  wood,  two  driving  deer.  Sipilla  split  wood.  Peniuk  and 
Petenkuk  take  two  driving  head  wood.  Sipilla  and  Peniuk  went  to 
fox  trape;  no  got.  Petenkuk  make  hole  lake. 

Saturday,  8. — Peniuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Sipilla  and  Petenkuk  got 
wood,  two  driving.  Anti  went  to  see  deer  all  right.  Peniuk  split  wood 
and  made  hole  lake.  Sipilla  and  Petenkuk  came  house,  brought  wood. 
Sipilla  and  Petenkuk  take  two  deer  driving  head  wood ;  make  fast.  Anti 
sick  eye  in  evening. 

Sunday ,  9. — Petenkuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Sipilla  and 
Peniuk  went  to  move;  work  deer  and  other  deer  too.  Some  look 
moss;  come  house  in  evening. 

Monday ,  10. — Peniuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Sipilla  and  Petenkuk 
went  to  go  station;  got  coal  and  2  deer  for  food.  Anti  went  to  see 
for  moss.  Peniuk  split  wood. 

Tuesday ,  11. — Peniuk  cooked  again.  Anti  and  Peniuk  went  tomuve 
one  work  deer.  He  run  away  for  other  deer.  Sipilla  and  Petenkuk 
came  from  village;  brought  2  sack  coal  and  food.  Sipilla  and  Peniuk 
take  deer  for  driving  behind  head  wood. 

Wednesday ,  12. — Sipilla  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Peniuk  and 
Petenkuk  take  lasso  for  deer;  like  catch  one  deer;  no  can’t  catch,  too 
wild.  Came  house  in  evening. 

Thursday ,  13. — Petenkuk  cooked;  little  snowing.  Sipilla  and  Anti 
catch  one  deer  other  day;  run  awa}^  for  other  deer.  Sipilla  and  Peniuk 
take  deer  for  other  side  lake  beach.  Anti  split  wood. 

Friday ,  — Peniuk  cooked;  blowing  day.  Petenkuk  and  Peniuk 
went  to  move  work  deer.  Sipilla  went  to  see  wood  other  side  moun¬ 
tain.  Peniuk  split. 

Saturday ,  15.—  Sipilla  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Petenkuk  went 
to  move  work  deer  and  other  deer  too.  Sipilla  split  wood.  Peniuk 
went  to  go  station;  tell  doctor  something. 

Sunday ,  16. — Petenkuk  cooked;  stormy  day.  Sipilla  and  Peniuk 
went  to  move  work  deer.  Mr.  Egan  came  from  village.  Mr.  Egan 
go  back  station;  take  papa’s. 

Monday ,  17. — Peniuk  cooked;  stormy  day.  Anti  and  Petenkuk 
went  to  move  work  deer.  Boys  scrub  floor.  Sipilla  split  wood. 
Peniuk  make  hole  lake. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


Tuesday ,  18. — Sipilla  cooked;  blowing  day.  Petenkuk  went  to 
move  work  deer.  Boys  tixed  bed  Anti  rom,  because  boys  rom  to 
cold.  Peniuk  split  wood  and  Petenkuk. 

Wednesday ,  19. — Petenkuk  cooked;  cold  weather.  Sipilla  and 
Peniuk  got  wood  two  driving  deer.  Anti  went  to  see  deer;  all  right. 
Sipilla  and  Peniuk  came  house  in  evening;  brought  wood.  Peniuk 
and  Sipilla  take  deer  for  head  wood;  make  fast.  One  woman  and  one 
boy  came  from  S.  E.  Cape  go  from  station. 

Thursday ,  20. - — Sipilla  cooked;  stormy  day.  Petenkuk  went  to  see 
work  deer.  Sipilla  split  wood.  Anti  tixed  net. 

Friday ,  21. — Petenkuk  cooked;  clear  weather.  Anti  and  Sipilla 
went  to  go  station  for  two  driving  deer.  Take  five  sack  moss.  Peten¬ 
kuk  and  Peniuk  went  to  see  deer;  all  right.  Station  man  went  to  go 
S.  E.  Cape. 

Saturday ,  22. — Peniuk  cooked;  stormy  day. 

Sunday ,  23. — Petenkuk  cooked;  clear  weather.  Peniuk  and  Peten¬ 
kuk  went  to  move  one  work  deer.  Sipilla  and  Anti  came  from  village; 
brought  four  sack  coal  and  one  broom,  and  fox  trape  one.  Petenkuk 
and  Peniuk  take  two  deer  for  sticks;  made  fast.  Anti  and  Sipilla 
sleep  station  two  night,  and  brought  seven  stove  pipe. 

Monday ,  2 If,. — Sipilla  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Peniuk  and 
Petenkuk  went  got  wood  two  driving  deer.  Sipilla  split  wood. 
Petenkuk  and  Peniuk  take  two  deer  for  head  wood;  make  fast. 

Tuesday ,  25.  — Peniuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Sipilla  went  to  see  deer; 
all  right.  Anti  went  to  move  work  deer.  Mr.  Egan  came  from  vil- 

O  O 

lage.  Anti  and  Petenkuk  went  to  got  wood,  two  driving  deer.  Take 
deer  for  wood.  Mr.  Egan  go  back  in  the  dark. 

Wednesday ,  Petenkuk  cooked;  clear  day.  Anti  and  Sipilla 

and  Peniuk  went  got  three  driving  deer.  Mr.  Egan  came  from  vil¬ 
lage;  brought  wire  and  waste  pan,  and  Hour  kettle.  Mr.  Egan  tixed 
holder  for  deer.  Petenkuk  split  wood.  Man  came  from  village,  got 
wood. 

Thursday ,  27. — Clear  day.  Anti  and  Petenkuk  got  wood  with  two 
deer.  Peniuk  went  to  see  herd;  counted  79.  Sipilla  cooked.  Anti 
fix  back  band.  Peniuk  made  halter.  Petenkuk  cut  wood.  Mr.  Egan 
went  to  station  in  afternoon;  tixed  bed  for  boys  and  Anti. 

Friday ,  28. — Clear  day.  Peniuk  cooked.  Anti  went  to  herd  see 
deer;  all  right.  Sipilla  and  Petenkuk  got  with  one  deer.  Work  deer 
plenty  round  rope.  Petenkuk  take  deer  for  wood.  Anti  fix  back 
band.  Sipilla  split  wood.  Sipilla  and  Petenkuk  make  hole  lake.  Pe¬ 
tenkuk  cut  wood. 

Saturday ,  29. — Clear  day.  Petenkuk  cooked  early  morning.  Anti 
went  to  see  work  deer;  all  right.  Sipilla  cut  it  knife  hand.  Anti  got 
wood  with  one  deer.  Mr.  Egan  and  Mr.  Thomas  and  Ahtiyuhuk 
came  from  village.  Anti  came  house  brought  boys  one  deer.  Peniu 


76  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


and  Sipilla  split  wood.  Anti  and  Peniu  and  Petenkuk  went  move 
work  deer,  no  far  from  house.  Mr.  Egan  went  go  station  in  after¬ 
noon.  Boys  find  it  good  place  for  work  deer. 

Sunday ,  SO. — Sipilla  cooked;  stormy  day.  Anti  and  Peniuk  and 
Petenkuk  went  move  work  deer;  he  didn’t  find  it.  Too  stormy. 

Monday ,  31. — Clear  day.  Anti  and  Sipilla  got  two  deer  for  house. 
Peniu  and  Petenkuk  go  to  station  with  two  deer.  Anti  got  wood  with 
one  deer.  Sipilla  cut  wood.  Anti  fix  back  band.  Sipilla  cook  and 
make  hole  lake. 


Gambell,  St.  Lawrence  Island,  May  12,  1903.  . 

Dear  Doctor  Jackson:  The  whalers  Alexander  and  Jeanette  came 
in  yesterday  morning,  the  first  ships  this  year,  bringing  our  first  mail, 
including  your  letter  under  date  of  March  3. 

We  were  greatly  jo}md  to  learn  that  St.  Lawrence  Island  had  been 
set  aside  as  a  reservation.  Now  we  hope  that  something  more  than 
talk  or  warning  may  be  done  to  stop  the  importation  and  manufacture 
of  liquor. 

Without  doubt  our  greatest  fear  of  the  entire  year  is  the  annual 
visit  of  the  Indian  Point  Siberian  people,  when  liquor  changes  hands 
one  way  or  another.  These  incoming  brigands  have  been  a  terror  to 
the  islanders  for  many  years.  They  used  to  come  in  8, 10,  or  12  boats, 
each  one  carrying  10  or  15  people,  mostly  men,  and  would  carry  off 
anything  of  value  they  could  see.  Many  and  many  a  pound  of  whale¬ 
bone  and  ivory  has  been  carried  away  from  here,  and  these  people 
would  make  no  complaint.  But  last  year  the  old  chief  from  Indian 
Point  threatened  to  kill  Asshoonu  unless  he  paid  tribute,  and  another  • 
man  went  into  Af kowan’s  house  and  loudly  demanded  some  ivory  he  ; 
saw.  This  last  fact  was  not  reported  to  me  until  a  few  days  ago.  W e  i 
do  not  know  what  is  in  front  of  us  (He  holds  the  key  and  we  are  glad),  j 
but  shall  breathe  a  sigh  of  relief  when  the  annual  visit  has  been  com-  ■ 
pleted.  We  trust  it  shall  not  be  with  broken  bones  as  last  year.  It 
seems  to  me  that  the  dignity  of  the  representative  of  the  United  States 
of  America  requires  an  executive  officer,  and  yet  I  know  that  I  have 
been  commissioned  by  a  far  higher  power  than  the  United  States 
of  America,  even  by  Him  who  said,  “Thinkest  thou  that  I  can  not 
beseech  my  Father,  and  he  shall  even  now  send  me  more  than  twelve 
legions  of  angels?”  Then,  when  thinking,  and  thinking,  and  think¬ 
ing  about  the  right  course  to  pursue,  and  none  to  counsel  or  advise 
with  as  other  missionaries  have,  I  am  reminded  again  of  Him  who  had 
a  far  more  lonely  mission.  How  lonely  and  sad  was  the  God  of  Glory, 
toiling  against  a  mighty  stream,  rushing,  tearing,  plunging,  stiff¬ 
necked  humanity,  that  only  He  could  save.  Little  wonder  that  it 
is  recorded  of  Him,  “He  withdrew  into  a  mountain  apart,  to  pray.” 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


(  ( 

If  my  faith  were  but  more  simple,  I  would  take  Him  at  His  word,  for 
He  says,  “If  any  of  you  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  that  giveth 
to  all  men  liberally,  and  upbraideth  not.” 

We  wish  we  had  more  means  at  our  command,  but  feel  on  one  hand 
that  we  are  paid  more  than  we  are  worth  and  on  the  other  that  you 
will  allow  us  proportionately  as  much  as  the  appropriations  will  admit. 
We  have  three  boys  with  us  now,  and  it  is  wonderful  how  the  clothing 
and  food  goes.  We  had  hard  work  to  get  the  first  one  and  it  was 
several  months  before  we  got  the  others.  Even  now  the  elders — 
Eskimo — consider  that  we  are  feeding  and  clothing  them,  so  they  are 
that  much  ahead.  Children  are  ordered  about  by  anyone  older  than 
they  are,  regardless  of  relationship.  Maskin  is  a  full  orphan  about 

or  6  years  old,  and  has  grown  2  or  3  inches  since  coming  with  us. 

Itorogen  is  about  10  years  old,  and  was  our  first  boy.  These  two 
we  have  had  turned  over  to  us  completely,  as  far  as  papers  and 
witnesses  are  concerned.  Itorogen’s  father,  however,  seems  to  think 
he  may  still  have  a  hand  in  his  training,  and  has  caused  us  no  little 
trouble.  Imnungan  is  a  full  orphan  about  13  years  old  and  has  no 
relatives  here  but  a  sister,  and  he  has  but  one  eye.  I  did  a  great  deal 
for  his  father  while  sick  a  long  time,  taking  him  food  and  medicine 
and  talking  to  him.  The  poor  old  man  always  listened  very  attentively, 
and  tried  to  tell  me  he  trusted  Jesus,  but  he  died  and  was  buried  as 
his  fathers  before  him.  I  should  like  to  send  Imnungan  and  Itorogen 
to  America  (Carlisle)  to  school,  if  it  could  be  arranged.  It  will  be  a 
great  day  for  St.  Lawrence  when  some  of  the  bo}^s  or  girls  break  away, 
and  a  greater  victory  if  some  from  a  native  house  should  go  than  for 
my  own  boys.  1  may  briefly  state  here  that  the  average  attendance 
for  the  year  of  146  days  taught  has  been  52.5.  There  were  9  who 
were  neither  absent  nor  tardy  during  the  entire  year,  and  more  than 
as  many  more  whose  records  are  a  very  close  “second.”  I  have  become 
somewhat  used  to  the  smell,  but  that  does  not  annul  its  effects.  Mrs. 
C.  had  a  very  severe  eczema  of  both  hands,  due  to  her  washing  some 
poor  suffering  children.  We  should  not  mind  it  if  the  people  were 
not  so  stubborn,  and  would  only  listen,  think,  and  ask  questions.  But 
the  more  they  resist  the  more  we  long  to  see  some  fruit  among  them 
for  Jesus.  Perhaps  I  am  stubborn,  too.  I  wish  you  would  tell  me 
what  to  do  with  those  two  refractory  brothers  who  fought  me  last 
year. 

I  shall  trj'  to  get  an  order  down  for  a  shuttle  spring  for  the  sewing 
machine  (Domestic).  The  only  one  we  had  broke  last  fall  and  left 
Mrs.  C.  in  sore  straits  all  winter,  with  the  boys  and  reindeer  herders 
to  provide  for  and  a  lot  of  her  own  sewing  to  be  done  by  hand — both 
slow  and  expensive. 

Lest  I  should  forget  it  in  my  letter  later,  may  I  trouble  you  to  see 
that  my  name  is  on  the  list  of  those  to  whom  the  Annual  Report  of 


78  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


the  Smithsonian  Institution  is  sent?  I  have  those  for  1897,  1898,  and 
1899,  and  have  some  papers  for  them  ere  long.  The  people  are  very 
reticent  about  giving  me  any  information,  and  I  have  not  yet  been 
able  to  make  any  good  pictures.  I  should  also  like  the  reports  of  our 
home  and  foreign  boards  of  missions.  It  is  now  time  for  my  English- 
speaking  young  men  in  Bible  study  and  I  must  go.  “  Constant  drop¬ 
ping  wears  away  great  stones,”  and  “While  there’s  life  there’s  hope,” 
so  we  shall  reap  in  due  season  for  the  Lord  of  Lords  said,  “Lo!  I  am 
with  you.”  “If  God  be  for  us,  who  is  against  us?”  May  God  bless 
you  alwaj^s. 

Yours,  in  Christ  Jesus, 

Edgar  O.  Campbell. 

Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington ,  January  9 ,  1903. 

Sir:  In  a  letter  of  the  22d  ultimo,  to  the  Department,  you  recom¬ 
mended  that  St.  Lawrence  Island,  Bering  Sea,  district  of  Alaska,  be 
reserved  for  the  use  of  the  Government  in  carrying  on  the  reindeer 
industry. 

As  the  island  is  subject  to  such  action  I  have  procured  an  order  of 
the  President,  dated  January  7,  1903,  reserving  and  setting  apart  the 
island  for  a  reindeer  station. 

The  order  has  been  to-day  transmitted  to  the  Commissioner  of  the 
General  Land  Office  to  be  noted  and  filed  and  a  copy  of  it  is  inclosed 
for  your  use. 

Very  respectfully, 

E.  A.  Hitchcock,  Secretary. 

The  Commissioner  of  Education. 


Gambell,  St.  L4Wrence  Island,  Alaska,  July  7,  1903. 

Dear  Doctor  Jackson:  Inclosed  1  send  you  signed  vouchers  and 
request  for  payment  of  salary  from  Anti,  and  accounts  of  both  Per 
Larsen  Anti  and  Ole  J.  Pulk,  who  have  been  with  me  this  year.  Anti 
has  been  a  help  to  me,  but  I  can  not  say  so  much  for  the  other  man. 
I  am  very  much  in  hopes  that  some  cheese  can  be  made  here  this  sum¬ 
mer,  that  the  boys  may  learn  the  process.  Neither  of  these  Lapps 
knows  how  to  make  glue  from  the  horns  and  hoofs  of  the  deer,  nor  do 
they  understand  tanning  deerskins.  Could  you  not  furnish  necessary 
information  and  apparatus  for  making  glue?  Anti  says  he  wants  some 
willow  bark  for  tanning  skins. 

This  spring  we  have  had  several  deaths  in  the  herd  of  reindeer  from 
being  “crazy”  (of  which  I  shall  speak  in  a  separate  letter),  and  the 
skins  of  these  deer  will  be  of  no  use  for  clothing  or  bedding,  because 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


79 


the  fur  is  loose  at  this  time  of  year.  If  we  could  tan  them  a  saving 
could  be  made.  Also,  3^011  will  find  inclosed  a  more  extended  account 
of  my  last  winter’s  trip  in  a  snow  storm.  Perhaps  3rou  may  not  want 
it  in  your  report,  as  I  have  included  a  summary  covering  the  main 
points,  in  which  case  will  you  please  undertake  to  secure  its  publica¬ 
tion  in  some  journal  or  magazine,  the  proceeds  to  be  given  toward  the 
evangelization  of  Alaska. 

Thanking  you  for  your  many  kindnesses,  I  am, 

Very  respectfully, 

Edgar  O.  Campbell. 


Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Gambell,  St.  Lawrence  Island,  Alaska,  July  £,  1903. 

Dear  Doctor  Jackson:  Under  separate  cover  I  am  sending  3^011 
the  reindeer  camp  log  book  kept  by  Ole  J.  Pulk. 

In  regard  to  the  sickness  among  our  deer,  which  has  carried  off  so 
many  this  year,  I  am  not  able  to  come  to  an>r  conclusion.  It  is  simply 
I  called  “craziness.”  In  some  cases  the  deer  manifest  symptoms  akin 
to  t^drophobia,  fighting  other  deer,  breaking  up  sleds,  etc. ,  and  even 
chasing  the  herders,  while  in  others  they  run  away  or  become  drowsy 
and  lazy  and  poor,  lag  behind  the  herd  and  die.  The  period  of  sick¬ 
ness  ranges  from  three  to  ten  days,  the  probable  average  being  about 
five  or  six  days.  Capt.  M.  A.  Healy,  R.  C.  S.,  commanding  the  Thetis , 

;  thought  it  might  be  due  to  bad  water. 

In  the  skull  of  one  carcass  we  found  on  each  side  of  the  meatus 
auditorius  internus  a  cluster  or  nest  of  eggs  of  some  kind.  Just  above 
the  meatus  auditorius  internus  my  knife  separated  quite  easily  a  por¬ 
tion  of  the  petrous  part  of  the  temporal  bone,  disclosing  another  nest 
of  eggs.  Some  of  the  former  nests  adhered  to  the  brain  as  the  brain 
was  removed,  and  I  have  preserved  them  in  alcohol. 

In  another  deer,  which  died  June  26,  I  found,  while  the  carcass  was 
|  yet  warm,  four-branched  growths  filling  up  the  valves  and  cavities  of 
|  the  heart.  I  left  with  Mr.  Hamilton  some  specimens  of  these. 

Dr.  Henry  Horn,  of  the  R.  C.  S.  Thetis ,  was  of  the  opinion  that 

I*  these  were  simply  coagulated  fibrin.  This  could  onty  be  determined 
,  by  a  microscopical  examination,  and  my  stains  and  solutions  are  too 
I  old  for  good  work. 

In  the  other  deer  that  have  died  we  have  not  found  any  other  signs 

(that  would  give  us  a  clue  to  the  cause  of  this  disease.  If  the  Depart- 
i  ment  of  Agriculture  intends  sending  a  man  to  inspect  reindeer  imported 
j  into  Alaska,  I  would  suggest  that  he  be  a  man  of  approved  scientific 
I  experience,  equipped  with  necessary  supplies  for  examination  of  blood 
and  other  preparations  from  deer  dying  from  this  and  other  diseases. 
If  he  could  come  up  on  one  of  the  first  whalers  he  would  reach  this 
[station  when  the  disease  is  at  its  worst.  The  Alexander ,  Capt.  James 


80  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA, 

Tilton,  reached  here  May  11.  This  has  been  the  first  vessel  in  for  the 
past  two  }rears,  probably  because  Captain  Tilton  persistently  kept  to 
the  eastward  passage.  Other  captains  have  told  me  they  too  would 
try  the  eastward  passage  next  }mar. 

It  would  not  be  difficult  for  such  expert  to  get  over  td  Siberia  from 
here,  where  there  have  been  so  many  deer  to  die  this  year  from  the 
same  “crazy”  sickness. 

We  had  a  very  pleasant  visit  from  Mr.  Hamilton  on  the  30th  of 
June,  and  were  only  sorry  that  the  pressure  of  a  year’s  accumulation 
of  desired  counsels  and  advice  necessitated  our  talking  business  in  such 
a  rush  as  to  leave  little  time  for  any  social  refreshment  or  cultivation 
of  acquaintanceship.  We  wish  we  could  make  'St.  Lawrence  Island 
more  attractive  for  good  and  nice  people,  that  they  would  come  oftener 
and  stay  longer.  Please  thank  Mrs.  Thaw  for  that  superb  box  of  eye 
instruments,  and  yourself  and  others  for  the  books.  The  instruments 
have  a  double  preciousness  to  me,  being  selected  by  my  instructors, 
with  whom  I  spent  so  many  happy  and  profitable  hours,  and  paid  for 
by  those  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  and  His  church. 

Thanking  you  again,  very  sincerely  yours, 

Edgar  O.  Campbell. 


REPORTS  FROM  TELLER  REINDEER  STATION. 

Teller,  Alaska,  January  6 ,  1903. 

Dear  Doctor:  Nils  Klemetson,  Sara,  and  Nelleruak,  arrived  Decem¬ 
ber  11,  and  proceeded  to  the  winter  camp  December  13  to  prepare  the 
corral  for  dividing  the  herd.  On  the  15th  I  left  with  one  of  my  boys 
and  two  deer  in  a  blizzard,  25°.  The  storm  hindered  us  from  cross¬ 
ing  the  divide  and  we  camped  in  an  abandoned  miner’s  tent  until  3  a.  m. 
the  16th,  when  the  storm  had  abated  and  we  crossed  over,  arriving  at 
camp  at  5  p.  m.,  cold  and  hungry.  Despite  the  intense  cold,  45°,  we 
began  work  the  next  morning,  and  in  two  days  had  the  herds  separated. 

On  the  20tli  the  party  left  the  camp  for  Golofnin  Bay.  Two  female 
deer  belonging  to  the  Government  have  been  found  in  the  herd  since. 
The  Government  deer  were  first  lassoed  and  separated,  and  during  the 
second  day  three  were  found.  After  Nils  and  all  the  herders  had 
scanned  the  herd  in  vain  for  half  an  hour,  it  was  concluded  that  all  had 
been  picked  out;  482  deer  are  left  in  the  herd.  The  morning  of  the  18th 
we  left  the  camp  and  were  on  the  divide  when  darkness  overtook  us. 
We  got  down  a  little  too  far  to  the  left,  and  instead  of  being  home  in 
three  hours  we  spent  the  night,  first,  in  trying  to  get  in  the  course  again; 
when  we  were  unable  to  go  any  farther  in  the  darkness  we  camped  in 
the  snow.  I  crawled  into  my  sleeping  bag  wet  from  exertion.  The 
natives  dug  a  deep  hole  in  a  drift  and  sat  down.  At  2  a.  m.  the  moon 
rose  and  we  proceeded  on  our  way,  hungry  and  thirsty.  At  4  a.  m. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  81 


we  struck  Grantly  Harbor,  16  miles  from  the  station.  In  descending 
the  steep  hill  and  embankment  near  the  sea  with  the  deer  tied  behind 
the  sled,  I  suddenly  found  myself  going  through  space  head  first,  and 
after  getting  up  out  of  the  loose  snow  I  saw  the  deer  standing  on  the 
edge  of  the  embankment  20  feet  above  me,  the  sled  suspended  from 
its  horns.  The  station  was  reached  at  7  a.  m. 

Since  I  last  wrote  I  have  taken  one  small  boy  and  a  grown-up  girl 
into  the  home.  Alf.  Ottis  Brevig  is  growing  fast. 

With  kind  greetings  from  all, 

Yours,  truly, 

T.  L.  Brevig. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Teller,  Alaska,  February  3 ,  1903. 

Dear  Doctor:  Wc  are  not  yet  frozen  up,  but  approaching  the 
danger  line.  Since  December  15,  a  period  of  fifty  days,  the  ther¬ 
mometer  has  registered  below  zero.  Generally  clear,  calm  weather 
I  has  prevailed,  with  two  furious  prolonged  gales  from  N.  to  NNE. 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  bay  there  is  about  15  inches  of  snow,  but  it 
is  badly  drifted  over  the  divide.  In  the  Ahgeeapuk  Valley  there  is 
about  4  feet  of  loose  snow.  At  the  last  report  from  the  herd  no  deer 
i  were  reported  sick. 

In  making  rules  for  apprentices  receiving  herds  there  is  one  vital 
point  not  touched  on  in  the  draft  of  an  agreement  already  agreed  upon, 
i  and  that  should  be  considered  in  letting  out  deer.  I  have  always  men¬ 
tioned  it  to  my  men  and  thought  it  was  an  established  agreement  well 
understood,  but  find  it  is  not  so  even  among  the  white  men  in  charge 
of  the  herds.  I  refer  to  deermen  staying  with  their  herd  and  making 
it  their  home.  There  is  a  tendency  among  all  to  leave  the  herd  and 
live  on  the  beach  with  the  rest  of  the  natives  during  the  summer,  and 
have  winter  quarters  in  some  native  villages.  Of  course,  I  admit 
them  the  right  to  leave  the  herd  for  short  visits  to  friends  or  to  attend 
to  other  business,  even  to  stay  away  for  some  length  of  time,  but  only 
I  with  the  knowledge  and  consent  of  the  man  in  charge.  These  are 

I  simply  myr  thoughts  on  the  subject. 

Carving  and  work  with  tools  is  continued  this  winter,  even  without 
I  a  competent  teacher  in  that  line. 

Thelma  and  Leonora  are  a  little  sick  at  present,  but  hope  it  will  pass 
(  away.  Otherwise  we  are  all  well,  and  all  send  their  greetings  to  you 
i  and  Mr.  Hamilton. 

Respectfully, 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


T.  L.  Brevig. 


82  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


Teller,  Alaska,  February  9 ,  1903 . 


Dear  Doctor:  Yours  of  October  was  received  the  7th  when  our 
first  outside  mail  arrived. 

Elingnuk  was  discharged  by  Sekeoglook  soon  after  I  wrote,  and 
sneaked  by  the  station  in  the  night;  since  then  I  have  not  seen  him  or 
heard  of  him.  Sekeoglook  himself  will,  as  inclosed  letter  will  show 
you,  give  me  enough  to  think  about  for  awhile.  I  have  sent  out  to 
investigate  who  sold  him  the  whisky  and  got  the  deer,  and  if  I  can 
find  out  I  will  have  him  arrested;  I  think  of  removing  Sekeoglook  from 
the  herd  until  your  arrival  in  the  summer.  Elingnuk  did  not  get  the 
ten  deer  intended  for  him,  and  I  have  not  assigned  them  to  any  yet, 
as  I  wanted  to  see  how  his  new  apprentice  turned  out,  and  think  now 
that  he,  to  some  extent,  will  follow  in  Elingnuk’s  footsteps.  Every¬ 
thing  is  quiet  but  the  wind.  A  gale  has  been  blowing  for  six  days, 
and  it  is  cold,  —22°  to  —35°  since  I  last  wrote;  to-day  —35°.  Every¬ 
body-  is  well.  We  have  no  white  persons  with  us  this  winter,  and  the 
work  is  telling  on  my  wife  The  boys  are  working  at  their  carving 
and  drawing. 

With  kind  regards  from  us  all  to  Mr.  Hamilton  and  yourself, 
I  remain, 

Respectfully,  yours, 


T.  L.  Brevig. 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Teller,  Alaska,  March  JJ,  1903. 

Dear  Doctor:  To-day  it  is  cold  and  blustering,  but  for  a  month  we 
have  had  mild  weather,  with  southerly  winds,  snow,  and  sleet. 

I  have  now  settled  Sekeoglook’s  matter  in  a  way.  I  swore  out  war¬ 
rants  against  Sekeoglook  for  being  drunk  and  disorderly,  and  against 
his  brother-in-law  for  giving  and  selling  him  whisky.  They  were 
both  convicted  and  sentenced.  During  the  trial,  evidence  against  a 
white  man  was  brought  forth,  and  I  swore  out  a  complaint  against 
him.  Sekeoglook  denied  having  taken  any  deer  meat  from  the  herd 
when  I  asked  him  at  the  station.  At  the  trial  he  admitted  that  he  had. 
given  his  brother-in-law  a  carcass,  and  traded  the  white  man  a  hind 
quarter  and  $1  for  whisky.  I  will  let  it  remain  with  this  until  the 
representative  from  the  Bureau  arrives  in  July.  I  have  told  all  the 
natives  (herders)  that  hereafter  I  will  not  talk,  but  if  they  get  whisky 
or  get  drunk  I  will  put  them  in  jail.  On  March  4  a  fawn  was  born 
that  was  living  at  last  report,  but  was  almost  devoid  of  hair.  All  are 
well. 

With  kind  greetings, 

Yours,  truly, 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


T.  L.  Brevig. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  83 


Teller,  Alaska,  March  23,  1903. 

Dear  Doctor:  The  case  against  the  white  man  who  sold  JSekeog- 
look  and  other  natives  whisky  was  up  the  20th,  and  despite  the  fact 
that  he  demanded  a  jury  trial,  and  had  an  attorney,  Mr.  Price,  he  was 
convicted  and  sentenced  to  five  months  in  jail.  Mr.  Evans,  as  prose¬ 
cutor,  did  well  and  worked  hard  to  convict. 

To-day  we  have  a  howling  blizzard  from  the  southwest.  All  are 
well  and  send  their  greeting. 

Respectfully,  yours, 

T.  L.  Brevig. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Teller  Reindeer  Station,  Alaska,  May  26,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  write  this  to  Nome,  hoping  to  reach  you  there  with 
news  before  vessels  can  come  in  here.  The  fawning  season  is  practi¬ 
cally  over  and  was  favorable  in  all  respects.  Clear  and  even  tempera¬ 
ture;  not  warm  and  not  cold.  At  last  report  we  had  205  living  fawns 
and  20  dead. 

The  Cape  reports  350  fawns  May  10.  Since  December,  1902,  reports 
came  in  of  deer  being  shot  by  natives  and  also  who  the  natives  were, 
but  all  was  only  hearsay  evidence,  and  it  was  not  until  the  8th  of  May, 
1903,  that  I  was  able  to  procure  a  little  direct  testimony.  A  native 
had  seen  the  skin  and  eaten  of  the  meat,  and  had  heard  the  native  say 
he  had  shot  the  deer.  On  this  evidence  1  had  him  arrested,  and  on  his 
trial  he  gave  testimon}^  against  five  more  natives,  who  were  also 
arrested  and  convicted.  They  confessed  having  killed  in  all  12  deer. 
I  have  been  criticised  severely  for  doing  this  by  the  people  of  Teller. 

In  May  I  took  in  five  orphans  from  Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  4  boys 
and  1  girl;  the  girl,  about  13,  having  been  forced  to  marry  a  year  ago 
a  husband  who  has  left  her  now.  She  was  about  to  be  forced  into 
another  marriage,  and  she  came  and  asked  to  be  taken  into  the  home. 
With  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Lee  we  got  her  from  the  people  she  stayed 
with.  The  home  now  has  23  children  and  T  adults,  30  in  all. 

With  kind  greetings, 

Yours,  truly, 

T.  L.  Brevig. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson,  or 

Representative  of  Bureau  of  Education  in  Alaska. 


Teller,  Alaska,  September  lip,  1903. 
Dear  Doctor:  Yours  of  August  17,  19,  and  24  received  the  12th. 
I  was  a  little  surprised  to  hear  Bango  had  been  appointed  to  this 
herd,  as  I  understood  we  would  not  be  required  to  have  a  Laplander 
S.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 7 


84  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

at  this  herd,  and  I  am  not  prepared  with  food  or  clothing  for  one  or 
two  extra  people.  Have  not  had  any  definite  news  of  a  successor  yet — 
onty  that  the  board  had  notified  me  August  8  that  a  man  and  his  wife 
had  been  called,  but  not  yet  accepted  the  call.  If  no  successor  arrived 
in  time  1  must  stay. 

School  Avas  opened  August  31,  and  as  Mr.  Hovick  consented  to  stay 
with  me  for  three  weeks  I  gave  him  eight  hours  daily  with  the  chil¬ 
dren  in  carving  and  drawing,  especially  to  prepare  some  specimens  of 
the  children’s  work  to  be  sent  to  the  exposition.  Mr.  Hovick  will 
leave  on  the  16th,  and  then  the  regular  school  work  will  be  taken  up. 
My  wife  had  to  go  out,  as  her  health  failed  her  fast,  and  as  it  is  not 
necessary  for  me  to  stay  here  with  the  successor  I  also  will  go  out  if 
they  arrive  in  time.  The  children  are  all  well  and  healthy. 

The  Government  has  now  in  this  herd  22  females  and  1  male  fawn. 
On  Mr.  Hamilton’s  order  3  males  were  butchered  and  brought  on 
board  the  Thetis ,  and  as  the  Government  had  no  males  in  this  herd 
the  mission  exchanged  3  males  for  3  females.  The  168  females  from 
the  Cape  will  arrive  some  time  during  the  Avinter.  I  advised  Mr.  Lee 
to  bring  them  early,  as  lassoing  and  handling  even  in  February  is  not 
advisable  with  females.  If  some  females  were  exchanged  for  males,  two 
herds  could  then  be  distributed  from  the  Government  deer.  Isak 
Hatta  wants  a  herd;  he  is  a  good  Lapp.  Fredrik  Larson  has  also 
behaved  very  well  this  last  year.  The  others  I  do  not  know  anything 
about. 

Mrs.  Brevig’s  address  is  Stanwood,  Wash.,  and  if  I  go  out  that  will 
will  also  be  my  address. 

If  I  go  out  I  will,  if  possible,  take  the  schoolgirl  from  Unalaska 
with  me.  If  I  go  I  shall  take  Ablikak  with  me,  to  send  him  to  our 
Indian  school  in  Wisconsin,  and  in  that  case  could  take  the  girl  as  far  ] 
as  Chicago.  I  arranged  with  Mr.  Hamilton  to  sell  to  the  Govern¬ 
ment  20  females  of  the  mission  herd  and  12  of  Ablikak’s. 

With  respectful  greetings,  yours,  truly, 

T.  L.  Brevig. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Teller,  Alaska,  September  1903. 

Dear  Doctor:  Inclosed  please  find  three  new  earmarks  for  this  j 
herd.  Mr.  Isak  Bango  and  family  arrived  the  26th,  and  are  yet  at  the  | 
station.  Mrs.  Bango  is  a  little  sick  after  the  trip.  They  will  soon  be 
sent  out  to  the  herd  and  furnished  rations  and  clothes  according  to 
the  old  list,  as  I  do  not  know  what  their  contract  is.  By  this  mail  I 
also  send  five  packages  of  carvings  and  drawings  from  the  school. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  85 


My  successor  has  not  arrived  yet,  nor  have  I  had  any  letters  from 
my  wife  or  others  in  regard  to  this;  so  it  seems  I  am,  nolens  volens, 
bound  for  another  winter.  Mr.  Bango  also  sends  his  vouchers  and 
bills  for  transportation  from  Unalakleet  to  Teller. 

All  the  children  are  well.  With  respectful  greetings, 


Sincerely,  yours, 
Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


T.  L.  Brevig. 


Number  of  sleds  at  Teller  station:  Mission,  18;  Dunnak,  6;  Sekeoglook,  4;  total,  28. 
Sets  of  harness:  Mission,  22;  Dunnak,  8;  Sekeoglook,  0;  total,  36.  Number  of 
sled  deer,  trained:  Mission,  14;  Dunnak,  12;  Sekeoglook,  6;  Ablikak,  6;  total,  38. 


ANNUAL  REPORT  GOLOFNIN  REINDEER  STATION. 

Unalakleet,  August  26,  1903 . 

Dear  Sir:  I  hereby  submit  my  annual  report  of  Golofnin  Bay  herd 
for  the  }rear  ending  June  30,  1903. 

I  am  sorry  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  send  it  before.  The  boys 
lost  the  account  of  the  fawns  last  spring,  and  when  we  marked  the  old 
deer  in  May  and  June  Nils  Klemetsen  thought  the  fawns  were  too 
young  to  mark.  He  promised  to  mark  them  as  soon  as  he  could  and 
send  me  the  account,  but  it  did  not  come  until  a  few  days  ago. 

The  winter  has  been  very  hard  for  the  deer.  The  snow  we  had 
before  Christmas  covered  the  moss;  then  the  ice  and  the  continual 
snowstorms  packed  the  snow  very  hard,  so  it  was  hard  for  the  deer  to 
find  the  moss.  So  I  had  to  move  them  closer  to  timber.  The  herd  has 
done  well  considering  the  hard  winter;  only  a  few  were  sick  of  hoof 
rot  when  I  left. 

The  fawning  began  the  11th  of  April,  and  although  the  weather  was 
hard  the  fawns  did  very  well. 

I  hope  the  herd  will  be  looked  after  better  now,  since  Nils  Klemet' 
sen  has  come.  I  inclose  a  chart  of  earmarks  adopted  in  the  Golofnin 
herd.  Have  been  very  busy  a  few  days  landing  our  supply  and 
lumber  for  the  schoolhouse.  It  will  be  very  late  to  build  this  fall,  but 
we  may  have  good  weather,  when  I  hope  we  will  be  able  to  do  it. 

With  kind  regards,  yours,  respectfully, 

K.  Hendrickson. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


8(5  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

ANNUAL  REPORT  EATON  REINDEER  STATION. 

Unalakleet,  Alaska,  June  30,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  for  the 
year  ending  June  30,  1903: 

In  accordance  with  }^our  instructions  of  last  summer  I  had  the 
Eaton  building  repaired;  also  the  warehouse,  from  which  the  posts 
underneath  had  slid  awa}^,  and  it  was  thus  ready  to  fall  down.  The 
expenses  incurred  for  same  amounts  to  about  $45. 

The  herds  have  been  in  an  excellent  condition.  On  September  6 
they  were  moving  into  winter  quarters,  the  Denbigh  herd  at  South 
River,  and  Mary’s  and  P.  Spein’s  at  a  river  east  of  there. 

September  8,  Tatpan’s  apprentice  left  the  herd  and  went  to 
Golofnin  Bay,  giving  as  reason,  “too  little  pay  for  work.”  Shortly 
after  Tatpan’s  brother-in-law  came  from  Golofnin  and  filled  the  place 
of  Liby.  He  is  a  strong  and  able  young  man,  and  seems  to  like  the 
work  well. 

On  November  IT  Nils  Klemetsen,  Nils  Sara,  and  Nallagorook  left 
for  Teller  in  order  to  bring  down  the  herd  from  there.  They  had 
each  two  deer  and  sleds.  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Henrickson  at  Golofnin  to 
let  them  exchange  their  sled  deer  for  fresh  ones  from  that  herd,  which 
was  granted.  January  18,  herd  and  drivers  arrived  at  Unalakleet,  all 
well.  The  deer  were  poor  on  account  of  having  been  kept  on  ground 
where  the  moss  was  burned  off.  Nils  Klemetsen  reported  that  two 
old  female  deer  and  one  fawn  had  died  on  the  road  from  Teller  to 
Golofnin,  and  that  two  sick  females  were  left  in  Golofnin  herd, 
together  with  Nils  Klemetsen’s  100  deer,  19  males,  62  females,  and  19 
female  fawns;  and  the  herd  brought  to  Unalakleet  consisted  of  52 
female  deer.  Thus  the  grand  total  brought  from  Teller  was  157  deer. 
On  February  5  Nils  Sara  and  Per  Spein  with  their  families  and  herd, 
with  Nils  Klemetsen  and  native  herder  Tatpan,  arrived  at  Unalakleet 
en  route  for  Kuskokwim.  They  were  all  well  and  happy,  and  had 
been  well  provided  for  both  in  food  and  clothing,  so  that  they  should 
suffer  no  need.  Their  herd  was  fat  and  strong,  probabty  one  of  the 
finest  herds  ever  sent  out  from  Unalakleet  or  Eaton.  Shortly  after 
the  expedition  had  left  Unalakleet  bad  weather  commenced  that  lasted 
through  February,  March,  and  part  of  April.  At  Kiktaguk,  a  vil¬ 
lage  about  18  miles  on  this  side  of  St.  Michael,  their  camp  in  one 
night  was  buried  in  snow.  At  the  same  time  50  deer  were  lost  but 
found  again;  1  was  found  killed,  buried  in  the  snow.  Nobody  knew 
who  had  done  it,  but  two  road-house  men  in  the  village  were  suspected. 
Having  no  evidence,  nothing  could  be  done  toward  bringing  them  to 
punishment. 

Nils  Klemetsen  and  Tatpan  returned  to  Unalakleet  on  April  20, 
reporting  Nils  Sara  and  Per  Spein  with  herd  to  be  left  at  Andreafski, 
Yukon  River,  unable  to  proceed  any  farther,  as  they  found  the  moss 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  87 


on  the  other  side  of  Yukon  all  covered  with  ice.  Klemetsen  said  they 
were  gone  two  days  on  the  west  side  of  the  River  Yukon,  but  found 
themselves  obliged  to  return.  It  was  rather  unpleasant  news,  espe¬ 
cially  as  I  had  done  all  that  could  be  done  on  my  part  to  make  it  a 


success. 

Nils  Bals  and  family  arrived  from  Kuskokwim  with  eight  deer, 
April  26.  He  stated  that  the  trip  had  been  a  very  hard  one.  They 
had  to  use  axes  to  chop  through  the  ice  before  the  deer  could  get  at 
the  moss.  Young  Mr.  Bals  has  been  working  at  the  herd  during 
fawning  season,  and  the  other  has  been  fixing  the  roofs  on  the  Govern¬ 
ment  houses  at  Unalakleet,  repairing  boats,  etc. 

On  April  5  the  herd  was  driven  from  its  winter  quarters  to  the  fawn¬ 
ing  ground  on  this  side  the  Shaktolik  Mountains.  Mary’s  herd  joined 
the  Eaton  herd,  so  as  to  have  the  proper  care  during  fawning  time. 
From  the  time  Per  Spein  left  Mary’s  herd  in  February  until  Novem¬ 
ber  it  had  been  in  charge  of  five  native  herders.  I  would  not  have  put 
the  two  he  Is  together  if  I  then  had  known  that  the  Bals  family  would 
have  been  here.  There  are  sufficient  herders  here  to  take  care  of  two 
herds  if  we  only  had  one  more  experienced  herder  for  Mary’s  herd. 
If  no  Lapp  can  be  secured,  I  think  Okitkon  or  Nallogorook  would  do 
'  well  as  head  herder.  They  have  both  been  doing  very  well  in  com- 
I  pany  with  Ole  Bahr. 

IBy  your  instructions  last  year  I  put  Ole  Bahr’s  apprentice  on  Gov¬ 
ernment  ration,  and  I  did  the  same  with  Per  Spein’s  b}7  the  time  he 
left  for  Kuskokwim.  He  desired  to  remain  with  the  herd.  It  would 
j  be  well  if  these  two  boys  could  each  get  some  deer,  as  they  are  both 
ij  anxious  to  become  herders,  and  so  far  they  have  been  doing  very 
i  well.  Moses’s  deer  are  still  here.  He  did  not  come  or  send  for 
them  this  winter.  I  would  suggest  to  give  these  deer  to  some  of  the 

i|  Eskimo  herders,  who  have  not  received  any  deer  yet,  but  are  deter¬ 
mined  to  make  it  their  trade  for  life. 


This  spring  387  fawns  were  born.  But  there  has  been  an  epidemic 
among  the  young  fawns — 51  died.  It  seems  to  affect  the  head  mostly. 

The  weather  has  been  very  nice  in  spring,  though  the  winter  has 
has  been  very  severe.  The  thermometer  registered  as  low  as  72° 
below  zero.  This  is  lower  than  any  of  the  previous  years,  and  we 
also  had  more  snow.  The  people  cut  down  green  trees  for  firewood, 
which  never  happened  here  since  I  came  to  this  country.  All  the 
driftwood  was  deeply  covered  with  snow. 

There  has  been  an  abundance  of  small  game,  such  as  ptarmigan  and 
rabbits,  so  the  natives  have  suffered  no  need.  Peace  and  harmony 
have  been  among  the  herders,  and  the  people  in  general. 

Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Axel  E.  Karlson. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

United  States  General  Agent  of  Education  in  Alaska. 


88  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


Unalakleet,  Alaska,  February  3 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  presume  you  are  anxiously  waiting  to  hear  about  the 
movements  of  the  herds. 

On  January  18  the  herd  from  Teller  arrived  at  Unalakleet,  and  the 
drivers  were  all  well.  I  was  anxious  for  the  old  man  Sara,  because  it 
was  very  cold  part  of  the  time  they  were  up  at  Teller.  We  had  as 
much  as  72°  below  zero  for  some  time.  The  herd  the}^  brought  from 
Teller  was  in  poor  condition,  on  account  of  having  been  kept  on  the 
ground  where  the  moss  was  burnt.  Nils  Klemetsen’s  herd  was  left 
at  Golofnin,  while  he  came  down  here  himself.  Klemetsen’s  herd  con¬ 
sists  of  19  male  deer,  62  females,  and  19  female  fawns.  Three  females 
died  on  the  road  from  Teller  to  Golofnin,  and  two  Government  deer 
were  left  sick  at  Golofnin.  The  herd  brought  here  consists  of  52 
females,  which  makes  the  grand  total  of  157  deer  brought  from  Teller. 
None  of  these  deer  could  be  driven  any  farther.  Nils  Sara  has  gotten 
a  herd  of  fresh,  good  deer  that  doubtless  will  stand  the  trip  to  Kusko- 
kwim  well.  The  herd  is  already  separated  and  fixed  for  the  trip.  It 
will  start  from  Eaton,  maybe,  this  morning.  Nils  Sara  has  gotten  25 
male  deer,  75  females,  15  male  fawns,  and  25  females;  total,  140. 

I  am  sending  supplies  with  them  as  per  your  request. 

The  station  supplies  are  running  low,  so  1  have  to  get  some  from 
St.  Michael.  I  have  not  yet  received  an  answer  from  the  board  in 
regard  to  supplies  for  the  herders,  so  maybe  I  had  better  send  you  a 
list  of  things  needed  for  the  present  year.  If  I  were  to  stay,  I  should 
on  my  own  account  supply  the  herders.  But  as  my  wife  had  to  leave 
last  fall  on  account  of  sickness,  and  I  feel  it  my  dut}^  to  go  down  and 
see  her  at  the  end  of  J une,  I  don’t  know  who  will  be  in  charge  here. 
But  by  the  time  you  will  be  able  to  give  us  a  herd,  I  will  be  back  in 
order  to  start  that  colony  I  men?tioned  to  you  last  year,  and  then  I 
would  suppty  all  the  herders  near  Unalakleet. 

Mary  was  asking  me  to  write  you  for  permission  to  go  and  see  her  : 
son  George  the  coming  summer.  I  suppose  he  is  at  Unalaska,  and  it  ! 
would  not  take  more  than  two  months  for  that  trip.  Mary  is  also  i 
sending  you  an  ivory  ring  as  a  present.  She  has  been  very  orderly 
and  good  this  winter.  Lindseth  has  not  yet  paid  his  debt,  and  I  have  j 
not  taken  any  further  steps  to  take  it  by  force.  He  wrote  down  from 
Nome  to  get  his  deer  sent  over  there,  and  also  stating  that  he  had 
bought  Captain  Walker’s  sled  deer.  But  I  have  told  him  that  he  can 
not  take  Captain  Walker’s  deer  before  he  can  show  a  bill  of  sale. 

Nils  Sara  and  Per  Spein  were  asking  me  how  they  will  get  their 
provisions  where  they  now  go.  I  told  them  that  they  will  be  provided  < 
for.  If  the  Government  sends  us  the  material  for  a  school  building  1 
28  by  40  we  would  be  willing  to  put  it  up. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  89 


The  provision  lists  for  this  station  and  for  Nils  Klemetsen  I  will 
send  with  a  later  mail. 

With  kind  wishes,  I  remain,  yours,  truly, 

A.  E.  Karlson. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Unalakleet,  Alaska,  May  9 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  By  orders  from  }tou  I  started  the  Kuskokwin  herd  from 
here  at  the  earliest  possible  time,  but  I  am  sorry  to  say  it  never  reached 
its  destination.  The  weather  was  very  bad  from  the  time  the  herd  left 
Unalakleet;  the  snow  was  unusually  deep,  and  the  ice  covered  the  moss, 
so  that  after  two  days’  traveling  on  the  other  side  of  the  Yukon  they 
could  go  no  farther,  but  had  to  return  back  to  Andreafski  on  the 
Yukon,  where  moss  was  to  be  found.  Up  to  that  time  seven  deer  had 
died.  Nils  Klemetsen  and  the  native  Tatpan  arrived  at  Unalakleet  on 
April  20.  Nils  Bals  and  family  arrived  on  April  26,  having  had  a  very 
hard  trip.  They  had  to  chop  through  the  ice  with  an  ax  in  order  to 
get  at  the  moss.  Still  they  made  the  trip  across,  having  only  eight 
deer  to  provide  for.  The  younger  Bals  had  frozen  his  face  on  the  trip 
between  the  Kuskokwim  and  the  Yukon,  but  not  seriously.  Bals  said 
he  would  have  remained  at  Kuskokwim,  but  the  missionaries  thought 
it  better  for  them  to  leave  during  winter  than  in  the  summer.  Rev. 
Adolf  Stecker  stated  in  a  letter  to  me  that  there  was  not  any  danger  for 
the  herd,  as  they  had  some  trustworthy  native  herders  with  the  herd. 
This  somewhat  relieved  me.  I  felt  quite  uneasy  at  first.  I  have  done 
all  that  could  be  done  on  my  part  to  make  it  a  success,  and  I  know 
Nils  Klemetsen  tried  to  do  his  best  also. 

With  kindest  wishes  I  remain,  yours,  truly, 

A.  E.  Karlson. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 

Unalakleet,  Alaska,  July  28,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  Long  before  this  day  I  would  have  written  again,  but  we 
have  been  waiting  for  Doctor  Hamilton  and  Prof.  D.  Nyvall  and  pro¬ 
visions  since  the  beginningof  July,  thinking  to  have  something  definite 
to  relate. 

Doctor  Hamilton  arrived  here  last  Saturday,  July  25,  at  2.30  in  the 
morning.  He  at  once,  when  hearing  what  I  had  answered  you  in 
regard  to  the  superintendency  of  the  deer  herds,  appointed  me  from 
the  first  of  July,  this  year.  The  more  I  think  of  the  matter  the  hap¬ 
pier  I  am,  and  think  that  the  new  field  of  work  will  be  as  much  pleas¬ 
anter  as  it  is  larger.  In  about  an  hour  Doctor  Hamilton  had  to  leave 
us  again.  Conditions  seem  to  work  so  that  1  am  forced  to  act  in  the 


90  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

capacity  of  superintendent  at  once,  although  not  having  any  definite 
instructions  to  follow.  Hope  only  that  what  needs  to  be  done  will  be 
done  right. 

Isaak  Bango,  at  Nulato,  had  written  and  telegraphed  repeatedly  to 
the  effect  that  if  he  could  not  be  relieved  on  March  1,  1904,  he  would 
leave  at  once.  Doctor  Hamilton,  learning  this,  was  of  the  opinion 
that  it  was  best  to  let  Bango  go  on  August  1,  1903,  as  he  did  not  want 
to  stay  the  }^ear  out.  In  Bango’s  place  Per  Nilson  Bals  (Bals,  jr.)  was 
appointed,  and  when  he  now  is  read}T  to  go  to  Nulato  he  wants  a  con¬ 
tract;  and  Mr.  Karlson  thinks  that  he  has  served  his  term  out  and 
that  I  should  now  take  hold  when  appointed,  so,  consequently  I  will 
have  to  write  said  contract.  I  wrote  it  in  triplicate,  and,  after  Bals 
and  I  have  signed  the  same,  I  will  send  them  all  with  Mr.  Bals  to 
Nulato  for  the  Rev.  J.  Jette  to  sign,  after  which  he  will  be  instructed 
to  return  one  copy,  which  goes  to  you  at  the  Bureau  of  Education. 

The  contract  is  an  exact  copy  of  the  form  Bals  had  in  Kuskokwim. 
In  getting  Mr.  Bals  to  St.  Michael,  so  as  to  get  to  his  destination  as 
quickly  as  possible,  we  will  have  to  pay  an  extra  fare  of  $10  from 
Unalakleet  to  St.  Michael.  It  is  this  way:  If  he  does  not  come  to 
St.  Michael  before  the  1st  of  August  there  will  be  no  boat  going  up 
the  river  for  some  time,  so  a  schooner  has  to  go  extra  for  Bals  in  order 
to  be  on  time. 

Bango  has  also  asked  to  get  a  herd  of  his  own,  or  to  get  something 
to  do  in  or  around  Unalakleet.  As  to  the  herd,  there  will  be  only 
about  15  old  female  deer  left  when  the  promised  mission  herd  is  taken, 
together  with  this  year’s  fawns.  We  have  no  work  at  the  mission  for 
Bango,  and,  as  we  understand,  there  is  nothing  for  him  to  expect  from 
the  Department  at  present.  Is  not  that  so  ? 

Doctor  Hamilton  had  such  a  short  time  here  that  I  could  not  remem¬ 
ber  all  I  wanted  to  speak  to  him  about.  In  regard  to  the  teachers’ 
salaries  at  Unalakleet  from  February  1  to  May  31,  this  year,  there 
was  nothing  said.  There  is  in  the  Government  store  some  medicines 
and  a  case  or  two  of  bandages  and  some  alcohol,  some  old  and  some 
new  schoolbooks.  Many  of  the  medicines  are  spoiled,  and  others  will 
certainty  spoil  if  they  are  left  there  long.  Neither  is  that  damp  place 
very  good  for  the  books.  I  intended  to  apply  for  the  use  of  what  yet 
can  be  utilized,  but  forgot  all  about  it.  Be  it,  for  that  reason,  granted 
me  the  privilege  of  extending  this  same  application  to  you,  Doctor 
Jackson.  May  1  take  and  make  use  of  these  things  mentioned  above? 

I  said  we  had  been  waiting  for  Professor  Nyvall;  we  are  waiting 
still.  We  hoped  that  he  should  have  come  while  Doctor  Hamilton 
was  here,  or  about  St.  Michael  or  Nome,  so  that  we  could  have  con¬ 
ferred  about  the  new  position  of  mine,  but  it  can  not  be  done  now,  and 
I  feel  sure  that  it  will  be  all  right.  I  promised  to  teach  the  school  as 
much  as  it  is  possible  for  me  to  do  without  neglecting  my  duties. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


91 


Mrs.  Lind  will  also  assist  me  whenever  necessary.  In  addition  Misha 
and  Aaron  are  both  quite  well  advanced,  so  they  are  both  capable  and 
willing  to  help  as  much  as  they  can. 

Thus  you  see,  Doctor  Jackson,  that  even  if  no  other  school-teacher 
be  sent  up  this  fall,  I  think  that  we  will  be  able  to  do  our  work  any 
way,  if  only  God  provides  us  with  health. 

In  regard  to  the  contracts  sent  me  in  quadruplicate,  together  with 
the  oath,  the  one  for  the  year  past  1  will  return  with  this  on  next 
mail,  but  the  one  for  the  coming  school  year  I  will  keep,  on  Doctor 
Hamilton’s  advice,  till  we  know  whether  anyone  else  comes  or  not. 

Your  letter  concerning  the  exposition  next  year  is  also  received,  and 
what  I  am  able  to  contribute  thereto  will  certainly  give  me  pleasure 
to  send.  I  fear  only  that  it  can  not  be  much  now  since  it  is  so  late,  and 
most  of  our  children  will  not  be  back  to  do  any  work  hardly  before 
the  season  is  closed. 

The  provision  boat  is  not  here  yet;  consequently  the  lumber  for  our 
new  schoolhouse  can  hardly  be  expected  probably  for  a  week  or  two 
yet,  and  it  will  soon  be  the  1st  of  September. 

If  no  other  teacher  comes,  I  would  suggest  that  I  help  with  the 
schoolhouse  and  hurry  it  on  as  much  as  possible  so  as  to  get  it  ready 
that  much  sooner.  If  the  old  house  is  to  be  used  at  all  this  fall,  there 
will  have  to  be  spent  a  good  deal  of  work  on  it,  and  as  things  now  are 
we  can  hardly  afford  it. 

We  are  working  on  the  foundation  and  cellar  under  the  new  school 
now.  The  Government  had  some  old  logs  by  the  side  of  the  store; 
these  logs  we  are  now  using  for  foundation  and  for  cellar  walls. 
Hope  that  it  will  meet  with  your  approval.  These  logs  woidd  soon 
be  worthless  if  they  should  have  continued  to  be,  as  the}T  were,  half 
buried  in  the  sand. 

1  wish  also  to  extend  my  heartiest  thanks  to  you  for  all  the  good 
reading  matter  sent  to  the  mission — the  beautiful  catalogue  of  the 
Indian  Industrial  School,  Carlisle,  Pa.,  and  specially  do  I  wish  to 
express  my  gratitude  for  the  personal  thought  given  me  in  the  send¬ 
ing  of  Saunders’s  medical  publications.  Best  greetings  follow  these 
lines  from  my  fellow-workers,  but  specially  from  Mrs.  Lind,  Angelica, 
and  myself. 

We  are  all  well  and  happy,  tilling  the  frozen  fields  of  the  north  and 
sowing  the  everlasting  seed. 

Respectfully, 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson. 


Carl  O.  Lind. 


P.  S. — Please  forward  me  some  penalty  envelopes 
ence  with  the  Department. 


for  correspond- 

C.  O.  L. 


92  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


Unalakleet,  Alaska,  July  30,  1903 . 

Dear  Sir:  We  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Doctor  Hamilton  on 
July  25.  He  arrived  early  in  the  morning  and  transacted  his  business 
in  a  great  hurry,  and  was  off  again  on  his  way  to  St.  Michael  inside 
one  hour.  As  I  wrote  you  some  time  ago,  Isaac  5ang°  wished  to 
leave  Nulato,  an}^how  to  be  relieved  from  his  duty  the  next  coming 
March,  so  Doctor  Hamilton  thought  it  best  to  relieve  him  now.  Young 
Mr.  Bals  was  willing  and  happy  to  go  and  take  the  place  of  Bango. 
As  you  kindly  promised  last  year  a  herd  of  deer  for  our  station,  we 
will  take  and  mark  it  this  fall,  and  retain  Mr.  Nils  Bals  and  family  to 
take  care  of  our  deer.  Next  year  there  will  be  deer  for  another  herd 
to  give  out  to  somebody,  maybe  to  Mr.  Nils  Bals.  I  suppose  the 
Government  will  pay  his  salary  for  this  year,  and  the  mission  supplies 
him  with  the  rest.  If  you  have  no  objection  we  will  take  Sakpillok 
to  our  herd,  the  boy  who  was  with  Per  Spein  before.  From  the  time 
Per  Spein  left  until  now  he  has  been  kept  on  Government  rations. 

I  have  to  leave  during  the  first  part  of  August,  and,  as  Mr.  Hendrick¬ 
son  is  now  here,  I  will  turn  over  the  Government  property  to  him. 
I  will  send  you  a  list  of  articles  on  hand  at  the  time  I  took  the  inven¬ 
tory,  which  is  now  about  one  month  and  a  half  ago. 

The  supply  vessel  has  not  yet  arrived,  so  we  are  running  short  of 
several  articles.  I  hope  it  soon  will  come. 

Mr.  Nils  P.  Bals  wishes  you  to  put  the  money  of  the  two  inclosed 
checks  and  also  the  money  for  this  year’s  service,  into  the  bank  of 
Trondhjeim,  Norway,  where  he  had  his  money  sent  before. 

Per  Spein  and  Sara  will  not  be  able  to  make  Kuskokwim  before 
freezing  up.  I  have  written  them  to  be  ready  to  start  as  early  as 
possible.  In  accordance  with  your  promise  to  be  allowed  to  occupy 
the  Eaton  buildings,  we  will  now  do  so.  And  as  we  from  time  to 
time  find  suitable  young  men  who  are  willing  and  desiring  to  devote 
their  life  to  herding  deer  we  will  take  them  in  here. 

I  also  inclose  the  voucher  you  sent  here  to  be  signed  by  Messrs. 
Bals. 

Trusting  I  shall  see  or  hear  from  you  sometimes,  I  remain, 

Yours,  truly, 

A.  E.  Karlson. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

General  Agent  of  Education  in  Alaska ,  Washington ,  D.  C. 


St.  Michael,  Alaska,  August  18,  1903. 
Dear  Sir:  Yours  of  July  13  is  at  hand.  I  am  now  on  my  way  to 
Seattle.  I  am  going  on  the  Ohio ,  which  sails  from  here  to-morrow. 

I  met  with  Professor  Nyvall  here  on  his  way  to  Unalakleet  and 
Golofnin.  He  came  the  overland  route.  So  far  he  had  enjoyed  his 
trip  very  much. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  93 


The  deer  brought  from  Teller  last  winter  were  not  large-sized  deer. 
They  were  smaller  than  our  deer  at  Unalakleet.  Doctor  Lind  will 
send  you  another  account  of  the  deer  as  soon  as  Lais  and  Ole  Bahr 
have  marked  out  the  mission  herd  and  payment  been  taken  from  all 
the  herders  for  provisions.  This  will  be  done  before  the  end  of  the 
month. 

I  met  with  Isaac  Bango;  he  came  down  from  Nulato.  I  asked  him 
what  he  intends  to  do  the  coming  winter,  but  he  did  not  know.  He 
wished  to  go  to  Unalaklik  and  see  Bals,  his  father-in-law. 

The  supply  schooner  not  }^et  arrived  at  the  time  I  left  Unalakleet. 

With  kind  wishes  I  remain,  yours  truly, 

A.  E.  Karlson. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington ,  D.  C. 

P.  S. — Mrs.  Karlson  felt  better  the  last  time  1  heard  from  her. 


Unalakleet,  Alaska,  August  26,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  just  arrived  from  a  trip  to  the  herds  at  Nuklit,  or 
Cape  Denbigh,  and  Golofnin.  The  moment  I  came  home  your  tele¬ 
gram  of  August  22  was  brought  to  my  notice,  it  had  been  waiting 
two  days  for  me.  It  had  been  forwarded  and  reforwarded  so  many 
times  that  there  is  no  doubt  but  what  the  operators  along  the  line  have 
mixed  up  the  contents  somewhat,  and  making  it  very  difficult  to 
understand. 

In  order  to  know  positively  what  is  meant,  I  am  obliged  to  ask  by 
wire  to-day  if  Bango  is  meant?  He  is  at  Unalakleet  now,  and  when 
asked  if  he  wanted  to  go  he  said  yes,  with  same  salary,  provision,  and 
clothing,  as  he  had  at  Nulato. 

I  know  not  what  arrangements  Mr.  Hamilton  has  made  in  regard  to 
the  herds  at  Andreafski,  but  1  shall  try  to-day  to  find  out  from  the 
quartermaster  at  St.  Michael,  and  if  there  be  any  possible  way  of  get¬ 
ting  up  and  down  on  the  river,  I  will  at  once  go  to  Andreafski  and 
find  out  the  condition  of  herd  and  herders,  and  arrange  for  their 
provisions  until  we  can  move  over  to  Bethel. 

St.  Michael,  August  27,  1903. 

Since  I  began  this  letter  the  steamer  has  come  and  made  me  discon¬ 
tinue  writing.  The  trip  from  Unalakleet  was  a  fearfully  rough  one,  but 
I  am  safe  in  St.  Michael,  and  have  found  out  that  Mr.  Hamilton,  on  the 
29th  of  July,  ordered  $100  worth  of  goods  for  the  herders,  but  can  not 
from  that  feel  sure  that  they  have  enough  until  the  time  they  can 
begin  to  move  toward  Bethel,  so  I  go  to-day  on  steamer  Leah  to 
Andreafski,  hoping  to  be  able  to  be  of  some  service. 


94  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

After  I  was  all  read}T  to  go  yesterday  another  telegram  was  received 
from  W.  T.  Harris  concerning  the  same  matter,  and,  in  addition,  ask¬ 
ing  me  to  accompany  them  to  Kuskokwim  next  week.  I  will  do  so  at 
first  occasion  when  it  freezes,  making  the  river  safe.  I  better  then 
get  me  a  guide  from  Unalakleet. 

Respectfully,  C.  O.  Lind, 

TJnalakleet ,  Alaska. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson,  D.  D., 

United  States  General  Agent  of  Education  for  Alaska , 

Washington ,  D.  0. 


Unalakleet,  Alaska,  September  <§,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  wish  is  complied  with.  I  started  off  for  Andreafski 
the  same  day  as  your  telegram  was  received.  The  trip  up  the  Yukon 
was  a  very  interesting  one;  if  I  had  traveled  for  pleasure  I  would 
have  thought  that  the  trip  paid;  I  enjoyed  it  the  more  because  there 
certainly  was  a  greater  motive  than  pleasure. 

Arrived  at  Andreafski,  I  hired  a  native  and  a  canoe,  and  we  rowed 
12  miles  up  the  Andreafski  River,  where  the  herders  and  their  herd 
were  found  without  any  difficulty.  The  herders  were  simply  beside 
themselves  from  surprise  to  see  me  there.  They  had  very  little  to  eat. 
In  the  latter  part  of  July  the}^  had  received  a  notice  from  the  Northern 
Commercial  Company  that  they  were  allowed  $100  worth  of  provision 
from  Andreafski  store  with  the  prices  of  that  place,  which  means  of 
course  very  little  provision.  If  the  herders  should  live  as  they  really 
ought  to  it  would  not  have  kept  them  over  a  month.  They  had  already 
gotten  some  things  before,  and  when  the  notice  from  the  Northern 
Commercial  Company  came  the  balance  was  soon  drawn  with  the 
exception  of  $20  worth,  which  they  dared  not  take  yet,  for  fear  that 
they  should  get  no  more. 

Mrs.  Per  Spein  had  given  birth  to  a  baby  four  days  previous  to  my 
arrival,  and  had  not  a  drop  of  milk  in  the  camp  and  none  to  be  had  in 
the  store.  Their  flour  supply  was  very  scant;  of  fish  was  there  very  lit¬ 
tle  in  the  river  this  summer,  so  they  could  get  but  little  of  that.  They 
had  some  coffee,  but  sugar  they  had  not  had  for  months.  Some  time 
ago  they  had  killed  a  wild  deer,  but  now  that  meat  was  gone,  and  there 
was  no  ammunition  left  with  which  to  kill  any  game.  I  made  a  note  of 
articles  needed  and  took  their  deer  report,  after  which  we  returned  to 
Andreafski  with  Michel  Sara  in  our  company,  with  the  intent  of  buy¬ 
ing  some  milk  and  a  few  delicacies  for  Mrs.  Per  Spein.  To  my  great 
disappointment  nothing  of  what  I  wanted  could  be  had  from  the  store, 
but  happily  the  steamer  Leah ,  on  which  I  had  arrived,  was  still  there, 
and,  on  stating  the  condition  of  the  woman  to  the  steward,  he  let  me 
have  the  following:  One  can  of  milk,  $1.25;  1  can  extract  of  beef,  75 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


95 


cents;  1  can  chicken,  50  cents;  1  can  sausage  meat,  50  cents;  3  cans 
H  amburger  steak,  $1.50;  some  boiled  ham,  50  cents;  3  pounds  crack¬ 
ers,  - ;  total,  $5. 

These  articles  Michel  took  home  to  Mrs.  Per  Spein  the  next  morn¬ 
ing,  and  1  took  their  order  for  three  months’  supply  with  me  to  St. 
Michael,  to  have  tilled  there  and  shipped  upon  first  boat  going  to  Andre- 
afski.  Arrived  at  St.  Michael,  I  at  once  tried  to  find  out  if  provisions 
could  not  be  had  from  the  military  post.  I  had  telegraphed  there 
before,  making  inquiries,  without  any  result,  and  now  in  person  I  had 
a  great  deal  of  trouble  before  they  would  sell  me  anything.  No  one 
seemed  to  know  anything  about  any  authority  to  sell  goods  for  the 
herders.  At  last,  however,  a  letter  was  found  which  solved  the  ques¬ 
tion,  and  my  request  was  granted,  but  cost  price  plus  50  per  cent  had 
to  be  paid  before  the  goods  were  taken  from  the  warehouse. 

Just  as  the  Yukon  steamer  that  brought  me  down  came  to  port,  the 
mail  steamer  was  ready  to  leave  St.  Michael  for  Unalaklik,  but  to 
favor  me  they  waited  nearly  one  hour  and  a  half,  to  give  me  time  for 
my  business.  Thus  you  see  how  limited  my  time  was,  and  with  so 
much  fooling  about  there  was  not  enough  time  for  getting  the  bought 
articles  to  the  Northern  Commercial  Company  for  freighting  before  I 
had  to  go.  The  flour  I  took  myself,  with  the  help  of  a  native,  and  the 
other  things  the  army  people  were  to  see  that  two  natives  brought  to 
the  same  place  for  shipping.  I  arranged  with  the  natives  myself — only 
the  quartermaster  should  see  that  they  did  it  properly. 

With  the  Northern  Commercial  Company  I  made  proper  arrange¬ 
ment  for  the  shipping  of  the  goods,  and  home  I  went.  Having  been 
home  two  days  I  learned  from  natives  that  came  from  St.  Michael 
that  no  more  goods  had  been  brought  over  for  shipment.  At  once  I 
had  to  telegraph  both  quartermaster  and  the  Northern  Commercial 
Company  to  attend  to  the  matter  at  once,  because  of  the  fact  that  the 
season  of  navigation  is  rapidly  drawing  near  its  close,  and  that  there  is 
danger  of  the  herders  not  having  anything  to  eat.  No  reply  is  yet 
received,  but  I  hope  that  everything  is  well  and  right  by  this  time. 

From  Andreafski  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Stecker  that  we  intend  to  move 
the  herd  as  early  as  it  is  safe  to  travel  this  fall,  the  middle  or  latter 
part  of  November. 

There  was  also  a  man  in  Andreafski  that  was  willing  to  go  as  a 
guide  for  us  if  he  got  his  food  and  $1  a  day.  Thinking  that  was  reason¬ 
able,  I  told  Stecker  that  if  he  wanted  to  send  guides  to  meet  us  he 
could  do  so,  but  I  thought  the  former  would  be  the  cheaper  way,  and 
just  as  safe. 

I  wish  to  have  a  herder  with  me  from  here  when  we  go,  and  since 
Tatpan  has  been  over  the  way  before  I  prefer  him.  He  is  also  will- 
ng  to  go.  What  would  he  be  allowed  for  the  trip?  1  understand 
that  Klemetsen  has  also  written  to  you  concerning  this  matter.  Of 


96  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


course,  it  is  beyond  question  that  lie  is  the  better  man,  and  much  to  be 
preferred,  but  I  fear  that  probably  it  would  take  too  much  of  his  time 
from  Golofnin,  and  at  the  same  time  he  would  be  more  expensive.  If 
he  be  given  the  privilege  of  going  I  am  thankful  for  it.  But  another 
thing  while  on  this  chapter:  In  going  north  this  winter  there  is  no  one 
that  I  know  now  whom  I  would  feel  so  safe  in  company  with  as  I  would 
with  Klemetsen,  therefore  I  will  ask  if  I  may  take  him  with  me  on  the 
trip  around  the  Arctic  coast?  If  it  be  granted,  what  may  I  promise 
him  for  the  service? 


Your  telegram  of  September  1  was  received  here  the  same  day,  but  I 
did  not  get  home  until  the  evening  of  the  2d  instant;  however,  as  soon 
as  I  saw  the  contents  I  informed  Mr.  Bango  about  it.  He  was  willing 
to  go.  At  first  he  thought  it  below  his  dignity  to  travel  on  a  schooner 
at  all;  and  secondly,  he  refuses  to  pay  his  fare  for  fear  that  he  should 
not  have  it  returned.  I  told  him  that  we  had  no  other  means  but  the 
schooner,  by  which  to  get  to  Nome  at  least,  and  if  going  to  Nome  on 
a  schooner  he  could  as  well  go  all  the  way.  And  further,  that  there 
was  no  way  for  me.  to  arrange  for  forwarding  from  Nome  to  Port 
Clarence. 

All  the  schooners  of  Unalakleet  have  now  come  home,  except  David’s,  j 
but  none  of  them  is  willing  to  go  to  Port  Clarence  so  late  in  the  season. 
Then  Bango  not  being  willing  to  pay  his  fare  I  know  not  what  to  do,  j 
because  I  have  no  spare  money  to  pay  out  of  my  own  pocket.  In  fact 
1  have  paid  out  so  much  for  Bals,  my  own  trips,  herders’  groceries, 
freight  and  telegrams,  etc. ,  that  I  have  not  enough  for  my  own  wants 
if  no  more  money  comes  in  this  fall. 

If  it  were  possible  to  find  out  where  the  Tlietis  is,  it  might  be  that 
she  would  take  the  Bangos  to  their  destination,  but  I  dare  not  depend  ! 
on  that.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  possible  to  send  him  to  St.  Michael 
on  the  Northern  Commercial  Company’s  mail  boat  and  have  said  com¬ 
pany  forward  him  all  the  way,  but  we  certainly  will  have  pretty  heavy 
expenses  to  meet. 

I  shall  certainly  do  my  best  and  do  what  can  be  done,  but  I  fear  the  .1 
heavy  expenses. 

The  school  was,  by  my  instructions,  begun  September  1,  although  I 
was  not  home.  There  are  not  many  children  home  yet.  The  new 
schoolhouse  is  coming  up  fast  now.  Hendrickson  is  putting  up  the 
rafters  to-day. 

Best  greetings  from  us  all  at  the  station.  My  wife  and  Angelica  wish  i 
especially  to  be  remembered  to  you,  Doctor  Jackson. 

Respectfully, 

C.  O.  Lind. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 


Washington ,  D.  C, 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  97 


Seattle,  Wash. ,  September  19 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  Yours  of  September  10  is  at  hand.  1  am  happy  to  know 
that  the  basket  has  arrived  and  was  accepted. 

H  ave  just  returned  from  San  Francisco,  where  I  spent  only  a  few 
days.  During  my  stay  there  I  called  on  Foster  &  Co.  Those  people 
are,  as  usual,  very  pleasant. 

I  have  forwarded  the  account  book  to  Washington  to-day.  It  was 
packed  up,  together  with  my  books,  and  have  just  now  got  at  it. 

Mr.  Lindseth  has  not  paid  any  on  his  account.  Mary  and  the  herd¬ 
ers  around  Unalakleet  have  paid  with  deer.  The  number  of  deer 
taken  from  each  can  be  seen  from  their  account  in  the  book.  The 
book  contains  the  accounts  for  both  1902  and  1903.  Nils  Bals  has 
also  an  account  there.  Mr.  Stecker,  at  Bethel,  said  in  a  letter  to  me 
that  twTo  months’  rations  given  to  Bals,  from  Government  store  at 
Unalakleet,  would  be  paid  at  their  home  office,  if  bill  for  same  pre¬ 
sented  there  for  payment. 

Mary  did  not  go  to  Unalaska  to  see  her  boy.  She  thought  it  would 
make  him  long  for  home  and  so  she  gave  it  up.  Mr.  Bango  and 
family  I  met  at  St.  Michael,  coming  down  the  river  from  Nulato.  He 
was  going  to  Unalakleet. 

The  new  school  building  will  be  ready  in  the  fall,  though  it  may 
not  be  before  October  or  November,  as  we  got  the  lumber  so  late.  I 
have  sent  Mr.  Hendrickson  the  needed  money  for  the  building  of  same, 
that  he  may  put  on  all  the  help  he  may  need.  I  am  sure  the  new 
school  will  be  a  jo}r  to  all  the  people  of  Unalakleet. 

Rev.  C.  E.  Ryberg,  at  Nome,  was  asking  me  to  write  you  if  he 
could  get  some  school  supplies  from  the  Government.  He  has  bought 
a  place  about  15  or  20  miles  north  of  Nome  for  a  mission  and  school 
for  natives,  and  is  trying  to  get  the  natives  who  are  hanging  round 
Nome  to  move  over  there.  As  you  know  Nome  is  not  a  very  nice  place 
for  these  people.  It  may  now  be  too  late  to  send  any  from  here,  but 
if  you  could  let  him  have  some  from  the  school  supplies  3011  may 
have  at  Nome  it  will  be  an  accommodation. 

Mrs.  Karlson  seems  to  be  a  little  better,  and  I  hope  she  will  improve 
right  along.  I  am  in  hopes  to  be  able  to  return  to  Alaska. 

With  kind  wishes  for  yourself  and  family,  I  remain  yours,  truly, 

A.  E.  Karlson. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington ,  D.  O. 


Unalakleet,  Alaska,  October  5 ,  1903. 
Dear  Sir:  Your  letters  of  July  16,  August  7,  19,  22,  21,  and  29, 
were  all  received  in  a  bunch  just  two  weeks  ago,  but  until  this  day  I 
have  not  been  able  to  give  you  an  answer  to  these  communications. 
A  week  ago  this  morning  I  started  off  to  Cape  Denbigh  to  inquire 


98  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


about  every  thing  concerning  the  herd  and  herders,  to  enable  me  to  give 
you  some  definite  information  in  regard  to  these.  After  twenty-four 
hours’  sailing  we  arrived  at  Nucleet,  but  were  not  able  to  get  away 
because  of  a  very  hard  south  wind,  which  continued  to  blow  for  nearly 
five  days.  Finally,  it  became  too  tedious  entirely  for  me  to  stay  any 
longer.  In  fact,  I  could  not  afford  to  waste  my  time  there.  The  herd 
was  many  miles  off  on  the  way  to  Unalakleet  and  I  could  not  cross  the 
river,  sloughs,  and  lakes  in  going  to  the  herd;  so  on  Thursdajq  Octo¬ 
ber  1,  I  took  two  boys  with  me  in  a  small  boat  and  started  off  for 
Shatolik  River,  going  an  inland  passage,  the  sea  being  too  rough. 
But  we  did  not  go  more  than  about  2  miles  from  the  camp  before 
we  got  stuck  in  the  mud.  The  tide  was  going  out  and  only  one  thing 
remained  to  do — to  stay  right  where  we  were  till  next  morning,  because 
we  could  walk  neither  in  the  one  direction  nor  in  the  other.  Friday 
morning  before  4  o’clock  fire  was  started  and  breakfast  prepared  and 
eaten.  At  5  o’clock  we  were  off,  though  yet  quite  dark.  After  some 
pretty  hard  work  we  landed  on  the  bank  of  Shatolik  River  at  10  a.  m., 
and  from  there  I  took  my  pack  on  my  back  and  walked  along  the  beach 
to  Unalakleet,  where,  after  considerable  struggle,  I  arrived  shortly  after 
10  p.  m.  Friday  evening.  After  all,  it  was  quite  an  interesting  trip. 
The  only  thing  which  was  a  little  disagreeable  was  that  I  had  to  strip 
to  the  waist  three  successive  times  to  wade  around  some  points. 

But  now  I  am  drifting  too  far  away  from  the  subject — excuse  me, 
please. 

In  regard  to  the  earmarks,  allow  me  to  return  the  same  marked  as 
you  desired.  In  addition,  I  send  the  mark  the  mission  has  decided  upon. 
The  25  fawns  from  Moses’s  herd  of  last  year  are  marked  for  the  Gov¬ 
ernment  according  to  Mr.  Bahr’s  statement,  and  all  of  this  year’s  fawns 
in  Moses’s  herd  were  also  marked  for  the  Government,  he  said,  but 
on  close  questioning  it  came  out  that  they  were  not  yet  marked 
at  all.  It  is  now  too  late  for  any  further  marking  this  year,  conse* 
quently  the  best  we  can  do  is  to  take  all  those  fawns  by  themselves 
and  put  them  in  one  of  the  herds — say  the  mission  and  Mary’s,  while 
the  others  remain  in  Bahr’s  until  next  spring,  when  they  can  be  branded. 

We  are  all  well,  and  I  enjoy  the  work  in  Alaska  more  and  more. 
Angelica  is  growing  greatly.  She  says  almost  everything  she  wants 
to,  but  has  a  special  inclination  for  the  Eskimo.  Last  night  the  ther¬ 
mometer  fell  as  low  as  zero.  The  18th  of  September  there  was  much 
snow  on  the  mountains,  but  it  soon  went  off  again,  and  since  then  no 
new  snow  has  fallen. 

Greetings  from  Mrs.  Lind,  Angelica,  our  associate,  and  myself. 

Respectfully, 


C.  O.  Lind. 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson,  D.  D., 

United  States  General  Agent  of 

Education  for  Alaska ,  Washington ,  D.  C. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  99 


Seattle,  Wash.,  November  0,  1003. 

Dear  Sir:  Having  just  received  a  letter  from  you,  written  in 
August,  wherein  you  mention  about  Mary’s  girl  and  the  children  from 
Unalaklik  and  Golofnin  which  were  sent  down  to  Unalaska  last  fall. 
1  am  sorry  I  did  not  receive  your  letter  earlier.  In  regard  to  the 
deer  taken  as  payment  from  herders  for  supplies  will  say  that  I 
instructed  Mr.  Bahr  to  take  so  many  deer  from  each  herder,  whose 
names  are  mentioned  here  below: 


Female. 

Male. 

Ole  Bahr . 

9 

5 

Tatpan . 

6 

3 

Okitkon . 

11 

5 

Nallogorook . 

5 

3 

Kohloak . . . 

Angalook . 

6 

3 

4 

1 

Avogook  . 

1 

Sageonuk . 

4 

3 

Mary . 

15 

10 

Mary’s  25  are  those  that  you  ordered  me  to  take  from  Mary  this 
spring,  and  the  36  from  the  Episcopal  mission  are  for  herding  of  their 
deer  for  last  year  and  this  year.  1  did  not  know  at  first  if  they  were 
to  pay  any  for  the  herding  of  their  deer  or  not.  Moses,  as  1  have 
written  you  before,  did  not  come  for  his  deer  last  winter,  and  so  the 
1  Government  took  his  whole  increase  for  this  year. 

The  reason  why  the  Government  was  not  paid  with  female  deer 
altogether  is  this,  and,  as  I  believe,  I  spoke  to  you  about  that* last  year: 
If  only  female  deer,  their  small  herds  of  deer  inside  of  a  couple  of 
years  would  give  out  and  leave  them  on  the  bare  ground.  But  if  they 
would  have  some  freighting  to  do  that  should  improve  it  greatly. 

I  delivered  a  copy  to  Doctor  Lind,  also,  of  the  deer  Mr.  Bahr  was  to 
mark  for  the  Government,  and  I  presume  he  has  already  informed 
you  about  this. 

With  kind  wishes  from  Mrs.  Karlsen  and  myself,  I  remain, 

Yours,  truly, 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington ,  I).  G. 


A.  E.  Karlsen. 


Unalaklik,  Alaska, 

December  26,  1003. 

Dear  Sir:  The  Kuskokwim  journey  was  begun  on  the  9th  day  of 
November.  Seeing  that  it  was  a  long  journey  we  dared  not  travel  fast 
in  the  beginning,  but  we  took  it  rather  easy.  As  I  have  written 
before,  the  party  consisted  of  Bals,  sr.,  Nallogoroak,  Per  Sara,  and 
myself.  We  traveled  with  seven  deer,  two  of  these  belonging  to  the 
S.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 8 


100  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

Government,  two  to  the  mission,  two  to  Moses,  and  one  to  Mary. 
The  necessary  provision,  clothing,  and  sleeping  bags  were  enough  to 
till  our  seven  sleds,  so  that  we  could  ride  but  very  little. 

On  the  12th,  in  the  afternoon,  we  reached  St.  Michael.  There  we 
had  to  stop  long  enough  for  the  purchase  of  a  stove  and  some  small 
articles  which  could  not  be  obtained  at  home,  for  the  trip.  The  deer 
were  left  on  the  mainland,  about  6  miles  in  a  southwestern  direction 
from  St.  Michael,  and  while  Nallogoroak  together  with  Per  Sara  were 
to  take  care  of  the  deer,  Bals  and  I  walked  in  to  the  village  to  buy 
and  bring  back  our  things  for  an  early  start  next  day,  the  13th.  A 
stove,  however,  could  not  be  obtained  in  the  evening,  and  so  we  had 
to  wait  there  until  the  next  morning.  It  became  10  o’clock  or  more 
the  next  day  before  we  got  away,  and  upon  our  arrival  at  the  camp  it 
was  about  noon.  Still  we  ventured  off,  and  did  well  that  afternoon. 

It  was  clear,  nice  weather,  and  we  traveled,  I  judge,  about  15  miles 
until  dark.  On  the  20th  of  November,  in  the  evening,  we  reached 
Andreafski,  after  quite  a  hard  journey.  Mild  weather  set  in,  and 
the  little  snow  which  had  come  only  two  or  three  daj^s  previously  went 
off  again,  leaving  the  bare,  mossy  ground  for  us  to  travel  over,  which 
of  course  was  very  heavy. 

Having  found  a  suitable  place  for  camp,  about  d  or  5  miles  away 
from  Andreafski,  I  walked  in  to  the  village  to  find  out  where  Sara 
and  Spein  were  with  the  herd,  the  other  three  men  to  meet  me  in  the 
morning  following  and  continue  our  way  directly  to  the  camp.  To 
my  great  disappointment  I  there  learned  that  the  herders  had  not 
followed  their  instructions  at  all.  Instead  of  having  moved  up  the 
Yukon,  which  they  so  well  could  have  done,  and  thereby  saved  us  a 
week’s  time,  they  had  left  information  with  the  Northern  Com¬ 
mercial  Company’s  agent  that  they  still  were  and  would  remain 
exactly  in  the  same  place  where  I  visited  them  in  the  fall.  That  place 
is  12  miles  up  the  Andreafski  River.  As  disappointing  as  this  was, 
nothing  remained  to  be  done  but  to  go  back  and  then  start  from 
there.  So  the  21st  we  started  off  in  search  of  the  herd.  It  was  a 
very  dark  and  snowy  day,  so  one  could  not  see  far.  By  the  time  we 
reached  their  old  camp  it  was  very  dark  and  the  snow  was  drifting, 
making  it  impossible  to  see  or  recognize  anything.  Then  we  had  to  j 
seek  some  sheltered  spot  where  we  could  put  our  tent  and  stay  over 
night.  The  next  morning  the  weather  was  clear  and  quite  calm. 
Early  we  were  all  out  looking  about  to  see  if  the  herd,  or  at  least 
signs  of  it,  could  be  found.  But  all  our  efforts  were  in  vain.  We 
had  been  exactly  on  the  spot  of  their  old  camp  the  previous  evening, 
without  being  able  to  recognize  it  on  account  of  the  weather,  but 
there  was  now  nothing  at  all  that  could  guide  us  in  finding  them. 
They  had  certainty  not  been  there  for  two  or  three  weeks.  But 
where  were  they  to  be  found?  That  remained  a  question  for  yet  a 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  101 


couple  of  days.  Every  little  gulch  and  creek  that  opened  into  the 
Andreafski  River,  as  well  as  that  river  itself,  was  searched  most  care¬ 
fully  for  a  distance  of  about  16  miles,  all  in  vain.  There  was  a  native 
in  Andreafski  village  who  claimed  that  he  knew  where  the  herders 
were.  So  he  was  employed  to  go  along  and  show  us  the  way.  That 
native,  however,  soon  proved  himself  ignorant  as  to  where  Spein  and 
Sara  were  to  be  found,  and  so  he  was  discharged  with  half  his  pay. 
The  deer  were  given  rest,  and  we — Bals,  Per  Sara,  and  I — started  off 
again  in  different  directions  in  search  of  the  lost  ones.  After  some  6 
or  8  miles  hard  walking  over  a  divide  and  down  into  a  valle}T,  and  on 
the  other  side  of  the  latter,  a  gulch  was  seen  in  which  1  finally  found 
the  camp  a  little  after  noon  on  November  23,  about  8  or  9  miles 
away  from  their  old  camp,  and  on  an  altogether  different  river  from 
the  Andreafski.  What  their  ideas  or  intentions  were  by  such  an 
action  1  never  learned  to  know,  because  they  never  gave  a  satisfactory 
answer  to  my  inquiries.  Spein  and  Sara  were  not  even  ready  to  move 
3Tet.  They  had  not  trained  any  new  sled  deer,  nor  had  they  prepared 
anything  in  camp  for  an  early  break-up.  Sara  had  not  even  counted 
his  male  and  female  fawns  yet,  although  he  was  instructed  to  do  so  at 
once  last  fall,  so  that  I  could  get  a  complete  report  now. 

In  the  morning  of  November  25  we  began  to  move  the  herd.  Bals 
drove  ahead,  while  Mickel,  Sara,  and  I  drove  on  the  herd  with  the 
help  of  a  dog.  This  latter  was  practically  useless,  so  it  made  the 
task  rather  hard.  Sometimes  the  dog  would  run  right  in  among  the 
deer,  and  instead  of  collecting  them  they  were  scattered  far  and  wide. 
Under  such  conditions  it  became  almost  impossible  to  get  anywhere 
after  having  traveled  four  or  five  days.  The  last  three  and  a  half 
days  before  we  reached  Bethel,  Per  Sara  had  to  join  Mickel  and  myself 
in  driving  the  herd. 

Nallogoroak  always  followed  after  the  herd  with  our  provisions,  tent, 
and  stove,  etc.  The  journey  was  a  perfect  success.  The  deer  had 
plenty  of  moss  all  the  way,  so  they  were  all  in  the  most  excellent  con¬ 
dition  on  our  arrival  at  Bethel  on  December  3.  Not  one  accident  hap¬ 
pened  on  the  way  and  not  one  deer,  as  far  as  we  know,  was  lost.  On 
crossing  a  big  lake  near  Bethel,  one  old  male  deer  fell  on  the  ice  and 
hurt  himself  so  we  had  to  kill  him,  it  is  true;  but  that  same  deer  had 

*  been  lame  for  over  a  year  and  had  with  difficulty  struggled  along  so 
far.  In  reality  it  was  no  accident. 

The  deer  we  drove  from  Unalaklik  were  exchanged  for  others  in 
Andreafski  so  that  the  same  deer  should  be  able  to  go  back  again  to 
i  Unalaklik.  And  on  our  arrival  at  Bethel  they  were  all  given  a  few 

•  days  of  perfect  freedom.  On  December  8,  Nallogoroak  and  Bals  and 
!  myself  began  our  return  trip  with  four  of  the  Unalaklik  deer  and 

three  we  exchanged  for  three  others  of  those  we  drove  from  Andreaf¬ 
ski.  On  the  evening  of  December  23  we  successfully  finished  the  trip 


102  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

by  the  arrival  at  Unalaklik.  Thus  the  time  in  which  we  made  the 
trip  from  Bethel  to  Unalaklik  was  sixteen  days,  and  that  with  deer 
which  had  gone  the  way  only  a  few  days  previously.  Still  they  all 
stood  it  very  well,  and  with  the  exception  of  one  traveled  almost  as 
well  the  last  day  as  they  did  the  first. 

I  knew  it  to  be  Doctor  J ackson’s  wish  that  we  should  have  taken 
the  herd  farther  up  the  Yukon,  and  then  to  have  gone  right  across 
higher  up  on  the  Kuskokwim  to  the  Bethel  deer  camp.  So  I  thought 
myself  also,  but  on  learning  the  true  lay  of  the  country  I  changed  my 
plans  at  once.  The  deer  camp  at  Bethel  is  most  conveniently  reached 
by  way  of  the  mission,  because  it  is  not  on  the  main  river,  but  on  one 
of  the  tributaries  to  the  Kuskokwim  River.  The  crossing  of  the  main 
river  even  is  most  conveniently  done  just  half  a  mile  above  Bethel. 
While  in  Bethel  it  was  my  intention  to  go  up  to  their  herd  myself, 
but  that  small  river  is  so  very  swift  that  it  was  not  yet  frozen,  and 
the  mountains  are  so  bad  that  one  can  hardly  get  over  them.  If  I 
should  have  gone  it  would  have  taken  at  least  two  weeks  more  actual 
travel,  and  then  the  deer  would  have  needed  more  rest.  Now,  seeing 
that  I  have  to  be  at  Nome  for  Mary’s  case  on  February  1,  1904,  I 
dared  not  A^enture  on  the  trip  for  fear,  if  bad  weather  should  set  in, 
of  coming  to  Nome  too  late. 

Thus  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  Bethel  herd  was  not  given  me.  Two 
of  their  herders  came  down  while  we  were  yet  there,  and  they  had  been 
on  the  road  a  little  over  seven  days.  It  was  with  great  danger  they  had 
passed  some  places.  The  herd  we  brought  from  Andreafski  is  just  as 
safe  now  as  it  ever  can  be.  Mr.  Steiker  took  full  charge  of  herd  and 
herders,  and  guaranteed  their  safe  arrival  as  far  as  people  can  help  at 
their  proper  place.  Steiker  promised  to  go  along  himself  and  help  in 
driving  the  herd.  This  is  a  work  which  might  take  quite  a  long  time 
now,  unless  the  weather  turns  colder  so  that  the  river  becomes  more 
safe.  And  with  the  deer  alone  they  can  always  make  it,  even  over  the 
mountains,  but  it  might  take  much  more  time.  I  found  that  Sara  has 
the  same  mark  as  Bethel  mission  for  his  deer.  To  avoid  trouble  I 
advised  Sara  to  make  a  hair  mark  on  all  his  deer  now  before  the}^  let 
the  herds  together,  and  in  the  spring  he  (Sara)  must  select  some  other 
mark  and  cut  all  his  deer  over  then. 

The  red  dotted  line  on  the  map  shows  our  line  of  travel,  and  the 
other  continuous  line  beyond  the  Kuskokwim  is  supposed  to  show  the 
tributary  on  which  the  deer  are  stationed. 

The  visit  to  Bethel  was  a  most  pleasant  one.  All  the  missionaries 
there  are  very  earnest  workers,  and  it  gave  me  much  pleasure  to  be 
with  them  a  few  days  to  see  their  manner  of  work  and  to  learn  the 
conditions  under  which  they  labor.  Bethel  is  certainly  a  secluded 
spot,  and  conveniences  and  pleasures  which  we  enjoy  who  live  on  the 
coast  are  not  known  to  the  missionaries  at  Bethel.  Mr.  Steiker  asked 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  103 


me  specially  to  mention  their  poor  communication  with  the  outside 
world.  The  28th  of  June,  1903,  was  the  last  and  only  time  any  mail 
was  received  during-  the  last  summer.  Twice  during  the  season  did 
the  missionaries  send  men  over  to  the  Yukon  with  their  mail  and  to  see 
if  any  mail  was  to  be  brought  back.  Both  times  did  the  men  return 
without  one  line  of  any  description.  Such  naturally  makes  the  stay 
at  Bethel  rather  lonely.  But  another  thing  over  which  Mr.  Steiker 
worried  was  that  you  might  think  him  very  negligent  in  his  corre¬ 
spondence  concerning  the  reindeer,  etc.,  while  the  matter  of  fact  is 
that  when  he  receives  a  letter  it  might  be  a  year  old,  and  then  before 
an  answer  reaches  }tou  the  matter  to  which  it  refers  might  belong  to 
affairs  of  bygone  ages. 

The  Katmai  mail  is  taken  by  way  of  Bethel  the  three  times  per 
season  it  is  carried,  but  there  being  no  post-office  it  benefits  them  but 
little  in  that  place  beyond  that  they  can  more  readily  send  their  own 
mail  out  those  three  times  in  the  year. 

The  letter  I  wrote  Steiker  from  Andreafski  he  received  the  night 
before  we  left  there  for  Unalaklik. 

The  mail  being  ready  to  go  I  will  close,  and  by  the  next  send  the 
reports  of  the  Sara  and  Speins  as  well  as  the  Bethel  herd,  as  near  as 
known. 

Respectfully, 


Carl  O.  Lind. 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington,  J).  C. 


ANNUAL  REPORT  NULATO  REINDEER  STATION. 

Nulato,  July  7 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  as  above  for  the  Nulato  rein- 
I  deer  herd  for  the  year  1902-3.  I  anticipate  somewhat  in  reporting 
now,  because  I  foresee  that  I  shall  not  be  here  to  do  it  at  the  regular 

time. 

Of  the  39  male  deer  mentioned,  3  are  old  ones,  17  are  fawns  of  1901, 
i  and  9  are  fawns  of  1902;  besides  these,  10  are  altered,  7  of  which  are 
5  already  broken  to  the  sled;  the  3  others  shall  be  so  next  fall. 

Of  91  females,  as  mentioned,  there  are  30  young  ones  and  61  old 
I  ones.  The  proportion  of  male  and  female  among  the  fawns  has  not 
I  been  yet  ascertained  by  the  herder. 

In  reply  to  your  inquiry  dated  March  2  I  may  state  that  25  deer,  all 
males,  were  sold  during  winter  to  Messrs.  Corbusier  &  Dimoska,  con¬ 
tractors,  who  paid  to  the  mission  $21  a  head  at  Nulato.  They  had 
then  the  deer  transferred  to  Tanana  and  Rampart,  where  they  fetched 
a  much  higher  price.  I  am  aware  of  one  of  them  having  been  sold  for 
$100  and  IT  others  for  $10  apiece.  1  do  not  know  how  much  was  obtained 


104  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

for  the  10.  The  winter  1902-3  has  been  especially  hard  on  the  deer  on 
account  of  the  heavy  snowfall.  The  winter  pasture  ground  was  covered 
with  T  feet  of  snow,  and  the  deer,  being  unable  to  dig  out  the  moss,  began 
to  starve.  They  were  then  transferred  to  another  pasture  some  10  or 
15  miles  south  of  Nulato,  where  the  snow  was  not  in  such  a  quantity, 
and  they  have  been  kept  there  for  the  summer  season. 

Respectfully,  yours, 

Julius  Jette. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington ,  J).  C. 


ANNUAL  REPORT  BETHEL  REINDEER  STATION. 

Bethel,  Alaska,  July  85,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  letters  from  January  23,  April  6,  April  18,  and 
April  24,  have  all  come  to  hand  July  2.  As  I  had  to  be  at  the  coast  to 
receive  our  goods,  and  only  a  short  time  ago  arrived  here,  I  could  not 
answer  them  sooner.  I  will  send  this  mail  to  the  Yukon  as  soon  as 
possible. 

First,  I  want  to  express  my  own  and  my  fellow-missionaries’  heart¬ 
felt  thanks  for  your  friendly  and  encouraging  letters  and  for  sending 
us  again  some  reading  material  and  school  supplies.  The  box  sent 
by  schooner  Yiking  is  in  our  hands. 

Concerning  your  letter  of  April  6, 1  am  glad  I  have  acted  in  accord¬ 
ance  with  your  wish .  U  nf  ortunately ,  last  year  no  other  letter  came  from 
you,  except  the  one  from  Nome,  dated  September  8,  1902.  In  that 
letter  you  notified  me  that  you  had  written  by  way  of  Nushagak  and 
the  Delta,  but  none  has  arrived  yet.  Also  no  copy  of  the  contract 
with  the  new  Lapps  has  arrived.  I  was  anxiously  waiting  for  the 
three  winter  mails  from  north  and  south,  but  not  one  line  did  I  receive. 
I  would  have  gone  to  the  Yukon  to  receive  the  new  Lapps  and  give  a 
guide  to  them,  and  in  March  I  was  on  the  Yukon,  but  I  could  not  hear 
anything  of  their  coming.  On  April  8,  we  learned  that  they  had  come 
as  far  as  Andreafski,  and  were  40  miles  distant,  but  on  account  of  too 
much  snow,  the  deer  not  able  to  find  food,  returned  and  settled  4 
miles  from  Andreafski  until  fall.  I  am  not  surprised  it  turned  out 
this  way.  We  had  an  unusual  quantity  of  snow  here,  but  there  was 
far  more  on  the  Yukon.  As  there  was  a  chance  in  spring  to  send  a 
note  to  Andreafski,  I  asked  Mr.  Friedrics  to  supply  the  Lapps  with 
what  they  are  in  need  of,  and  charge  it  to  us.  He  is  willing  to  do  so, 
and  I  am  quite  confident  he  will  look  well  out  for  them. 

I  think  when  the  new  Lapps  come  they  will  like  it  here.  They 
could  not  wish  a  better  country  for  the  deer.  The  only  drawback 
might  be  that  they  can  not  sell  deer  meat  here  as  well  as  farther  north 
until  more  white  people  come  in. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  105 

Mr.  Bals  and  son  were  very  sorry  to  go  away  from  here.  They 
had  a  nice  house;  the  native  herders  also  had  houses;  the  provisions 
had  been  plentiful.  They  admitted  that  they  had  made  a  mistake  in 
expressing  their  desire  to  go  home  this  year.  But,  as  I  expected  the 
new  Lapps  to  come  an}7  time,  and  the  provisions  would  not  be  sufficient 
for  all  of  them,  and  as  1  was  not  able  to  make  any  new  arrangement 
with  them,  it  was  not  advisable  to  keep  them  here. 

1  am  quite  confident  that  the  native  herders,  Wasely  and  Robert, 
will  do  their  best,  and  1  have  put  one  other  young  couple,  Toney  and 
his  wife,  and  a  big  school  boy,  Henry,  with  the  herd.  Mr.  Bals,  his 
family,  and  son,  left  for  Unalaklik  on  March  27.  I  gave  them  one 
month’s  provisions  along.  I  wanted  to  give  them  two  months’  provi¬ 
sions,  but  it  was  too  heavy;  so  I  wrote  to  the  superintendent  in  Una¬ 
laklik  to  give  them  one  month’s  provisions  and  charge  it  to  us;  stating, 
also,  that  these  Lapps  came  with  our  consent,  and  that  the  eight  deer, 
harness,  and  one  dog  should  be  taken  back  to  the  Government’s 
stock. 

I  was  in  the  mountains  just  before  Easter,  instructing  and  encour¬ 
aging  the  herders,  and  they  were  happy.  While  I  was  down  at  the 
coast  Wasely  was  here,  and  said  that  all  were  well,  and  that  they  had 
121  young  deer.  When  1  was  with  them  I  gave  them  the  3  deer  for 
last  year. 

I  am  very  sorry  I  can  not  comply  with  your  wish  to  give  an  itemized 
account  of  the  deer,  how  many  male  and  female,  how  many  belong  to  the 
herders,  and  other  details.  Seven  weeks  I  have  spent  in  teaching,  and 
now,  much  against  my  will,  1  have  to  go  down  to  the  coast  once  more, 
although  I  have  so  much  other  work  besides.  I  ask  you  to  excuse  me; 
in  fall  1  will  give  a  full  account. 

From  the  Government  we  received,  male  reindeer,  89;  female,  87; 
total,  176,  20  of  which  were  broken  to  the  sled.  Returned  to  the 
Government  March,  1903,  8  deer,  leaving  in  this  herd  168  deer  belong¬ 
ing  to  the  Government.  The  number  owned  by  the  mission  and  native 
herders  would  then  be  213. 

A  number  of  sled  deer,  and  the  best  ones,  too,  died  last  fall,  as  I 
informed  you  last  winter.  Ten  sled  deer  are  now  in  herd;  sleds,  8; 
Yukon  sled,  1;  harnesses,  21.  Also  much  wood  has  been  cut  out  for 
sleds  and  harnesses.  1  inclose  some  letters  from  our  native  herders, 
Robert  and  Wasely. 

The  vouchers  for  Mr.  Bals  and  son  I  send  back  to  you,  as  you  wish 
them,  but  the  old  agreement  young  Mr.  Bals  wanted;  I  send  it  to 
Unalaklik,  and  it  can  be  forwarded  to  them  if  they  are  not  there. 

School. — 1  thank  you  very  much  for  promising  us  aid  for  the  schools. 
We  have  not  kept  school  in  Ogavik,  and  can  not  well  have  school  thero* 
This  winter  Rev.  B.  Helmich  and  Mrs.  Helmich  will  be  stationed 
there,  but  to  have  school  seems  impossible,  because  there  are  no  chil¬ 
dren  there.  Since  the  sickness  of  1900,  it  is  only  a  small  village  of  55 


106  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

souls.  If  we  would  have  boarding  scholars  from  the  village  above 
Ralkagak  and  below  Tuluksak,  we  might  have  15  scholars,  but  we 
have  not  the  buildings  nor  the  men  to  keep  a  boarding  school.  Here 
we  have  the  houses  and  the  force  to  run  a  school,  and  although  we 
have  only  three  children  of  school  age  here  at  Bethel,  we  can  get  them 
from  four  villages  this  side  of  Ogavik,  from  the  Tundra,  and  from 
below,  and  it  is  better  to  take  the  few  children  from  Ogavik,  if  they 
could  not  be  taught  there,  to  Bethel.  I  am  glad  to  say  we  have  good 
results  from  our  school.  The  two  native  herders,  Wasely  and  Robert, 
are  two  former  scholars. 

There  is  one  question  that  troubles  me  often,  that  is,  the  number  of 
days  taught.  We  can  not  well  have  school  longer  than  seven  months 
here.  The  first  reason  is,  we  have  almost  all  our  children  from  the  » 
outside;  the  second  is,  we  do  not  want  them  to  become  strangers  to  ! 
hunting  and  fishing.  After  Easter  the  people  go  into  the  mountains 
and  want  the  children,  at  least  the  bigger  boys,  for  hunting  squirrels. 
We  think  it  is  right  for  them  to  go;  we  send  some  old  books  with  them 
and  tell  the  parents  and  children  to  remember  what  they  have  learned. 
The  question  is  now,  Can  you  give  us  the  directions  or  allowance  to 
keep  school  for  seven  months  instead  of  nine  months?  If  you  will  do 
so  I  will  be  very  thankful  and  we  will  do  what  we  can  to  have  our 
school  as  successful  as  possible.  Mrs.  Schoechert  will  be  teacher  in  j 
Quinhagak.  I  am  happy  to  say  our  mission  work  is  encouraging. 
There  was  much  difficulty,  of  course,  in  mastering  the  hard  language,  i 
but  it  is  easier  now  than  it  was  at  first.  What  makes  us  still  happier  ■ 
is  to  see  the  heathen  coming  into  our  Christian  civilization. 

Thanking  you  again  for  your  kindness  and  interest  in  our  work,  I 
am,  dear  sir, 

Respectfully,  yours,  Adolf  Stecker, 

Superintendent 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson,  Washington ,  D.  C. 

Report  of  school  and  vouchers  of  teacher  go  with  this  mail. 


Bethel,  Alaska,  October  6 ,  1902. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  welcome  letter  of  May  12  was  duly  received 
August  24;  the  one  dated  August  15  we  received  here  October  2, 
both  times  by  travelers  from  the  Yukon.  I  thank  you  very  much  for  I 
the  good  news  I  find  in  your  letters.  First,  with  the  schooner  Kadiak , 
we  received  the  books  for  the  school,  and  in  your  first  letter  your 
promise  to  pay  the  teacher  (Rev.  Y.  W einlick)  in  our  school,  and  I 
now  only  wish  I  could  send  our  thanks  as  quickly  as  possible.  I  have 
forwarded  the  letter  to  Mr.  Bals.  He  sent  a  man  down  with  a  short 
account  about  the  deer.  So  far  all  was  well,  and  80  young  deer  were 
living.  It  is  a  good  increase,  and  brings  the  whole  number  to  about 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  107 


550.  If  the  Lord  is  willing,  I  will  go  there  again  in  November  and 
give  a  full  account. 

In  your  letter  from  Nome  you  inform  us  of  two  Laplanders  coming 
to  take  charge  of  the  herd  here.  We  will  welcome  them  when  they 
come.  Certainly  we  will  do  what  is  possible  for  the  children  to  have 
them  in  school.  Also  about  the  provisions,  we  will  do  as  you  wished 
in  your  letter.  Unfortunately,  no  provisions  came  this  year  for  the 
herders.  As  our  requisition  list  has  come  out  so  late  (March  28)  it 
may  have  been  overlooked. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Helmick,  on  account  of  his  sickness,  had  to  go  out, 
and  we  had  their  provisions  at  hand  and  put  them  aside  for  the  herders. 
Thus  we  have  all  that  is  needed,  except  bacon,  but  we  can  get  some  at 
the  trading  post,  and  so  everything  will  be  satisfactory. 

We  opened  our  school  at  the  beginning  of  September  with  18 
scholars.  Some  more  will  come  when  their  parents  or  relatives  come 
from  the  mountains.  Many  asked  whether  they  could  come;  we 
could  soon  have  had  40,  but  have  not  room  for  so  many.  We  have  all 
the  children  in  the  house,  first,  because  many  have  no  homes;  second, 
because  they  are  nearly  all  from  distant  villages,  and,  third,  because 
only  in  this  way  can  they  learn  order  and  be  removed  from  heathen 
influences  and  superstition.  They  are  all  very  happy,  and  we  can  not 
complain  about  them.  The  last  three  came  from  down  river;  one,  a 
poor  orphan,  with  hardly  any  clothes.  When  they  went  to  bed  the 
first  night  I  wish  I  could  have  read  their  thoughts.  Although  we  do 
not  give  them  fine  beds,  but  a  good  warm  blanket,  these  three  certainly 
thought  they  were  in  a  very  good  place;  we  could  see  their  joy  in 
their  faces. 

We  have  also,  with  the  schooner  Kadiak ,  received  the  magazines 
and  reading  matter,  for  which  myself  and  all  the  missionaries  wish  to 
express  our  heartfelt  thanks.  I  can  not  tell  you  how  much  joy  your 
letters  have  brought  me.  I  am  much  encouraged  to  do  the  work  of 
our  Lord  with  joy. 

Concerning  Mr.  Bals  and  son,  I  think  they  had  better  go  out  by  the 
Yukon.  We  could  bring  them  down  river  to  meet  the  schooner  which 
brings  our  supplies;  that  would  be  the  first  part  of  June. 

With  all  good  wishes,  I  am,  thankfully,  yours, 

Adolf  Stecker. 

Rev.  Doctor  Jackson,  Washington ,  D.  C. 


Bethel,  Alaska,  December  12,  1902. 

Dear  Sir:  Yesterda}7  evening  1  returned  from  a  visit  to  the  herd, 
and  expecting  the  mail  every  moment  I  hasten  to  give  you  an  account 
of  how  I  found  the  deer. 

As  mild  weather  set  in  again  and  the  river  had  plenty  of  water  I 
was  twice  on  the  point  of  turning  back,  but  after  going  through  deep 


108  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


water  and  finding  it  better  again  I  went  on  and  reached  their  camp. 
It  is  a  very  nice  place.  They  have  built  three  splendid  log  houses, 
clean,  white  wood,  warm  and  comfortable.  All  were  well,  and  very 
happy  to  see  me  come.  When  I  saw  how  happy  they  were  I  was  very 
glad  I  had  not  turned  back.  I  was  there  two  days  and  we  had  several 
meetings,  and  beside  that  we  would  speak  about  everything.  First, 
the  Laplanders  were  sorry  to  go  out  next  year;  they  would  like  to 
sta}^  longer.  If  the  Government  would  give  them  $500  and  the  same 
provisions  as  now,  they  would  only  be  too  glad  to  stay  longer.  I  said, 
well,  3rou  made  your  contract  only  for  one  year  with  the  understand¬ 
ing  to  go  out  next  year.  Mr.  Kjellmann  had  written  that  he  would 
come  and  see  them  next  summer;  he,  Mr.  Kjellmann,  wanted  to  start 
a  colony  somewhere  in  the  mountains  near  Nushagak.  The  Lapps 
think  Mr.  Kjellmann  might  want  them. 

If  3^011  would  let  me  know  what  you  think,  I  would  be  glad.  It 
seems  that  they  would  like  to  get  some  deer  of  their  own.  The  native 
herders  were  well  and  did  their  work  well.  I  have  to  give  a  poor 
account  of  the  deer  this  time.  Quite  a  number  of  them  died. 

There  were  83  fawns  in  spring;  3  died.  The  number  of  deer  now 
is  285.  The  sickness  on  the  legs  makes  the  deer  almost  unable  to  walk. 
Just  above  the  hoof,  about  6  inches,  it  was  swollen  terribly;  full  of 
matter  coming  out  in  many  places.  When  cold  it  would  freeze  and 


the  deer  died. 

The  Lapps  were  very  sorry  to  give  such  a  bad  account;  the3T  had 
never  seen  such  a  poor  year,  but  they  hope  it  will  now  be  good  again. 
They  do  not  know  the  reason  for  so  many  dying.  In  June  there  was 
a  big  fire  in  the  mountains,  as  well  as  in  several  places  on  the  Tundra, 
burning  for  a  whole  month,  and  the  smoke  was  sometimes  terrible. 
From  J uly  to  the  end  of  October  it  rained  a  great  deal,  the  latter  part 
almost  daily;  the  ground  being  wet  all  the  time  ma3T  have  caused  the 
sickness  of  the  deer. 

I  left  all  well  except  two  which  were  a  little  lame,  but  expect  they 
will  be  well  in  a  short  time.  The  deer  belonging  to  the  native  herders 
are  included  in  the  number.  Wasely  has  three  (the  young  one  died), 
and  Robert  has  four,  one  of  the  young  ones  having  died. 

Hoping  to  give  a  better  account  next  year,  I  am,  dear  sir, 

Yours,  truly, 

Ad.  Stecker. 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington ,  D.  C. 

All  the  vouchers  signed  by  the  Lapps  I  send  to  you. 


P.  S. — The  young  Laplander  has  no  contract  at  all.  He  asked  me 
to  write  contracts  and  send  them  on  to  you,  to  be  signed  by  you,  He 
wants  to  have  one,  if  he  should  go  from  Alaska,  to  show  that  he  was 
in  Government  service. 

Yours,  truly, 


Ad.  Stecker. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  109 


December  15,  1902. 

The  agreement  the  young  Laplander  wanted  1  have  just  finished. 
If  you  will  be  so  kind  and  send  it  to  him  he  will  be  glad. 

He  asked  me  to  write  to  you  that  he  was  willing  to  stay  longer  in 
Alaska,  if  possible  in  Unalaklik,  if  you  could  let  him  have  deer,  or 
if  you  would  want  him  somewhere  under  the  same  condition  as  he  is 
now.  He  did  not  know  what  his  father  would  do,  but  he  thinks  his 
father  too  would  like  to  stay. 

Will  you  kindly  let  him  know  whether  that  is  possible? 

With  all  good  wishes,  yours  truly, 


Ad.  Stecker. 


June  30,  1903. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following  statistics  of  the  herd 
in  camp  at  Andreafski  while  en  route  to  Bethel,  Alaska: 


Old  deer  and  fawns  of  1902. 

Fawns  of  1900. 

Name  of  owner. 

Male. 

Female. 

Died  or 
killed. 

Male. 

Female. 

Died. 

Total 

living 

fawns. 

Total 

living 

deer. 

Per  Spein . 

40 

87 

6 

31 

33 

1 

64 

191 

Nils  Sara . 

39 

99 

2 

1 

74 

212 

Total  deer  in  herd . 

403 

All  the  deer  that  are  reported  dead  or  killed  perished  during  their 
travels  last  winter;  since  then  no  old  deer  have  died  from  disease  or 
been  killed. 

There  were  onty  three  or  four  deer  sick  with  hoof  rot,  so  the  herd 
was  in  a  good  condition  and  had  plenty  of  feed. 

N.  Sara  had  not  counted  his  male  and  female  fawns.  He  only  knew 
the  sum  total. 

C.  O.  Lind,  Superintendent . 

Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington,  D.  C. 


APPRENTICES  AND  HERDERS  AT  TELLER  REINDEER  STATION. 

Independent  herders,  Dunnak,  Sekeoglook,  Ablikak.  Apprentices, 
Serawlook,  Coxrook,  Kotzetuk,  Keeluk,  Immuklina,  Nunasarlook, 
Ehrnuk.  Other  natives  connected  with  the  management  of  the  herds 
at  Teller  Station,  Etugeeuk,  Ohberina,  Ohneemausook,  Emausrook, 
Dora,  Elahkan,  Ogeelesook  (all  women). 


110  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

Deer  bought  from  herd  for  the  Bureau  of  Education,  all  female. 


Tautook . .  11 

Sekeoglook .  14 

Dunnak . „  9 

Total . . .  34 


Tautook’s  deer  (11)  were  delivered  to  N.  Klemetsen  in  the — 

Deer  bought  of  herders  for  the  mission,  all  male. 


Tautook . 6 

Dunnak . 6 

Sekeoglook .  6 

Total . 18 


DAILY  JOURNAL,  TELLER  REINDEER  STATION,  1902-3. 

By  T.  L.  Bkevig. 

July  1,  1902:  Clear  and  smoky,  with  strong  north-northeast  wind. 
Goods  unpacked.  At  7  a.  m.  Messrs.  Percival,  Calkins,  Neeluk,  and 
Zealook  went  into  the  mountains  to  look  for  tin.  Serawlook  came  in 
from  the  herd  for  provisions. 

July  2:  Cloudy,  with  southwest  wind  and  light  rain  in  the  evening. 
The  inspecting  party  returning  at  9  a.  m.,  and  left  again  for  the  Saw¬ 
tooth  Mountains  at  1  p.  m.  Koztuk  came  in  from  the  herd  to  work 
around  the  station. 

July  3:  Cloudy,  with  light  west  wind;  fog  in  the  evening.  Some 
salmon  was  salted  and  some  hung  up  to  smoke.  Nils  and  Elingnuk 
were  in  from  the  herd. 

July  4:  Foggy,  with  west  wind.  Salutes  and  flag  raising.  Mr.  C. 
Gay  and  partner  passed  by  in  the  afternoon  on  the  way  to  York. 

July  5:  Clear,  with  strong  north  wind.  At  11  a.  m.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wilson,  Mrs.  Miles,  Mr.  Evans,  and  Mr.  Howick  came  over  from  Teller 
in  the  Dorothy.  At  noon  the  prospecting  party  returned,  short  of  pro¬ 
visions.  Both  parties  left  in  the  afternoon.  A  four-masted  schooner 
went  out.  Tautook,  Serawlook,  and  Coxrook  came  in  for  provisions. 

July  6:  Clear,  light,  variable  winds.  Two  small  steamers  came  in. 
Sunday  school. 

July  7:  Light  west  wind,  cloudy  and  foggy.  At  8.30  a.  m.  the 
whole  family,  except  Mrs.  Brevig,  Thelma,  and  Emma,  left  for  the 
herd  to  mark  the  fawns;  130  were  marked. 

July  8:  Isak  Hatta  arrived  from  Candle  Creek,  having  walked  the 
distance  in  seven  days.  He  reports  men  at  work  on  the  different 
streams  in  the  Ahgreapuk  Valley.  Cloudy,  with  medium  strong 
southwest  to  west  wind.  Brevig,  Hatta,  and  all  the  boys,  except 
Neeluk,  went  to  herd,  marking  111;  241  the  total  now  living. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  Ill 


Jul}7  9:  Cloudy,  nearly  calm.  Brevig  and  Hatta  went  to  Teller  in 
the  afternoon.  Heavy  rain  in  the  evening  and  during  the  night. 

July  10:  Clear,  strong  west  wind,  high  surf;  made  two  attempts  to 
get  home,  but  failed.  The  U.  S.  S.  Bear  came  in  late  in  the  evening. 

July  11:  Clear,  light  west  wind.  Brevig  returned  at  9  a.  m.  Five 
male  and  25  female  Siberian  deer  were  landed  from  the  Bear  durilm 

o 

the  morning;  in  excellent  condition.  Not  a  single  deer  had  been  lost 
on  the  six  days’  ocean  voyage  from  Barankof  Bay,  Kamchatka,  to 
Alaska.  Provisions  for  native  witnesses  brought  to  Sitka  were  also 
landed.  Mr.  William  Hamilton,  assistant  agent  of  education  for 
Alaska,  inspected  the  station.  The  Bear  left  at  noon.  Hatta  took 
passage  for  Nome.  Two  steam  tugs  were  over  from  Teller  looking 
for  business.  Mrs.  Brevig  and  the  children  went  to  Teller  and 
returned  at  8.30  p.  m.  in  Mr.  Kleinsclimidt’s  launch,  several  people 
from  Teller  accompanying  them.  Mrs.  Scroogs  visited  the  herd. 
Doctor  Meacham  and  Mr.  Bovee  called  in  the  afternoon.  McKenna’s 
schooner  took  on  water. 

July  12:  Clear,  with  strong  southwest  wind  and  high  surf.  Wood 
sawed,  etc. 

July  13:  Showers,  with  strong  southwest  wind.  Nils  was  in  from 
the  herd.  Sunday  school.  The  Sadie  and  another  steamer  came  in. 
The  Sadie  went  out  in  the  afternoon. 

July  11:  Clear,  with  strong  northwest  wind  in  the  evening.  Seraw- 
look  and  Tautook  were  in  from  the  herd.  Bervig  and  two  boys  went 
to  Teller  and  brought  back  three  bags  of  mail.  The  Beluga  went  out. 

July  15:  Cloudy  and  raining  in  the  afternoon.  Toothache  reigns 
supreme.  A  boat  load  of  wood  was  brought.  Dunnak  and  Sekeoglook 
went  to  town. 

July  16:  Cloud}7,  with  strong  west  wind.  Nearly  everybody  at 
station  and  at  herd  is  sick.  Mrs.  Brevig  called  at  the  herd  to  see  the 
sick  there. 

July  17:  Foggy  and  cloudy,  with  variable  winds.  The  Newsboy 
passed  in  at  noon. 

July  18:  Cloudy  and  calm;  raining  all  day.  Mrs.  Brevig  and  Dagny 
were  very  sick  during  the  night.  All  but  Salgan,  Cacklek,  and  Lucy 
are  sick  at  the  station. 

July  19:  Twenty-four  hours  steady  rain;  calm.  Some  patients  are 
better  and  some  are  worse.  At  12  noon  a  big  steamer  anchored  5  or 
6  miles  from  Teller,  and  at  9  p.  m.  Mr.  Lee,  wife,  two  children,  and 
mother  in-law  were  landed  at  the  station  from  the  Centennial.  At  2 
a.  m.  the  Sadie  passed  in;  a  small  steam  schooner  also  passed  in 
during  the  forenoon.  Mr.  Lee  is  going  to  Cape  Prince  of  Wales  as 
Mr.  Lopp’s  successor. 

July  20:  Clear,  strong  southwest  wind.  Mr.  Lofgreen  came  in  from 
the  American  River  at  10.30  p.  m.  Brevig  quite  sick  during  the  night. 


112  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

The  Bear  anchored  outside  the  station  at  11  a.  m.  Mr.  Lee  went  on 
board.  The  Bear's  launch  went  to  Teller,  and  returned  at  5  p.  m. 
Tautook  is  in  from  the  herd. 

July  21:  Strong  southwest  wind,  with  rain  all  day.  In  the  evening 
a  boat  was  sent  on  board  for  Mr.  Lee,  and  later  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scroogs 
were  sent  on  shore  in  the  Bear's  surfboat,  stopping  at  station  over 
night. 

July  22:  Clear,  light  northwest  wind.  The  Lees  left  at  8  a.  m.  on 
the  Bear.  Doctor  Jackson  came  on  shore  and  settled  accounts  all  day. 
Nils  and  Tautook  were  in  from  the  herd. 

July  23:  Clear,  strong  southwest  wind.  Contracts  between  native 
deermen  and  the  Government  made  and  signed.  Doctor  Meacham  and 
family  came  over  from  Teller  in  the  forenoon  and  stopped  until  morn¬ 
ing.  Mr.  Price,  Miss  Benson,  and  some  children  called  in  the  evening 
and  Mr.  Lafgren  went  to  Teller  with  them.  Serawlook,  Erlingnuk, 
and  Ahmukdoolik  each  received  10  deer. 

July  21:  Clear,  calm.  Doctor  Meacham  left  in  the  forenoon. 
Accounts  were  settled  with  Doctor  Jackson.  Nils  came  in  from  the 
herd  to  go  with  Doctor  Jackson  to  Unalaklik. 

July  25:  Cloudy,  medium  strong  south  wind.  Doctor  Jackson, 
Brevig,  Nils  and  some  of  the  boys  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning. 
Brevig  and  the  boys  returned  at  9  p.  m. 

July  26:  Cloudy,  with  showers.  Serawlook  and  Coxrook  came  in 
for  provisions  and  boat,  to  move  the  camp  10  miles  up  the  lagoon. 

July  27:  Cloudy  and  calm,  with  showers.  Sunday  school. 

July  28:  Calm,  with  frequent  showers.  Rumor  of  a  shooting  scrape  I 
at  York.  A  schooner  came  in  and  one  went  out.  The  JVeivsboy  came  i 
in  and  passed  out. 

July  29:  Strong  south  wind.  Cloudy,  with  showers  all  day.  Wood 
sawing. 

July  30:  Cloudy,  with  north  wind.  Brevig  and  two  boys  went  to 
Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  5  p.  m.  Tautook  visits  friends 
in  Nuk.  A  small  white  whale  (beluga)  was  caught  in  a  salmon  net. 
Several  of  the  herders  were  in  from  the  herd. 

July  31:  Clear,  calm,  and  warm,  with  thunder  showers  and  several  { 
distinct  peals  of  thunder;  two  or  three  quite  sharp.  Brevig  and  Nee- 
luk  visited  in  Teller  in  the  afternoon.  Wood  was  piled. 

August  1:  Clear,  with  light  northeast  wind.  A  canoe  load  of  wood 
was  brought.  Doctor  Meacham  and  family  and  Mr.  Giddings  came 
over  from  Teller  in  the  afternoon  and  stopped  over  night. 

August  2:  Clear,  with  light,  variable  winds.  Doctor  Meacham  and 
party  left  at  1  p.  m.  Mrs.  Brevig  and  part  of  the  family  went  over 
with  Mr.  Kleinschmidt  and  returned  at  10  p.  m.  in  the  launch.  Tel- 
lerites  left  at  11  p.  m. 

August  3:  Clear,  with  strong  north  wind.  Sunday  school. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  113 

August  4:  Partly  overcast,  with  a  gale  from  the  east.  Brevig  and 
Neeluk  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning,  but  could  not  return  on  account 
of  the  storm. 

August  5:  Clear,  with  a  gale  from  north-northeast.  Brevig  returned 
at  noon.  The  Sadie  came  in  early  in  the  morning  and  left  again  at 
10.30  a.  m. 

August  6:  Clear,  with  strong  north-northeast  to  north  wind.  The 
Newsboy  called  at  the  station.  A  canoe  load  of  wood  was  brought. 

August  7 :  Partly  overcast,  with  a  very  strong  southwest  to  south 
wind.  The  warehouse  was  arranged  and  wood  carried  in.  Tautook 
and  Coxrook  were  in  from  the  herd,  reporting  one  female  very  sick 
and  two  fawns  crazy. 

August  8:  Clear;  south  to  southwest  wind.  Neeluk  went  to  Teller 
with  mail.  Wood  was  piled  in  the  warehouse.  Sekeoglook  was  in 
from  the  herd. 

August  9:  Partly  overcast,  with  a  thundershower  in  the  afternoon. 
Sevaulook  was  in  from  the  herd.  The  Sadie  came  in  and  passed  out 
again. 

August  10:  Partly  overcast,  with  changing  winds  and  showers.  Sun¬ 
day  school.  The  Newsboy  came  in  and  went  out.  Mr.  Anderson,  from 
j  York,  came  in  very  tired  and  hungry. 

August  11:  Cloudy  and  showers,  with  variable  winds.  One  carcass 
was  brought  in. 

August  12:  Clear,  with  gusts  of  wind.  Brevig,  Anderson,  and  four 
boys  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning.  Brevig  and  the  boys  returned  at 

1  p.  m. 

August  13:  Partly  overcast,  with  strong  north  wind.  A  boat  load 
of  wood  was  brought.  A  big  steamer  came  in  and  passed  out  again. 

August  14:  Clear,  with  light  west  wind.  Shoe  grass  was  cut  for 
|  winter  use. 

August  15:  Strong  northeast  wind;  cloudy.  Shoe  grass  gathered 
and  prepared.  Mr.  Rickmeyer  came  in  at  7  p.  m.  from  York. 

August  16:  Clear,  with  variable  winds.  Grass  was  brought  in  and 
prepared.  The  Sadie  and  a  schooner  came  in. 

August  17:  Clear.  Toothache  is  on  the  warpath  again.  Nunasar- 
|  look  and  wife  and  Sekeoglook  were  in  from  the  herd. 

Augustl8:  Clear;  light  northeast  wind.  Brevig,  Neeluk,  and  Kozeluk 
went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  11  p.  m. 

August  19:  Cloudy,  with  a  strong  southwest  breeze  in  the  afternoon, 
and  high  surf.  The  Tlietis  anchored  outside  the  station  at  7  p.  m.  last 
night.  Brevig  called  on  board  and  Doctor  Horn  visited  on  shore. 
The  Bear  was  sighted  at  the  anchorage,  but  disappeared  while  the 
'  Thetis  was  on  the  way  out.  Ole  Pulk,  a  Laplander,  was  landed,  to  be 
taken  by  the  Bear  to  St.  Lawrence  Island.  Ahmukdoolik  is  reported 
very  sick.  Brevig  sprained  his  knee  launching  a  boat. 


114  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

August  20:  Cloudy,  with  strong  northwest  wind,  abating  in  the 
evening.  A  heavy  rain  fell  during  the  night.  The  Thetis  came  in  in 
the  morning  and  stayed  all  day.  Three  carcasses  were  sent  on  board. 
Doctor  Horn  visited  on  shore. 

August  21:  Strong  south  to  southwest  wind  until  4  p.  m.,  when 
changing  to  northwest.  The  Thetis  lifted  anchor  at  9  a.  m.,  and 
headed  in  different  directions,  finally  anchoring  off  Cape  Riley. 
When  the  fog  lifted  she  had  vanished.  Several  of  the  children  are 
very  sick.  Raining  all  day. 

August  22:  Clear;  strong  north  wind.  Wood  sawing  and  grass 
fixing.  Nearly  all  the  children  more  or  less  sick.  New  snow  in  the 
mountains. 

August  23:  Clear,  with  snow  flurries  and  hail.  Brevig,  Neeluk, 
Kozetuk,  and  Pulk  went  to  herd  at  9  a.  m.,  and  returned  at  8  p.  m. 
with  the  carcass  of  one  deer.  Erlingnuk  was  discharged  for  diso¬ 
bedience. 

August  24:  Clear;  light  north  wind.  A  heavy  frost  during  the 
night.  Sunday  school.  The  Newsboy  watered  ship. 

August  25:  Clear,  with  strong  northwest  wind.  Serawlook  went  to 
herd  in  the  morning,  and  the  deer  were  moved  some  distance  up  the 
hills.  Brevig  and  Kozeluk  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned 
in  the  evening.  Shoe  grass  was  brought  in. 

August  26:  Partly  overcast,  with  light  variable  winds.  A  berrying 
party  was  sent  out.  Shoe  grass  was  fixed.  Tautook,  wife,  and  father- 
in-law  passed  in  toward  salt  lake.  Tautook  and  wife  are  to  return  in 
a  few  days. 

August  27 :  Clear;  variable  winds.  Brevig,  Neeluk,  Kozetuk,  and 
Ahgoocook  went  to  the  herd  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  7  p.  m.  - 
with  a  load  of  wood.  Doctor  Meacham  and  wife  and  Rev.  H.  Hosack 
came  over  from  Teller  and  stayed  over  night. 

August  28:  Cloudy.  Doctor  Meacham  and  party  left  at  9  a.  m.  A 
canoe  of  wood  was  brought.  Mr.  Miles,  wife,  and  several  ladies  of 
Teller  visited  the  station.  Mrs.  Brevig  went  over  to  Teller  with  them. 

August  29:  West  to  northwest  wind,  with  drizzling  rain  in  the  fore¬ 
noon.  Wood  cutting.  Kozeluk,  Neeluk,  and  Pulk  went  to  Teller  at 
1  p.  m.  for  Mrs.  Brevig,  and  returned  at  9  p.  m. 

August  30:  Cloud}T;  northwest  wind.  The  log  cabins  were  fixed 
with  moss.  Sekeoglook,  Coxrook,  and  two  women  were  in  from  the 
herd. 

September  1:  Cloudy;  strong  north  wind.  Mr.  Dahlgren  and  part¬ 
ner  camped  on  the  beach. 

September  2:  Strong  north  wind.  Cloudy.  The  boj^s  went  out 
berry  picking  and  returned  without  any.  Sadie  went  north. 

September  3:  Clear  with  strong  north  wind.  Brevig  and  boys 
brought  a  boatload  of  wood. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  115 


September  4:  The  Newsboy  came  in  and  went  out  again.  Wood 
sawed.  Some  tomcod  were  caught. 

Septembers:  Clear.  Northwest  wind.  Dahlgren,  Giles,  and  Brevig 
visited  the  herd.  At  7  p.  m.  Mr.  Richardson,  Hovick,  Zalner,  and 
Vatney  arrived  in  a  boat  from  the  Arctic  district. 

September  6:  Cloudy;  strong  northeast  wind.  Serawlook,  Itugeluk, 
and  Ablikak  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning.  Richardson’s  party, 
Brevig,  and  Howick  went  in  the  afternoon  and  were  kept  in  Teller  by 
high  surf.  The  Sadie  came  in  from  the  north  in  the  evening. 

September  7:  Cloudy,  with  a  strong  northeast  wind.  Serawlook 
and  party,  Brevig,  and  Howick  returned  from  Teller  at  1  p.  m.  The 
Sadie  left  at  noon.  Sunday  school.  Some  tomcod  caught  in  the 
evening. 

September  8:  Cloudy.  Medium  strong  northwest  wind.  Howick 
and  Neeluk  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  4  p.  m.  in 
the  Dorothy  with  Wilson  and  Sullivan  going  to  York.  Howick  took 
Kozetuk  along. 

September  9:  Partly  overcast.  Mr.  Hawks  went  to  York  with  two 
horses.  The  Sadie  came  in  at  9  a.  m.  and  left  for  the  north  at  4  p.  m. 
with  several  passengers  on  board  for  York.  Tomcod  was  caught 
and  stringed  and  the  cabins  plastered. 

September  10:  Partly  overcast  with  west  to  north  winds.  Cabin 
fixing,  etc.  Several  small  boats  passed  on  toward  York. 

September  11:  Partly  overcast,  calm.  Brevig  and  Neeluk  went 
to  Teller  at  2  p.  m.  and  returned  at  10  p.  m. 

September  12:  Cloudy.  Gale  from  east. 

September  13:  Cloudy,  with  a  gale  from  east  in  the  forenoon;  cairn 
in  the  afternoon.  Sekeoglook,  Ahmukdoolik,  Coxrook  and  wife  came 
in  from  the  herd.  Dunnak  and  wife  came  in  from  the  Tooksook. 

September  14:  Gale  from  northeast  over.  At  1  p.  m.  Mr.  Klein- 
schmidt  came  in  the  Diamond  and  stayed  all  night,  giving  the  children 
an  excursion  in  the  evening.  Sunday  school.  The  Sadie  and  News- 
!  boy  came  in  from  the  north. 

September  15:  Partly  overcast.  Gale  continued.  Mr.  Kleinschmidt 
left  at  1  p.  m.  Tomcod  was  strung  and  the  cabins  plastered.  Some 
wood  was  piled. 

September  16:  Clear;  the  gale  from  north-northeast  continued. 
Some  tomcod  were  caught.  The  cabins  were  whitewashed. 

September  17:  Clear  and  calm  during  the  forenoon;  strong  north¬ 
east  wind  in  the  afternoon.  Howick  and  Brevig  visited  the  herd.  In 
the  afternoon  Mrs.  Steiner,  Mrs.  Hill,  and  Count  Nystrom  came  in 
from  York  and  stopped  overnight. 

September  18:  Gale  from  east  northeast  all  night  and  day.  Howick 
and  Kozetuk  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  5  p.  m. 
Mrs.  Steiner’s  party  left  at  9  a.  m.  Wood  sawed  and  split. 

8.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 9 


116  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

September  19:  Clear,  medium  changing  winds.  Some  tomcod  was 
caught  in  the  evening.  At  7  p.  m.  Tautook  Keok  and  friend  came 
over  from  Teller,  reporting  Koveroock  sick.  Wood  sawed  and  split. 

September  20:  Clear,  with  a  gale  from  the  north.  The  Cape  Prince 
of  Wales  herder  went  to  camp  and  visited  the  herd  and  left  for  Teller 
in  the  evening.  Serawlook  and  Coxrook  came  in  from  the  herd. 

September  21:  Cloud}^  with  light  north  wind.  Sunday  school. 

September  22:  Cloudy  and  calm.  Ole  and  Kozeluk  went  after  two 
deer  seen  by  a  native  yesterday  .  Ole  found  the  two.  Double  windows 
were  put  in.  Four  native  canoes  went  up  the  coast. 

September  23:  A  nice  day.  Brevig  and  Hovick  went  to  Teller  in 
the  morning.  Hovick  came  back  at  noon  and  went  to  the  herd  return¬ 
ing  in  the  evening.  Dunnak  came  in  and  felt  cheap,  losing  so  many  j 
deer.  All  the  herders  were  out  looking  for  more  stray  deer. 

September  24:  South  wind.  Hovick  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning 
and  returned  at  noon.  In  the  evening  the  cape  herders  and  others  i 
were  invited  up,  and  games  played.  The  croquet  set  was  tried  for  the  ! 
first  time,  but  it  was  too  cold  to  be  enjoyed.  Sekeoglook  came  in  from 
the  herd  late  in  the  evening. 

September  25:  Sekeoglook  left  for  the  herd  in  the  morning.  A  : 
stormy  day. 

September  26:  South  wind  and  rain.  Mrs.  Brevig  and  Neeluk 
visited  the  natives  on  the  beach  and  got  three  orphans  with  the  promise  S 
of  more.  Straw  baskets  were  made. 

September  27 :  Storm  continued.  Ehrnak  came  in  from  the  herd,  i 
Thejr  brought  in  the  carcass  of  a  deer  and  the  skin  of  one.  The  meat 
could  not  be  used  even  by  natives.  Tautook  and  Ahmukdoolook  also  ' 
came  in  from  the  herd.  All  but  Coxrook  and  Ahbrina  went  in  to  the  ; 
herd. 

September  28:  Storm  from  east  continued,  abating  at  noon.  Howick 
with  four  boys  started  for  Teller,  but  meeting  Brevig  on  the  way,  . 
returned.  The  Sadie  came  in  in  the  morning  to  get  shelter,  as  the  j 
storm  had  swept  Nome  again,  demolishing  the  water  front  and  barges. 
Sunday  school. 

September  29:  Cloudy  with  light  east  wind.  All  the  natives  camped  , 
on  the  beach  left  for  their  homes  in  the  morning.  Wood  cutting. 
Sevawlook  and  Coxrook,  with  wives,  left  for  the  herd.  Hovick  and 
Kozetuk  went  to  the  herd  also. 

September  30:  Clear;  light  variable  winds.  Hovick  and  Kozetuk 
went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  2  p.  m.  Three  miners  ; 
from  York  passed  through  from  York  with  samples  of  tin.  Dunnak 
was  in  from  the  herd. 

October  1:  Cloudy;  strong  northwest  wind.  Brevig,  Hovick,  and 
Kozetuk  went  to  the  herd  in  the  morning.  Six  sick  deer  were  killed. 
Returned  at  2  p.  m.  The  Newsboy  anchored  outside  the  station  at  5 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  117 


p.  m.  The  Bear  came  in  a  little  later.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  Noyes  called 
in  the  evening.  Brevig  and  Hovick  boarded  the  Bear. 

October  2:  Cloudy;  strong  north  wind.  Fifteen  tons  of  coal  were 
landed  from  the  U.  S.  S.  Bear  in  the  forenoon.  Mrs.  Bernardi  and 
brother  called  for  a  few  minutes  at  noon.  Many  Cape  Prince  of  Wales 
canoes  were  taken  on  board  to  be  taken  home.  Neeluk’s  mother  and 
her  husband  from  King’s  Island  visited  on  shore.  The  Bear's  launch 
took  (>  tons  of  coal  into  Teller.  Anderson  passed  back  to  York.  Bear 
left  at  2  p.  m. 

October  3:  Cloudy;  strong  northeast  wind.  All  the  coal  was  carried 
up.  Hovick  and  two  boys  went  to  Teller  and  returned  in  the  evening. 
Bear  and  Centennial  anchored  off  Cape  Riley  at  dark.  At  8  p.  m.  Mr. 
Mountjoy,  special  agent  of  the  Department  of  Justice,  was  landed  by 
a  boat  from  the  Bear.  Xavier  came  over  from  Teller  in  the  evening. 
He  had  come  in  on  the  Newsboy  from  Nome  and  the  Yukon. 

October  4:  A  northeast  gale.  Brevig  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning. 
Hovick,  Xavier,  and  Mr.  Mountjoy  visited  the  herd  and  returned  at 
noon.  Brevig  at  3  p.  m.  Hovick  and  Mr.  Mountjoy  went  to  Teller 
at  3  p.  m.  Mr.  Mountjoy  to  visit  Marys  Igloo,  and  Hovick  to  go  to 
the  States  on  the  Centennial.  The  Bear  had  gone  out  during  the  night. 

October  5:  Cloudy;  light  northeast  wind;  mist  at  times.  Serawlook 
and  Ehrnuk  went  to  the  herd  in  the  evening.  Sunday  school.  The 
Corwin  came  in. 

October  6:  Cloudy,  with  strong  north  wind.  Some  coal  was  carried 
up  from  the  beach.  The  Centennial  and  Corwin  went  out  at  5.30 
a.  m.  Kozetuk  and  Ehrlook  went  to  Teller  in  the  forenoon. 

October  7 :  Light  northeast  wind,  cloudy,  with  drizzling*  rain  in  the 
afternoon.  Wood  cut.  Some  tomcod  caught. 

October  8:  Cloudy,  with  light  east  to  southeast  wind.  Neeluk  and 
Kozetuk  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  with  Xavier.  A  boat  passed 
up  on  the  way  to  the  cape.  A  letter  received  from  Mr.  H.  Lee,  Cape 
Prince  of  Wales. 

October  9:  Cloudy,  strong  southeast  wind.  Brevig  and  Kozetuk 
went  to  the  herd  in  the  morning,  and  came  back  again  at  2  p.  m. 
Sekeoglook  came  in  with  them.  Three  deer  had  died.  One  belong¬ 
ing  to  the  Government  and  two  belonging  to  Ablikak. 

October  10:  Cloudy,  with  a  gale  from  south-southeast  to  south  all 
night  and  day.  A  steam  schooner  anchored  in  lee  of  Cape  Riley.  A 
small  boat  passed  by  toward  Point  Jackson.  Very  high  surf. 

October  11:  Cloudy,  with  showers.  South  gale  and  high  surf. 
Two  men  were  in  from  the  boat  which  passed  yesterday,  now  beached 
5  miles  from  station.  Sekeoglook  engaged  in  fixing  sleds. 

October  12:  Cloudy,  medium  strong  east  wind.  Sunday  school. 
Brevig  and  three  boys  went  to  Teller  in  the  evening  and  returned  at 
10  p.  m. 


118  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

October  13:  Cloudy,  nearly  calm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benson,  Walter 
Benson,  and  Mr.  Maynard  came  over  from  Teller  in  the  forenoon. 
Mrs.  Benson  remained  at  the  station.  The  Corwin  went  out.  Cox- 
rook  came  in  from  the  herd  in  the  morning.  He  and  Sekeoglook  went 
to  the  herd  at  3  p.  m. 

October  11:  Cloudy,  strong  northeast  wind.  Irons  were  put  on 
sleds.  Mr.  Kleinschmidt,  Xavier,  and  Reverend  Hosack  came  in  at  5 
p.  m.,  and  all  but  Hosack  left  at  6.30  p.  m.  for  Nome  in  the  Diamond 
steamer.  The  Abler  also  called  and  left  at  the  same  time.  Serawlook, 
Tautook,  and  wife  were  in  from  the  herd. 

October  15:  Mr.  Hosack  visited  the  herd  in  the  forenoon  and  left 
for  Teller  at  3  p.  m.  The  Newsboy  anchored  off  the  station  at  10 
a.  m.  and  remained  all  day. 

October  16:  Cloudy,  with  gale  from  north  to  northwest.  Two  boat 
loads  of  wood  were  brought.  The  stove  pipes  on  the  main  building 
were  fixed.  The  Newsboy  is  watering. 

October  17 :  Medium  strong  west  wind.  Snowing  during  the  night; 
rain  and  sleet  during  the  day.  The  Bear  came  in  at  noon.  Doctor 
Weeks  visited  the  station.  Some  coal  and  condemned  Government 
supplies  were  landed.  Ole  Pulk  and  two  deer  dog  puppies  were  taken 
on  board  to  go  to  St.  Lawrence  Island.  The  Newsboy  left  for  Teller 
at  2  p.  m. 

October  18:  Cloudy  and  misty.  Light  variable  winds.  Stoves  I 
fixed.  Brevig  and  two  boys  went  to  Teller  in  the  afternoon  and  I 
returned  at  9  p.  m. 

October  19:  Cloudy,  with  wind  changing  from  west  to  north.  The  | 
Bear  came  in  the  morning  and  anchored  outside  the  station.  Doctor  j 
W eeks  returned  on  board.  The  master-at-arms  was  on  shore.  Two 
miners  from  Cape  York  stopped  overnight  in  the  first  cabin. 

October  20:  Strong  northwest  wind.  The  Bear  is  ballasting.  Doc¬ 
tor  Weeks,  Engineer  Snyder,  and  the  Japanese  steward  were  on  shore 
for  a  hunt.  Sekeoglook  is  in  from  the  herd.  Dunnak  and  wife  went  J 
to  Teller.  Coxrook  and  wife  went  to  herd.  The  miners  went  to  Tel-  , 
ler.  The  coal  was  carried  into  the  warehouse.  Doctor  McDonald  went  8 
to  York.  Neeluk  and  Kozetuk  went  out  hunting  in  the  afternoon.  j 

October  21:  Cloudy,  with  very  strong  southwest  wind.  Doctor 
Weeks  was  landed  from  the  Bear .  Kozetuk,  Dunnak,  and  Immuklena  ! 
looked  for  stray  deer  all  day. 

October  22:  Cloudy,  with  a  gale  from  the  south.  Snow  and  sleet 
in  the  afternoon.  Harnesses  and  halters  were  fixed  and  made.  The 
Bear  came  in  and  anchored  at  5  p.  m. 

October  23:  Cloudy,  with  an  easterly  gale  in  the  afternoon.  The 
Bear  took  on  a  little  water,  and  went  under  Cape  Riley  again  at  3  p.  m. 
Doctor  Weeks  called  on  board  and  returned  on  shore  again.  Sekeog¬ 
look  and  Ahmukdoolik  are  in  from  the  herd. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  119 


October  24:  Cloudy,  variable  winds.  Blowing  a  gale  unusually 
strong  during  the  night;  very  high  surf.  The  Bear  took  on  some 
ballast.  Neeluk  and  Immuklena  went  out  hunting  in  the  morning. 
Kozetuk  and  Zoatook  went  to  the  herd  for  sled  deer.  Amukdoolik 
also  went  to  the  herd. 

October  25:  Cloudy,  with  light  northwest  wind.  Brevig  boarded 
the  Bear  in  the  morning.  Five  sled  deer  were  brought  in,  and  Doctor 
Weeks  and  the  chief  engineer  enjoyed  a  ride.  The  chief  took  dinner 
on  shore.  Sekeoglook  came  in  with  those  sleds.  The  Corwin  came 
in  and  took  on  some  ballast.  The  Corwin  coaled  from  the  Bear . 

October  26:  Partly  overcast;  medium  northeast  wind.  The  Corwin 
coaled  and  the  Bear  ballasted.  Butesuk,  one  of  the  orphans,  died  at 
10  a.  m.  Doctor  Weeks  went  on  board  and  stayed  until  4  p.  m.  Dun- 
nak  and  Nunasarlook,  with  wives,  came  in  from  Teller,  reporting  an 
old  native  woman  dead.  Sekeoglook  and  Dunnak,  with  families,  went 
to  the  herd. 

October  27:  Cloudy;  strong  north  wind.  The  Bear  and  Corwin  bal¬ 
lasted  and  watered  ship.  Doctor  Weeks  went  on  board  and  returned 
at  4.30  p.  m.  Butesuk  was  buried  in  the  afternoon.  Kozetuk  and 
Zaotook  went  to  the  herd  for  a  deer  and  brought  the  wrong  one. 

October  28:  Gale  from  northwest;  cloudy,  with  snow  flurries. 
Wood  was  hauled.  Mr.  Rickmej^er  arrived  from  York  at  1  p.  in., 
crippled  with  rheumatism;  went  on  board  the  Corwin. 

October  29:  Partly  overcast;  northwest  wind,  medium  strong. 
Wood  hauled.  Both  ships  taking  on  water.  Some  tomcod  sold  to  the 
Corwin.  Neeluk  and  Kozetuk  went  to  the  herd  and  did  not  return. 

October  30:  Partly  overcast,  light  north  wind.  The  Comoin  went 
in  to  Teller  early  in  the  morning.  The  Bear  finished  watering  at 
noon.  Nunasarlook,  Dunnak,  Coxrook,  Ahmukdoolik,  Kozetuk,  and 
Neeluk  came  in  from  the  herd  with  four  deer  and  a  carcass.  Neeluk 
and  Immuklena  went  to  Teller  in  the  afternoon.  A  little  Kings  Island 
girl  left  us  with  some  relatives  at  noon.  Some  of  the  Bear’s  crew 
were  on  shore  fishing.  Dunnak  and  Nunasarlook,  Ahmukdoolik,  Cox¬ 
rook,  and  Tautook  went  to  the  herd  in  the  evening. 

October  31:  Cloudy;  light  southeast  wind.  Corwin  went  out  at 
noon.  Tautook  came  in  from  the  herd,  and  Zoolook  and  Kozetuk 
went  to  the  herd  to  help  move  the  camp.  Neeluk  and  Immuklena 
came  home  from  Teller  at  noon.  Mrs.  Brevig  was  sick  all  day. 

November  1:  Partly  overcast;  nearly  calm.  Lieutenant  Mead  was 
on  the  shore  in  the  morning.  The  Bear  went  over  to  Point  Spencer 
in  the  morning  to  take  on  some  Kings  Island  people;  returned  at  3 
p.  m.,  and  took  Doctor  Weeks  on  board.  The  Corwin  is  anchored  at 
Point  Spencer.  The  native  girl  is  reported  dead  from  exposure.  All 
well. 


120  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

November  2:  Cloucty;  strong  east  wind.  Mr.  Benson  came  over 
from  Teller  at  noon. 

November  3:  Cloudy;  with  strong  east  wind.  Koxetuk,  Ehrmuk, 
and  Zoolook  came  in  from  the  herd.  The  camp  is  now  under  the 
mountains,  15  miles  northwest  from  station.  One  of  Tautook’ s  sled 
deer  broke  its  leg.  Windows  fixed  for  winter. 

November!:  Cloudy;  strong  east-southeast  wind.  Mr.  Benson  went 
home  after  dinner.  Wood  sawed.  Ehrmak  went  to  the  herd.  Mrs.  ! 
Brevig  is  not  as  well  as  was  expected. 

November  5:  Light  east  wind.  Cloudy.  Wood  sawing.  Mrs. 
Brevig  still  low. 

November  6:  Cloudy;  snowing  until  3  p.  m.  East  wind.  Brevig 
and  three  boys  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  dark. 

November  7:  Cloudy.  Thawing.  Southeast  wind.  Wood  hauled. 
Coxrook  and  wife  were  in  from  the  herd. 

November  8:  Cloudy.  Southeast  wind.  Coxrook  and  part}^  left  for 
the  herd.  Ehrmuk  and  Tautook  came  in  from  the  herd.  A  boat  load 
of  wood  was  brought. 

November  9:  Clear;  strong  southeast  wind. 

November  10:  Clear;  east  wind.  Neeluk  and  Kozetuk  went  to  Tel-  i 
ler  with  Mrs.  Benson  in  the  afternoon  and  returned  at  6  p.  m.  Nuna- 
sarlook  and  wife  were  in  from  the  herd. 

November  11:  Cloudy.  Nunasarlook  and  wife  went  to  Brooblock  ; 
(Dunnak’s  father)  in  the  morning.  Wood  piled. 

November  12;  Cloudy;  snow  flurries  in  the  morning.  Kozetuk  ! 
went  hunting  in  the  morning;  missed  the  birds  but  found  12  deer. 
Neeluk  is  fixing  gun. 

November  13:  Clear;  calm  until  evening,  when  a  strong  northeast  f 
wind  sprung  up.  Kozetuk,  Zoolook,  Immuklena,  Elayoke,  and  Ah- 
gookook  left  early  in  the  morning  to  bring  the  12  deer  to  the  herd. 
Some  tomcod  caught. 

November  14:  Clear;  a  gale  from  the  north.  Sekeoglook,  Ahmuk- 
doolik  and  others  returned  from  the  herd  with  the  carcass  of  a  female 
deer  which  broke  its  leg  on  the  ice. 

November  15:  Clear;  medium  north-northeast  wind.  Slush  ice  : 
formed  on  the  bay.  A  native  sled  came  in  from  Marys  Igloo. 

November  16:  Clear  and  calm;  a  thin  layer  of  ice  covering  the  bay. 
Sunday  school. 

November  17:  Partly  overcast.  Brevig,  Neeluk,  and  Immaklena 
went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  stopped  over  night. 

November  18:  Cloudy.  Tautook  and  wife  came  into  Teller,  and 
Tautook  shot  a  dog  that  attacked  his  sled  deer.  Dunnak  was  also  in. 
Brevig,  etc.,  returned  at  8  p.  m. 

November  19:  Clear;  cold;  strong  north-northeast  wind.  Tautook 
left  for  the  herd. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  121 


November  20:  Cloudy;  —8°,  calm.  Nunasarlook  and  Sungoo  came 
in  from  Tooksook. 

November  21:  Clear;  nearly  calm.  Nunasarlook  and  Sungoo  left 
for  home  in  the  morning.  Mr.  Hosack  arrived  at  2  p.  m.  and  left 
again  at  4  p.  m.  Kozetuk  and  Ehrnak  were  in  from  the  herd. 

November  22:  Clear;  light  north-northeast  wind.  Serawlook  was 
in  from  the  herd  and  left  again  with  provisions. 

November  23:  Clear  and  calm;  —12°.  Sunday  school.  Dunnak 
came  in  from  the  herd  in  the  evening. 

November  24:  Clear;  calm;  cold.  Dunnak  and  wife  went  to  his 
father.  Water  hauled  for  the  first  time  this  season  from  the  spring  a 
half  mile  back  of  station. 

November  25:  Cloudy;  calm.  Dunnak  returned  from  visiting  his 
father.  Stovepipes  fixed. 

November  26:  Clear  and  calm.  Dunnak  and  JBrevig  went  to  Teller 
in  the  morning  and  returned  in  the  evening.  Serawlook  was  in  from 
the  herd,  reporting  one  male  killed  fighting. 

November  27:  Clear  and  calm.  The  flag  was  raised.  Dunnak  went 
to  the  herd  at  10  a.  m.  Mr.  Malony  from  Nook  was  in  after  medicine. 

November  28:  Clear,  with  gusts  of  wind.  Coxrook  was  in  from 
the  herd. 

November  29:  Clear;  calm;  cold,  quite. 

November  30:  Clear;  cold;  —18°.  Light  east  wind.  Sunday 
school. 

December  1:  Cloudy,  with  light  east  wind;  some  snow  during  the 
night.  Mr.  Benson  visited  the  station. 

December  2:  Cloudy;  —20°.  East  wind.  Tautook,  Sekeoglook, 
and  Coxrook  were  in  front  the  herd.  The  herd  will  move  in  two 
days. 

December  3:  Cloudy,  with  a  gale  from  the  south-southeast.  Koze¬ 
tuk,  Sekeoglook,  Ehrnak,  Coxrook,  Ahberina,  and  Bahneeknuk  came 
in  at  7  p.  m. 

December  4:  Clear;  strong  south  wind.  Tautook,  Serawlook,  and 
Dunnak  arrived  at  noon. 

December  5:  Cloud}7;  southwest  wind.  Brevig,  Dagny,  Tautook, 
Serawlook,  Lucy  Owoodluk,  and  Isaksrook  went  to  Teller  in  the 
morning  and  returned  at  4  p.  m.  The  herd  and  herders,  with  the 
exception  of  Tautook  and  Dunnak,  with  families,  left  for  the  winter 
camp.  Ahbrina  will  remain  at  the  station  to  sew. 

December  6:  Cloudy;  south  wind;  snow  and  sleet.  Herders  left  for 
camp.  Sahgahn,  a  10-year-old  boy,  was  received  at  the  home.  His 
two  sisters  and  brother  were  here  before. 

December  7:  Cloudy;  east  gale  continued.  Ahmukdoolik  was  in 
from  camp.  Snow  and  rain  during  the  night. 

December  8:  South-southeast  wind,  very  strong.  Snow  and  sleet. 


122  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

December  9:  Snowing-  until  1  p.  m.  Calm  until  1  p.  m.,  when  a 
northwest  wind  sprang  up. 

December  10:  Cloudy,  with  a  gale  from  north-northeast.  Beetuk 
went  to  Teller  with  mail  in  the  afternoon. 

December  11:  Cloud}",  with  a  gale  from  north-northeast.  At  6.30 
p.  m.  Nils  Klemetson,  Per  Sara,  and  Nelleruk  came  in  from  Unalakleet 
to  remove  the  Government  deer  to  Golofnin  Bay  and  Unalakleet.  Tau- 
took  will  go  with  his  herd  to  Golofnin  Bay. 

December  12:  Clear.  Blizzard  from  the  north.  'Nils  provisioned 
for  the  return  trip.  Ivozetuk  and  Ahmukdoolik  came  in  from  the 
herd,  now  in  winter  quarters. 

December  13:  Cloudy.  North  wind.  Blizzard.  Nils  et  al.  went  to 
the  herd  at  noon. 

December  14:  Cloudy.  Northwest  wind.  Blizzard.  Sunday  school. 

December  15:  Clear,  cold.  Blizzard  from  the  north  continued. 
Brevig  started  for  the  herd  at  11  a.  m.  A  blizzard  hindered  us  from 
crossing  the  mountains.  We  camped  on  Igloo  Creek. 

December  16:  Cloudy,  very  cold.  Camp  was  made  on  the  Ahgeeo- 
puk  at  5  p.  m.  The  preparatory  work  for  dividing  the  herd  had  not 
been  done  as  ordered,  and  it  was  done  in  the  moonlight. 

December  17:  Clear,  calm,  bright  day,  very  cold;  139  deer  were 
lassoed  and  separated  from  the  main  herd. 

December  18:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  136  deer  were  separated  from  the 
main  herd;  275  in  all  belonging  to  Tautook  and  the  Government. 

December  19:  Cloudy,  calm.  At  9.30  Brevig,  Kozetuk,  and  Sekeog- 
look  left  the  herd  for  the  station,  and  reached  the  divide  above  Igloo 
Creek  at  3  p.  m. ,  but  thick  weather  and  darkness  led  the  guide  astray, 
and  a  good  part  of  the  evening  was  spent  traveling  among  the  hills 
until  camp  was  dually  pitched  on  a  snow  bank;  the  outfit  was  one 
sleeping  bag  for  the  three,  no  tent  and  no  stove. 

December  20:  Cloudy,  calm;  snowing  in  the  afternoon.  Brevig  and 
party  arrived  at  7  a.  m.  Left  snow  bank  at  3  a.  m. 

December  21:  Cloudy;  east  wind,  with  a  little  snow.  Mr.  Hanson 
and  Ubanks  passed  from  Y  ork  to  Teller.  Mrs.  Brevig  went  to  Teller 
in  the  morning  and  came  home  at  6  p.  m. 

December  22:  Gale,  with  sleet  from  south  all  night  and  day.  Seke- 
oglook  and  Kozetuk  went  to  herd  in  the  morning.  Baking  and  fussing 
for  Christmas. 

December '23:  Cloudy,  with  light  west  wind.  Hanson  and  partner 
passed  toward  York  at  10  a.  m.  Brevig  and  Neetuk,  Zoolook  and 
Ahgookook  went  to  Teller  and  returned.  Coxrook  came  in  from  the 
herd. 

December  24:  Clear  and  calm.  Christmas  festivities  in  the  evening. 
Dunnak  and  Serawlook  came  in  to  celebrate.  One  strange  native 
present. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA  123 


December  25:  Cloudy,  cold;  —20°.  Games  played. 

December  26:  Clear,  strong  northwest  wind;  —25°.  I )rifting  show. 
Festivities  continued. 

December  27 :  Clear,  cold;  —23°.  Blizzard  from  north  continued. 

December  28:  Clear,  cold;  —27°.  Blizzard  from  the  north.  Sun¬ 
day  school. 

December  29:  Cloud}",  cold;  —26°.  Frozen  cheeks  the  order  of 
the  day.  Blizzard  from  the  north. 

December  30:  Cloudy;  medium  strong  north  wind;  —21°.  The 
herders  left  for  camp. 

December  31:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —31°.  Two  sleds  passed  on  to 
Teller  and  one  stopped  at  station. 

January  1, 1903:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —31°.  Service  in  the  forenoon. 
Rev.  and  Mrs.  Brevig’ s  babe,  born  November  1, 1902,  was  baptized — 
Alfred  Otis.  In  the  evening  Kozetuk  and  Sekeoglook  came  in  with 
six  deer  at  10  p.  m. 

January  2:  Clear  and  cold;  —36°.  Brevig  and  Kozetuk  went  to 
I  Teller  and  brought  back  Mrs.  Price,  Mrs.  Elsworth,  and  Mr.  Hosack 
|  in  the  evening. 

January  3:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —34°.  Visitors  from  Teller  taken 
home  in  the  afternoon.  Immuklena  brought  his  wife  from  Nook; 
Dunnak’s  boy  came  in  from  the  herd. 

January  4:  Clear,  cold,  calm;  —33°.  Sunday  school.  A  sled  passed 
each  way. 

January  5:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —33°.  Kozetuk,  Sekeoglook  and 
Dunnak’s  boy  left  for  the  herd  in  the  morning. 

January  6:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —32°. 

January  7:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —32°. 

January  8:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —32°. 

January  9:  Clear,  wind  in  gusts.  Mrs.  Brevig,  Dagny,  and  Koze¬ 
tuk  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  6  p.  m. 

January  10:  Cloudy,  strong  north  wind,  drifting  some.  Kozetuk 
went  to  the  camp  in  the  morning. 

January  11:  A  gale  from  north;  snowing  a  little.  Sunday  school. 

January  12:  Continued  north  gale.  Blizzard.  Doors  and  windows 
I  blockaded  with  snow. 

January  13:  Mild,  a  furious  gale  during  the  night.  The  house  is 
I  entirely  covered  with  snow,  roof  and  all.  A  tunnel  was  made  to  the 
|  door. 

|  January  14:  Clear,  calm,  snow  shoveling  and  other  clearing-up 
I  work  done  after  the  storm. 

January  15:  Cloudy,  calm. 

January  16:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  nice  day. 

January  17:  Clear,  calm,  cold. 

January  18:  Clear,  calm,  cold.  Sunday  school. 


124  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

January  19:  Clear,  cold,  calm;  —23°.  Immuklena  and  wife  went  to 
Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  night. 

January  20:  Clear,  calm,  cold.  Kozetuk  and  Dunnak’s  boy  arrived 
from  the  herd  in  the  morning.  At  noon  Mr.  Lee  arrived  from  the  j 
cape  with  eight  deer  and  four  carcasses  on  the  way  to  Nome.  Okbaok 
was  with  him.  Brevig  went  with  them  to  Teller. 

January  21:  Clear,  cold,  calm ;  —38°.  Brevig  and  Mr.  Price  returned 
from  Teller  at  4  p.  m.  Mr.  Price  brought  his  graphophone  and 
entertained  the  children  and  others. 

January  22:  Clear,  cold,  calm;  —38°.  Mr.  Price  went  to  Teller  in 
the  afternoon. 

January  23:  Clear,  cold,  calm;  —36°.  Kozetuk  and  partner  went 
to  herd  in  the  morning. 

January  24:  Clear,  cold,  with  a  light  east  wind;  —36°. 

January  25:  Cloud}^,  southeast  wind  in  the  afternoon;  growing 
milder.  Sunday  school. 

January  26:  Cloudy,  with  a  gale  from  south,  drifting  badly;  —36°  ■ 
to  +18°. 

January  27 :  Cloud}^,  light  south  wind.  Sekeoglook  came  in  from 
camp  in  the  evening. 

January  28:  Cloudy,  calm,  a  light  fall  of  snow.  Sekeoglook  went 
to  the  herd  at  11  a.  m.  Coxrook  and  wife  came  in  from  the  herd. 

January  29:  Cloudy,  calm,  light  snow  in  morning,  clear  and  cold  in 
the  afternoon. 

January  30:  Clear,  cold,  calm;  —38°.  Okbaok  and  party  returned 
from  Nome  at  5  p.  m.  Mr.  Lee  will  come  later. 

January  31:  Clear,  strong  northeast  wind.  Okbaok  and  party  left 
for  home  in  the  morning;  —35°. 

February  1:  Clear,  cold;  — 27°.  Northeast  wind.  Sunday  school. 

February  2:  Clear,  cold,  strong  north-northeast  wind;  —25°. 

February  3:  Clear,  strong  southeast  wind  in  the  afternoon,  growing 
milder;  —33°.  Thelma  is  sick. 

February  4:  Cloudy,  with  a  furious  gale  from  northeast;  —27°. 
Thelma  is  a  little  better. 

February  5:  Cloudy,  with  a  furious  gale  from  northeast;  —36°. 
The  minimum  registered  —52°  in  the  morning,  but,  as  it  was  set  at  ; 
15°  and  set  again  at  36°  in  the  morning,  there  must  have  been  some  j 
mistake.  Lamps  have  been  burning  since  yesterda}^  morning.  The 
boys  could  not  reach  the  spring.  Entirely  blockaded. 

February  6:  Cloud}^,  calm;  —20°;  snow  shoveling.  Kozetuk  and 
Dunnak’s  boy  came  in  from  the  herd. 

February  7:  Kozetuk  and  party  went  to  herd  in  the  morning.  Nee-  I 
luk  and  Zoolook  went  to  Teller  and  returned  in  the  evening  with  some 
outside  mail. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  125 


February  8:  Clear,  with  a  blizzard  from  the  north.  Sunday  school. 
At  6  p.  m.  Mr.  Lee  and  Mr.  Meyer  arrived;  —33°. 

February  9:  Clear  and  calm.  Mr.  Lee  and  Mr.  Meyer  left  for  the 
cape  in  the  morning;  —36°. 

February  10:  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —38°. 

February  11:  Hazy,  cold,  —31°;  a  strong  east  wind  all  day.  Mr. 
Christenson  from  York  passed  by  at  noon.  Nunasarlook  came  in  for 
provisions. 

February  12:  Storm  continued.  Nunasarlook  stayed  over  on  ac¬ 
count  of  the  storm.  Nookooliua  came  in. 

February  13:  Mild,  snowing,  variable  winds.  Serawlook  and  wife 
came  in  from  the  herd  at  1  p.  m.  with  the  carcass  of  a  deer. 
Sekeoglook  was  reported  drunk,  and  had  procured  the  whisky  from 
a  white  man.  Nunasarlook  and  Nookoolina  left  in  the  morning. 

February  14:  Cloudy,  calm.  Sunday  school. 

February  15:  Cloudy,  calm,  mild. 

February  16:  Cloudy,  with  a  strong  northeast  wind,  snowing  and 
drifting  badly.  Serawlook  and  wife  left  for  herd  in  the  morning. 

February  17:  Cloudy,  snow,  a  gale  from  the  north.  Sekeoglook 
in  from  the  herd. 

February  18:  Storming  from  the  north.  Sekeoglook  left  for  the 
herd  in  the  morning.  At  noon  Reverend  Hosack  came  in  from  Teller  in 
company  with  Mr.  Leonhauser.  Left  again  at  2  p.  m.  Miss  Juneau 
Shepherd  came  with  them. 

February  19:  Cloud}^,  calm.  Blockade  partly  raised. 

February  20:  Brevig  and  six  boys  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning. 
Brevig  stopped  over  night.  A  very  hard  storm  during  the  night. 
Cloudy,  with  variable  winds. 

February  21:  Cloudy,  with  snow  and  storms  from  east  to  southwest. 
Brevig  could  not  return  on  that  account.  Tautook,  Ehrnuk,  and  a 
native  arrived  from  Golofnin  Bay,  and  Dunnak’s  boy  from  the  herd. 

February  22:  Cloudy,  snowing,  variable  winds.  Brevig  and  Ben¬ 
sons  returned  at  noon  from  Teller.  Sunday  school. 

February  23:  Light  variable  winds.  Cloudy  and  mild.  Ehrnuk 
and  Dunnak’s  boy  left  for  the  herd  in  the  morning.  Tautook  and 
party  left  for  Golofnin  Bay  at  noon. 

February  24:  Northeast  wind,  cloudy.  Mrs.  Brevig  and  Neeluk 
left  for  Teller  with  Mr.  Benson’s  dogs  in  the  forenoon. 

February  25:  Foggy  in  the  forenoon,  calm,  clear;  southeast  wind 
began  at  5  p.  m.  Mrs.  Brevig  arrived  at  noon.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ben¬ 
son  left  at  1  p.  m.  Mr.  Lee  and  Mr.  Rognon  arrived  from  the  cape 
at  2  p.  m.  with  three  natives  and  seven  deer.  Left  deer  and  natives 
here  and  proceeded  to  Teller  at  4  p.  m. 

February  26:  Strong  southeast  to  south  wind;  snowing  and  drifting. 
The  cape  boys  and  four  boys  from  the  station  went  to  Teller  in  the 


126  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


morning  with  the  carcasses  Mr.  Lee  brought,  returning  at  8  p.  m. 
Mr.  Lee  and  Mr.  Rognon  came  in  at  5  p.  m.  with  Mr.  McNeal.  All 
stopped  over  night. 

February  27:  Clear,  calm.  Mr.  McNeal  left  at  9  a.  m.  Mr.  Shel¬ 
don,  from  Lanes  Landing,  passed  the  station  at  9  a.  m.  Mr.  Lee  and 
party  left  at  10.30  a.  m. 

February  28:  Cloudy,  strong  southeast  wind  and  snow  in  the  evening. 

March  1:  Cloudy,  Avith  a  gale  from  south;  snowing  and  thawing. 
Sunday  school.  Kummunksenna  came  in  from  wood  choppers’  cabin. 

March  2:  Cloudjr.  At  times  a  gale  from  the  south.  Kummunk¬ 
senna  left  for  home  in  the  morning.  Neeluk  and  Ablikak  went  to 
look  after  the  two  deer  in  the  afternoon. 

March  3:  Clear,  calm;  tine  day.  Wood  was  brought  into  the  ware¬ 
house  and  doors  and  windows  opened.  At  7  p.  m.  Kozetuk  and 
Ehrnuk  came  in  from  the  herd  reporting  a  female  dead,  belonging  to 


Ablikak. 

March  4:  Cloudy,  mild,  calm.  Kozetuk  and  Ehrnuk  left  for  the 
herd  at  noon.  Neeluk  and  Aggookook  looked  after  Mr.  Lee’s  deer 
and  returned  at  midnight. 

March  5:  Cloudy,  colder;  —10°.  Immuklena  went  to  Teller  for 
mail,  but  got  none;  the  mail  is  expected  in  two  days. 

March  6:  Cloudy,  calm;  light  south  wind  in  the  evening.  Neeluk 
and  Elayoke  went  to  look  after  Mr.  Lee’s  deer  in  the  afternoon. 
Wood  was  brought  into  the  big  storeroom. 

March  7:  Cloudy,  southeast  wind. 

March  8:  Cloudy,  partly  overcast,  mild.  Brevig  went  to  Teller  in 
the  morning  and  preached  in  the  evening. 

March  9:  Cloudy  in  the  afternoon.  Light  south  wind,  clear  and 
calm  in  the  morning.  Mr.  McNeal  brought  Brevig  home  in  the  after¬ 
noon.  Dunnak  and  wife,  Coxrook,  and  Sekeoglook  came  in  from  the 
herd  in  the  evening. 


March  10.  Cloudy,  a  blizzard  from  south  to  southwest,  a  very  heavy 
snowfall  in  the  evening.  Brevig,  Dunnak,  Sekeoglook,  Coxrook,  and 
Zoolook  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning.  On  my  complaint,  Sekeoglook 
was  committed  to  jail  for  thirty  days  for  being  drunk  and  disorderly, 
and  Ahtkitetoouk  was  committed  for  two  months  for  being  drunk  and 
disorderly  and  furnishing  Sekeoglook  with  whisky.  Testimony  was 
also  adduced  implicating  a  white  man,  and  I  swore  out  a  complaint  ’ 
against  him  for  selling  and  giving  whisky  to  the  natives.  Returned 
at  5  p.  m. 

March  11:  Cloudy,  with  a  gale  from  southwest;  thawing.  Dunnak 
and  wife  and  Coxrook  left  for  the  herd  at  noon. 

March  12:  Gale  continued  from  southwest.  Two  sleds  from  Topkok 
stopped  over  on  account  of  storm. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  127 


March  13:  The  storm  ceased  during  the  night,  the  wind  changed  to 
north  and  it  cleared  up.  Drifting  some  from  the  north.  TheTopkok 
sleds  left  for  home  in  the  morning. 

March  14:  Cloudy  with  a  gale  from  the  northeast.  Neeluk  and 
Immuklena  went  to  move  Mr.  Lee’s  deer. 

March  15:  Clear,  calm,  cold.  Kozeluk,  Ehrnak,  Dunnak  and  boy 
came  in  from  the  herd,  having  been  out  in  the  storm  all  day  yesterday 
and  night.  Sunday  school.  Mrs.  Brevig  is  suffering  with  a  severe 
toothache. 

March  16:  Cloudy,  with  a  gale  from  the  east.  Brevig,  Ehrnal,  and 
Dunnak’s  boy  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  at  5  p.  m. 

March  17:  Cloudy,  snowing  during  the  night,  a  gale  during  the  day. 
Lee’s  deer  were  moved  to  new  pasture  ground. 

March  18:  Cloudy,  north-northeast  gale  for  twenty-four  hours. 
Entirely  snowed  in. 

March  19:  Clear,  cold,  light  northeast  wind.  In  the  evening  Judge 
Hunton  and  Mr.  Winfield  called  at  the  station.  Brevig  was  sum¬ 
moned  as  the  complaining  witness  against  Mr.  Shelton.  Two  domestic 
letters  were  received. 

March  20:  Brevig,  Zoolook,  Immuklena,  Ablikak,  and  Isanituk  went 
to  Teller.  Mr.  Shelton  was  found  guilty  by  jury  trial  and  committed 
for  five  months.  Mrs.  Bernardi  and  Okboak  came  in  at  7  p.  m.  Mr. 
Brevig  and  Winfield  returned  at  8  p.  m.  Clear,  calm,  cold;  —  27°. 

March  21:  Clear  and  light  south  wind.  Mr.  Winfield  and  Mrs. 
Bernardi  left  for  Teller  in  the  morning.  Thomas  Elayoke  and  Okbaok 
left  in  the  afternoon.  Elayoke  and  Immuklena  went  to  look  after 
Mr.  Lee’s  deer  in  the  forenoon  and  returned  at  8  p.  m. 

March  22:  A  gale  from  south-southwest,  snowing  and  drifting  badly. 
Sunday  school. 

March  23:  The  gale  and  snowstorm  from  south-southwest  continued 
all  day.  The  shovels  were  kept  busy  all  day. 

March  24:  Gale  continued  and  changed  to  northwest  at  6  p.  m. 
Blockaded. 

March  25:  Cloudy.  Light  north-northeast  wind.  The  Cape  sleds  all 
left  for  home. 

March  26:  Clearing  up  toward  evening,  but  the  gale  continued  and 
drifted  badly. 

March  27 :  Clear,  cold.  The  two  Cape  boys  that  came  down  for  Mr. 
Lee’s  deer  some  days  ago  left  for  home,  minus  sleds  and  deer.  Seraw- 
look  and  Kozetuk  came  in  with  two  carcasses. 

March  28:  Cloudy.  Snowstorm  from  southeast  to  southwest,  blow¬ 
ing  a  gale  during  the  night. 

March  29:  Clear,  cold;  — 26°.  Sunday  school. 

March  30:  Clear,  calm,  cold.  Serawlook  and  Ahgoolook  went  to 
the  herd  in  the  morning.  Brevig  and  Kozetuk  went  to  Teller  in  the 
morning  and  returned  in  the  evening. 


128  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

March  31 :  A  northeast  gale. 

April  1:  Clear  and  mild.  Ehrnak  came  in  from  the  herd. 

April  2:  Clear,  calm.  Ehrnak  went  to  wood-chopper’s  cabin  and  j 
returned. 

April  3:  Cloiufy  and  snowing.  Mr.  Lee  and  Mrs.  Lee  came  in  at  ii 
11  a.  m.  Several  men  called.  Mr.  Corliss  from  Gold  Run  was  in 
looking  for  his  brother,  who,  in  a  demented  state,  had  wandered  off 
just  before  a  storm  set  in.  Many  natives  passed  by.  Kozetuk  and 
Ehrnak  left  for  the  herd  in  the  afternoon. 

April  4:  Cloudy  and  drifting;  southwest  to  northwest  wind  very  | 
strong.  Brevig  and  Lee  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  I 
at  6  p.  m. 

April  5:  Clear,  northeast  gale.  Soquina  left  for  home  early  in  the  | 
morning.  Sunday  school.  Mrs.  Brevig  and  the  Lees  left  for  Teller 
in  the  afternoon.  Mr.  Lee  will  talk  on  the  Greenland  Eskimos  in  the  | 
evening. 

April  6:  Clear  until  5  p.  m. ;  hazy.  Frank  Zaremba  and  Russian  : 
Mike  passed  by  toward  California  Creek  in  the  forenoon,  Mrs.  Bre¬ 
vig  returned  from  Teller  at  5  p.  m. 

April  7:  Clear,  calm,  snow  shoveling.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee,  Mr.  i 
Knowles,  and  Mr.  Luther  came  in  in  the  evening.  Mr.  Knowles  and  j 
Luther  went  back  to  Teller  at  8  p.  m. 

April  8:  Cloudy.  Snowing  in  the  afternoon.  At  4  p.  m.  two  Cape 
herders  came  in  with  five  carcasses  to  sell  in  Teller.  Sekeaglook 
came  in  at  5  p.  m. 

April  9:  Cloudy,  with  a  howling  blizzard  from  the  north  all  day. 
Frank  Zaremba  and  Mike  came  in  from  the  creek  at  6  p.  m.  nearly 
exhausted  and  frostbitten  from  battling  with  the  storm.  Their  tent 
blew  down  and  they  had  to  pull  out  for  the  station,  14  or  15  miles 
away. 

April  10:  Clear,  calm.  Mr.  Lee  went  to  Teller  with  the  deer  meat. 
Serawlook,  Kozetuk,  and  Dunnak’s  boy  came  in  at  4  p.  m.  Zaremba 
left  for  his  camp  in  the  morning. 

April  11:  Clear  and  calm,  —  15°.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee  left  at  9  a.  m.,  - 
Kozetuk  taking  them  with  deer  to  wood-choppers’  cabin.  The  two 
boys  left  for  the  Cape  herd  across  the  mountains  at  the  same  time  Mr.  i 
Lee  did.  Serawlook,  Dunnak’s  boy  Sekeoglook,  and  Elayoke  left  for 
the  herd  at  11  a.  m.  Zaremba  went  to  Teller  at  2  p.  m.  Kozetuk  l 
returned  at  0  p.  m. 

April  12:  Clear,  with  light  east  wind;  —11°.  Sunday  school. 

April  13:  Clear,  east  wind.  Kozetuk,  Immuklina,  and  wife  went  to  r 
the  herd.  Annabuck  went  with  them.  Ehrnak  came  in  at  6  p.  m.  fi 
Miss  Benson  came  over  in  the  forenoon  to  stay  a  few  days.  Mr. 
Luther  came  after  flour. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  129 


April  14:  Cloudy,  a  northeast  gale  blowing  all  night.  Drifting  and 
snowing.  Ehrnak  went  to  herd  in  the  morning. 

April  15:  Clear,  a  gale  from  north,  drifting  bad.  Kozetuk  came  in 
from  herd  with  six  deer  and  one  carcass.  Annabuck  came  with  him. 

April  16:  Clear  and  calm.  Kozetuk,  Lucy,  Ahwoodluk,  Gubbe- 
muk,  Ag  pahs  ook,  Irrahlook,  Esanetuk,  Cocklik,  and  Sahgahu  went 
to  Teller  in  the  morning  and  returned  in  the  evening. 

April  17:  Cloudy,  light  northeast  wind;  —8°.  Two  Cape  sleds 
passed  in  to  Teller.  Kozetuk  went  to  the  herd.  Dagny’s  seventh 
birthday  was  celebrated. 

April  18:  Clear  and  hazy.  Mr.  Rognon,  en  route  for  Teller,  passed 
the  station.  Mr.  Winfield  and  Miss  Benson  left  for  Teller  at  7  p.  m. 
Light  northeast  wind. 

April  19:  Clear,  calm.  Sunday  school. 

April  20:  Clear  and  calm.  Ehrnak,  Coxrook,  and  Ahbrina  came  in 
from  the  herd;  19  fawns  reported  born.  Two  females  died  in  fawning. 

April  21:  Clear,  strong  north-northeast  wind.  At  6  p.  m.  Mrs. 
Bernardi,  Mr.  Rognon,  and  Mr.  Armstrong  came  to  the  station,  stop¬ 
ping  until  morning,  en  route  to  Cape  Prince  of  W ales.  F rank  Zaremba 
passed  out  to  the  creek  at  noon;  —14°. 

April  22:  Clear,  blowing  in  gusts.  Ehrnak  Coxrook  and  wife  went 
to  Teller  in  the  morning.  Brevig  went  with  them  and  returned  in  the 
evening;  the  rest  went  to  the  herd.  The  travelers  left  in  the  morning. 

April  23:  Clear,  light  northeast  wind.  Snow  shoveling. 

April  24:  Light  northeast  wind.  Roof  cleared  from  snow.  Clear. 

April  25:  Clear,  light  east  wind.  Mr.  Winfield,  Walter  and  Ethel 
Benson  passed  by  en  route  to  Cape  Prince  of  W ales  at  2  p.  m.  Sekeog- 
look,  Serawlook,  Kozetuk,  and  Dunnak’s  boy  came  in  from  the  herd 
with  12  deer. 

April  26:  Clear,  calm.  Mr.  Price,  United  States  Marshal  Evans, 
and  Mr.  Hirchberg  came  over  at  8  p.  m.  to  go  to  Cape  Prince  of 
Wales  in  the  morning. 

April  27 :  A  beautiful  day.  Mr.  Brevig  and  party  with  eight  deer 
started  at  6  a.  m.,  eight  persons  going — Kozetuk,  Sekeoglook,  Dagny, 
and  Ablikak. 

April  28:  Clear,  mild.  Light  south  wind.  The  big  storeroom  and 
cabins  cleared  of  snow  gathered  during  the  winter. 

April  29:  Another  fine  day,  calm  and  mild. 

April  30:  Beautiful  weather.  Dunnak  came  in  from  the  herd  with 
his  family  and  will  stay  with  his  family  until  Brevig  comes  back. 
Zoolook  and  Esanituk  were  sent  to  Teller  to  verify  rumor  of  a  white 
man’s  death  very  suddenly  at  3  a.  m.  yesterday  morning  from  an 
'obstruction  in  the  intestines. 

May  1:  Clear,  calm,  thawing. 


130  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

May  2:  Clear,  calm.  Fredrik  Larson  and  Ivan  from  Golofnin  Bay 
arrived  in  the  evening. 

May'  3:  Clear,  bright,  calm.  Brevig  and  party  returned  at  1  a.  m., 
having  been  thirty-one  hours  on  the  way  from  the  cape  here.  Brevig 
brought  three  orphans,  two  boys,  and  one  girl,  abouf  13  years  of  age, 
who  had  been  forced  into  marriage  with  a  big  slouchy  man.  She 
asked  to  come  to  the  home  as  a  protection.  Adloat,  Mr.  Lee’s  inter- 1| 
preter,  came  along  on  a  visit.  Mr.  Herchberg  concluded  to  stay  at  . 
the  cape.  Mr.  Evans  and  Mr.  Price  left  for  Teller  at  2  a.  m.  Fred¬ 
rik,  Ivan,  and  Adloat  each  addressed  the  natives;  three  services  held,  j 
Fredrik  and  party  left  at  9  p.  m.  One  boy  arrived. 

May  4:  Clear,  bright,  +  44°.  Adloat  walked  to  Teller  in  the  i 
morning  and  returned  in  the  evening.  Dunnak  and  family,  Kozetuk, 
Immuklina,  Ablikak,  Ehrnak,  and  Sekeoglook  left  for  the  herd  in  the  . 
morning. 

May  5:  Clear,  strong  northeast  wind  in  the  evening.  Brevig  and 
Adloat  went  to  Teller  in  the  morning,  and  returned  in  the  evening  I 
accompanied  by  Reverend  Hosack.  Adloat  had  service  in  Teller  at 
4  p.  m.  for  the  natives.  Mr.  Winfield,  Mr.  and  Miss  Benson,  and  Mr. 
Rognon  passed  by  from  Cape  Prince  of  Wales.  Rognon  brought  an 
orphan. 

May  6:  Clear,  strong  northeast  wind.  Lucy’s  birthday.  Mr.  Win- 1 
field  called. 

;  May  7 :  Clear,  strong  northeast  wind.  Mrs.  Brevig  went  to  Teller 
in  the  morning  and  returned  in  the  evening.  Serawlook,  Eloyoke,  and 
Ahgookook  came  in  from  the  herd,  reporting  178  fawns. 

May  8:  Clear,  strong  north-northeast  wind.  Adloat,  Neeluk,  Zoo- j 
look,  and  Esanituk  went  to  Teller  at  noon  and  returned  at  9.30. 
Adloat  held  service  at  4  p.  m.  Mr.  Rognon  and  Mr.  Winfield  came  ' 
over  in  evening.  Ogeelesook  and  partner  stopped. 

May  9:  Clear,  strong  north -northeast  wind.  Mr.  Rognon  and 
Adloat  left  for  home  in  the  morning.  Brevig,  Winfield,  and  the  two  ■ 
native  boys  left  for  Teller  in  the  morning.  Brevig  swore  out  a  com¬ 
plaint  against  Okkuk  for  shooting  a  deer  during  the  fall.  Kozetuk 
was  in  from  the  herd,  reporting  Tautook  also  at  the  herd. 

May  10:  Clear,  strong  north-northeast  wind.  Sunday  school. 

May  11:  Clear,  strong  northeast  wind.  Brevig  and  Leonora  went  to 
Teller  in  the  morning  to  attend  the  case.  Okkuk  pleaded  guilty, 
admitting  having  killed  four  deer,  and  also  gave  testimony  against  five 
more  natives  having  shot  eight  deer.  A  warrant  was  issued  against 
them.  Leonora  also  visited  Teller.  Ablikak  and  Ehrnak  were  in  from 
the  herd.  Three  of  the  warrants  were  served,  and  all  pleaded  guilty. 
Returned  at  9  p.  m. 

May  12:  Clear,  strong  northwest  wind.  Ablikak  and  Ehrnak  went 
to  the  herd  in  the  afternoon. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALSAKA.  131 


May  13:  Clear,  light  northwest  wind.  Sand  was  hauled  around  the 
station. 

May  11:  Clear,  light  northwest  wind.  Gale  during  the  night.  Tau- 
took,  wife,  and  brother-in-law  came  in  from  the  herd  at  noon;  also 
Serawlook  and  Ahberina,  Winfield,  and  Gehrman  passed  by  with  a 
boat. 

May  15:  Clear,  strong  north  wind,  with  light  mist  at  times.  Tau- 
took  and  family  left  for  home  by  way  of  Teller  at  noon.  Serawlook 
and  Ahberina  left  for  the  herd  at  the  same  time.  A  Topkok  native, 
who  came  down  for  medicine  for  a  sick  child,  left  for  home  in  the 
morning.  Sand  was  hauled  around  the  house. 

May  16:  Cloudy,  strong  northeast  wind,  with  snow  flurries;  a  gale 
during  the  night.  Dunnak’ s  father  and  brother  visited  the  station  in 
the  afternoon.  Dagny  and  Neeluk  went  with  them  on  a  return  visit. 

Ma}^17:  Partly  overcast;  medium  northeast  wind.  Several  natives 
went  out  on  the  spit.  Sunday  school. 

May  18:  Clear,  strong  northeast  wind.  Soquina  came  in  from  Top¬ 
kok.  Mr.  Estabrook  and  Mr.  Baklius  passed  by  on  the  way  to  Cape 
i  Prince  of  Wales  in  the  afternoon. 

May  19:  Clear  until  evening.  At  6  p.  m.  Mr.  Herchberg  and  Mr. 
McNeal  came  in  from  the  cape.  Koneeleek,  Mr.  Lee’s  girl,  came  with 
them  on  a  visit.  Kozetuk  and  Dunnak  came  in  from  the  herd  now  on 
Bay  Creek. 

May  20:  Clear,  strong  north  wind.  Neeluk  went  to  the  herd  in  the 
morning  and  brought  in  five  deer.  Kozetuk  brought  in  six  deer  and 
with  Zoolook  went  after  wood  with  ten  sleds  at  10  p.  m.  Coxrook 
came  in  from  the  herd. 

May  21:  Clear,  strong  northeast  wind.  Eight  loads  of  wood  were 
brought,  and  the  boys  immediately  left  for  more.  At  1  p.  m.  Dun¬ 
nak  and  Ogeelesook  came  in  with  seven  deer  and  took  Lucy  and  all 
the  children  on  a  visit  to  the  herd,  returning  at  9  p.  m. 

May  22:  Clear,  light  northeast  wind.  Ten  big  loads  of  wood  were 
brought  in  at  9  a.  m.  Neeluk  was  entirely  snow-blind.  Kozetuk,' 
Mrs.  Brevig,  Konaluk,  and  Ahblorahlook  went  to  Teller  at  11  a.  m. 
and  returned  at  7  p.  m.  Some  letters  from  the  outside  brought  by 
Mr.  Bartell  came  in.  Seeki  was  arrested  yesterday.  Dunnak  was  in 
from  the  herd. 

May  23:  Clear,  light  northeast  wind,  strong  in  the  evening.  Brevig 
and  Kozetuk  went  to  the  herd  in  the  morning  and  returned  in  the  even¬ 
ing.  Serawlook,  Immuklina  and  wife,  Ehrnak,  Ablikak,  Ahgoosook, 
and  Elayoke  also  came  in  for  provisions  and  wood.  The  three  boys 
stopped  until  Monday.  Mr.  McNeal  and  Konuleek  left  for  the  herd 
in  the  evening. 

May  24:  Clear,  strong  northwest  wind  during  the  night.  Light 
during  the  day.  Sunday  school. 

S.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 10 


132  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

May  25:  Clear,  light  north-northeast  wind,  with  snow  flurries  in  the  \ 
forenoon.  Sleds  were  fixed.  At  6  p.  m.  Neeluk,  Kozetuk,  and  Zoo¬ 
look  went  after  wood  with  ten  deer.  Ehrnak  brought  wood  for  camp.  | 

May  26:  Clear  and  calm,  a  little  warmer.  Ten  loads  of  wood  were  (I 
brought  in  and  the  boys  left  for  more  in  the  evening.  Coxrook  and 
Nunasarlook  came  in  from  the  herd. 

May  27:  Cloudy,  calm,  a  light  mist  from  the  west.  Eight  loads  of  j 
wood  were  brought  in.  Serawlook  and  Brevig  went  to  Teller  in  the  1 
morning  and  found  Ahblorahlook,  who  had  run  away  in  the  night,  in  ! 
Ogmahhane’s  cabin,  and  by  the  aid  of  Judge  Stanton  was  brought 
back.  Letters  from  Mr.  Lee. 

May  28:  Cloudy,  fine  day.  Mr.  Brevig,  with  all  the  children  except 
Thelma  and  Alf ,  went  to  Teller  in  the  forenoon.  Dunnak  took  them  I 
there  with  10  deer;  they  returned  at  8  p.  m.  Serawlook  left  for  the  i 
Cape  with  Ahblorahlook  at  9  p.  m.  with  two  deer.  Ehrnak  was  in 
from  the  herd. 

May  29:  Cloudy,  calm.  At  3  a.  m.  Mr.  Herchberg  and  McNeal 
and  Kozetuk,  with  three  deer  and  a  dog  team,  went  to  Ear  Mountain  to 
prospect  for  tin. 

May  30:  Clear,  light  north-northeast  wind.  Dunnak  and  f amity  i 
went  to  Point  Spencer  to  hunt  seal.  Immuklina  went  after  wood  and  on 
his  return  Neeluk  went  with  him  to  the  herd. 

Ma}^  31:  Clear,  light  northeast  wind,  thawing.  Zoolook  went  to 
the  herd  in  the  morning.  Sunday  school. 

June  1:  Calm,  foggy.  Wood  sawed.  Coxrook,  Ahberina,  and  1 
Etugeeuk  were  in  from  the  herd. 

June  2:  Clear,  calm,  warm.  Thawing  a  little.  Ehrnak  was  in  from 
the  herd.  Wood  sawing,  cleaning  up. 

June  3:  Cloudy,  light  southwest  wind  with  snow  flurries.  At  6  a.  m. 
Serawlook  came  from  the  cape  reporting  Ahblorahlook,  now  with 
Mr.  Lee,  having  run  away  in  a  canoe  for  two  days.  Serawlook  went 
to  the  herd  in  the  evening. 

June  4:  Cloudy,  light  west  wind.  Brevig  went  to  Teller  in  the 
morning  and  returned  at  7  p.  m.  Wood  sawing. 

June  5:  Clear,  thawing  some.  Wood  sawing,  etc. 

June  6:  Clear,  light  east  wind.  Kozetuk  returned  from  Ear  Moun¬ 
tain,  having  seen  three  caribou.  Brevig  and  Kozetuk  went  hunting 
in  the  evening  and  got  six  birds. 

June  7:  Clear,  calm,  warm  in  the  afternoon.  Sunday  school. 

June  8:  Clear,  fine  day,  with  a  northeast  gale.  In  the  evening  Mar¬ 
shal  Evans,  Judge  Shelton,  and  Reverend  Hosack,  Brevig,  and  Seraw-  | 
look,  with  six  deer,  left  for  the  sandpit  for  a  pleasure  trip.  Ereezing  \ 
during  the  night. 

June  9:  Clear,  cold.  North-northeast  wind  strong. 

June  10:  Cloudy,  some  rain  during  the  evening  and  night. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  133 


June  11:  Partly  overcast.  The  pleasure  party  returned  at  6  a.  m. 
and  the  visitors  left  for  Teller  at  8  a.  m.  Coxrook  and  Neeluk  were 
in  from  the  herd. 

June  12:  Clear  until  7  p.  in.,  when  a  heavy  fog  set  in.  Serawlook 
and  wife  went  to  the  herd  and  Teller.  Coxrook  and  wife  came  in  to 
work  around  the  station. 

June  13:  Clear  and  calm,  foggy  in  the  morning.  At  11  a.  m.  Herch- 
berg  and  McNeal  came  in  from  Ear  Mountain  with  good  reports. 
Clearing  up  and  sawing  wood. 

June  11:  Clear,  strong  north-northeast  wind.  Sunday  school. 
Ablikak  and  Ahgoosook  were  in  from  the  herd. 

June  15:  Clear,  strong  north-northeast  wind.  House  cleaning, 
woodcutting,  etc.  Ehrnak  and  Nunasarlook  were  in  from  the  herd 
for  provisions.  Two  native  sleds  passed  by  toward  Point  Spencer. 

June  16:  Cloudy,  calm,  light  rain  in  the  afternoon;  woodcutting, 
house  cleaning,  etc. 

June  17 :  Foggy,  calm;  the  graves  were  decorated.  House  cleaning, 
woodcutting,  etc.  Nunasarlook,  Ehrnak,  and  Immuklina  were  in  from 
the  herd  for  a  boat  and  flour. 

June  18:  Clear,  warm,  light  southeast  wind.  Elayoke  came  in  from 
the  herd  in  the  morning.  Woodcutting,  boat  fixing.  Mr.  McNeal, 
Gehrmann,  and  Kozetuk  went  to  Ear  Mountain  overland  in  the  evening. 

June  19:  Clear,  warm,  sultry.  A  gale  from  the  north-northeast.  A 
small  garden  planted.  The  dingey  was  fixed,  and  wood  carried  into 
the  warehouse. 

June  20:  Clear,  calm  in  the  forenoon;  strong  northeast  wind  in  the 
afternoon.  The  ice  is  opening  up  along  the  north  shore  of  the  bay. 
Neeluk  was  in  from  the  herd  with  sleds  and  harness,  leaving  again  in 
the  afternoon. 

June  21:  Clear,  strong  north-northeast  wind.  Mr.  Herchberg  came 
over  in  the  forenoon,  and  stayed  all  night.  Mr.  Miller  came  down 
from  York  nearly  exhausted,  being  four  days  on  the  trip  and  two  days 
without  food.  He  slept  five  hours,  and  went  to  Teller  in  the  evening. 

June  22:  Clear,  strong  north-northeast  wind.  Nunasarlook,  Abli¬ 
kak,  and  Ehrnak  were  in  from  the  herd.  Dunnak  was  reported  back 
at  the  herd. 

June  23:  Clear,  strong  north-northeast  gale.  The  second  story  of 
the  house  was  cleaned.  Zoolook  and  Esantuk  went  to  Teller  with 
Herchberg,  and  returned  in  the  evening,  reporting  some  herring 
caught. 

June  21:  Clear,  very  strong  north-northeast  wind.  Boats  fixed  and 
painted.  A  few  tomcod  were  caught. 

June  25:  Clear,  a  north-northeast  gale.  The  ice  moved  outside  the 
sandspit  in  the  afternoon.  Clear  water  as  far  as  Cape  Rile}^.  At  1 
p.  m.  smoke  from  two  steamers  was  sighted  and  at  8  p.  m.  two  steam 


134  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


whalers  were  sighted.  Neetuk  came  in  from  the  herd.  Ehrnak  went 
after  wood. 

June  26:  Clear  and  calm.  Nets  were  fixed.  At  5  p.  m.  Mr.  Clauz- 
cough  and  partner  passed  up  toward  York  with  lumber  for  three 
houses.  Mr.  Hovick  also  arrived  at  the  same  time,  having  walked 
from  Cape  Douglass,  leaving  his  party  and  boat  there. 


June  27:  Foggy,  calm;  light  drizzle  in  the  afternoon.  Nets  fixed, 


wood  cut,  etc. 

June  28:  Cloudy,  foggy;  light  west  wind.  Ice  floating  with  the 
tide  around  the  bay.  Mr.  W indt  came  in  from  Teller.  Sunday  school. 

June  29:  Cloudy,  foggy;  light  west  wind.  The  little  boy  is  sick 
from  cold.  Windt  and  Zoolook  started  for  the  Arctic,  overland. 

June  30:  Cloudy,  foggy;  light  west  wind.  Zoolook  and  Windt 
returned  at  9  p.  m. ;  the  fog  too  thick.  Accounts  summarized.  Wood 
cutting  and  small  work  around  the  station. 


CORRESPONDENCE  CONCERNING  THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  A  NEW  \ 
REINDEER  STATION  IN  THE  NEIGHBORHOOD  OF  WAINWRIGHT 
INLET. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education,  Alaska  Diyision, 

Washington ,  D.  O. ,  November  20,  1903. 

My  Dear  Mr.  Jarvis:  As  you  know,  the  cutter  Thetis  failed  this  I 
summer  to  reach  Point  Barrow  on  account  of  the  ice;  also  the  supply 
schooner,  which  was  sent  up  from  S.  Foster  &  Co.,  failed  to  reach 
that  place.  Captain  Healy  had  on  the  Thetis  the  mail  and  some  coal  ! 
for  the  Government  school;  the  mail  he  landed  at  Point  Hope  and  the  j 
coal  he  used  up.  This  experience  has  strengthened  the  purpose  of 
the  office  to  establish  a  reindeer  station  at  a  point  as  near  Point 
Barrow  as  possible,  and  yet  which  can  be  reached  every  year  during 
the  open  season.  This  station  will  be  helpful  as  a  stopping  and  supply 
station  in  the  carrying  of  the  winter  mail.  If  such  a  station  had  been 
in  existence  the  supplies  for  the  reindeer  station,  missions,  etc. ,  could 
have  all  been  landed  and  then  during  the  winter  transported  to  Barrow 
by  the  reindeer. 

I  have  written  both  Captains  Healy  and  Tuttle,  but  think  that  you 
will  know  better  than  either  of  them  the  best  place  for  such  a  loca-  I 
tion.  If  there  are  any  small  native  settlements  where  there  is  a  good 
location,  that  would  be  an  additional  advantage.  Is  there  a  good  place  I 
along  Point  Belcher,  Wain wright  Inlet,  or  Icy  Cape?  The  winter 
that  you  went  up  the  coast,  did  you  find  any  villages  through  that 
section?  Kindly  write  me  your  views  with  regard  to  the  nearest 
station  we  can  get  to  Point  Barrow  and  then  further  give  me  a  list  ij 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  135 


of  places  where  it  will  be  well  to  build  a  hut  for  establishing  relay 
stations  for  carrying  the  winter  mail  between  Barrow  and  Kotzebue 
by  way  of  Point  Hope. 

With  kind  regards  to  Mrs.  Jarvis,  I  remain, 

Very  truly,  yours, 

Sheldon  Jackson,  General  Agent . 

Lieut.  D.  H.  Jarvis,  R.  C.  S., 

Sitka,  Alaska. 


San  Francisco,  Cal.,  November  25,  1903 . 

My  Dear  Sir:  Yours  of  18th  instant,  in  reference  to  a  new  station 
to  southward  of  Point  Barrow,  is  just  received.  In  the  matter  of 
a  change  of  station  from  Point  Barrow  to  a  more  southerly  point, 
Wain wright  Inlet  would  seem  the  most  available  point  of  landing. 
The  matter  of  finding  food  for  the  reindeer  in  that  vicinity  must  be 
taken  into  consideration;  again,  there  are  very  few  natives  there,  and, 
as  it  is  not  a  favorable  point  for  carrying  on  whaling,  I  imagine  it 
would  be  difficult  to  induce  the  natives  to  leave  Point  Barrow  and  settle 
at  Wainwright  Inlet.  Before  the  advent  of  steam  whalers  the  sailing 
whalers  always  reached  Point  Barrow  and  passed  to  the  eastward, 
returning  in  the  fall;  disasters  were  occasionally  met,  as  they  are  else¬ 
where.  When  the  steam  whaler  appeared  the  sailing  whaler  gradually 
disappeared,  until  at  present  there  are  none  engaged  in  whaling 
beyond  Point  Barrow. 

The  fact  that  so  many  sailing  vessels  have  reached  and  returned 
from  those  high  northern  latitudes  proves  it  can  still  be  accomplished 
by  sailing  vessels.  The  failure  of  the  schooner  to  reach  Point  Barrow 
I  this  season  must  be  unusual,  as  I  am  informed  by  some  of  the  whaling 
f  captains  they  had  no  trouble  reaching  Point  Barrow;  their  ice  troubles 
,  were  met  far  to  the  eastward  of  that  place. 

I  find  in  looking  over  my  diaries  the  following  dates  of  reaching 
Point  Barrow:  1896,  August  13,  much  ice  encountered  for  nine  days 
before  reaching  there;  1897,  August  8,  much  ice  for  six  days  before 
reching  there;  1898,  July  31;  1900,  August  17;  1901,  August  17; 
1902,  August  8. 

My  experience  has  been  that  from  August  8  to  August  20  is  the 
most  favorable  time  to  reach  Point  Barrow.  If  a  vessel’s  movements 
would  be  timed  to  reach  there  within  those  dates  I  see  no  reason  for 
not  reaching  the  station. 

Yours,  sincerely,  F.  Tuttle, 

Captain ,  B.  C.  S. 

Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

General  Agent  of  Education  in  Alaska , 

Washington ,  D.  C . 


130  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

Customs  Service, 

Office  of  the  Collector, 

Sitka ,  Alaska ,  December  3 , 1903. 

My  Dear  Doctor:  I  have  yours  of  November  20,  relative  to  the 
establishment  of  a  reindeer  station  at  a  point  as  near  Point  Barrow  as 
possible,  which  can  be  reached  every  }^ear  during  the  open  season. 

I  was  very  sorry  to  learn  that  the  Thetis ,  and  also  the  supply 
schooner,  both  failed  to  reach  Point  Barrow  this  year  on  account  of  • 
the  ice,  and  I  know  the  embarrassment  this  must  cause  you  and  others  ! 
engaged  in  business  there. 

I  think  your  proposed  station  is  a  good  one,  and  the  three  points 
you  mention — Point  Belcher,  Wain wright  Inlet,  and  Icy  Cape — should 
be  considered.  Icy  Cape  is  the  farthest  south,  and  I  should  say  there 
would  never  come  a  year  when  vessels  could  not  reach  this  point  at 
least,  but  for  your  purpose  it  is  hardly  suitable.  Landing  is  made 
upon  the  narrow  sand  spit  with  a  wide  lagoon  separating  it  from  the 
mainland.  Moreover,  the  country  back  of  the  mainland  is  low  and 
marshy,  and  we  found  comparatively  little  food  for  reindeer  there¬ 
abouts.  I  would  not  advise  Icy  Cape. 

Point  Belcher  is  the  farthest  north  of  the  three,  and  it  is  possible 
there  may  come  a  year  when  this  place  could  not  be  reached  with 
safety  during  the  open  season,  but  these  years  will  be  rare.  The  sur¬ 
rounding  country  is  good  for  your  purpose,' reindeer  food  being  the 
best  we  found  north  of  Cape  Beaufort.  The  country  is  more  rolling  ; 
and  altogether  better  than  at  Icy  Cape.  There  is  a  small  native  settle¬ 
ment,  or  at  least  there  was,  but  it  is  at  so  low  a  state  now  that  it  can 
hardly  be  called  permanent. 

Wainwright  Inlet  is  between  Icy  Cape  and  Point  Belcher,  rather 
nearer  the  latter.  It  has  a  large  river  emptying  into  it,  where  fishing 
and  hunting  are  good,  and  furnishes  good  means  of  access  to  the 
interior  country.  The  surrounding  country  is  somewhat  similar  to 
that  of  Point  Belcher,  and  I  imagine  a  short  distance  up  the  river  the 
food  for  reindeer  will  be  found  as  good  as  anywhere  in  that  region, 
for  the  wild  caribou  have  always  been  more  or  less  plentiful  there¬ 
abouts.  There  is  a  considerable  native  village  at  Cape  Collie,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  inlet,  and  another  smaller  one  some  10  or  12  miles  \ 
south  at  Kilimantavie.  Altogether,  I  should  say  Wainwright  Inlet  ■ 
would  be  the  most  desirable  place,  although  of  course  the  com¬ 
munication  between  there  and  Point  Barrow  would  be  longer.  Still, 
for  your  second  purpose — as  a  relay  station  for  carrying  mail — I  should 
think  it  was  better  situated  than  Point  Belcher,  the  distance  being 
about  100  miles. 

The  winter  I  went  up  the  coast  I  found  two  native  families  situated 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Kookpowruk  River,  several  more  at  Kilimantavie, 
a  fair  number  at  Cape  Collie  and  also  at  Point  Belcher.  These  were 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  137 


all  the  villages  between  Point  Hope  and  Point  Barrow.  The  southern 
ones  were  miserably  poor,  and  I  doubt  veiy  much  if  they  are  in 
existence  now\ 

With  regard  to  the  relay  stations  for  carrying  mail  between  Kotzebue 
Sound  and  Point  Barrow  by  way  of  Point  Hope,  I  do  not  exactly  com¬ 
prehend  your  intention.  Do  you  mean  these  places  for  points  to 
change  your  deer,  or  do  you  mean  them  simply  as  stopping  or  resting 
places?  If  the  former,  I  should  sa}7  that  the  south  of  the  Kivelow 
River  should  be  the  first;  second,  Point  Hope.  Both  these  places,  you 
will  understand,  are  in  good  deer  country,  and  where  it  would  be  well 
to  establish  them.  From  Point  Hope  the  route  would  most  likely  go 
by  the  Koopok  across  the  hills  to  the  coal  mine,  where  there  might  be 
the  third  station.  The  fourth  would  naturally  come  midway  between 
the  coal  mine  and  Wainwright  Inlet,  but  the  reindeer  food  in  that 
region  is  poor,  and  you  would  be  compelled  to  place  the  station  too  far 
inland  to  support  your  deer.  I  would  advise  a  point  somewhere 
between  Cape  Beaufort  and  Kookpowruk.  These,  with  Wainwright 
Inlet,  should  answer  your  purpose.  It  would  be  impossible  for  you  to 
construct  huts  for  the  dail}T  stops.  Your  men  might,  however,  during 
their  first  trips,  build  snow  houses  at  convenient  places  along  the  route 
easily  and  with  no  expense. 

I  will  be  very  much  gratified  to  see  deer  scattered  along  that  part  of 
the  coast  and  the  people  broken  up  into  smaller  communities  with 
their  deer  herds.  I  believe  the  country  will  support  them  and  by 
these  means  can  become  populated  and  prosperous. 

Trusting  you  are  in  good  health,  and  with  best  wishes  from  Mrs. 
Jarvis  and  myself  to  Mrs.  Jackson  and  yourself,  I  am, 

Very  truly,  yours, 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Bureau  of  Education , 


D.  H.  Jarvis, 

Collector  of  Customs. 

Washington ,  D.  C. 


CORRESPONDENCE  CONCERNING  THE  PURCHASE  OF  REINDEER  IN 

SIBERIA. 

Northwestern  Commercial  Company, 

Seattle,  Wash.,  November ,  18,  1902 . 

My  Dear  Sir:  Referring  to  our  conversation  at  Nome,  Alaska,  in 
regard  to  purchase  of  reindeer  on  the  part  of  the  Government,  and 
your  suggestion  that  some  representative  of  the  company  should  meet 
you  in  Washington  during  the  winter,  I  beg  to  state  that  I  expect  to 
leave  for  the  East  the  latter  part  of  December  and  will  be  in  Washing¬ 
ton  early  in  January.  Will  you  be  in  the  city  at  that  time,  and  will 


138  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


it  be  convenient  to  consult  with  you  in  regard  to  the  reindeer  ques¬ 
tion,  and  also  to  meet  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior? 

Awaiting  your  reply  before  definitely  arranging  my  dates  for  an 
eastern  trip,  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Northwestern  Commercial  Company, 
W.  T.  Perkins,  Auditor. 

Hon.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

United  States  General  Agent  of  Education  in  Alaska , 

Department  of  the  Interior ,  Washington ,  D.  C. 


January  3,  1903. 

Sir:  Referring  to  our  conversation  of  January  2  concerning  the 
purchase  of  reindeer  from  your  company,  I  repty  that  the  United 
States  Bureau  of  Education  will  pay  $25  a  head  for  400  healthy 
female  reindeer  not  over  6  years  of  age,  landed  at  Teller  reindeer  sta¬ 
tion  in  good  condition  and  turned  over  to  the  United  States  agent  at 
that  place,  delivered  not  later  than  September  1,  1903. 

The}^  will  be  inspected  by  the  Government  expert  on  animal  diseases, 
and  his  written  statement  will  be  accepted  as  to  their  healthy  condition. 

I  have  asked  Congress,  for  the  fiscal  year  commencing  July  1, 1903, 
an  appropriation  of  $25,000  for  the  reindeer  enterprise.  If  that 
appropriation  is  granted  I  shall  be  in  a  position  to  enter  into  another 
agreement  for  the  purchase  of  additional  reindeer  between  July  1, 
1903,  and  June  30,  1904. 

Very  respectfully,  yours, 


W.  T.  Harris, 

United  States  Commissioner  of  Education. 

Mr.  W.  T.  Perkins, 

Auditor  Northwestern  Commercial.  Company , 

Seattle ,  Wash. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education,  Alaska  Division, 

Washington ,  D.  C. ,  January  3,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  been  unable  to  find  a  copy  of  the  report  contain¬ 
ing  the  letter  that  you  wanted;  therefore  1  have  had  the  letter  copied 
for  you. 

With  regard  to  the  commercial  value  of  reindeer,  permit  me  to  say 
upon  my  own  account  that  the  result  of  my  reading,  observation,  and 
experience  is  that  a  good  herd  of  reindeer  in  Alaska  is  as  profitable  as 
the  ordinary  gold  mine.  After  the  herd  is  once  started  the  fawns 
born  will  cost,  for  care  and  keeping,  an  average  of  not  more  than  $1 
between  birth  and  4  3Tears  of  age.  When  4  years  old  the  surplus  males 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  139 


can  be  sold  to  the  butcher  for  from  $25  to  $60,  according  to  the  state 
of  the  market  and  the  time  of  }Tear.  They  can  be  trained  to  harness 
and  sold  to  prospectors  for  from  $60  to  $150,  a  few  having  been  sold 
at  the  latter  sum  in  Alaska. 

With  the  multiplication  of  mining  camps  through  Alaska  there  will 
alwa}Ts  be  a  great  demand  for  fresh  reindeer  meat,  so  that  there  will  be 
a  good  market  for  the  surplus  males. 

I  do  not  know  where  you  can  get  better  interest  on  one  dollar’s 
worth  of  care  than  after  four  years  to  sell  the  same  for  $25  or  upward. 
I  hope  that  your  company  will  establish  a  large  herd  on  the  American 
side,  and  any  assistance  that  I  can  render  you  in  the  way  of  suggestions 
as  to  places  will  be  gladly  given. 

Ver}T  respectfully,  yours, 

Sheldon  Jackson, 
General  Agent  of  Education  in  Alaska. 

Mr.  William  T.  Perkins, 

Northwestern  • Commercial  Company ,  Seattle ,  Wash. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  D.  C. ,  March  18 ,  1903. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  for  your  information  and  approval 
the  proposed  plans  of  operations  for  the  coming  season  as  to  education 
in  Alaska  and  the  introduction  of  reindeer  into  Alaska. 

******** 

INTRODUCTION  OF  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

1  have  made  an  arrangement  with  the  Northwestern  Commercial 
Company,  of  Nome,  who  this  year  are  undertaking  under  a  Russian 
concession  to  purchase  reindeer  for  delivery  to  the  agent  of  this 
Bureau  at  Teller  station  of  as  many  as  100  head  of  female  reindeer 
at  $25  each  (see  exhibit). 

If  any  reindeer  are  received  under  this  contract  they  will  be  distrib¬ 
uted,  in  accordance  with  former  practice,  as  loans  to  the  several  mission 
stations,  both  Protestant  and  Roman  Catholic,  engaged  in  teaching  and 
civilizing  the  Eskimos  of  northern  and  western  Alaska.  This  will 
strengthen  the  work  that  has  already  commenced  of  preparing  the 
Eskimo  young  men  for  the  care  and  management  of  reindeer  and  then 
assisting  them  to  herds  of  their  own. 

The  location  of  the  several  herds  will  be  continued,  as  last  }7ear,  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Point  Barrow,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Cape  Prince  of 
Wales,  Cambell,  on  St.  Lawrence  Island,  Teller  station,  Golofnin  Bay, 
Unalaklik,  Nulato,  on  Yukon  River,  and  Bethel,  on  Kuskokwim  River. 


140  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


FINANCES. 

(a)  Education  in  Alaska. — For  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1902, 
there  was  received  from  license  moneys  covered  into  the  United  States 
Treasury,  $35,882.41.  This  was  expended  as  follows: 


Salaries  of  four  officials .  $5,  066. 12 

Thirty-three  teachers .  17, 192. 54 


General  expenses  of  27  schools,  including  text-books,  apparatus, 
fuel,  lighting,  repairs,  rent,  traveling  expenses,  and  freight,  $4,219.06;  ' 
leaving  a  balance  June  30,  1902,  $9,404.69. 

(b)  Reindeer  funds  received  from  Congress,  $25,000,  which  was  !; 
expended  as  follows: 

Salaries  of  employees .  $4, 110.  03  ]| 

Expenses  connected  with  the  importation  of  reindeer  from  Siberia  to 

Alaska .  13,220.48  j 

Supplies  and  clothing  for  27  apprentices. . . , . .  6,  044.  03  j 

Traveling  expenses  in  connection  with  the  inspection  and  delivery  of 

herds  to  mission  societies  . . . . . . .  600.  33  j 

Publishing  the  annual  report  (1,000  copies) .  440. 11  ! 

Balance  of  outstanding  liabilities .  595.  02  j 

It  is  proposed,  with  your  approval,  for  the  coming  season,  in  both 
the  school  and  reindeer  service,  to  continue  along  the  same  general 
lines  that  have  been  found  successful  in  the  past  to  extend  the  service 
as  rapidly  as  the  funds  at  the  disposal  of  this  Bureau  will  permit. 

In  past  seasons  this  Bureau  has  depended  upon  the  cooperation  of 
the  Treasury  Department  in  the  Revenue-Cutter  Service  for  assistance 
in  enabling  the  agent  of  the  Bureau  to  visit  the  stations  and  localities  ' 
not  ordinarily  reached  by  commercial  vessels.  And  it  is  proposed  the 
present  season,  with  your  approval,  to  again  apply  to  the  honorable 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  allow  the  revenue  cutter  cruising  in 
Alaskan  waters  to  take  on  board  the  agent  of  this  Bureau  and  give 
him  such  facilities  as  he  may  need  for  inspecting  out-of-the-way  sta¬ 
tions,  not  interfering  with  the  regular  duties  of  the  cutters. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

[Indorsement.] 

Approved  on  conditions  specified  in  Department  letter  April  1,  1903. 

E.  A.  Hitchcock,  Secretary. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington ,  April  7,  1903. 

Sir:  Your  letter  has  been  received,  submitting  for  consideration,  < 
pursuant  to  instructions  from  the  Department,  a  statement  showing  j 
the  proposed  operations  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1904,  as  i 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  141 


to  education  in  Alaska  and  the  introduction  of  reindeer  into  that  dis¬ 
trict,  together  with  the  amount  of  money  to  be  expended  apportioned 
to  each  of  the  different  subjects  of  investigation.  The  appropriation 
for  the  introduction  of  reindeer  is  $25,000,  the  amount  received  from 
license  moneys  outside  of  incorporated  towns  in  Alaska  and  available 
for  educational  purposes  during  the  fiscal  year  ended  June  30,  1902, 
was  approximately  $35,882,  and  the  expenditures  for  school  service 
during  the  ensuing  fiscal  year  is  based  upon  the  probable  collection  of 
a  similar  amount  during  that  period. 

In  response  thereto  I  have  to  advise  you  that  I  have  this  day 
approved  so  much  of  the  plan  submitted  as  relates  to  the  ensuing 
fiscal  year.  As  to  the  proposed  purchase  of  400  reindeer,  not  over  6 
years  of  age,  at  a  cost  of  $25  per  head  from  the  Northwestern  Com¬ 
mercial  Company,  to  be  landed  at  Teller  reindeer  station  in  good  con¬ 
dition  not  later  than  September  1,  1903,  in  lieu  of  sending  an  agent  of 
the  Department  to  Russia  to  purchase  reindeer  and  bring  them  to  this 
country,  as  has  been  the  custom  heretofore,  the  plan  meets  with  my 
approval  as  being  in  the  interest  of  the  better  administration  of  the 
service.  A  form  of  contract  has  been  prepared  and  is  herewith  trans¬ 
mitted. 

The  matters  discussed,  touching  the  extension  of  the  school  service, 
by  the  establishment  of  new  schools  in  southeastern,  western,  and 
northern  Alaska,  and  for  the  construction  of  schoolhouses  at  Point 
Barrow,  Unalakleet,  Wood  Island,  Wrangell,  and  Teller  may  be  pre¬ 
sented  for  consideration  of  the  Department  when  there  are  funds  avail¬ 
able  in  excess  of  the  approximate  sum  of  $35,882  authorized  to  be 
expended  during  the  next  fiscal  year. 

The  matter  of  the  free  importation  of  reindeer  and  the  providing 
for  their  inspection  at  Teller  reindeer  station  will  be  at  once  brought 
to  the  attention  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury  and  Agriculture, 
respectively. 

Very  respectfully,  E.  A.  Hitchcock, 

Secretary. 

The  Commissioner  of  Education. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  D.  C. ,  April  7,  1903. 

Sir:  1  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  a  communica¬ 
tion  from  you  under  date  of  April  1,  1903,  giving  your  approval  of 
the  proposed  plans  of  operations  for  the  coming  season  as  to  education 
in  Alaska,  and  the  introduction  of  reindeer  into  Alaska. 

As  your  approval  seems  to  have  reference  mainly  to  the  fiscal  year 
ending  June  30,  1904,  I  would  respectfully  ask  a  modification  of  the 
approval,  in  so  far  as  it  relates  to  the  purchase  of  reindeer,  in  order 


142  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


to  enable  this  Bureau  to  purchase  400  head,  or  as  many  at  the  rate  of 
$25  as  the  unexpended  balance  of  the  reindeer  fund  for  the  fiscal  year  ; 
ending  June  30,  1903,  will  allow.  And,  if  the  opportunity  offers,  that 
500  additional  deer  shall  be  purchased  from  the  reindeer  fund  for  the 
fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1904. 

The  short  season  (June  to  October),  during  which  northern  Bering 
Sea  is  free  from  ice,  and  thereby  the  transportation  of  deer  from 
Siberia  to  Alaska  rendered  possible,  makes  it  convenient  to  use  in  the 
purchase  of  deer  any  available  balance  of  the  fund  for  1903  remaining 
unexpended  June  30,  1903,  and  that  after  July  1  to  commence  the 
purchase  of  additional  deer  from  the  fund  of  1904. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner.  J 
The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington ,  April  10 ,  1903. 

Sir:  In  compliance  with  the  request  contained  in  your  letter  of  the 
7th  instant,  so  much  of  the  plan  of  operations  of  your  Bureau  in 
Alaska  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30, 1903,  as  relates  to  the  intro¬ 
duction  of  reindeer  in  that  district,  approved  by  me  April  7,  1902,  is  , 
hereby  so  modified  as  to  authorize  you  to  purchase  from  the  North¬ 
western  Commercial  Company  400,  more  or  less,  of  healthy  female  I 
reindeer,  not  over  6  years  of  age,  at  a  cost  of  not  to  exceed  the  sum  of  1 
$25  per  head. 

This  action  is  substituted  for  the  provision  in  said  plan  of  opera-  I 
tions  authorizing  you  to  send  an  agent  to  Siberia  to  make  purchase  of  ij 
reindeer. 

A  form  of  contract  in  quintuplicate  with  the  Northwestern  Com¬ 
mercial  Company,  prepared  in  this  Office,  for  the  carrying  into  effect  < 
the  authority  above  granted  is  herewith  transmitted,  and  }7ou  are  I 
requested  to  have  the  same  properly  executed  and  returned  to  the  I 
Department  for  approval. 

Very  respectfully,  E.  A.  Hitchcock, 

Secretary. 

The  Commissioner  of  Education, 

Washington ,  D.  C. 


North  Eastern  Siberian  Company  (Limited), 

Pioneer  Building, 

Seattle ,  Wash. ,  April  ft®,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  Referring  to  the  contract  between  your  department  and 
the  Northwestern  Commercial  Company  for  the  exportation  of  live 
reindeer  from  Siberia  to  America  for  the  United  States  Government,  j 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  143 


which  contract  was  entered  into  on  behalf  of  the  North  Eastern 
Siberian  Company  (Limited),  1  beg  to  state  as  follows: 

At  the  time  that  Mr.  Perkins  was  in  Washington  discussing  this 
matter  with  you  and  entering  into  preliminary  contracts  the  North 
Eastern  Siberian  Company  (Limited),  had  secured  a  permit  from  the 
military  governor-general  of  the  Primorsk  for  the  exportation  of  400 
live  reindeer  to  America,  and  while  I  was  in  St.  Petersburg  this  matter 
was  discussed  between  myself  and  the  members  of  the  board  of  directors 
over  there  upon  the  basis  that  the  permit  for  this  exportation  had  been 
granted  and  that  we  would  export  the  animals  to  America  and  deliver 
them  to  the  United  States  Government,  provided  our  agents  in  the 
peninsula  were  able  to  secure  the  reindeer  from  the  natives  in  accord¬ 
ance  with  instructions  that  I  had  given  them  last  fall,  and  in  the 
original  instructions  to  me  as  managing  director  for  the  company  was 
incorporated  this  clause  covering  the  exportation  of  these  animals. 
Since  n^  departure  from  St.  Petersburg  on  the  28th  of  February,  this 
year,  it  appears  for  some,  to  me  unknown,  reasons  to  have  been  a 
change,  inasmuch  as  they  have  advised  me  both  by  cable  and  letter 
that  the  Imperial  Government  has  forbidden  this  exportation,  and  that 
the  governor-general  of  the  maritime  provinces  will  not  grant  the 
necessary  permit.  The  reason  advanced  to  me  for  this  prohibition  I 
consider  neither  correct  nor  sufficient,  and  therefore  I  have  written  to 
our  board  in  St.  Petersburg  to  take  this  matter  up  with  the  Govern¬ 
ment  with  the  view  of  removing  the  embargo,  and  I  feel  hopeful  in 
securing  its  removal,  but  am  not  positively  sure  thereof,  and  therefore 
can  not  at  this  time  give  any  advice  as  to  the  probable  dates  when  we 
will  be  able  to  deliver  these  animals  in  Alaska. 

1  very  much  regret  this  turn  of  affairs,  and  give  you  my  assurance 
that  I  will  do  everything  in  my  power  to  remove  the  embargo,  more 
especially  as  I  consider  the  exportation  of  these  animals  from  Siberia 
to  Alaska  will  produce  very  beneficial  results  to  the  natives  by  increas¬ 
ing  the  commercial  value  of  the  reindeer. 

I  am  daily  expecting  advice  from  St.  Petersburg  by  cable  regarding 
this  matter,  and  if  the  embargo  is  removed  I  will  take  the  matter  up 
with  you  at  once  by  telegraph. 

1  beg  to  remain,  my  dear  sir,  yours,  very  truly, 

John  Rosene, 

Managing  Director  for  the  North  Eastern  Siberian  Company  ( Limited ). 

Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Bureau  of  Education,  Washington,  D.  C. 


144  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  D.  C. ,  April  29,  1903. 

Sir:  Referring  to  the  authority  heretofore  granted  by  the  Depart¬ 
ment  to  enter  into  contract  with  the  Northwestern  Commercial  Com¬ 
pany  for  the  furnishing  of  800  reindeer  for  introduction  into  Alaska 
during  the  present  year,  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  for 
your  information  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  said  company,  in  which 
it  appears  that  the  permission  heretofore  granted  them  by  the  Russian 
Government  to  purchase  and  export  reindeer  from  Siberia  to  the  United 
States  has  been  revoked. 

It  will  be  noted  that  they  state  they  have  taken  steps  to  have  their 
agent  in  Russia  secure,  if  possible,  a  reconsideration  of  this  adverse 
action,  and  that  they  will  immediately  telegraph  me  upon  the  final 
decision  of  the  matter. 

In  case  they  do  not  succeed  in  securing  reconsideration  by  the  Russian 
Government  I  have  the  honor  to  suggest  the  advisability  of  bringing 
this  matter  to  the  attention  of  the  Secretary  of  State  with  a  view  to 
instructing  the  proper  representatives  of  this  Government  in  Russia 
to  intercede  with  the  Russian  Government  to  accord  permission  to  this 
company  to  furnish  to  this  Government  at  least  800  deer  which  they 
have  contracted  to  supply. 

Yery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


[Telegram.] 


Seattle,  Wash.,  May  12,  1903. 


Sheldon  Jackson, 

Bureau  Education ,  Washington ,  D.  C. : 

Important  diplomatically  to  have  State  Department  request  show 
reindeer  contract  made  with  North  Eastern  Siberian  Company  through 
American  agents. 

Northwestern  Commercial  Company. 
Perkins. 


San  Francisco,  May  9 ,  1903.  j 

Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  April  30,  inclosing  copy  of  letter  from 
Mr.  W.  T.  Harris  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  has  been  forwarded 
me  here  and  contents  of  both  these  letters  carefully  noted  by  me.  In 
reply  I  beg  to  state  that  I  have  at  the  present  time  had  no  communica¬ 
tion  from  St.  Petersburg  relative  to  the  exploitation  of  reindeers  since 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  145 


my  letter  to  you  of  April  22.  I  beg  further  to  state  that  I  will  have  no 
objection  to  the  matter  being  taken  up  with  the  Russian  Government 
through  the  kind  offices  of  the  State  Department  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
If  this  should  be  done,  it  will  be  well  to  remember  that  the  North¬ 
western  Commercial  Company  entered  into  this  contract  as  the  agent 
and  representing  the  North  Eastern  Siberian  Company  (Limited),  the 
latter  corporation  being  organized  under  the  laws  of  Russia,  with 
headquarters  in  St.  Petersburg,  and  well  known  to  the  Russian 
Government. 

I  shall  not  fail  to  advise  you  promptly  of  any  information  I  shall 
receive  from  St.  Petersburg  relative  to  this  subject. 

Yours,  very  truly, 

John  Rosene. 


Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

General  Agent  Department  Education ,  Washington ,  D.  C. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington ,  May  13 ,  1903. 

Sir:  Referring  to  your  letter  of  the  29th  ultimo,  inclosing  a  copy  of  a 
communication  from  the  Northwestern  Commercial  Company,  stating 
that  the  Russian  Government  had  revoked  the  permit  heretofore  given 
it  to  collect  and  export  reindeer  from  Siberia  to  Alaska,  I  transmit  here¬ 
with  for  your  information  copy  of  a  letter  addressed  by  this  Depart¬ 
ment  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  under  date  of  the  11th  instant,  request¬ 
ing  that  the  Russian  Government  be  communicated  with  through  the 
proper  official  channels,  with  a  view  to  securing  a  renewal  of  the  per¬ 
mission  given  this  company  to  procure  at  least  800  reindeer  for  the 
Government  service  in  Alaska  during  the  coming  season. 

Very  respectfully, 

Thomas  Ryan,  Acting  Secretary. 

The  Commissioner  of  Education. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Washington ,  May  11 ,  1903. 

Sir:  In  carrying  into  effect  the  provisions  of  the  statute  authorizing 
the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  introduce  reindeer  in  the  district  of 
Alaska  for  use  in  connection  with  the  system  of  industrial  educa¬ 
tion  in  that  district  inaugurated  by  the  Department,  it  has  been 
customary  in  previous  years  to  purchase,  with  the  consent  of  the 
Russian  Govennment,  reindeer  in  Siberia  and  bring  them  to  Alaska  on 
a  Government  vessel,  free  of  duty  and  without  inspection  of  the 
animals. 


146  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


In  the  interests  of  the  better  administration  of  the  Alaskan  service 
it  is  the  purpose  of  the  Department  during  the  present  season,  instead 
of  sending  its  representative  abroad  to  bring  the  deer  to  Alaska,  to 
enter  into  contract  with  the  Northwestern  Commercial  Company  for 
the  deliver}7  in  good  condition  at  Teller  reindeer  station,  Alaska,  at  a 
date  not  later  than  November  1,  1903,  800,  more  or  less,  healthy  ; 
female  reindeer,  not  over  6  years  of  age. 

From  the  accompanying  letter  of  the  Commissioner  of  Education, 
who,  under  the  assignment  of  business  in  this  Department,  has  charge 
of  educational  matters  in  the  district  of  Alaska,  it  will  be  seen  that 
the  permission  heretofore  given  by  the  Russian  Government  to  the 
Northwestern  Commercial  Company  to  secure  reindeer  in  Siberia  has  ' 
been  revoked,  but  that  the  company  is  endeavoring  to  secure  a  recon-  , 
sideration  of  the  matter  by  the  proper  authorities. 

As  it  will  be  in  the  interest  of  the  Government  to  secure  the  rein¬ 
deer  in  the  method  indicated,  I  have  the  honor  to  request  that  this 
matter  be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  proper  authorities  of  the 
Russian  Government,  with  a  view  to  securing  permission  for  the 
Northwestern  Company  to  procure  and  take  from  Siberia  another 
shipment  for  use  in  the  Alaskan  school  service  of  at  least  800  female  ; 
reindeer. 

Very  respectfully,  Thos.  Ryan, 

Acting  Secretary. 

The  Secretary  of  State. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  D.  C. ,  May  1903. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  communicate  for  your  information  that, ; 
since  writing  my  letter  of  April  22,  asking  that  through  the  Secretary 
of  State  the  Russian  Government  might  be  requested  to  accord  to  the 
Northwestern  Commercial  Company,  of  Seattle,  permission  to  furnish 
this  Government  the  800  head  of  reindeer  which  they  had  contracted  to 
supply,  I  have  learned  from  them  that  the  Northwestern  Commercial 
Company,  in  executing  the  above  contract  with  the  United  States,  was1 
acting  as  the  American  agents  of  the  Northeastern  Siberian  Company 
(Limited),  which  has  its  general  office  at  St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  and 
American  office  at  Seattle,  and  that  the  company  is  known  officially 
at  St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  as  the  Northeastern  Siberian  Company  < 
(Limited). 

I  would  therefore  respectfully  suggest  that  this  name  be  communi-  j 
cated  by  the  State  Department  to  the  representative  of  this  Government  ; 
at  St.  Petersburg.  I  would  further  suggest  that,  as  the  northern  sec-  1 
tion  of  Bering  Sea  is  free  from  ice  but  a  few  months  during  the  year, 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  147 

and  therefore  that  the  time  available  for  the  transportation  of  reindeer 
from  Siberia  to  Alaska  is  short,  that  this  information  be  cabled  to  the 
American  ambassador  at  St.  Petersburg. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


Department  of  State, 

Washington ,  May  10 ,  1903. 

Sir:  1  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  11th  instant,  requesting  that  the  United  States  ambassador  at  St. 
Petersburg  may  be  instructed  to  use  his  good  offices  with  the  Russian 
Government  to  enable  the  Northwestern  Commercial  Company  to  pro¬ 
cure  and  take  from  Siberia  another  shipment  of  at  least  800  female 
reindeer  for  use  in  the  Alaskan  school  service. 

I  have  the  honor  to  say  in  reply  that  the  ambassador  has  been  in¬ 
structed  as  desired. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

John  IIay. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

[Indorsement  No.  1.] 

File  1708.]  May  16,  1903. 

Secretary  of  State  has  instructed  the  United  States  ambassador 
at  St.  Petersburg  to  use  his  good  offices  with  the  Russian  Government 
to  enable  the  Northwestern  Commercial  Company  to  procure  and  take 
from  Siberia  a  shipment  of  reindeer  for  use  in  Alaska. 

[Indorsement  No.  2.] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

May  19 ,  1903. 

Respectfully  referred  to  the  Commissioner  of  Education  for  con¬ 
sideration;  note  and  return. 

Thomas  Ryan,  Acting  Secretary. 

[Indorsement  No.  3.] 

Education  Office,  May  20,  1903. 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  Department  with  the  statement  that 
the  same  has  been  copied  for  the  tiles  of  this  Office. 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner. 


Department  of  State, 

Washington ,  May  20,  1903. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  16th  instant,  stating  that  the  company  which  has  the  reindeer 
contract  is  the  Northeastern  Siberian  Company  (Limited),  not  the 
Northwestern  Commercial  Company. 

S.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 


11 


148  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


The  United  States  charge  d’affaires  at  St.  Petersburg  has  been  so 
advised,  and  the  necessity  of  rapid  action  in  the  case  has  also  been 
brought  to  his  attention. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  -sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

John  Hay. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

[Indorsement  No.  1.] 

May  20,  1903. 

Secretary  of  State  has  advised  the  U  nited  States  charge  d'affaires 
at  St.  Petersburg  that  the  Northwestern  Commercial  Company,  with 
whom  the  Department  has  contracted  for  the  purchase  of  reindeer  for 
Alaska,  is  known  in  St.  Petersburg  as  the  Northeastern  Siberian  Com¬ 
pany  (Limited),  etc. 

[Indorsement  No.  2.] 

Department  of  the  Interior,  May  22,  1903. 

Respectfully  referred  to  the  Commissioner  of  Education  for  consider-  ; 
ation,  note,  and  return. 

Thomas  Ryan. 

[Indorsement  No.  3.] 

Education  Office,  May  23,  1903. 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  Department  with  the  statement  that 
the  same  has  been  copied  for  the  files  of  this  office. 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner. 


No.  140.]  American  Embassy, 

St.  Petersburg ,  June  13,  1903. 

Sir:  In  reply  to  your  instructions  Nos.  28  and  29,  of  May  18  and 
20,  respectively,  relating  to  the  reindeer  contract  between  the  Govern¬ 
ment  and  the  Northeastern  Siberian  Company  (Limited),  I  have  the  j 
honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  called  on  Mr.  Yermoloff,  minister  of 
agriculture  and  imperial  domain,  with  a  view  to  securing  the  revoca-  i 
tion  of  the  recent  decision  forbidding  the  exportation  of  reindeer  from 
Siberia  to  Alaska. 

The  minister  informed  me  that  he  would  communicate  on  the  sub-  | 
ject  with  the  governor-general  of  the  Primorsk  Province,  whose  author-  j 
it}7  in  the  matter  was  final,  and  whose  advice  would  undoubtedly  be 
followed  by  the  central  government  in  case  he  recommended  that  the  1 
further  exportation  of  reindeer  should  not  be  allowed  on  account  of 
their  scarcity,  or  for  any  other  reasons. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  W.  Riddle, 

Charge  (P Affaires  ad  interim. 

The  Hon.  John  Hay, 

Secretary  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  149 


Department  of  State, 
Washington,  July  1 ,  1903. 

Sir:  Referring  to  the  Department’s  letter  of  Ma}^  18  last,  I  have 
the  honor  to  inclose  copy  of  a  dispatch  from  the  United  States  charge 
d’affaires  ad  interim  at  St.  Petersburg,  reporting  his  action  in  the 
matter  of  endeavoring  to  secure  permission  for  the  purchase  and  ship¬ 
ment  of  reindeer  from  Siberia. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Francis  B.  Loomis, 

Acting  Secretary. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


[Indorsement  No.  1.] 

July  1,  1903. 

Secretary  of  State  incloses  copy  of  dispatch  from  the  United  States 
charge  d’affaires  ad  interim  at  St.  Petersburg,  reporting  his  action 
in  endeavoring  to  secure  permission  for  the  purchase  and  shipment  of 
reindeer  from  Siberia  into  Alaska. 


[Indorsement  No.  2.] 

Department  of  the  Interior, 

July  3 ,  1903. 

Respectfully  referred  do  the  Commissioner  of  Education  for  note 
and  return. 

Thomas  Ryan, 

Acting  Secretary. 


No.  41.] 


American  Embassy, 

St.  Petersburg ,  July  0,  1903. 


Sir:  In  reply  to  your  instruction  No.  28,  of  May  18,  1903,  I  have 
the  honor  to  transmit  to  you  herewith  a  copy  of  a  note  just  received 
from  the  minister  of  agriculture  and  imperial  domains.,  according  to 
which,  after  communicating  with  the  governor-general  of  the  Amoor, 
the  minister  does  not  tind  it  possible  to  enable  the  Northwestern  Com¬ 
mercial  Company  to  procure  or  take  away  from  Siberia  a  further 
shipment  of  female  reindeer. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  W.  Riddle, 


Charge  dl Affaires  ad  interim. 


The  Hon.  John  Hay, 

Secretary  of  State ,  Washington ,  I).  0. 


150  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


No.  763.]  Ministre  de  L’ Agriculture  et  des  Domaines, 

St.  Petersburg ,  le  20  (< July  3),  1903 . 

Sir:  The  general-governor  of  Amoor  has  just  notified  me  that  the 
there  existing  number  of  reindeer  upon  which  rests  the  livelihood  of 
the  northern  tribes  is  of  late  days  somewhat  inadequate  to  meet  the 
local  requirements. 

Therefore,  considering  that  any  further  decrease  in  the  number  of 
female  reindeer  would  affect  the  said  population’s  welfare,  I  regret  to 
state  in  reply  to  }^our  favor  of  June  2  (15)  that  I  find  it  difficult  to 
issue  permits  for  the  exportation  of  the  above  animals. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  sir,  most  truly,  yours, 

A.  Vermaloff. 

Hon.  J.  W.  Riddle, 

Charge  (P  Affaires  of  the  United  Stales ,  St.  Petersburg . 


Department  of  State, 
Washington ,  July  21,  1903. 

Sir:  Referring  to  the  Department’s  letter,  May  18, 1  have  the  honor  j 
to  inclose  copy  of  a  dispatch  from  the  United  States  charge  d’affaires  !■ 
ad  interim  at  St.  Petersburg,  reporting  the  refusal  of  the  Russian 
Government  to  allow  the  exportation  of  reindeer  from  Siberia. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Francis  B.  Loomis, 

Acting  Secretary. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  P.  C.,  July  18 ,  1903. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  that  your  favor  of  July  3 
has  been  brought  to  my  attention,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  letter  / 
of  Mr.  J.  W.  Riddle,  charge  d’affaires  ad  interim,  American  embassy,  j 
St.  Petersburg,  June  13,  1903,  informing  the  American  Government 
that  the  question  of  further  exportation  of  reindeer  to  Alaska  for  the  I 
United  States  Government  has  been  referred  to  the  “governor-general 
of  the  Primorsk  Province,  whose  advice  would  undoubtedly  be  followed 
by  the  central  Government  in  case  he  recommended  that  the  further  j 
exportation  of  reindeer  should  not  be  allowed  on  account  of  their 
scarcity,  or  for  any  other  reasons.” 

The  opportunity  afforded  of  procuring  deer  this  summer  through 
the  Northwestern  Siberian  Company  (Limited)  is  so  promising,  and  the  j 
time  for  action  in  northern  Bering  Sea  so  limited  during  the  summer,  1 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  151 

that  I  would  respectfully  suggest  that  the  honorable  the  Secretary  of 
State,  if  in  accordance  with  the  policy  of  his  office,  make  another  effort 
to  secure  a  speedy  decision  on  the  part  of  the  Russian  Government. 

With  reference  to  the  allusion  that  the  exportation  of  deer  to  Alaska 
might  unduly  deplete  the  herds  in  Siberia,  I  find  that  since  the  com¬ 
mencement  of  the  reindeer  enterprise  in  1891  up  to  the  present  time 
but  1,596  deer  have  been  purchased  in  Siberia,  an  average  of  133  deer 
per  year.  As  the  herds  in  Siberia  range  from  three  hundred  to  many 
thousand  reindeer  in  a  herd,  it  is  evident  that  so  small  a  number  can 
have  made  no  appreciable  difference  in  the  reindeer  industry  of  Siberia, 
nor  will  the  one  or  two  thousand  additional  deer  which  might  be 
secured  make  any  difference.  On  the  other  hand,  the  sale  of  these 
animals  at  remunerative  prices  furnishes  the  natives  of  northeast  Siberia 
with  a  large  amount  of  provisions  and  clothing  which  they  could  not 
otherwise  secure. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  Harris,  Commissioner. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


REINDEER  IMPORTED  FROM  SIBERIA  SUBJECT  TO  INSPECTION  AND 

CUSTOMS  DUTIES. 

Treasury  Department, 

Office  of  the  Secretary, 

Washington ,  October  5,  1901. 

Sir:  The  attention  of  this  Department  has  been  called,  by  the 
honorable  Secretary  of  Agriculture,  to  recent  alleged  importations 
of  reindeer  into  your  district  from  Siberia,  presumably  without 
inspection  or  quarantine,  and  stating  that  “  there  is  great  danger  of 
introducing  some  of  the  worst  animal  plagues  of  the  Old  World  by  the 
importation  of  reindeer  in  this  manner.”  He  suggests  that  in  the 
case  of  future  importations  of  these  animals  an  inspection  should  lie 
made  by  an  officer  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  to  the  end  that 
a  quarantine  may  be  enforced,  or  exportation  required,  according  as 
the  animals  may  be  found  afflicted  with  disease,  curable  or  incurable. 

In  this  connection  your  attention  is  invited  to  the  regulations  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  of  December  28,  1899,  promulgated  by 
this  Department  in  its  circular  of  February  16,  1900  (T.  D.,  22011), 
copy  herewith  for  ready  reference,  which  prescribes  that  all  ruminants 
imported  on  the  Pacific  seaboard  are  subject  to  inspection  and  quar¬ 
antine  at  San  Diego,  Cal.,  and  you  are  informed  that  the  ports  of 
your  district  are  not  excepted  from  such  requirements  because  of 
their  geographical  location. 


152  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


The  importation  of  these  animals  into  your  district,  therefore,  as 
allowed  without  inspection  or  quarantine  at  San  Diego,  was  technically 
in  violation  of  such  regulations. 

1  will  thank  you  to  report  fully  as  to  the  facts  in  the  case,  giving 
the  dates  of  importations,  names  of  importers,  the  condition  of  the 
animals  on  arrival,  what  inspection  or  quarantine,  if  any,  was  had,  the 
destination  of  the  animals  and  their  present  location. 

In  the  case  of  future  importations  of  this  character  into  your  dis¬ 
trict  from  Siberia  or  any  other  foreign  country,  you  will  at  once 
notify  the  Department  by  wire  to  the  end  that  proper  inspection  may 
be  had,  and  quarantine  enforced  if  found  necessary.  The  Secretary 
of  Agriculture  states  that  in  such  event,  an  exception  will  be  made  to 
the  regulations  aforesaid,  and  that  an  inspector  will  be  sent  into  your 
district  to  make  the  required  examination.  This  Department  concurs 
in  the  opinion  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture  that  every  precaution 
should  be  taken  to  protect  Alaska  as  well  as  other  parts  of  the  terri¬ 
tory  of  the  United  States  from  destructive  animal  diseases  liable  to  be 
introduced  by  the  unrestricted  importation  of  reindeer  from  Siberia. 

Respectfully, 

0.  L.  Spaulding,  Acting  Secretary . 

The  Collector  of  Customs, 

Sitka ,  Alaska. 


Manhattan,  Kans.  ,  March  9 ,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  March  5,  and  thank  you 
for  the  information  therein  contained. 

I  inclose  you  herewith  a  letter  from  the  Treasury  Department,  which 
explains,  itself .  From  this  you  will  observe  that  as  soon  as  a  private 
individual  undertakes  to  engage  in  this  business  he  will  be  required  to 
pajx  duty  on  his  deer.  If  the  Government  really  wanted  to  have  Alaska 
stocked  with  reindeer  it  would  seem  that  herds  for  breeding  purposes 
should  be  admitted  free. 

If  it  is  not  asking  too  much  would  you  kindly  refer  this  matter  to 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  request  that  an  exception  be 
made  in  the  case  of  deer  for  breeding  purposes. 

Respectfully, 


F.  G.  Kimball. 


Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington ,  T).  C. 


Department  of  the  Interior, 

Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington ,  D.  C.,  April  1,  1903. 
Sir:  In  carding  into  effect  the  provisions  of  the  statute  authorizing 
the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  introduce  reindeer  into  the  district  of 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  153 

Alaska  for  use  in  connection  with  a  system  of  industrial  education  in 
that  district,  inaugurated  by  the  Department,  it  has  been  customary 
in  previous  years  to  purchase,  with  the  consent  of  the  Russian  Gov¬ 
ernment,  reindeer  in  Siberia,  and  bring  them  to  Alaska  free  of  duty 
and  without  inspection  of  the  animals. 

From  the  accompanying  letter  of  the  Commissioner  of  Education, 
who,  under  the  assignment  of  business  in  this  Department,  has  charge 
of  educational  matters  in  that  district,  it  will  be  seen  that  he  has  been 
advised  by  the  collector  of  customs  at  Sitka,  Alaska,  that  hereafter 
reindeer  imported  for  use  in  Alaska  must  first  be  inspected  at  San 
Diego,  Cal.;  furthermore,  it  has  been  intimated  to  the  Department 
that  reindeer  imported  into  this  country  are  subject  to  duty. 

To  transport  reindeer  from  Siberia  to  San  Diego,  Cal. ,  for  inspec¬ 
tion,  a  distance  of  between  3,500  and  4,000  miles,  and  thence  to  Alaska, 
means  the  expense  of  transportation  of  approximately  X,000  miles  as 
against  approximately  200  miles  in  bringing  the  animals  from  Siberia 
directly  to  Alaska.  This  would  increase  the  cost  of  the  animals  fully  50 
per  cent,  making  the  deer  cost  anywhere  from  $100  to  $200  per  capita. 

In  addition  to  the  expense,  which  would  be  prohibitive,  considering 
the  fact  that  the  entire  appropriation  for  expenses  connected  with  the 
introduction  of  reindeer  is  but  $25,000,  it  is  quite  probable  that  from 
one-fourth  to  one-half  of  the  herd,  in  all  likelihood,  would  be  killed 
by  the  journey. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  the  Department  during  the  present  season, 
instead  of  sending  its  representative  to  Siberia  to  bring  reindeer  to 
Alaska,  to  enter  into  a  contract  with  the  Northwestern  Commercial 
Company  for  the  delivery  in  good  condition  at  Teller  reindeer  station, 
at  a  date  not  later  than  September  1,  1903,  of  400  healthy  female  rein¬ 
deer  not  over  6  years  of  age. 

In  the  interest  of  this  service,  therefore,  I  have  the  honor  to  request 
that  instructions  be  issued  to  the  collector  of  customs  for  the  district 
of  Alaska  to  permit  reindeer  purchased  by  the  Government  to  be 
landed  at  the  Teller  reindeer  station  in  Alaska  by  direct  importation 
from  Siberia,  they  to  be  inspected  at  that  point,  and  the  requirements 
of  the  regulations  as  to  the  inspection  at  San  Diego  be  waived  in  this 
respect. 

It  is  understood  that  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture,  in  event  of  an 
exception  such  as  is  herein  desired,  will  send  an  inspector  to  make  the 
required  examination. 

In  this  connection,  it  is  further  requested  that  if  it  is  found  that  the 
reindeer  imported  by  the  Government  for  use  in  connection  with  the 
Alaskan  school  service  are  subject  to  duty,  such  instructions  be  given 
to  the  collector  of  customs  for  the  district  of  Alaska  as  will  result 
in  the  admission  of  the  animals  without  payment  of  the  duty  at  the 
place  of  entry,  the  bill  for  the  customs  duties  covering  the  animals 
imported  to  be  forwarded  to  this  Department  for  adjustment. 


154  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


1  have  this  day  called  the  attention  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture 
to  this  matter,  with  a  view  to  securing  the  detail  of  a  representative 
of  his  Department  to  inspect  the  deer  upon  their  arrival  in  Alaska. 
Yery  respectfully, 

E.  A.  Hitchcock,  Secretary. 


The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 


Treasury  Department, 

Office  of  the  Secretary, 

Washington ,  March  6 ,  1903. 

Sir:  The  Department  is  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  2d  instant, 
in  which  you  inquire  whether  reindeer  can  be  imported  into  the  United 
States  for  breeding  purposes  without  payment  of  duty. 

In  reply,  I  have  to  state  that  while  paragraph  473  of  the  act  of  July 
24,  1897,  as  amended  by  the  act  of  March  3, 1903,jirovides  for  the  free 
entiy  of  animals  for  breeding  purposes,  it  is  also  provided  that  no  such 
animal  shall  be  admitted  free  unless  pure  bred  of  a  recognized  breed, 
and  duly  registered  in  the  books  of  record  established  for  that  breed. 
As  no  books  of  record  are  established  for  reindeer,  such  animals  can 
not  be  imported  free  of  duty  for  the  purposes  mentioned. 

Respectfully, 

R.  B.  Armstrong,  Assistant  Secretary. 

Mr.  F.  G.  Kimball, 

Manhattan ,  Kans. 


Northwestern  Commercial  Company, 

Pioneer  Building, 

Seattle ,  Wash. ,  March  7J,  1903.  ■  j 
My  Dear  Sir:  In  re  reindeer  in  Alaska.  Collector  Jarvis,  of 
Alaska,  has  just  arrived  in  Seattle,  en  route  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  and 
I  have  had  an  interview  with  him  in  connection  with  our  Siberian  and 
Alaskan  matters.  Among  other  things,  he  informs  me  that  there  is  a  ;■ 
duty  on  reindeer  imported  into  the  United  States  which  applies  equally  j! 
well  to  Government  reindeer  as  to  those  to  private  parties.  This  was  ! 
news  to  me,  and  the  matter  I  had  not  investigated,  and  I  should  appre¬ 
ciate  it  very  much  if  you  will  take  up  the  matter  with  the  proper 
authorities  in  Washington  and  either  arrange  for  the  rescinding  of  the 
duties  so  far  as  the  Government  importation  is  concerned,  or,  if  that  is 
not  allowable,  then  for  the  payment  of  the  same  in  Washington.  I 
shall  be  very  glad  to  hear  from  you  in  connection  with  the  matter  at 
your  convenience. 

Mr.  Rosene  has  just  arrived  in  New  York,  on  his  return  from  St.  j 
Petersburg,  and  informs  us  that  the  Russian  Government  has  granted 
us  a  special  permit  covering  Government  reindeer  for  which  you  have 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  155 


contracted  with  us.  We  wish,  if  possible,  to  cover  every  contingency 
that  could  arise  in  connection  with  this  shipment,  so  that  we  may  not 
be  hampered  or  detained  by  any  details  left  unarranged  in  the  matter. 

Any  suggestions  or  inf ormation  from  you  at  any  time  will  be  accept¬ 
able.  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Northwestern  Commercial  Companv. 
Wm.  T.  Perkins. 

Hon.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Bureau  of  Education ,  Department  of  the  Interior , 

Washington ,  I).  C. 


GOVERNOR  BRADY  ON  THE  REINDEER. 

The  Hon.  John  G.  Brady,  governor  of  Alaska,  in  his  annual  report 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  for  1893,  writes: 

It  is  reported  that  on  June  30,  1903,  there  was  an  aggregate  of  6,150  domestic  rein¬ 
deer  in  Alaska,  including  1,600  fawns  horn  in  the  spring  of  1903.  These  reindeer  are 
kept  in  10  principal  herds  and  are  owned  in  part  by  82  persons,  of  which  number  58 
are  Eskimos  and  5  Laplanders. 

This  work  of  the  introduction  of  domestic  reindeer  for  that  northern  country  has 
been  from  year  to  year  the  subject  of  hostile  criticism  and  derision  for  some  who 
really  know  as  little  about  it  or  its  processes  as  they  know  about  the  aurora  borealis. 
-It  is  reassuring,  however,  when  one  reads  the  opinions  of  men  who  have  been  in  the 
country  for  a  number  of  years  and  who  are  thoroughly  independent  of  any  outside 
influence. 

D.  A.  McKenzie,  United  States  commissioner  at  Coldfoot,  who  has  once  before 
been  quoted  in  this  report,  says: 

“  Reindeer  are  perhaps  the  greatest  practicable  means  of  helping  the  natives.  We 
have  thousands  of  acres  of  reindeer  ground .  There  has  been  a  great  deal  of  adverse 
criticism  of  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson  and  his  introduction  of  reindeer  into  Alaska.  I 
will  say  that  after  investigating  the  reindeer  farms  I  am  convinced  that  their  impor¬ 
tation  is  the  best  thing  that  possibly  could  have  happened  far  Alaska.” 

Congress  has  been  criticised  heretofore  for  making  appropriations  for  this  purpose, 
but  we  earnestly  hope  that  it  will  wisely  continue  to  foster  this  industry,  until  that 
whole  northern  region  has  become  stocked  with  those  animals,  which  are  so  wonder¬ 
fully  adapted  to  that  country.  No  doubt,  in  years  to  come  persons  will  rise  up  and 
bless  the  memories  of  those  who  have  been  so  farsighted  as  to  provide  animals  that 
have  so  much  in  them  to  make  life  endurable  in  those  regions. 


BRIG.  GEN.  FREDERICK  FUNSTON,  U.  S.  ARMY,  CONCERNING  REIN¬ 
DEER. 

Brig.  Gen.  Frederick  Funston,  U.  S.  Army,  in  an  official  report  to 
the  Adjutant-General  United  States  Army,  referring  to  the  present 
condition  of  the  Eskimos  in  Alaska  and  their  future,  writes  concerning 
the  reindeer: 

I  was  unable  to  visit  the  reindeer  station  at  Port  Clarence,  and  consequently  can 
not  speak  of  the  success  of  that  institution  from  personal  knowledge.  Full  informa¬ 
tion  regarding  the  introduction  of  the  reindeer  into  Alaska  can  be  had  from  the 


156  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


reports  of  I)r.  Sheldon  Jackson,,  of  the  Bureau  of  Education,  who  for  some  years  has  i 
had  charge  of  the  importation  of  those  animals  and  their  distribution  among  the 
natives  and  the  instruction  of  the  latter  in  their  care  and  use.  It  is  the  general 
opinion  of  most  of  those  whom  I  interviewed  that  this  enterprise  will,  under  favor-  [■ < 
able  conditions,  remove  any  cause  which  may  now  exist  for  destitution  among  those  j 
people,  but  the  work  is  necessarily  slow,  and  it  must  be  years  before  the  reindeer  J 
can  be  in  general  use  throughout  such  portions  of  Alaska  as  are  suited  to  them. 
******* 
Obviously,  if  the  Eskimos  were  placed  under  control  of  the  Department  of  the 
Interior  the  work  of  introducing  Siberian  reindeer  and  instructing  the  natives  in  j 
their  care  and  use  should  be  done  by  the  same  Department,  in  order  to  obtain  the  ji 
best  results  and  avoid  friction.  The  introduction  of  reindeer  should  be  pushed  as  j 
much  as  possible  and  the  natives  compelled  to  care  for  them. 

Under  no  circumstances  should  rations  be  distributed  gratuitously.  So  far  as  their  'jj 
mental  development  is  concerned  the  Eskimo  is  a  mere  child,  and  should  be  treated  | 
as  one.  He  should  be  compelled  to  obey,  and  his  own  whims  and  wishes  ignored. 


JUDGE  JAMES  WICKERSHAM  ON  THE  IMPORTANCE  OF  REINDEER 

FOR  ALASKA. 

T 

Department  of  Justice, 

United  States  District  Court, 

Third  Division,  District  of  Alaska, 

Eagle  City ,  Alaska ,  August  16,  1903. 

Dear  Sir:  This  letter  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Mr.  D.  A.  McKen¬ 
zie,  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Alaska  and  now  the  commissioner  at 
Coldfoot,  on  the  Koyukuk  River.  Mr.  McKenzie  is  well  known  to  I 
me,  and  I  recommend  him  to  you  as  a  man  worthy  of  your  confidence  j 
and  esteem.  He  visits  W ashington  upon  business,  but  also  to  see  y ou  in 
relation  to  securing  reindeer  for  one  of  his  Indian  friends  on  the  Koy-  j 
ukuk.  His  friendship  for  the  natives  and  his  intimate  knowledge  of 
their  needs  leads  me  to  believe  that  you  can  assist  him  in  the  matter 
which  he  will  explain  to  you,  and  be  assured  that  it  is  for  the  good  of 
the  Indians.  Mr.  McKenzie  has  no  personal  interest  other  than  to 
help  them  become  self-supporting.  After  a  careful  study  of  the  rein¬ 
deer  question  it  is  my  judgment  that  they  are  the  future  live  stock  of  this 
country.  Your  labors  in  that  direction  will  be  a  lasting  monument  to 
you  and  greatly  to  the  benefit  of  the  future  inhabitants  of  this  region. 

Respectfully, 

James  Wickersham,  District  Judge. 

Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Washington ,  D.  C. 


UNITED  STATES  COMMISSIONER  D.  A.  McKENZIE  CONCERNING  REIN¬ 
DEER  AND  ESKIMOS  IN  ALASKA. 

February  16,  1904. 

Sir:  In  1898  the  first  permanent  white  settlement  was  made  on  the 
Koyukuk  River,  the  territory  and  section  of  Alaska  that  I  wish  }Tou 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  157 

to  take  under  consideration,  embracing  all  of  that  land  hung  north  of 
the  Yukon  River  and  west  of  the  international  boundary  line  extend¬ 
ing  through  the  mountain  region  to  the  mountains  west  of  the  Koyukuk, 
and  the  Arctic  Ocean  on  the  north.  This  territory  is  larger  than  the 
States  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania. 

The  writer  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  district,  having  located 
there  in  1898,  and  has  resided  there  continuously.  We  found  the 
Eskimo  Indians  friendly,  and,  in  fact,  delighted  to  see  the  white  men 
coming  into  their  country.  They  were  honest  and  hospitable,  had 
very  little  idea  of  white  men’s  ways  and  customs.  We  found  them 
living  in  log  cabins  along  the  stream  and  depending  upon  hunting  and 
fishing  for  food  and  clothing. 

During  my  residence  in  this  locality  I  became  ver}^  well  acquainted 
with  the  natives,  and  in  many  respects  found  them  superior  to  the  white 
man.  Our  Eskimos  never  use  tobacco  or  liquor,  and  are  honest  people. 
I  have  never  known  an  instance  of  theft  committed  by  them.  None  of 
them  have  ever  been  in  court  on  original  charges.  Their  only  appear¬ 
ance  in  court  has  been  a  few  instances  when  they  were  witnesses  for 
the  Government  against  their  white  brother. 

It  would  seem,  inasmuch  as  our  Government  assumed  the  respon¬ 
sibility  of  looking  after  these  people  when  it  purchased  Alaska  from 
Russia,  that  it  is  certainty  under  some  moral  obligation  to  look  after 
them  to  some  extent,  inasmuch  as  the  white  man  has  entered  upon 
their  hunting  grounds  and  in  a  great  measure  has  killed  off  caribou 
and-  moose,  which  furnished  the  larger  amount  of  their  food  and 
clothing. 

Assuming  that  the  officials  of  our  Government,  realizing  this  obliga¬ 
tion,  are  willing  to  aid  the  natives  of  Alaska  to  a  reasonable  degree, 
the  question  then  arises,  How  can  that  best  be  done  without  pauperiz¬ 
ing  the  natives,  and  at  the  same  time  be  an  aid  to  the  white  man  in  the 
development  of  this  vast  territory  ? 

The  occupation  of  the  white  man  in  this  country  is  placer  mining. 
The  mineral  belt  now  being  worked  extends  over  a  territory  of  80  or 
100  miles,  and  the  prospects  are  that  it  will  take  several  generations 
to  extract  the  wealth  from  this  district  alone,  which  is  a  very  small 
part  of  the  vast  territory  referred  to.  It  is  not  fair  to  presume  that 
this  is  the  only  rich  piece  of  ground  in  this  big  territory,  as  the 
prospectors  are  constantly  making  new  discoveries  and  extending  the 
gold  field. 

The  great  drawback  to  development  so  far  is  the  expense  of  food 
and  mining  machinery,  tools,  etc.  Let  me  first  explain  the  manner  in 
which  the  freight  is  brought  from  the  coast  cities  to  this  locality. 
Freight  is  taken  by  ocean  steamers  from  Seattle  to  St.  Michael,  a  dis¬ 
tance  of  2,725  miles,  where  it  is  reloaded  on  Yukon  steamers  and  carried 
a  distance  of  630  miles  up  the  Yukon  River  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Koyukuk,  thence  up  the  Koyukuk  in  a  small  but  powerful  steamer  a 


158  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

distance  of  540  miles  to  Betties,  the  end  of  steamer  navigation.  It  is 
then  transferred,  to  small  poling  boats  and  taken  60  miles  farther  np 
the  rapid  current  to  Coldfoot,  the  headquarters  of  the  miners  of  this 
region.  The  freight  alone  from  Betties  to  Coldfoot  is  10  cents  a 
pound.  It  is  then  perhaps  necessary  to  carry  these  goods  on  the 
back  of  pack  animals  a  distance  of  10  to  40  miles,  with  an  additional 
cost  of  from  10  tq  30  cents  a  pound. 

It  is  thus  easy  to  be  seen  that  with  these  necessarily  large  expenses 
for  food  and  clothing  the  development  of  this  country  must  be  slow, 
unless  some  cheaper  food  and  cheaper  transportation  can  be  arranged. 
This  can  be  accomplished  by  our  natives  with  the  reindeer. 

I  wish  again  to  refer  to  our  responsibility  to  the  native.  There  is 
no  question  in  my  mind  that  these  people  are  capable  of  being 
educated  to  the  highest  degree  of  civilization.  This  is  being  demon¬ 
strated  beyond  a  reasonable  doubt  at  the  Carlisle  Indian  School.  I 
was  the  fortunate  recipient  of  an  invitation  to  attend  the  commence¬ 
ment  exercises  of  this  school  on  the  17th  and  18th  of  this  month. 
Here  we  find  a  thousand  native  Americans  with  bright  and  happy 
faces,  indubitably  proving  by  looks  and  actions  that  their  hearts  are 
fired  with  a  determination  to  enter  the  great  family  of  American 
citizens,  and  demand  an  honorable  place  among  them.  It  has  not 
been  my  fortune  to  visit  any  white  school  where  better  order  pre¬ 
vailed;  each  individual  student  seemed  to  realize  that  he  or  she  was  j 
regarded  as  one  of  an  inferior  race  and  a  responsibility  rested  on  each  j 
one  to  demonstrate  to  the  white  man  that  when  given  the  opportunity 
they  could  climb  as  high  in  the  intellectual  world  as  their  white 
brothers  and  sisters.  They  seemed  to  have  great  love  and  respect  for 
their  teachers,  who,  being  inspired  by  the  grand  and  humane  work  in  j 
which  they  were  engaged,  are  capable  of  wonderful  powers,  and 
consequently  a  noble  ambition  has  been  inculcated  which  seems  to 
permeate  the  entire  school.  We  found  here  80  Alaskans,  and  some  of 
the  Eskimo  children  from  northern  Alaska,  but  I  could  not  recognize 
them  as  the  natives  of  a  neighborhood  in  which  I  have  resided  for  the 
last  six  years ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  this  personal  observation,  it 
would  have  been  difficult  to  conceive  how  this  wonderful  transforma¬ 
tion  could  be  brought  about. 

But  to  lay  aside  sentimental  consideration,  I  will  attempt  to  show 
that  it  would  be  a  first-class  business  proposition  to  establish  a  school 
in  the  Koyukuk  Valley  and  teach  the  native  children  some  rudiments 
of  English,  and  show  them  how  to  produce  the  vegetables  that  will 
thrive  in  that  section.  Reindeer  should  be  loaned  to  the  natives,  and 
they  should  be  instructed  in  the  management  of  them.  They  should 
be  made  to  feel  the  responsibility  of  ownership  as  soon  as  possible; 
we  should  crowd  upon  them  all  the  responsibility  of  every  kind  as 
fast  as  they  will  absorb  it.  With  the  knowledge  of  vegetable  growing 
and  with  a  herd  of  reindeer  the  native  will  be  in  a  position  not  only  to 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  159 


feed  himself  and  family,  but  also  to  supply  the  white  miner  with  fresh 
vegetables  and  meat,  which  are  necessary  to  insure  health  in  this 
isolated  community  where  this  class  of  food  can  not  be  obtained. 
Before  it  had  been  ascertained  that  vegetables  would  grow  that  far 
north,  I  paid  $16  for  20  pounds  of  fresh  potatoes.  Thirty  dollars  was 
all  the  money  I  had  at  the  time,  and  if  the  trader  had  held  me  up  a 
little  harder  I  would  have  given  him  my  entire  capital  for  that  same 
20  pounds  of  potatoes.  1  might  add  that  at  that  time  1  had  not  tasted 
any  fresh  vegetables  for  three  years. 

Miners  will  not  take  the  time  in  this  country  to  tend  a  garden, 
neither  will  they  herd  reindeer;  so  with  these  industries  in  the  hands 
of  the  native  he  will  not  be  competing  with  his  white  brother. 

I  will  offer  this  illustration  to  show  what  the  reindeer  will  do  for 
the  miner:  Suppose  that  two  miners  desired  to  prospect  the  territory 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  Koyukuk  mining  camp  this  coming  summer. 
It  will  be  necessary  to  purchase  two  horses — say  at  Seattle  -pay 
transportation  to  the  Koyukuk.  The  animals  would  stand  them  in 
about  $500  or  $600  each,  and  if  they  should  prove  to  be  number  one 
pack  animals,  the  two  horses  will  be  able  to  move  a  small  supply  of 
food  and  tools,  sa}^  150  to  200  miles,  after  the  summer  work  returning 
to  the  supply  station  in  the  fall,  or  at  the  end  of  the  sluicing  season, 
but  owing  to  the  great  cost  of  hay  and  grain  the  horses  must  be  killed. 

Now  suppose  the  two  miners  referred  to,  instead  of  purchasing 
horses  at  such  great  cost,  had  purchased  say  10  reindeer  at  a.  cost  of 
$100  each;  on  the  backs  of  these  deer  can  be  packed  more  than  twice 
the  amount  the  two  horses  could  take.  Then  the  miners  having 
slaughtered  a  portion  of  the  deer  for  food  during  the  summer  with  the 
remainder  of  the  team  return  with  live  or  ten  thousand  in  dust  that 
these  men  were  enabled  to  dig  through  the  assistance  of  the  reindeer. 
On  the  return  of  the  deer  to  winter  quarters  they  can  be  turned  out 
with  the  general  herd  and  at  a  trifling  cost  be  wintered  and  ready  for 
another  season’s  work.  The  trained  deer  may  be  used  during  the 
winter  before  the  sled. 

We  have  millions  of  acres  of  the  best  kind  of  reindeer  pasture  going 
to  waste  and  not  doing  anyone  any  good  except  to  feed  the  wild  game 
which  now  furnishes  food  for  both  white  and  red  men.  In  a  few  years 
the  game  will  be  exhausted,  then  the  reindeer  will  be  indispensable. 

I  have  heard  many  criticisms  about  the  reindeer,  but  invariably  by 
men  that  had  no  knowledge  of  the  deer  or  by  persons  that  reside  in 
localities  where  the  necessity  for  these  animals  does  not  exist. 

If,  Mr.  Secretary,  you  were  talking  with  a  resident  of  southeastern 
or  southern  Alaska,  he  would  probably  tell  you  that  the  reindeer  were 
not  a  necessity  in  Alaska.  This  person  resides  within  the  sound  of  a 
steamboat  whistle  and  can  purchase  domestic  meat  and  fresh  vegeta¬ 
bles  at  a  trifle  over  Seattle  prices.  The  people  of  Nome  are  not  eager 


1G0  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


for  the  deer  as  are  residents  in  the  interior,  as  they  have  the  opportu¬ 
nity  to  get  fresh  meats  from  cold  storage  ships  at  a  small  cost;  but  all 
the  people  of  the  interior  of  Alaska  need  the  reindeer,  and  without 
them  immense  territories  will  not  be  developed  for  many  years  to 
come,  if  at  all. 

I  have  also  heard  some  criticism  of  the  amount  of  money  expended 
by  the  Government  on  the  introduction  of  reindeer.  I  will  challenge 
any  individual  or  company  doing  business  in  Alaska  to  make  a  show¬ 
ing  that  the}r  did  not  squander  or  waste  more  money  buying  inexperi¬ 
ence  than  the  Government  has  in  establishing  the  reindeer  industry. 
It  must  be  remembered  that  we  had  no  Americans  experienced  in 
reindeer  raising  prior  to  the  time  that  the  Government  took  hold  of 
this  industry,  and  it  could  not  be  expected  that  novices  could  produce 
the  results  that  experience  furnishes. 

Now  we  have  both  white  and  native  Americans  who  understand  this 
industry,  and  future  results  will  be  satisfactory.  Persons  who  have 
carefully  inspected  reindeer  farms  are  well  satisfied  with  the  experi¬ 
ment. 

In  behalf  of  the  miners  who  can  not  personally  appear  before  you, 
I  ask  that  you  have  a  school  for  the  natives  established  at  Betties,  on 
the  Koyukuk  River;  also  that  the  reindeer  and  vegetable  industries 
be  introduced  as  soon  as  proper  arrangements  can  be  made.  Surely 
central  Alaska  can  offer  stronger  arguments  for  the  deer  than  any 
other  section,  and  the  industry  should  be  forced  ahead  as  rapidly  as 
possible.  It  should  be  remembered  that  in  helping  the  Alaskan  miner 
you  are  not  aiding  a  competitor  of  the  farmer  or  manufacturer  in  the 
United  States.  We  will  send  him  a  new  dollar  that  has  never  been 
used  before  for  his  bacon,  corn,  wheat,  clothing,  machinery,  etc.  We 
believe  that  the  reindeer  subject  should  receive  your  careful  consider¬ 
ation,  and  that  by  proper  nursing  and  encouragement  it  can  be  made 
of  as  much  importance  to  Alaska  as  sheep  raising  is  to  eastern  Wash¬ 
ington  and  Oregon. 

Post-office  address,  Coldfoot,  Alaska. 

Very  respectfully,  yours, 


D.  A.  McKenzie. 


The  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


LETTER  OF  JUDGE  JAMES  WICKERSHAM,  FORWARDING  A  LETTER 
FROM  MR.  E.  L.  BOSQUI,  COMMISSIONER  FROM  COLVILLE  RIVER. 

Department  of  Justice, 

United  States  Distict  Court, 

Third  Division,  District  of  Alaska, 

Valdez ,  Alaska ,  November  17,  1903. 
My  Dear  Sir:  Herewith  I  forward,  for  your  information,  a  copy  of 
a  letter  wThich  I  have  just  received  from  Mr.  E.  L.  Bosqui,  commis- 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  161 


sioner  from  the  Colville  River,  on  the  arctic  shore  of  Alaska.  1  send 
yon  this  copy  by  reason  of  your  interest  in  the  report  which  he  makes 
in  relation  to  the  value  of  reindeer  in  that  particular  region. 
Respectfully, 

James  Wickersham,  District  Judge . 

Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson, 

Ccnnmissioner  Education ,  Alaska ,  Washington ,  D.  C. 


LETTER  OF  E.  L.  BOSQUI,  UNITED  STATES  COMMISSIONER. 

Jarvis,  Colville  River, 

March  3,  1303. 

Hon.  James  Wickersham, 

Valdez ,  Alaska. 

My  Dear  Judge:  As  1  have  a  chance  to  send  mail  out  to  connect 
with  the  Bear  in  August,  I  thought  a  few  lines  to  you  from  this  your 
northern  district  would  be  welcome.  I  left  Nome  on  the  Bear  J uly 
19,  1902,  and  after  a  delightful  trip  of  twenty-one  days  reached  Point 
Barrow.  We  made  short  stops  at  Port  Clarence  and  Prince  of  Wales, 
and  then  steamed  across  to  the  Siberian  coast  and  visited  Indian  Point, 
St.  Lawrence  Bay,  and  East  Cape.  At  each  point  the  ship  was  visited 
by  natives.  A  more  filthy  lot  of  human  beings  never  was  seen;  some 
few  of  our  natives  are  bad  enough,  but  nothing  to  be  compared  to 
these.  The  missionaries  on  our  side  deserve  a  great  deal  of  credit, 
and  to  better  judge  a  person  should  visit  the  villages  on  both  coasts; 
a  vast  difference  in  the  condition  is  then  perceptible.  At  Point  Barrow 
I  met  with  my  first  setback.  My  intention  was  on  reaching  Point 
Barrow  to  employ  natives  to  take  my  outfit  into  the  Colville,  but  there 
was  not  an  able-bodied  native  at  the  Point.  An  epidemic  had  been 
raging  along  the  coast  and  several  deaths  had  already  occurred,  and  by 
October  15,  sixty-seven  days  afterwards,  the  death  rate  was  over  100. 
Doctor  Marsh,  missionary  and  physician,  and  Charles  I).  Brower, 
worked  day  and  night  assisting  the  poor  creatures  and  no  doubt  saved  a 
great  many.  I  was  obliged  to  remain  at  Point  Barrow  from  August  12 
to  November  23,  when  Doctor  Marsh,  who  has  charge  of  the  reindeer, 
came  to  my  rescue  and  proposed  a  trial  with  deer,  as  they  had  never 
been  used  in  Alaska  for  this  purpose,  especially  such  a  long  journey. 
He  was  anxious  to  prove  to  the  Government  that  they  could  be  put  to 
other  uses  than  food  and  clothing.  About  this  time  I  felt  somewhat 
discouraged,  realizing  that  by  remaining  at  Point  Barrow  all  winter 
and  starting  out  in  the  summer  to  reach  my  destination,  I  would  lose 
the  entire  season  of  1903.  We  immediately  went  to  work,  had  sleds 
built,  harness  made,  and  on  the  23d  of  November,  1902,  we  started 
out,  36  deer,  20  sleds  (sleds  carried  about  250  pounds  each,  1  deer 


162  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

to  sled),  dog  team  of  8  dogs,  5  natives,  my  deputy  and  myself.  It  was 
a  case  of  breaking  deer  for  several  days,  and  afterwards  a  case  of  keep¬ 
ing  warm,  a  difficult  thing  with  the  thermometer  ranging  from  40°  to 
50°  below  zero.  We  expected  to  make  the  trip  in,  about  fifteen  days, 
but  it  was  just  thirty  days  before  we  reached  the  Colville.  It  was  not  , 
so  bad  during  the  day  while  traveling,  but  making  and  breaking  camp 
was  awful.  We  had  but  a  few  hours  daylight,  the  sun  having  disap-  ' 
peared  November  19  (to  hide  away  for  sixty  days).  This  accounted  for  | 
length  of  time  on  the  trail,  as  it  was  impossible  to  travel  more  than 
four  or  five  hours  a  day.  We  kept  along  the  coast  most  of  the  trip, 
cutting  from  point  to  point,  and  struck  inland  at  Harrison  Bay,  three  ' 
days  before  reaching  here,  and  this  is  where  the  deer  had  it  hard. 
Soft  snow  does  not  agree  with  them,  and  we  lost  three,  simply  dropped  ! 
and  died;  as  dog  feed  had  given  out  they  were  useful  for  feed.  In  a 
country  like  this,  no  road  houses  or  settlements,  I  must  say  4 4  give  me 
deer  in  preference  to  dogs.”  This  dog-feed  proposition  is  a  hard  one;  ! 
a  man  can  not  make  a  long  journey  and  pack  provisions  for  himself 
and  sufficient  dog  feed.  Altogether  the  deer  were  a  success.  We  had 
deer  four  or  five  years  old  and  broke  them  on  the  trail;  this  all  took 
time  and  delayed  us.  With  well-broken  deer  the  same  journey  could 
be  made  in  twelve  or  fifteen  days. 

Marsh  has  agreed  to  keep  the  deer  on  the  trail  until  the  whole  outfit 
of  17  tons  reaches  me.  Arriving  here  in  midwinter  has  caused  us  1 
many  inconveniences.  It  was  impossible  to  find  any  wood  above  the  ij 
snow;  so  we  were  obliged  to  put  up  a  12  by  14  tent,  banking  it  in  with 
snow  and  brush,  and  I  must  say  we  have  been  very  comfortable.  But 
living  in  a  tent  in  this  country  is  no  summer  outing.  Gathering  wood  ; 
gives  us  plenty  of  exercise,  so  I  guess  we  will  pull  through  until  sum¬ 
mer,  when  we  will  rebuild  a  good  house.  W e  are  located  at  the  ltkilik 
River,  about  70  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Colville.  Around  us  are  .> 
several  igloos  0  containing  20  natives,  and  the  town  of  Jarvis  is  now  pre-  I 
pared  to  receive  the  summer  rush.  The  river  at  this  point  is  about  a  u 
half  mile  wide  and  from  indications  carries  an  immense  volume  of  water 
in  the  early  summer.  Willows  in  abundance  can  be  found  on  the  Col-  J 
ville  and  all  its  tributaries  and  coal  in  several  localities.  We  will  sam-  I 
pie  the  coal  early  in  the  summer  and  I  will  send  you  report  regarding  ';j 
same.  The  natives  along  the  river  are  in  a  destitute  condition,  living  j 
solely  on  a  fish  diet  from  about  December  to  July.  At  present  I  ' 
should  judge  that  there  are  about  50  in  all  along  the  river.  They  leave 
here  in  July  and  gather  at  the  mouth  of  the  Colville  or  at  Beechy  | 
Point,  about  10  miles  to  the  eastward,  where  they  remain  all  summer 
trading  with  passing  vessels.  Instead  of  trading  for  Hour,  etc.,  it  is  1 
whisky.  Last  year  McKenzie  (Captain  Jarvis  knows  him  of  old)  j 
arrived  there  first  and  did  a  land-office  business,  his  chief  article  of  > 


a  Native  huts. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  163 


trade  being  whisky.  Leaving  here  as  they  do  early  in  the  season  and 
returning  in  October,  they  fail  to  put  up  a  supply  of  meat  or  fish  for 
the  winter.  On  our  arrival  here  they  crowded  around  and  wanted 
everything  in  sight.  I  have  given  them  several  good  talks  and  let 
them  understand  that  they  can  expect  nothing  from  the  white  man 
unless  they  do  something  for  themselves.  If  we  should  start  in  to 
feed  them  our  outfit  would  last  but  a  few  months  and  we  would  get  no 
thanks  for  it.  They  bring  around  useless  trinkets  to  trade  for  flour, 
sugar,  etc.,  but  no  furs;  these  are  saved  for  the  summer  trade  on  the 
coast.  I  intend  next  summer  to  explore  as  much  of  the  upper  river  as 
possible;  no  white  man  and  very  few  of  these  natives  have  been  any 
distance  from  here.  I  will  then  be  able  to  write  you  more  intelligently 
regarding  the  country.  W e  are  but  a  short  distance  from  the  foothills. 
Clear  days  they  can  be  seen  from  an  elevation;  from  the  coast  to  them 
I  should  judge  the  distance  to  be  about  100  miles.  At  Camden  Bay, 
about  120  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Colville  Liver,  the  mountains 
reach  the  coast  (Franklin  Mountains),  tints  forming  a  half  circle  from 
Icy  Cape  to  Camden  Bay,  forming  a  vast  basin  extending  along  the 
coast  DO  miles  and  inland  at  greatest  distance  about  200.  1  expect  to 

see  a  good  many  prospectors  in  here  next  summer.  The  country  is  a 
vast  one  and  it  will  take  years  to  thoroughly  prospect  it.  W e  have  pro¬ 
visions  for  a  three  years’  stay,  and  I  hope  at  the  expiration  of  that  time 
I  will  be  obliged  to  go  out  for  more.  As  soon  as  the  ground  com¬ 
mences  to  thaw  we  will  start  to  dig  our  summer  cache.  In  this  we 
commence  to  pile  ducks  and  geese,  and  later  deer  and  fish  for  winter 
use.  A  hole  is  dug  about  12  feet  deep  and  6  feet  square  and  covered 
with  willows  and  tundra  about  d  feet  above  the  surface;  entrance  is 
made  by  a  ladder  from  a  manhole  at  the  top;  in  this  way  everything  is 
kept  frozen  all  summer.  I  will  endeavor  to  induce  the  natives  to  fol¬ 
low  our  example,  but  I  am  afraid  the  work  will  not  agree  with  them. 
At  the  present  moment  a  couple  of  natives  are  watching  me  write  or 
talk  on  paper.  I  have  told  them  that  I  am  talking  to  the  big  Umalik 
(chief  or  captain);  they  wanted  to  know  when  he  would  come  in  and  if 
he  had  plenty  of  kowkow  (food).  W e  are  getting  quite  proficient  in  the 
language,  there  is  nothing  like  being  obliged  to  make  yourself  under¬ 
stood.  With  the  promise  of  writing  you  a  more  interesting  letter  at 
the  close  of  next  summer,  I  must  close  by  wishing  you  every  success 
in  your  new  district. 

******  * 
Yours,  very  truly, 

F.  L.  Bosqui. 

Hon,  James  Wickersham, 

Valdez ,  Alaska, 

8.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 12 


1G4  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

PAUL  DU  CHAILLU  INDORSES  THE  INTRODUCTION  OF  REINDEER 

INTO  ALASKA. « 

That  same  evening  (it  has  to  be  called  so  for  the  sake  of  distinction) 

I  stood  out  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  looking  at  the  fjord  and  Arctic 
Ocean.  Suddenly  Alaska  came  to  my  mind  *  *  *  and  I  said  to 

u^self,  “  Why  should  not  Alaska  have  its  fishing  towns,  settlements, 
and  hamlets,  like  those  of  Finmarken,  and  become  as  prosperous  as  ( 
the  country  I  have  traveled  through  ?  ”  There  is  a  wonderful  simi¬ 
larity  between  these  two  countries;  they  are  both  exactly  in  the  same 
latitude;  they  have  the  same  kind  of  barren  coast  bathed  by  a  warm 
stream,  and  both  have  fjords. 

Alaska  has  immense  shoals  of  codfish  and  herring  besides  salmon. 
Both  have  their  long  nights,  and  then  long  days  of  midnight  sun.  We  ; 
must  give  inducements  to  the  people  of  Finmarken  to  come  to  Alaska.  1 
They  will  find  in  their  new  country  something  similar  to  the  one  they  ; 
have  left,  and  they  will  enjoy  the  same  life.  California  and  Oregon  i 
will  provide  the  people  with  flour  and  send  them  delicacies  and  prod¬ 
ucts  of  their  State,  and  take  in  return  the  cod  and  herring.  The 
southern  American  countries  would  be  a  great  market  for  their  codfish. 

Then  1  thought  that  the  only  way  to  make  Alaska  prosperous  even-  ! 
tually  is  to  do  exactly  what  the  Swedes  and  Norwegians  have  done 
for  their  country  in  the  far  north.  The  fisheries  must  be  protected,  ! 
and  the  laws  regulating  them  must  be  enforced.  Then,  as  on  the 
Finmarken  coast,  towns,  hamlets,  and  fishing  settlements  will  rise  in 
the  course  of  time,  and  the  wealth  of  the  people  will  come  from  the  j 
fish — their  gold  from  the  sea.  Then  we  shall  have  more  American-  t 
born  sailors  to  man  our  ships.  *  *  * 

Then  we  must  import  many  reindeer  and  establish  the  same  laws  in  ! 
regard  to  them  and  their  pasture  as  the  Swedes  and  Norwegians  have  i 
done.  A  great  many  of  these  reindeer  must  be  broken  and  brought 
up  to  eat  reindeer  moss.  Samoides  and  Laplanders  must  be  induced  to 
come  to  Alaska;  they  know  how  to  take  care  of  the  reindeer;  they  are 
accustomed  to  law  and  order,  and  they  are  absolutely  honest.  *  *  * 

Wherever  there  is  a  little  good  grazing  land  houses  and  farms  of 
refuge  and  post  stations  where  reindeer  can  be  procured  must  be 
built  by  the  Government  in  the  interior,  so  that  people  can  find  refuge  : 
from  the  terrific  storms  that  blow  over  Alaska,  and  I  can  not  realize  ; 
how  they  could  be  fiercer  than  those  I  had  encountered  in  Finmarken. 
With  reindeer  and  skees  traveling  will  become  easy  and  good  dis¬ 
tances  will  be  made  in  a  short  time. 

a Extracts  from  “The  Land  of  the  Long  Night.”  Published  by  Charles  Scribner’s 
Sons,  New  York. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  165 


DECENNIAL  REVIEW  OF  THE  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER 

INTO  ALASKA. « 

By  Gilbert  H.  Grosvenor,  Editor  of  National  Geographic  Magazine. 

Twelve  years  ago  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson  brought  his  first  herd  of  16 
reindeer  across  Bering  Strait  from  Siberia  and  started  his  reindeer 
colony  at  Unalaska,  ofi  the  bleak  coast  of  Alaska.  Many  then  smiled 
at  the  experiment  and  declared  his  plan  for  stocking  the  great  barrens 
of  northwestern  Alaska  with  thousands  of  the  animals  which  for  cen¬ 
turies  had  been  indispensable  to  the  natives  of  Lapland  and  Siberia 
was  impracticable  and  wasteful  of  time  and  good  money.  But  the 
experiment  prospered  from  the  very  first.  Other  reindeer,  number¬ 
ing  nearly  1,000  in  all,  during  the  succeeding  years  were  brought  over 
from  Siberia.  To-day  there  are  nearly  6,000  head  in  the  various  herds 
distributed  along  the  Alaskan  coast  from  Point  Barrow  to  Bethel. 
The  existence  of  the  20,000  natives  of  northwestern  Alaska,  as  well  as 
the  success  of  the  miners  who  are  beginning  to  throng  into  the  interior 
of  the  territory  in  the  far  north,  are  dependent  upon  these  domestic 
reindeer;  their  clothing,  their  food,  their  transportation,  their  utensils, 
and  their  shelter  are  all  furnished  them  by  the  reindeer. 

The  reindeer  enterprise  is  no  longer  an  experiment,  although  still 
in  its  infancy.  There  are  400,000  square  miles  of  barren  tundra  in 
Alaska  where  no  horse,  cow,  sheep,  or  goat  can  find  pasture;  but 
everywhere  on  this  vast  expanse  of  frozen  land  the  reindeer  can  find 
the  long,  fibrous,  white  moss  which  is  his  food.  There  is  plenty  of 
room  for  10,000,000  of  these  hardy  animals.  The  time  is  coming 
when  Alaska  will  have  great  reindeer  ranches  like  the  great  cattle 
ranches  of  the  Southwest,  and  they  will  be  no  less  profitable. 

The  story  of  the  inception  and  growth  of  the  reindeer  enterprise  in 
Alaska  is  very  interesting  and  is  not  generally  known.  During  an 
extended  trip  of  inspection  of  the  missionary  stations  and  Government 
schools  in  Alaska,  in  the  summer  of  1890, &  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson  was 
impressed  with  the  fact  that  the  natives  in  arctic  and  subarctic  Alaska 
were  rapidly  losing  the  sources  of  their  food  supply.  Each  year 
the  whales  wTere  going  farther  and  farther  north,  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  natives,  who  had  no  steamships  in  which  to  pursue  them;  the 
walrus,  which  formerly  had  been  seen  in  herds  of  thousands,  were  dis¬ 
appearing;  the  seals  were  becoming  exterminated,  and  in  winter  the 
Eskimo  had  to  tramp  15  to  20  miles  out  on  the  ice  before  he  could 
catch  one.  The  modern  hunter,  with  his  steam  launches  and  rapid-fire 
guns,  had  found  the  whales,  walrus,  and  seals  such  easy  prey  that  he 
was  ruthlessly  destroying  them.  Also  the  wild  caribou,  that  the  native 

a  Reprinted  by  permission  from  the  National  Geographic  Magazine  for  April,  1903. 

&Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson  first  visited  Alaska  in  1877,  in  the  interest  of  schools  and 
nissions.  He  made  a  second  trip  in  1879.  Other  visits  followed,  and  since  his 
ippointment  as  general  agent  of  education  in  Alaska,  in  1885,  he  has  made  annual 
isits  to  the  Territory. 


166  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


had  easily  captured  before,  had  been  frightened  away  and  was  rarely 
seen. 

Not  only  was  the  Eskimo  losing  his -food,  but  what  in  an  arctic  cli¬ 
mate  is  no  less  important,  his  clothing  as  well.  The  whalebone,  the 
ivory  tusks  of  the  walrus,  the  sealskin,  and  the  oil  had  given  him 
means  of  barter  Avith  the  Siberian  traders  across  the  strait,  from  whom 
he  obtained  reindeer  skins  to  keep  him  warm  in  winter. 

Doctor  Jackson  saw  that  unless  something  was  done  at  once  the 
United  States  would  have  to  choose  between  feeding  the  20,000  and 
more  natives  or  letting  them  starve  to  death.  The  latter  course  was 
impossible;  the  former  rather  expensive,  as  supplies  would  have  to 
be  carried  some  3,000  miles  from  Seattle.  The  more  enterprising 
Siberian,  living  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  strait  under  practically  the  1 
same  conditions  of  arctic  cold,  got  along  very  nicely,  as  he  had  great 
herds  of  domestic  reindeer  to  fall  back  upon  when  game  was  scarce.  ! 
The  same  moss  which  covered  so  many  thousands  of  miles  of  the  plains  i 
of  arctic  Siberia  was  seen  everywhere  in  Alaska.  The  tame  reindeer  of 
Siberia  was  practically  the  same  animal  as  the  wild  caribou  of  Alaska, 
changed  by  being  domesticated  for  centuries.  Could  not  the  Eskimo 
be  made  self-supporting  by  giving  him  reindeer  herds  of  his  own? 

On  his  return  to  the  United  States,  during  the  winter  of  1891,  Dr. 
Sheldon  Jackson,  in  his  annual  report  to  Congress,  asked  for  an 
appropriation  to  provide  the  money  for  importing  a  few  deer.  Con-  '! 
gress  was  not  convinced  of  the  wisdom  of  such  action,  but  several 
private  persons  were  so  interested  that  they  placed  $2,000  at  Doctor 
Jackson’s  disposal  to  begin  the  experiment.  The  first  deer  were  brought 
over  that  year.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  Government  ( 
realized  the  importance  of  the  movement,  and,  in  1891,  appropriated  ! 
the  sum  of  $6,000  to  continue  the  work.  Later  the  appropriation  was 
increased,  and  during  the  last  several  years  has  amounted  to  $25,000 
annually. a 


a  Congressional  appropriations  for  the  introduction  into  Alaska  of  domestic  reindeer 
from  Siberia  are  as  follows: 


1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 


$6,  000 

1900 

7,  500 

1901 

7,  500 

1902 

12,  000 

1903 

12,  500 

12,  500 

Total 


$25, 000 
25,  000  • 
25, 000 

•25, 000 

- 1 

158, 000 


Congress  intrusts  the  general  charge  of  the  work  to  the  Bureau  of  Education,  of 
which  Dr.  William  T.  Harris  is  the  distinguished  head;  the  formulation  of  plans  and 
their  execution  is  intrusted  to  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson,  general  agent  of  education  in  t 
Alaska.  Doctor  Harris,  in  his  annual  reports  to  Congress,  has  vigorously  urged  the 
importance  of  the  work,  and  to  him  credit  is  due  for  a  large  share  of  its  success. 
Capt.  M.  A.  Healy  and  the  many  officers  of  the  Revenue-Cutter  Service,  whose 
vessels  have  year  after  year  carried  the  agents  of  the  Bureau  back  and  forth  and 
brought  the  reindeer  from  Siberia  without  charge,  have  also  contributed  to  the 
success  of  the  reindeer  enterprise. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  167 

The  Siberians  were  at  first  unwilling  to  part  with  any  of  their 
reindeer.  They  were  superstitious  and,  above  all,  afraid  of  compete 
tion  and  loss  of  trade  across  the  strait.  Capt.  M.  A.  Healy,  who  was 
commissioned  to  purchase  the  deer  in  1891,  was  obliged  to  sail  from 
village  to  village  for  1,500  miles  along  the  Siberian  coast  before  he 
found  an  owner  willing  to  barter  his  reindeer  for  American  goods. 
None  would  sell  the  deer  for  cash.  Of  recent  years  the  Siberians  have 
been  but  little  less  reluctant  to  part  with  their  deer,  though  they  could 
easily  spare  many  thousands  from  their  vast  herds  without  knowing  it. 

The  first  deer  brought  over  were  from  the  Chukches  herds — a  tough 
and  hardy  breed.  Two  years  ago  Lieutenant  Bertholf  was  commis¬ 
sioned  to  go  to  Siberia  and  try  to  purchase  some  of  the  Tunguse  stock, 
which  are  larger,  stronger,  and  sturdier.  Starting  from  St.  Petersburg, 
after  a  long  journey  across  Siberia,  much  of  it  by  sled,  he  succeeded 
in  purchasing  several  hundred  Tunguse  near  Ola,  hired  a  steamer, 
embarked  the  reindeer  at  Ola  with  2,500  bags  of  reindeer  moss,  and 
finally  landed  200  of  the  animals  in  good  condition  at  Port  Clarence. 
His  experiences  during  his  remarkable  journey  were  most  interesting, 
and  are  admirably  described  in  his  report  to  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson, 
published  in  1902. a 

TTTE  ESKIMO  AS  HERDERS. 

With  careful  training  the  Eskimos  make  excellent  herders.  They 
are  by  nature  good  imitators,  though  not  inventive,  and  readily  learn 
how  to  take  care  of  the  reindeer,  to  throw  the  lasso,  to  harness  and 
drive  the  deer,  and  to  watch  the  fawns.  Siberian  herders  were  at 
first  imported  to  teach  them,  and  later  the  more  intelligent  and  effi¬ 
cient  Laplanders,  who  have  learned  by  centuries  of  experience  to  give 
to  the  breeding  of  reindeer  the  care  that  we  give  to  the  breeding  of 
cattle.  In  the  winter  of  1898  63  Laplanders  and  their  families  volun¬ 
teered  to  go  to  Alaska,  the  United  States  Government  paying  the 
expenses  of  their  long  journey  of  10,000  miles.  .When  their  term  of 
enlistment  expired  some  reenlisted,  some  of  them  went  home  again, 
but  the  majority  turned  miners.  Everyone  will  be  glad  to  know  that 
at  least  two-thirds  of  the  whole  number  made  large  fortunes  in  the 
Cape  Nome  gold  fields. 

The  reindeer  herders  have  to  be  watchful.  Now  and  then  reckless 
miners  try  to  plunder  the  herds,  or  by  their  carelessness  set  fire  to  the 
moss.  A  fire  will  sweep  over  the  moss  barrens,  licking  up  every  fiber 
of  the  moss,  as  it  sweeps  over  our  western  prairies.  A  moss  fire  is  even 
more  destructive,  for  many  years  pass  before  the  moss  will  grow  again. 

At  the  end  of  a  year’s  service  the  Government  makes  a  gift  to 
deserving  herders  of  two  or  more  reindeer. 

a  Report  on  the  Introduction  of  Domestic  Reindeer  into  Alaska.  By  Sheldon  Jack- 
son,  LL.  D.,  1901.  Appendix,  Expedition  to  Siberia,  report  of  Lieut.  E.  P.  Bertholf, 

pp.  130-168. 


168  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


REINDEER  RAISING  AS  AN  INDUSTRY. 


When  one  considers  that  raising  reindeer  in  Alaska  is  simple  and 
the  profits  enormous,  one  is  surprised  that  as  yet  no  one  has  really 
gone  into  the  reindeer  business,  especially  at  Dawson,  where  a  rich 
market  awaits  the  reindeer  farmer. 

A  fawn  during  the  first  four  years  costs  the  owner  less  than  81  a 
year.  At  the  end  of  the  four  years  it  will  bring  at  the  mines  from 
850  to  $100  for  its  meat,  or  if  trained  to  the  sled  or  for  the  pack,  is 
easily  worth  8100  to  $150. 

The  fawns  are  very  healthy  and  but  few  die;  the  does  are  prolific, 
and  after  they  are  2  years  of  age  add  a  fawn  to  the  herd  each  year  for 
ten  years.  Last  year,  out  of  50  does  2  years  and  more  of  age  in  one 
herd,  48  had  fawns,  and  of  these  only  5  died,  3  of  which  were  lost 
through  accidents  or  by  the  carelessness  of  the  herder. 

The  reindeer  are  so  gregarious  and  timid  that  one  herder  can  easily 
guard  1,000  head.  The  herder  knows  that  if  a  few  stray  off  he  need 
not  look  for  them  as  they  will  soon  become  frightened  and  rejoin  the 
main  herd. 

The  does  make  almost  as  good  sled  deer  as  the  bulls  and  geldings. 
They  are  slightly  smaller  and  less  enduring. 

The  Chukches  deer  cost  in  Siberia  about  $4  a  head  for  a  full-grown 
doe  or  bull.  The  fawns  born  in  Alaska  are  larger  and  heavier  than 
the  parent  stock. 

The  Tunguse  deer  cost  nearly  $7.50  apiece.  By  the  addition  of  the 
Tunguse  breed  it  is  hoped  that  the  Alaska  stock  will  be  improved  and 
toughened. 

The  reindeer  cow  gives  about  one  teacupful  of  very  rich  milk,  nearly 
as  thick  as  the  best  cream,  and  making  delicious  cheese.  Mixed  with 
a  little  water  the  milk  forms  a  refreshing  drink.  The  Siberians  and 
Laplanders  save  the  blood  of  slaughtered  deer  and  serve  it  in  pow¬ 
dered  form.  From  the  sinews  tough  thread  is  obtained. 


REINDEER  EXPRESS. 


The  Alaskan  reindeer  can  hardly  equal  the  speed  of  the  Lapland 
deer,  which  Paul  du  Chaillu®  describes  as  making  from  150  to  200 
miles  a  day,  and  sometimes  20  to  25  miles  downhill  in  a  single  hour. 

A  pair  of  them  can  pull  a  load  of  500  to  700  pounds  at  the  rate  of  35  j 
miles  a  day  and  keep  it  up  weeks  at  a  time.  W.  A.  Kjellmann  drove 
his  reindeer  express  one  winter  95  miles  in  a  single  day. 

Reindeer  teams  during  the  past  winter  carried  the  United  States  •' 
mail  from  Nome  to  Candle  City,  on  the  Arctic  Ocean,  a  distance  of 
260  miles.  The  teams  had  heavy  loads  of  passengers  and  freight  and 
made  the  distance  in  eight  days.  Dog  teams  would  have  required 
fifteen  to  twenty  days  for  the  trip. 

aThe  Land  of  the  Long  Night,  Paul  du  Chaillu.  Chas.  Scribner’s  Sons. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  169 


The  reindeer  can  travel  at  night  as  well  as  in  the  daylight,  and  thus 
during  the  long  arctic  night  when  dogs  are  inefficient  transportation 
is  always  possible  with  a  reindeer  team. 

The  reindeer  make  good  packers  in  summer.  One  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds  is  a  fair  load.  They  also  can  be  ridden  in  the  saddle,  but 
not  with  much  comfort  until  the  rider  learns  how  to  adjust  himself. 
In  the  Tunguse  country  the  natives  use  their  deer  in  summer  as  we 
would  a  mule  or  horse.  It  is  no  uncommon  sight  to  see  a  Tunguse 
trotting  along  the  shore  deerback. 

Lieutenant  Bertholf  describes  the  caravans  of  reindeer  sleds  in 
northeastern  Alaska.  Over  1,000  sleds  leave  Ola  (see  map)  during  the 
winter  in  caravans  of  about  100  each.  A  caravan  of  100  sleds  is  man¬ 
aged  by  10  men.  Some  years  ago  the  Russian  Government  used 
horses  on  the  caravan  route  from  Ola  to  the  Kolirna  River,  but  recently 
substituted  reindeer,  and  now  save  $60,000  yearly  by  the  change. 

One  of  the  illustrations  shows  the  leaders  of  Lieutenant  Bertholf’s 
party  breaking  a  path  through  snow  that  reached  to  the  belly  of 
the  deer.  A  strong,  wiry  deer,  unmounted,  was  driven  first.  In  the 
deep  snow  he  could  advance  only  by  jumps,  but  his  leaps  broke  the 
way  somewhat  for  the  next  few  deer,  who  were  also  unmounted. 
After  a  dozen  or  more  unmounted  deer  had  passed  by,  deer  ridden  by 
a  boy  and  girl  broke  the  path  still  farther,  until  deer  with  heavy  loads 
could  pass.  Lieutenant  Bertholf  in  this  wa}7  broke  his  path  for  160 
miles  through  the  deep  snow. 

When  the  caravan  halts  the  deer  are  turned  out  to  pasture  untethered 
and  allowed  to  wander  as  they  will.  The  driver  uses  a  switch  to  touch 
up  the  slothful,  but  “some  of  the  old  deer  do  not  seem  to  mind  a 
switch  any  more  than  does  an  army  mule.” 

Another  illustration  shows  a  number  of  reindeer  digging  up  the 
snow  with  their  powerful  hoofs  to  get  at  the  moss  beneath  the  snow. 
As  soon  as  spring  comes  the  deer  abandons  his  diet  of  moss,  which 
seems  to  be  most  nutritive  in  winter,  for  willow  sprouts,  green 
grass,  and  mushrooms.  The  hoof  of  the  reindeer  is  as  wide  as  that 
of  a  good-sized  steer  and  prevents  him  from  settling  down  into  damp 
snow  or  miry  soil. 

REINDEER  LOANED  BY  THE  GOVERNMENT. 

The  United  States  Government  loans  a  certain  number  of  the  rein¬ 
deer  to  the  mission  stations  or  to  individuals  who  have  shown  their 
ability,  reserving  the  right,  after  three  or  five  years,  of  calling  upon 
the  mission  station  or  the  individual  for  the  same  number  of  deer  as 
composed  the  original  herd  loaned.  In  1891  the  Congregational  mis¬ 
sion  at  Cape  Prince  of  Wales  was  granted  the  loan  of  100  deer.  The 
mission  has  since  paid  back  the  loan  and  now  possesses  in  its  own  right 
1,000  head. 


170  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


A  few  of  the  herds,  notably  that  at  Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  have 
grown  so  large  that  the  owners  are  able  to  kill  off  some  of  the  extra 
males  for  food  for  the  families  of  the  herders  and  to  sell  others  to  the 
butchers  in  the  neighboring  mining  camps.  Last  year  deer  for  slaugh¬ 
ter  brought  from  $60  to  $100  each,  while  for  male  deer  trained  to  har¬ 
ness  miners  gave  as  much  as  $150  apiece.  The  herders  at  this  same 
station  earned  last  winter  $600  in  gold  for  freighting  with  their  rein¬ 
deer  to  the  mining  camps.  The  deer  were  worked  in  double-trace 
harness  like  horses,  and  hauled  on  sleds  790  pounds  each. 

Of  the  60  individual  owners  of  domestic  reindeer  in  Alaska  to-day, 
41  are  Eskimos.  Most  of  them  have  served  a  five-year  apprenticeship, 
and,  having  earned  their  deer,  are  competent  to  care  for  them. 

Each  owner  has  his  own  individual  mark,  which  is  branded  on  the 
left  or  right  ear  of  each  of  his  deer. 

IMPORTANCE  OF  REINDEER  TO  MISSION  STATIONS. 

The  Bureau  of  Education  hopes  that  in  time  each  mission  station 
will  possess  a  herd  of  at  least  5,000  head.  A  reindeer  herd  at  a  mis¬ 
sion  station  in  Arctic  or  sub- Arctic  Alaska  means,  says  Doctor  Jackson: 

First.  The  permanence  of  the  mission.  Without  it  the  natives  are  away  from 
home  a  larger  portion  of  the  year  in  search  of  food,  and,  since  the  advent  of  the 
miners,  are  inclined  to  leave  their  homes  and  congregate  in  the  American  villages 
at  the  mines,  where  they  live  by  begging  and  immorality  and  soon  disappear  from 
the  face  of  the  earth. 

Second.  It  affords  the  missionary  the  opportunity  of  rewarding  and  encouraging 
those  families  that  give  evidence  of  being  teachable  by  establishing  them  in  the 
reindeer  industry  and  thus  greatly  promoting  their  material  interests. 

Third.  With  the  increase  of  the  herd  it  becomes  a  source  of  revenue  through  the 
sale  of  the  surplus  males  at  remunerative  prices  to  the  miners  and  butchers.  In  a 
few  years  this  revenue  should  be  sufficient  to  entirely  support  the  mission  and 
thereby  relieve  the  treasury  of  the  central  Missionary  Society. 

Fourth.  The  possession  of  a  herd  insures  to  the  mission  family  a  continuous  sup¬ 
ply  of  fresh  meat.  This  to  a  family  which  is  compelled  to  live  largely  upon  salted 
and  canned  meats  and  canned  vegetables  is  of  no  small  benefit,  promoting  their 
comfort,  health,  and  usefulness. 

Fifth.  Reindeer  trained  to  harness  and  sleds  greatly  increase  the  efficiency  and  the 
comfort  of  the  missionary  in  ministering  to  outlying  native  settlements. 

REINDEER  FROM  LAPLAND. 

The  vast  majority  of  the  American  people  have  an  idea  that  the  rein¬ 
deer  experiment  in  Alaska  proved  a  failure  long  ago,  simply  because 
of  the  widely  advertised  unsuccessful  attempt  in  1898  of  bringing  deer 
from  Lapland.  Only  once  have  reindeer  been  brought  from  Europe 
for  Alaska,  and  that  attempt  was  unsuccessful,  not  because  the  rein¬ 
deer  could  not  live  in  their  new  home,  but  because  of  the  wretched 
transportation  given  them  from  Seattle  to  their  Alaskan  destination. 

In  December,  1897,  rumors  were  started  that  American  miners  in 
the  Yukon  Valley  were  in  danger  of  starvation.  Congress  appropri- 

' 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  171 

ated  a  large  sum  for  their  relief,  and  commissioned  Dr.  Sheldon  Jack- 
son  to  go  to  Norway  and  Sweden  to  purchase  500  reindeer  broken  to 
the  harness,  with  sleds,  harness,  and  drivers,  for  hauling  supplies  from 
the  head  of  Lynn  Canal  to  the  destitute  miners,  1,000  miles  away. 

Doctor  Jackson  reached  Europe  in  January,  purchased  526  trained 
deer,  gathered  68  Lapp  drivers  with  their  families,  embarked  them  all 
on  one  ship,  and  sailed  for  New  York  from  Trondhjem  February  4. 
Only  one  deer  died  on  the  voyage  of  twent}^-four  days,  though  the  trip 
was  a  most  tempestuous  one,  and  the  deer  in  pens  on  the  deck  were 
drenched  day  and  night  by  the  seas  that  broke  over  them.  At  New 
York  special  trains  met  the  expedition  and  carried  them  across  the 
continent  to  Seattle  without  the  loss  of  a  single  deer.  Then  the  trou¬ 
bles  began.  The  supply  of  moss  brought  from  Norway  became 
exhausted  and  the  deer  did  not  like  the  grass  of  Seattle.  There  was 
delay  in  securing  a  vessel  to  transport  the  expedition  to  the  head  of 
Lynn  Canal,  and  further  delays  at  Lynn  Canal,  and  no  moss  to  be  found 
there.  Nearly  300  of  the  reindeer  died  of  starvation  before  the  moss 
fields  at  the  head  of  the  Chilkat  River,  about  50  miles  from  Lynn 
Canal,  were  reached.  The  remaining  200  were  too  weakened  to  endure 
the  long  journey  to  the  Yukon  Valley,  and  the  relief  expedition  had 
to  be  abandoned,  but  fortunately  not  before  the  country  had  learned 
that  the  miners  in  the  Yukon  had  abundant  supplies,  and  that  the 
relief  expedition  had  been  unnecessary. 

The  Laplanders  who  had  been  brought  over  were  distributed  among 
the  reindeer  stations  and  employed  to  teach  the  natives. 

RELIEF  OF  WHALERS  AT  TOINT  HARROW. 

The  first  forcible  realization  of  the  wisdom  of  the  Government  in 
stationing  reindeer  herds  in  Alaska  came  to  the  American  people  in 
the  winter  of  1897-98.  In  the  fall  of  1897  word  was  received  that 
eight  whaling  ships  had  been  imprisoned  in  the  ice  near  Point  Barrow, 
and  that  the  400  American  seamen  aboard  were  stranded  without  food 
for  the  long  winter,  till  the  ice  should  open  in  July.  No  vessel  of 
relief  could  get  within  2,000  miles  of  the  party,  or  nearer  than  Denver 
is  to  Boston.  There  was  no  known  method  by  which  provisions  could 
be  dragged  overland.  If  the  Government  had  not  five  years  before 
commenced  the  introduction  of  the  reindeer,  most  of  these  400  men 
would  have  starved  to  death  before  help  reached  them.  Fortunately 
there  were  large  herds  of  reindeer  at  Cape  Nome  and  at  Cape  Rodney, 
over  1,000  miles  by  land  from  Point  Barrow,  or  farther  than  Chicago 
is  from  New  York.  The  Government  hurried  the  revenue-cutter  Bear 
north  from  Seattle,  carrying  three  brave  volunteers — Lieut.  David  H. 
Jarvis,  Lieut.  Ellsworth  P.  Bertholf,  and  Dr.  Samuel  J.  Call.  The 
three  men  were  landed  December  16, 1897,  at  Cape  Vancouver,  obtained 
some  dog  teams  from  the  natives,  and  commenced  their  dreary  journey 


172  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


of  2,000  miles  through  the  arctic  night  to  Point  Barrow.  They  col¬ 
lected  about  450  reindeer  from  the  herds  at  Rodney  and  Nome,  and 
then,  with  reindeer  instead  of  dog  sleds,  and  with  Mr.  W.  T.  Lopp, 
agent  of  the  American  Missionary  Society  at  Cape  Prince  of  Wales, 
and  Charley-  Arisartook,  a  native,  and  several  herders,  they  pushed  on 
through  the  storms  and  bitter  cold  of  an  arctic  winter,  driving  the 
deer  before  them.  After  a  journey  of  three  months  and  twelve  days, 
on  March  29,  1898,  they  reached  the  destitute  whalers,  just  in  time  to 
save  them  from  great  suffering  and  death. 

In  heroism,  pluck,  and  endurance  the  journey  of  these  men  has 
rarely  been  equaled.  Congress  voted  its  thanks  to  the  gallant  rescuers 
and  awarded  them  special  medals  of  honor,  but  in  the  excitement 
aroused  throughout  the  country  by  the  rapid  succession  of  events  of 
the  Spanish- American  war  their  work  was  almost  unnoticed. 

Since  that  time  a  reindeer  herd  has  been  kept  at  Point  Barrow,  so  j 
there  is  no  longer  danger  of  ice-imprisoned  whalers  perishing  from 
starvation.  The  experience  also  showed  the  faithfulness  of  the  Eskimo. 
Mr.  Lopp  had  left  his  wife  at  his  station,  the  only  white  person 
among  400  natives,  but  during  his  absence  of  nearly  five  months  she  ; 
received  nothing  but  constant  courtesy  and  kindness  from  them. 

DEVELOPMENT  OF  ARCTIC  AND  SUBARCTIC  ALASKA  DEPENDENT  ON  THE 

REINDEER. 

The  original  motive  in  bringing  the  reindeer  to  Alaska  was  purely  i 
philanthropic — to  give  the  native  a  permanent  food  supply. 

Since  then  the  discovery  of  large  and  valuable  gold  deposits  upon  jj 
the  streams  of  arctic  and  subarctic  Alaska  has  made  the  reindeer  a  ; 
necessity  for  the  white  man  as  well  as  for  the  Eskimo.  Previous  to 
the  discovery  of  gold  there  was  nothing  to  attract  the  white  settler  to  1 
that  desolate  region,  but  with  the  knowledge  of  valuable  gold  deposits  . 
thousands  will  there  make  their  home,  and  towns  and  villages  are  I 
already  springing  into  existence. 

But  that  vast  region,  with  its  perpetual  frozen  subsoil,  is  without 
agricultural  resources.  Groceries,  breadstuffs,  etc.,  must  be  procured  | 
from  the  outside.  Steamers  upon  the  Yukon  can  bring  food  to  the 
mouths  of  the  gold-bearing  streams,  but  the  mines  are  often  many 
miles  up  these  unnavigable  streams.  Already  great  difficulty  is  experi¬ 
enced  in  securing  sufficient  food  by  dog-train  transportation  and  the 
packing  of  the  natives.  The  miners  need  reindeer  transportation. 

Again,  the  development  of  the  mines  and  the  growth  of  settlements 
upon  streams  hundreds  of  miles  apart  necessitate  some  method  of  speedy  ■' 1 
travel.  A  dog  team  on  a  long  journey  will  make  on  an  average  from 
15  to  20  miles  a  day,  and  in  some  sections  can  not  make  the  trip  at  all, 
because  they  can  not  carry  with  them  a  sufficient  supply  of  food  for  the 
dogs,  and  can  procure  none  in  the  country  through  which  they  travel. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  173 


To  facilitate  and  render  possible  frequent  and  speedy  communication 
between  these  isolated  settlements  and  growing  centers  of  American 
civilization,  where  the  ordinary  roads  of  the  States  have  no  existence, 
and  can  not  be  maintained  except  at  an  enormous  expense,  reindeer  teams 
that  require  no  beaten  roads,  and  that  at  the  close  of  a  day’s  work  can 
be  turned  loose  to  forage  for  themselves,  are  essential.  The  introduc¬ 
tion  of  reindeer  into  Alaska  makes  possible  the  development  of  the 
mines  and  the  support  of  a  million  miners. 

The  reindeer  is  to  the  far  north  what  the  camel  is  to  the  desert 
regions — the  animal  which  God  has  provided  and  adapted  for  the  pecul¬ 
iar  special  conditions  which  exist.  The  greater  the  degree  of  cold 
the  better  the  reindeer  thrives.  Last  winter  a  party  with,  a  reindeer 
team  made  a  day’s  journey  with  the  temperature  at  73  below  zero. 
On  a  long  journey  through  an  uninhabited  country  a  dog  team  can  not 
haul  sufficient  provisions  to  feed  themselves.  A  deer  with  200  pounds 
on  the  sled  can  travel  up  and  down  the  mountains  and  over  the  plains, 
without  a  road  or  trail,  from  one  end  of  Alaska  to  the  other,  living  on 
the  moss  found  in  the  country  where  he  travels.  In  the  four  months’ 
travel  of  2,000  miles,  from  Port  Clarence  to  the  Kuskokwim  Valley 
and  back,  by  Mr.  W.  A.  Kjellmann  and  two  Lapps,  with  nine  sleds, 
1896-97,  the  deer  were  turned  out  at  night  to  find  their  own  provisions, 
except  upon  a  stretch  of  the  Yukon  Valley  below  Anvik,  a  distance  of 
40  miles. 

The  great  mining  interests  of  central  Alaska  can  not  realize  their 
fullest  development  until  the  domestic  reindeer  are  introduced  in  suffi¬ 
cient  numbers  to  do  the  work  of  supplying  the  miners  with  provisions 
and  freight  and  giving  the  miner  speedy  communication  with  the  out¬ 
side  world. 

The  reindeer  is  equally  important  to  the  prospector.  Prospecting 
at  a  distance  from  the  base  of  supplies  is  now  impossible.  The  pros¬ 
pector  can  go  only  as  far  as  the  100  pounds  of  provisions,  blankets, 
and  tools  will  last,  and  then  he  must  return.  With  10  head  of  rein¬ 
deer,  packing  100  pounds  each,  making  half  a  ton  of  supplies,  he  can 
go  for  months,  penetrating  regions  hundreds  of  miles  distant. 

FUTURE  OF  REINDEER  INDUSTRY. 

Even  if  no  more  reindeer  are  imported  from  Siberia,  if  the  present 
rate  of  increase  continues,  doubling  every  three  years — and  there  is  no 
reason  why  it  should  not — within  less  than  twenty-five  years  there  will 
be  at  least  1,000,000  domestic  reindeer  in  Alaska.  This  is  a  conserva¬ 
tive  estimate,  and  allows  for  the  deer  that  die  from  natural  causes  and 
for  the  many  that  will  be  slaughtered  for  food.  In  thirty-five  years 
the  number  may  reach  nearly  10,000,000  head,  and  Alaska  will  be  ship¬ 
ping  each  year  to  the  United  States  anywhere  from  500,000  to  1,000,000 
reindeer  carcasses  and  thousands  of  tons  of  delicious  hams  and  tongues. 


174  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

At  no  distant  day,  it  may  be  safely  predicted,  long  reindeer  trains 
from  arctic  and  subarctic  Alaska  will  roll  into  Seattle  and  our  most 
western  cities  like  the  great  cattle  trains  that  now  every  hour  thunder 
into  the  yards  of  Chicago.  Before  the  end  of  the  present  century 
Alaska  will  be  helping  to  feed  the  200,000,000  men  and  women  who 
will  then  be  living  within  the  present  borders  of  the  United  States. 


THE  CARIBOU. « 

By  Madison  Grant. 

The  name  caribou  is  one  of  the  few  names  manufactured  by  the 
American  pioneers  to  describe  an  animal  found  here.  Unlike  the 
name  moose,  which  is  of  Indian  origin,  caribou  is  a  modern  French- 
Canadian  corruption  of  4  4  carre-boeuf  ”■ — or  square  ox — a  word  not 
without  a  certain  descriptive  power.  The  Algonkin  equivalent  is 
an-en-a-dik. 

The  term  44  caribou”  is  properly  applied  to  all  the  American  species 
of  the  genus  Rangifer ,  while  the  word  4  4  reindeer  ”  is  limited  to  the 
Old  World  forms.  In  Europe,  however,  the  latter  name  covers  the 
entire  genus. 

The  origin  of  the  word  reindeer  is  of  considerable  interest.  The 
first  s}dlable,  rein  in  English,  raine  in  Dutch,  renne  in  French,  and 
renn-thier  in  German,  are  not  only  equivalents,  but  are  also  related 
to  the  Latin-French  form  rangi-fer.  The  Lapp  word  reino,  meaning 
pasturage,  should  also  be  noted.  Curiously  enough,  the  second  sylla¬ 
ble  of  reindeer,  rennthier,  and  rangifer  are  also  of  a  common  origin. 
Beginning  with  the  Greek  therion,  a  wild  beast,  we  have  Latin  ferurn 
b}T  the  metamorphosis  of  the  th  into  f,  and  both  equivalent  to  thier  in 
German;  and  this  latter  by  a  similar  transformation  of  the  th  into  d, 
becoming  deer  in  English. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

Before  going  into  a  detailed  description  of  the  genus,  it  may  be 
well  to  briefly  summarize  the  different  classifications  which  obtain  at 
present,  but  which  will  probably  be  subjected  to  considerable  altera¬ 
tion  in  the  future  by  new  discoveries.  Many  of  the  species,  especially 
those  of  the  extreme  north  of  America,  are  rapidly  diminishing  in 
numbers,  and  it  is  most  important  that  they  should  be  thoroughly 
studied  at  once. 

In  describing  the  genus  Rangifer ,  European  naturalists  have  until 
recently  held  that  there  was  but  one  species  with  a  circumpolar  distri¬ 
bution.  Lately,  however,  they  have  partly  yielded  to  the  American 
view,  and  admitted  the  existence  of  either  two  or  three  distinct  species. 

a  Reprinted  from  the  Seventh  Annual  Report  of  the  New  York  Zoological  Society. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  175 


In  the  former  case  they  identify  the  old  world  reindeer  with  the  Bar 
ren  Ground  Caribou,  to  which  indeed  it  is  closely  allied.  Judge  Caton 
made  a  very  serious  error  in  identifying*  the  reindeer  with  our  Wood¬ 
land  Caribou. 

The  most  recent  European  classification  is  as  follows: 

1.  Rangifer  tarandus  typicus. 

2.  Rangifer  tarandus  spitzbergensis . 

3.  Rangifer  tarandus  caribou. 

4.  Rangifer  tarandus  terrxnovse. 

5.  Rangifer  tarandus  grcenlandicus. 

6.  Rangifer  tarandus  arcticus. 

The  differences  between  these  types  entitle  them,  under  this  system, 
only  to  subspecific  rank.  This  classification  separates  the  Spitzbergen 
form  from  the  typical  Scandinavian  reindeer,  chiefly  on  the  ground  of 
its  smaller  size,  but  ignores  the  existing  Siberian  forms,  concerning 
which  very  little  authentic  information  is  available. 

The  writer  believes  that  all  the  existing  species  should  be  divided 
into  two  groups: 

I.  The  Barren  Ground  Caribou. 

II.  The  Woodland  Caribou. 

and  that  the  species  should  be  classified  as  follows: 

I.  Barren  Ground  Caribou. 


(a)  European  species. 

1.  Rangifer  tarandus ,  Northern  Europe  and  Siberia. 

2.  Rangifer  spitzbergensis ,  Spitzbergen. 

3.  Undescribed  Siberian  races,  Siberia. 


(6)  American  species. 


1.  Rangifer  grcenlandicus , 

2.  Rangifer  pearyi, 

3.  Rangifer  arcticus , 

4.  Rangifer  granti, 

5.  Rangifer  stonei, 

6.  Undescribed  American  races. 


Greenland. 

Ellesmere  Land. 

Extreme  north  of  America  and  the  Arc¬ 
tic  Islands. 

Alaskan  Peninsula. 

Cook  Inlet. 


II.  Woodland  Caribou. 


American 

1.  Rangifer  terrsenovse, 

2.  Rangifer  caribou , 

3.  Rangifer  montanus, 

4.  Rangifer  osborni, 

5.  Undescribed  American  forms, 


species. 

Newfoundland. 

Canada,  Maine,  west  to  Manitoba. 

Rocky  Mountains  from  Idaho  to  Central 
British  Columbia. 

Cassiar  Mountains  of  British  Columbia, 
northward. 

Alaska  and  Arctic  Canada. 


These  types  will  be  considered  in  detail  further  on. 


176  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


BASIS  OF  CLASSIFICATION. 

All  classification  is,  in  the  first  instance,  a  question  of  definition. 
To-day  nearly  all  the  large  North  American  mammals  are  undergoing 
a  systematic  revision.  There  is  a  wide  divergence  of  opinion  as 
to  whether  or  not  certain  departures  from  accepted  types  should  be 
recognized  as  species  or  merely  as  local  races.  The  determination  of 
this  question  naturally  depends  upon  the  importance  attached  by 
different  zoologists  to  the  characters  upon  which  distinctions  are  based. 

Most  of  the  distinctions  between  caribou  species  are  based  on  size, 
color,  and  antler  development.  The  writer  is  perfectly  aware  of  the 
uncertainty  of  any  of  these  tests.  Size  alone  does  not  often  form  a 
sufficient  reason  for  specific  distinction.  Color,  especially  in  an  animal 
subject  to  seasonal  variations,  is  apt  also  to  be  an  uncertain  factor, 
and  the  warning  of  Linnaeus — ne  nimium  crede  colori — has  been  too 
often  ignored  bv  zoologists. 

Antler  development  is,  if  anything,  a  more  variable  quantity  than 
either  of  the  preceding  characters.  There  is  a  wide  range  of  irregu¬ 
larity  in  the  antlers  of  all  deer,  reaching  what  is  perhaps  its  maximum 
among  the  various  groups  of  caribou.  Animals  in  the  same  heard  may 
differ  widely  in  this  respect.  Even  the  antlers  carried  in  the  successive 
years  of  an  animal’s  growth  may  and  often  do  vary,  and  the  two 
antlers  on  the  same  animal  may  not  be  symmetrical.  Nevertheless, 
within  the  extreme  limits  of  this  irregularity  there  are  certain  types 
of  architecture  which,  though  clearly  defined,  are  difficult  to  describe. 
This  is  true  of  nearly  all  the  genera  of  the  deer  family. 

The  antlers  of  the  Scandinavian  elk  and  of  the  two  species  of  moose  | 
are  generally  distinguishable,  as  are  also  antlers  of  the  Virginia  deer 
from  certain  localities.  Furthermore,  it  is  often  possible  to  pick  out 
moose  antlers  from  the  Rockies  from  those  of  eastern  Canada. 

The  above  remarks  apply  to  the  caribou  with  peculiar  force.  The 
caribou  from  Newfoundland  can  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
mainland  by  those  who  have  sufficient  experience  in  this  matter, 
although  the  distinction  might  defy  definition  in  words.  The  typical 
eastern  forms  of  antlers  could  not  possibly  be  mistaken  for  a  typical 
antler  from  the  northwestern  United  States  or  from  British  Columbia. 
Selected  specimens  from  each  locality  might  be  found  closely  approx¬ 
imating,  but,  nevertheless,  the  main  statement  remains  true  that  one 
familiar  with  the  modifications  of  caribou  antlers  could,  in  many  cases, 
name  the  locality  of  a  typical  set  of  antlers. 

When  the  antlers  are  distinguishable,  and  the  color  of  the  pelage  of 
two  animals  at  the  same  season  is  in  marked  contrast,  and  still  further 
when  there  is  added  to  these  two  characters  a  third — size — sometimes 
extremely  marked,  as  between  the  Barren  Ground  and  the  Woodland 
groups,  sometimes  less  extreme,  as  between  the  British  Columbian 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  177 


forms  and  the  Eastern  Woodland,  we  have  a  group  of  variations 
clearly  indicating*  that  the  extremes  of  the  genus  in  the  different  por¬ 
tions  of  the  range  are  at  least  well  on  the  road  toward  forming  distinct 
species. 

When,  in  addition  to  the  permanent  variations  in  size,  color,  and 
antlers,  well-marked  anatomical  features  are  found  in  the  skulls  or 
other  part  of  the  bon}r  structure,  the  case  in  favor  of  specific  rank 
becomes  greatty  strengthened. 

When  the  ranges  of  two  species  adjoin  or  overlap,  careful  search 
must  be  made  for  intermediate  and  annectent  forms.  Such  forms 
may  be  found  among  the  western  Woodland  caribou,  where  it  is  within 
the  possibilities  that  R.  montanus  and  12.  osborni  merge,  although  there 
is  as  yet  no  evidence  of  this. 

We  have  some  twenty-odd  specimens  from  the  Cassiar  Mountains, 
and  all  clearly  indicate  a  species  distinct  from  the  southern  form.  We 
are  not  so  fortunate  in  our  specimens  from  the  habitat  of  12.  mon- 
tanas.  So  far  as  known,  all  Alaskan  caribou  belong  to  the  barren 
ground  group,  in  spite  of  the  general  impression  to  the  contrary. 
R.  osborni  probably  crosses  the  eastern  border  for  a  short  distance. 
On  the  south  coast  of  Alaska  R.  stonei  is  au  isolated  and  clearly  defined 
species,  and  unless  specimens  are  discovered  on  the  mainland  it  will 
probably  be  exterminated  before  we  know  much  more  about  it. 
R.  granti ,  inhabiting  the  extreme  west  of  the  Alaskan  Peninsula, 
has,  thanks  to  the  agency  of  man,  been  separated  from  its  nearest  rela¬ 
tives,  so  that  we  have  lost  whatever  forms  there  may  have  existed 
intermediate  between  it  and  its  close  kindred  on  the  Arctic  coast. 

This  last  example  is  very  suggestive  of  the  manner  in  which  species 
originated.  A  group  of  animals  spreading  over  a  large  and  diversified 
area  slowly  evolves  variations  in  conformity  with  local  conditions. 
As  long  as  there  is  a  continuous  intermingling  of  all  the  members 
of  the  original  group,  the  development  of  distinguishing  characters  is 
held  in  check.  When  for  any  reason  this  distribution  ceases  to  be 
continuous,  as  by  a  severance  of  land  connections,  by  the  disappear¬ 
ance  of  water  or  forest  in  some  particular  tract,  or,  by  persecution  by 
enemies,  and  the  isolation  caused  thereby  is  maintained  sufficiently 
long,  the  group  is  broken  up,  interbreeding  ceases,  and  free  play  is 
given  to  tendencies  toward  divergence.  Perhaps  another  change  in 
local  conditions  occurs,  resulting  in  the  migration  of  one  of  the  new 
groups  back  into  the  territory  of  another.  If  the  isolation  has  con¬ 
tinued  sufficiently  long  to  do  its  work,  the  two  forms  are  distinct,  and 
we  have,  side  by  side,  two  animals  recognized  as  different  species. 
Such  is  the  case  at  the  point  where  the  range  of  the  barren  ground 
and  the  woodland  caribou  groups  overlap.  Such  is  the  case  in  the 
West,  where  the  ranges  of  the  black-tail  and  the  white-tail  deer  over- 


178  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


lap.  Such  is  the  case  in  Alaska,  where  members  of  the  grizzly  and 
brown  bear  groups  range  oyer  the  same  country. 

The  case  of  the  Virginia  deer  ( Odocoileus  virginianus)  is  in  point. 
This  deer  ranges  from  lower  Canada  and  Maine,  in  varying  abundance, 
to  the  Gulf  States  and  Mexico.  In  this  enormous  extent  of  country 
local  conditions  have  produced  their  expected  results.  As  we  go 
south  this  deer  becomes  a  smaller  and  more  delicate  animal,  the  antlers 
simpler  and  lighter,  until  a  Florida  or  Mexican  specimen  placed  beside 
one  from  Maine  or  Canada  would  show  a  degree  of  divergence  in  size, 
color,  and  antlers  clearly  sufficient  to  constitute  a  separate  species. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  these  outlying  types  are  recognized  as  subspecies, 
and  1  greatly  doubt  whether  a  hunter,  starting  in  Quebec  or  New 
Brunswick,  and  securing  a  continuous  series  of  specimens  as  he  passed  ! 
down  through  Maine  and  New  England,  through  the  Adirondacks  and 
Pennsylvania  along  the  line  of  the  Blue  Ridge  to  the  Gulf  States,  and 
thence  to  Mexico,  could  at  any  point  in  his  travels  find  the  locality  i 
where  one  group  ends  and  another  begins.  As  he  progressed  one 
type  would  fade  into  another,  new  characters  appearing  in  an  ever-  i 
increasing  percentage  of  individuals.  If,  by  some  convulsion  of 
nature,  the  deer  of  the  Central  States  were  destroyed  and  the  Maine 
deer  driven  into  Florida  or  Mexico — and  such  migrations  have  been 
common  since  terrestrial  life  first  appeared — two  valid  species  would 
exist  in  Florida.  The  Columbian  black-tail  dwindling  to  the  north  I 
into  the  Sitka  deer  furnishes  a  similar  case. 

These  examples  are  parallel  in  the  case  of  the  caribou.  Individuals 
taken  from  widely  distant  points  on  the  Pacific  coast  show  widely  , 
different  characters.  So  do  deer  taken  from  Maine,  Florida,  and 
Mexico.  In  the  case  of  the  deer,  we  know  that  intermediate  types  'i 
exist,  and  yet  different  subspecies  are  recognized  from  the  localities  ' 
just  mentioned.  In  the  case  of  the  caribou  we  do  not  know  whether 
intermediate  types  exist  or  not.  If  they  do  not  exist,  the  question  of 
the  specific  distinction  of  the  forms  described  in  this  article  may  be  J 
considered  settled.  If  they  are  found  to  exist,  their  case  will  be  analo-  { 
gous  to  that  of  the  Virginia  deer,  and  the  so-called  species  will  fall  to  i 
the  rank  of  subspecies  or  local  races. 

The  distinction  between  a  species  and  a  subspecies  is  founded  on 
this  very  point.  Several  groups  of  animals,  presenting  characters  of 
a  certain  value,  and  without  intermediate  forms,  constitute  as  many 
different  species.  Groups  of  animals  with  the  same  characters,  but  ! 
fading  imperceptibly  into  one  another,  are  recognized  as  subspecies.  1 
Many  types  recognized  now  as  subspecies  are  being  rapidly  raised  to  ; 
the  rank  of  full  species  through  the  agency  of  man  and  his  repeating  ! 
rifle,  and  long  before  the  last  word  on  this  subject  has  been  said  the  j 
animals  themselves,  in  many  instances,  will  have  disappeared. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  179 


DISTINCTION  IN  TYPE. 

Before  turning  to  the  distribution  of  species,  it  may  be  well  to 
briefly  mention  the  several  characters  which  distinguish  the  genus 
Rangifer  as  a  whole  from  the  other  genera  of  the  deer  family. 

All  the  members  of  this  subdivision  of  the  Cervidse  are  extremely 
migratoiy  in  their  habits,  far  more  than  anj^  other  deer,  and  conse¬ 
quently  range  over  large  areas.  Their  most  distinguished  character, 
however,  is  to  be  found  in  the  structure  of  the  bones  of  the  foot,  where 
the  so-called  dewelaws  attached  to  the  ends  of  the  metacarpal  bones 
are  functional,  and  are  of  use  not  only  on  glare  ice  but  in  snow  and 
in  the  soft  mossy  bogs  and  barrens  the  caribou  frequent.  If  the 
development  of  the  metacarpal  bones  be  given  much  weight,  the  near¬ 
est  allies  of  this  genus  would  be  the  moose  and  the  American  deer 
(Odocoileus).  With  the  former,  further  affinity  is  suggested  by  the 
palmation  of  the  antlers.  Both  the  metacarpal  structure  and  palma- 
tion,  however,  are  probably  cases  of  parallel  development,  and  would 
not  indicate  any  close  relationship.  The  palmated  antlers  of  the  fallow 
deer  present  another  example  of  such  parallelism. 

The  presence  of  small  horns  on  the  females  of  this  genus  is  in  strik¬ 
ing  contrast  to  their  absence  in  all  the  other  members  of  the  deer 
family.  An  effort  has  been  recently  made  to  show  that  in  the  ancestral 
deer  antlers  were  present  in  both  sexes,  in  which  case  their  persistence 
among  the  caribou  should  be  considered  a  primitive  character.  I  can  not 
see  any  reason  why  this  theory  should  be  adopted  in  preference  to  the 
older  view,  which  considered  all  antlers  to  be  secondary  sexual  char¬ 
acters,  and  the  antlers  of  the  female  caribou  an  acquired  rather  than  a 
primitive  character.  This  point  remains,  however,  unsettled. 

In  the  woodland  caribou  group  one  of  the  brow  antlers  is  frequently 
enormously  developed,  projecting  far  down  on  the  face,  sometimes  to 
the  extremity  of  the  nose,  and  serving  as  a  guard  to  the  eyes  and  face 
during  the  combats  of  the  stags.  This  development  of  one  or  both  of 
the  brow  antlers  is  considered  by  some  of  the  European  naturalists 
to  be  so  characteristic  of  the  American  woodland  caribou  that  they 
rely  upon  it  alone  to  distinguish  the  American  woodland  from  the 
barren-ground  caribou  as  well  as  from  the  old  world  species.  Several 
magnificent  heads  of  the  barren-ground  caribou  from  Labrador,  in  the 
Smithsonian  at  Washington,  show  one  heavily  palmated  brow  antler, 
and  consequently  such  palmation  can  not  be  confined  to  the  woodland 
group.  Among  the  Newfoundland  species  both  brow  antlers  are 
occasionally  heavily  palmated  and  almost  symmetrical.  This  double 
palmation  occurs  in  one  out  of  six  or  eight  heads,  but  is  much  more 
rare  in  the  woodland  caribou  of  the  mainland,  and  apparently  occurs 
but  seldom  among  the  barren-ground  caribou. 

o  o 

S.  Doc.  210,  58-2 - 13 


180  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


FOSSIL  FORMS. 

The  distinction  between  the  two  types  referred  to  above  as  the 
barren-ground  caribou  and  the  woodland  caribou  is  found  not  only 
among  the  existing  species  but  is  clearly  foreshadowed  in  the  fossil 
remains  found  in  the  pre-Glacial  and  inter-Glacial  deposits  of  the 
British  Isles  and  continental  Europe.  The  fossil  reindeer  found  in  the 
oldest  Pleistocene  deposits  in  Norway,  Ireland,  western  and  southern 
France,  and  in  the  Pyrenees  are  practically  identical  with  the  existing  j 
Scandinavian  species.  The  Pyrenees  were  their  extreme  southern 
limit,  and  it  is  probable  that  they  appeared  there  only  as  winter 
migrants. 

In  these  deposits  the  antlers  referable  to  the  barren-ground  group 
are  round,  slender,  and  long  in  proportion  to  the  small  size  of  the  ; 
animal,  and  the  beam  and  the  tines,  including  the  brow  tine,  are  but 
little  palmated.  The  antlers  of  the  woodland  caribou  group,  on  the 
other  hand,  are  flatter,  thicker,  and  more  heavily  palmated,  both  on 
the  beam  and  tines,  especially  the  brow  antler,  while  the  tine  immedi-  ! 
ately  above  the  brow  antler,  and  corresponding  to  the  beztine  in  the 
red  deer  ( Cervus ),  is  elaborately  developed,  and  palmated  in  marked  j 
contrast  to  the  same  tine  in  the  barren-ground  group.  The  develop¬ 
ment  of  this  tine  the  writer  considers  to  be  the  most  distinctive  charac-  , 
ter  separating  the  two  ty^pes.  There  are  also  important-differences  in 
the  angle  of  curve  in  the  main  beam.  In  Stone’s  caribou  this  tine  is  of  | 
a  somewhat  intermediate  character.  The  fossil  remains  of  the  woodland  '] 
caribou  denote  a  larger  animal,  and  this  contrast  in  size  holds  good  I 
to-day  between  the  existing  species  of  the  two  groups. 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE  VARIOUS  SPECIES. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  glacial  period  there  was  a  land  connection 
between  Greenland,  Spitzbergen,  and  Norway,  which  was  in  turn  j 
joined  to  Scotland  and  to  Ireland,  thence  across  England  to  the  Conti-  I 
nent;  and  it  was  over  this  land  connection  that  the  Arctic  barren  j 
ground  caribou  found  its  way  into  western  Europe.  At  that  period,  I 
those  portions  of  Russia  lying  between  the  Black  Sea  and  the  White  Sea  1 
and  the  major  part  of  Sweden  were  entirely  submerged,  as  well  as  a  I 
large  part  of  northern  and  eastern  Germany.  This  condition  pre-  I 
vented  the  spread  of  this  group  into  eastern  Europe  at  that  time.  Its  J 
extreme  eastern  limit  was  near  Berlin,  where  in  one  of  the  oldest  j 
Pleistocene  deposits  fossil  remains  of  the  barren  ground  caribou  have  | 
have  been  found.  At  a  much  later  period,  probably  during  the  inter-  ; 
glacial  phase  of  the  glacial  period,  a  land  connection  was  established  j 
across  Russia,  and  an  invasion  of  Siberian  mammals  took  place,  bring¬ 
ing  with  it  the  woodland  caribou.  This  animal  pushed  as  far  west  as  j 
England,  the  north  and  east  of  France,  but  never  reached  either  Scan-  1 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  181 


dinavia  or  Ireland,  the  latter  having  become  detached  from  England 
at  that  time. 

In  the  lands  1}" ing  south  of  the  Baltic  this  woodland  type  abounded, 
increasing  in  numbers  toward  the  east,  but  vanished  before  the  his¬ 
toric  period.  Some  member  of  the  genus,  probably  the  existing  rein¬ 
deer,  persisted  in  the  forests  of  northern  Europe  until  comparatively 
recent  times,  and  were  known  to  the  Romans  as  inhabitants  of  the 
German  forests.  In  fact,  there  is  some  slight  evidence  of  the  exist¬ 
ence  of  reindeer  in  Caithness,  Scotland,  as  late  as  the  twelfth  century. 

All  fossil  remains  found  in  Siberia  and  eastern  Europe  are  of  the 
woodland  caribou  type,  but  all  existing  species  found  in  Europe  or 
Siberia  to-day  belong  to  the  barren  ground  group,  with  the  possible 
exception  of  a  race  in  eastern  Siberia,  which  may  be  found  to  belong 
to  the  woodland  group. 

It  thus  appears  that  the  separation  of  the  two  groups,  the  barren 
ground  caribou  and  the  woodland  caribou,  dates  from  preglacial 
times,  and  that  the  former  entered  Europe  from  the  Arctic  regions  at 
a  much  earlier  period  than  the  latter.  The  woodland  caribou,  on  the 
other  hand,  entered  Europe  from  Siberia,  and  probably  originated  in 
northeastern  Asia,  together  with  much  of  the  fauna  common  to  the 
Eurasian  and  North  American  continents,  so  that  although  no  wood¬ 
land  caribou  exists  to-day  in  Europe,  and  while  there  is  very  little  evi¬ 
dence  of  their  existence  in  eastern  Siberia,  it  is  probable  that  they 
entered  North  America  from  the  Old  World  over  the  land  connection, 
which,  until  recent  times,  existed  across  Bering  Strait;  and  it  was  by 
this  connection  that  North  America  received  many  of  its  best-known 
animals — the  wapiti,  the  bison,  the  mountain  sheep,  the  grizzly  and 
brown  bears,  the  wolverine,  and  the  lynx. 

It  may  be  noted  in  this  connection  that  the  fossil  remains  give  us  no 
good  clew  to  the  place  of  origin  of  the  genus  as  a  whole,  but  there  is 
much  negative  evidence  to  indicate  that  it  was  in  some  Arctic  land. 
In  fact,  all  deer  are  clearly  of  northern  origin. 

THE  BARREN  GROUND  CARIBOU. 

In  contrast  to  the  east  Siberian  origin  of  the  woodland  caribou,  the 
the  original  center  of  distribution  of  the  barren  ground  caribou  appears 
to  have  been  in  the  north  Atlantic  region.  Possibly  this  group  entered 
America  by  way  of  Greenland.  At  present,  species  of  the  barren 
ground  group  are  found  throughout  northern  Scandinavia  and  Lap- 
land,  Spitzbergen  and  Nova  Zembla,  in  suitable  localities  throughout 
Siberia,  Alaska,  the  portions  of  North  America  east  and  west  of  Hud¬ 
son  Bay  beyond  the  limit  of  tree  growth,  Greenland,  and  the  Arctic 
lands  lying  to  the  north  of  the  American  continent. 

The  Scandinavian  reindeer  ( Rangifer  tarandus)  is,  of  course,  the 
earliest  and  best  known,  and  is  the  type  of  the  whole  genus.  The 


182  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


domesticated  race  is  smaller  than  the  wild  animals  which  still  persist  in 
the  more  inaccessible  regions  of  Lapland.  This  relatively  small  size 
of  the  domesticated  in  contrast  to  the  wild  races  also  holds  good  in 
Siberia. 

To  the  east  of  Lapland  the  reindeer  extends  tnroughout  northern . 
Russia  and  Siberia,  in  places  as  far  south  as  the  fifty-fourth  parallel, 
and  in  the  Ural  regions  as  far  south  as  the  fifty-second  parallel. 
Throughout  this  vast  extent  of  country  it  is  more  than  probable  that 
there  are  well-marked  and  distinct  species,  which  could  be  established 
b}r  a  careful  comparison  of  specimens  from  different  localities.  In 
fact,  recent  discoveries  indicate  the  existence  of  several  distinct  races 
of  both  the  wild  and  domesticated  reindeer  in  eastern  Siberia. 

In  the  Government  of  Kazan  it  is  said  that  the  reindeer  are  of  an 
exceedingly  large  size  and  that  the  females  are  without  antlers.  A 
snow-white  reindeer  has  been  reported  recently  (1902)  from  the  mouth 
of  the  river  Lena.  This  may  be  a  new  species,  or,  more  probably, 
merely  the  common  form  in  its  winter  pelage. 

To  the  north  of  the  Old  World  reindeer  are  aosent  from  Francis 
Joseph  Land,  but  appear  to  abound  in  Nova  Zembla  and  in  Spitzbergen. 
The  race  in  the  latter  islands  (. Rangifer  spitzbergensis )  has  clear  claim 
to  specific  rank,  chiefly  on  the  ground  of  its  size,  which  is  far  smaller 
than  the  type  race,  but  also  on  account  of  well-defined  characters  in 
the  skull. 

In  America  the  different  species  of  barren  ground  caribou  all  lie  to 
the  north  of  the  various  members  of  the  woodland  group.  The  Green¬ 
land  race  is  a  separate  species  ( Rangifer  grmnlandicus) .  Nearly  all  of 
the  Parry  Islands  and  other  large  land  areas  tying  between  Greenland 
and  the  mainland  are  inhabited  by  barren  ground  caribou,  formerly 
identified  with  those  of  the  mainland  {Rangifer  arcticus). 

A  new  barren  ground  caribou  from  Ellesmere  Land  was  described 
by  Dr.  J.  A.  Allen  on  October  31,  1902,  under  the  name  of  Rangifer 
pearyi.  Its  chief  character  is  in  the  coloring,  which  is  pure  white, 
except  for  a  large  dark  patch  on  the  middle  and  posterior  part  of  the 
back.  The  new  species  is  thus  sharply  defined  from  the  darker  caribou 
of  Greenland.  Its  nearest  relatives  will  be  found  among  the  caribou 
now  grouped  together  under  the  name  of  Rangifer  arcticus.  It  is  very 
probable  that  investigations  among  the  Parry  Islands,  and  other  land 
masses  to  the  north  of  the  continent,  will  disclose  intermediate  forms 
between  these  two. 

Caribou,  probably  of  this  species,  have  been  found  as  far  north  as 
the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Conger,  Grinnell  Land,  in  latitude  82°.  It 
appears  to  be  the  northernmost  member  of  the  genus,  and  shares  with 
the  musk  ox  and  polar  bear  the  distinction  of  being  one  of  the  few 
land  mammals  able  to  maintain  existence  at  that  latitude.  The  New¬ 
foundland  caribou  had,  before  the  discovery  of  this  species,  been  con¬ 
sidered  the  whitest  of  the  caribou. 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  183 


On  the  American  mainland  west  of  Hudson  Bay  the  typical  barren 
ground  caribou  {Rang if er  arcticus)  is  found  in  large  herds  throughout 
the  barren  grounds,  migrating  in  winter  into  the  timber  belt  as  far 
south  as  the  neighborhood  of  the  Churchill  River,  latitude  59°  north, 
and  the  southern  end  of  Reindeer  Lake. 

That  a  portion  of  the  herds  remain  along  the  northern  coasts  through¬ 
out  the  winter  has  been  demonstrated  by  Mr.  Andrew  J.  Stone.  The 
recent  investigations  of  this  explorer  have  brought  to  light  the  inter¬ 
esting  fact  that  the  Mackenzie  River  throughout  its  entire  length, 
including  a  belt  of  land  100  miles  wide  along  its  banks,  is  unin¬ 
habited  by  caribou,  and  appears  to  form  the  western  limit  of  the 
Rangifer  arcticus.  To  the  west  of  the  river  the  caribou  are  nearly 
twice  the  size  attained  by  those  on  the  east,  and  further  explorations 
in  that  country  will  probably  show  this  west  Mackenzie  caribou  to  be  a 
new  species.  The  caribou  on  both  sides  of  the  Mackenzie  River,  how¬ 
ever,  are  threatened  with  extinction,  owing  to  the  increased  number 
of  whalers  wintering  on  the  northern  coast.  The  natives  are  employed 
to  bring  in  immense  quantities  of  meat,  and  are  supplied  with  firearms 
for  that  purpose. 

The  portion  of  northern  Alaska  drained  by  the  Colville  River  is 
inhabited  by  a  caribou  which  probably  will  prove  on  investigation  to  be  a 
new  species,  possibly  identical  with  the  West  Mackenzie  form  above 
referred  to.  The  mountains  to  the  north  of  the  Porcupine  River  in 
Alaska  are  said  to  contain  a  red  caribou,  extreme^  rare,  if  not  already 
exterminated.  The  caribou  of  the  Kuskokwim  River  in  southern 
Alaska  is  said  also  to  be  distinct,  but  is  probably  closely  related  to  or 
the  same  as  R.  stonei.  All  these  undescribed  Alaskan  caribou  will 
probably  be  found  to  belong  to  the  barren  ground  group. 

Some  five  thousand  domesticated  reindeer  from  east  Siberia  have 
been  introduced  among  the  Eskimos  of  northwest  Alaska.  It  is  well 
within  the  probabilities  that  some  of  these  animals  may  escape,  and 
in  time  form  a  wild  race.  At  all  events  such  a  possibility  must 
hereafter  be  borne  in  mind. 

In  the  autumn  of  1901  Mr.  Andrew  J.  Stone  discoverd  a  new  species 
of  Barren  Ground  caribou  on  the  Alaskan  Peninsula,  far  beyond  the 
western  limit  of  tree  growth.  Fifteen  fine  specimens  were  secured, 
and  described  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Allen,  of  the  American  Museum,  as  Rangi¬ 
fer  gr  anti. a  A  group  of  these  animals  is  now  being-  mounted  at  the 
American  Museum.  Mr.  Stone  states  that  this  caribou  inhabits  the 
barren  land  of  the  Alaskan  Peninsula,  ranging  well  up  into  the  moun¬ 
tains  in  summer,  but  descending  to  the  lower  level  in  winter,  generally 
feeding  on  the  low,  flat  lands  near  the  coast  and  in  the  foothills. 
They  formerty  lived  in  considerable  numbers  on  Unga  Island,  where 
they  are  now  practically  extinct.  The  only  other  island  inhabited  by 


a  This  species  was  named  in  honor  of  the  author  of  this  article. — Editor. 


184  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


them  is  Unimak  Island,  at  the  western  end  of  the  Alaskan  Peninsula. 
Formerly  they  were  exceedingly  abundant,  but  of  late  they  have  been 
greatly  reduced  in  numbers  through  the  agency  of  the  market  hunt¬ 
ers.  The  habitat  of  R.  grariti  is  thus  an  isolated  area  in  the  treeless 
portion  of  the  Alaskan  Peninsula,  and  (formerly  at  least)  some  of  the 
adjoining  islands  at  the  western  end  of  the  peninsula.  The  nearest 
relations  of  the  R.  granti  are  to  be  sought  on  the  barrens  of  north¬ 
western  Alaska,  a  district  from  which  we  have  as  yet  no  authentic 
specimens. 

The  caribou  of  the  Kenai  Peninsula,  Alaska  (R.  stonei ),  is  very  much 
larger  than  R.  granti ,  and  appears  to  be  the  largest  of  the  Barren 
Ground  group.  The  animal  has  a  totally  different  scheme  of  horn 
architecture,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  accompanying  cut,  and  shows 
signs  of  approaching  the  R.  osborni  and  R.  montanus  toward  the  east 
and  south.  It  is  in  fact  an  outlying  member  of  the  Barren  Ground 
group,  approximating  to  the  Woodland  group.  Between  R.  stonei 
and  R.  granti  there  is  no  near  relationship. 

The  caribou  of  the  Kenai  Peninsula,  as  stated  above,  constitute  a 
well-marked  species  of  the  Barren  Ground  type.  It  was  described  in 
Ah^y,  1901,  by  Doctor  Allen,  and  named  from  the  discoverer,  Andrew 
J.  Stone.  As  yet  only  three  specimens  are  known.  On  the  peninsula 
itself  this  fine  animal  seems  to  be  on  the  verge  of  extinction,  being 
now  limited  to  one  small  herd,  but  it  is  highly  probable  it  is.  to  be 
found  on  the  mainland  west  and  north  of  Cook  Inlet.  A  heavy  bunch 
of  white  hairs  in  the  front  of  the  head  and  throat  constitutes  one  of  the 
most  marked  characteristics  of  this  animal.  The  antlers  are  clearly  of 
the  Barren  Ground  caribou  t}^pe,  but  present  two  marked  peculiari¬ 
ties.  These  are  the  extreme  length  of  the  tines  on  the  upper  part  of 
the  main  beam,  and  a  peculiar  structure  of  the  antler  above  the  brow 
antler,  which,  taken  alone,  is  not  unlike  the  antlers  of  the  American 
deer  ( Odocoileus ).  This  animal  is  large  and  by  far  the  handsomest 
known  species  of  the  Barren  Ground  group.  Its  relationship  to  the 
caribou  of  the  north  and  east  can  not  be  determined  until  a  full  series 
of  specimens  is  obtained. 

Of  the  Barren  Ground  caribou  group  there  remains  to  be  consid¬ 
ered  those  of  Labrador,  but  the  caribou  of  the  barren  grounds  to  the  : 
east  of  the  Coppermine  River  and  north  of  Chesterfield  Inlet  need 
careful  investigation,  as  do  those  of  Southampton  Island. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  A.  P.  Low,  the  Canadian  explorer,  for  most 
of  the  knowledge  we  possess  of  the  interior  of  the  peninsula  of  Labra- 
dor,  which  includes  one  of  the  largest  unexplored  areas  on  the  globe,  i 
Mr.  Low  states  that  there  are  three  distinct  herds  of  Barren  Ground 
caribou  on  the  barren  and  semibarren  lands  of  the  peninsula.  These 
herds  frequent  the  coast  of  Hudson  Straits,  Ungava  Bay,  and  the 


.INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  185 


Atlantic  coast  as  far  south  as  Hamilton  Inlet.  On  the  Hudson  Bay 
coast  the}^  are  found  only  at  present  in  small  numbers  to  the  north  of 
Whale  River,  about  the  fifty-fourth  parallel,  and  are  being  rapidly 
exterminated  by  the  Indians.  It  is  probable  that  the  Barren  Ground 
caribou  of  Labrador  occupy  at  times  the  same  area  in  the  interior  as 
the  woodland  caribou  ( Rangifer  caribou). 

An  interesting  question  here  arises  as  to  whether  the  caribou  of 
northern  Labrador  and  those  of  Baffin  Land  are  identical,  and  as  to  the 
possibility  of  crossing  Hudson  Straits,  which  lie  between.  Inasmuch 
as  the  Straits  of  Belle  Isle  appear  to  interpose  a  barrier  sufficient  to 
prevent  the  intermingling  of  the  Newfoundland  and  mainland  species, 
and  as  Hudson  Straits  are  very  much  wider,  and  the  probability  of  an 
ice  bridge  far  more  remote,  it  would  seem  that  the  two  groups  have 
been  separated  for  a  long  period  of  time.  It  is  highly  probable,  there¬ 
fore,  that  future  investigations  will  develop  some  distinctive  features 
between  the  Labrador  animals  and  those  of  Baffin  Land  and  show  a 
close  relationship  between  the  latter  and  the  caribou  of  Ellesmere  Land. 

Mr.  Arthur  Moore,  of  New  York,  led  an  expedition  into  the  Hud¬ 
son  Bay  region  during  the  summer  of  1901  and  obtained  caribou  on 
the  mainland  of  Labrador  and  on  Salisbury  Islands,  lying  on  the  Baffin 
Land  side  of  Hudson  Straits.  He  writes  me  as  follows: 

The  tides  are  so  swift,  and  their  rise  and  fall  so  considerable,  that  the  ice  does  not 
afford  a  practicable  road.  This  view  is  supported  by  the  further  fact  that  there  is, 
and  has  been,  no  communication  between  the  Baffin  Land  and  south  shore  Esqui- 
mos.  Moreover,  where  the  land  bridge  is  least  broken,  the  shores  are  very  bold, 
and  consequently  clear  of  permanent  ice  by  reason  of  the  most  severe  tide  rips.  The 
natural  movement  would  be  from  the  south  northward,  as  at  the  time  of  the  spring 
migration  the  ice  conditions  would  be  most  favorable  after  the  winter’s  freezing;  yet 
fewer  caribou  are  reported  on  the  islands  off  the  south  shore  than  off  the  islands  on 
the  Baffin  Land  coast. 

Salisbury  Island  is  a  large  island,  and  is  somewhat  free  from  the  strongest  set  of 
the  Straits  currents  along  its  northern  shore.  The  existence  of  Esquimos  on  this 
island  proves  that  it  must  be  accessible  from  Baffin  Land  shore;  yet  even  here,  on 
the  nearest  and  most  accessible  large  island,  communication  has  been  so  uncertain 
and  difficult  that  from  evidence  drawn  from  the  Salisbury  natives  I  should  judge 
that  many  years  had  elapsed  since  their  arrival,  as  I  could  gather  from  them  no 
knowledge  of  Baffin  Land  or  any  inhabited  land  in  any  definite  location. 

Resolution  Island,  which  is  in  sight  of  both  Baffin  Land  and  North  Labrador,  is 
never  visited  by  Esquimos,  on  account  of  the  dangerous  ice,  and  I  imagine  that 
few  caribou  ever  travel  to  it,  as  men  who  have  landed  there  say  nothing  of  caribou, 
and  I  should  expect  to  find  such  an  island  stocked  with  caribou  that  had  migrated 
there  from  the  more  disturbed  land  inhabited  by  Esquimos.  In  the  latter  case  the 
hunters  would  soon  follow,  as  the  Esquimos  always  follow  migrating  deer,  and 
often  they  can  go  where  the  caribou  can  not  travel;  consequently  the  absence  of 
hunters  on  the  south  coast  islands,  even  the  larger  land  masses,  would  argue  against 
the  migration  of  caribou  to  these  districts.  The  only  argument  in  favor  of  migration 
across  the  Straits  is  the  presence  of  caribou  on  Salisbury  Island,  which,  as  we  have 
seen,  is  situated- close  to  the  Baffin  Land  coast. 


186  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC!  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

WOODLAND  CARIBOU. 

Tlie  known  range  of  the  woodland  caribou  in  North  America  extends 
from  Newfoundland  in  the  east,  throughout  Canada  as  far  as  the  Cassiar 
Mountains  of  British  Columbia  and  the  Alaskan  border  in  the  west; 
and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  caribou  known  to  inhabit  the 
mountains  west  of  the  Mackenzie  between  the  Dease  and  Pelly  rivers 
belong  also  to  this  group.  Passing  over  for  the  moment  the  New¬ 
foundland  species,  the  typical  woodland  caribou,  Rangifer  caribou , 
ranges  from  Nova  Scotia  through  New  Brunswick  and  Maine  to  the 
St.  Lawrence  River.  In  Maine  their  numbers  have  greatly  declined 
in  the  last  few  years,  probably  from  some  unknown  epidemic;  and 
then,  too,  in  spite  of  the  excellent  game  laws  of  that  State,  which  have 
adequately  protected  the  other  large  mammals.  It  formerly  existed 
in  small  numbers  in  northern  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire,  but  it 
may  be  stated  in  passing  that  there  is  absolutely  no  evidence  of  the 
existence  of  caribou  in  historic  times  in  the  Adirondacks,  while  there 
is  much  evidence  of  a  negative  character  against  it. 

On  the  north  of  the  St.  Lawrence  this  animal  extends  throughout 
the  entire  province  of  Quebec  as  far  as  the  East  Main  River  in  Labra¬ 
dor.  In  the  country  to  the  north  and  east  of  Lake  St.  John,  and  on 
the  southern  watershed  of  Labrador,  it  has  been  nearly  exterminated, 
presumably  by  the  devastating  fires  which  have  swept  over  this  dis¬ 
trict  in  recent  years.  West  of  Lake  St.  John  it  is  found  to  the  height 
of  land  and  northward  to  James  Bay  and  Hudson  Bay,  and  in  small 
numbers  between  these  bays  and  Lake  Superior.  It  was  found  in 
northern  Minnesota,  but  I  have  been  unable  to  verify  Judge  Caton’s 
statement  that  in  the  early  part  of  the  century  they  occurred  in  small 
numbers  on  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Superior. 

The  woodland  caribou  extends  westward  thoughout  suitable  forest 
areas  in  Manitoba,  Saskatchewan,  and  Athabasca,  to  Great  Slave  Lake 
on  the  north.  In  the  neighborhood  of  the  Churchill  River,  west  of 
Hudson  Bay,  the  range  of  this  animal  and  the  Barren  Ground  caribou 
from  the  north  overlap  at  some  seasons  of  the  year,  but  there  is  no 
evidence  of  interbreeding.  In  west  Canada  it  is  holding  its  own  well, 
owing  to  the  fact  that,  unlike  the  Barren  Ground  caribou,  it  does  not 
gather  in  large  herds.  Throughout  most  of  the  range  the  woodland 
caribou  inhabits  the  same  country  as  the  moose,  although  in  the  East 
it  is  generally  found  somewhat  to  the  north  of  the  latter. 

The  caribou  of  western  Canada  have  until  recently  presented  some 
serious  taxonomic  difficulties. 

The  mountains  of  northern  Montana,  Idaho,  and  Washington  and 
the  provinces  of  British  Columbia  and  Alberta  are  inhabited  by  a 
caribou  which  has  long  been  known  as  the  “blackface”  caribou.  This 
animal  was  thought  to  be  identical  with  the  eastern  woodland  caribou 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  187 

until,  in  August,  1899,  Mr.  Ernest  Thompson-Seton  described  it  as  a 
new  species  under  the  name  of  Rangifer  montanus ,  the  type  being  a 
mounted  specimen  from  Revelstoke,  in  the  Selkirk  range  of  British 
Columbia.  The  northern  limits  of  its  range  are  at  present  unknown, 
but  it  is  possible  that  it  fades  gradually  into  the  next  species,  Rangifer 
osborni.  Nearly  two  years  prior  to  the  discovery  of  R.  montanus , 
Mr.  Andrew  J.  Stone  killed  in  the  Cassiar  Mountains  of  northern 
British  Columbia  six  specimens  of  a  very  large  caribou,  which  were 
shipped  to  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  in  New  York, 
but  were  delayed  on  the  way  and  did  not  reach  New  York  until  after 
the  description  of  R.  montanus  had  been  published. 

This  new  caribou  from  the  Cassiar  Mountains  was  generally  con¬ 
sidered  to  be  identical  with  R.  montanus ,  but  the  writer  believed,  from 
antlers  of  the  Cassiar  animal  he  had  seen,  that  further  comparison 
would  result  in  proving  them  to  be  distinct  species.  To  this  end  he 
secured  for  the  American  Museum  four  caribou  from  the  type  locality 
of  R.  montanus.  As  a  result,  the  Cassiar  specimens  were  described 
as  Rangifer  osborni ,  in  honor  of  Professor  Henry  Fairfield  Osborn. 
The  R.  osborni  are  found  living  throughout  the  year  in  the  high 
mountains  above  timber  line,  and  are  the  largest  and*  handsomest  cari¬ 
bou  known — large  males  weighing  from  550  to  700  pounds,  and  conse¬ 
quently  approaching*  the  wapiti  in  size. 

A  specimen  killed  in  the  summer  of  1902  measured  4  feet  11  inches 
in  height  at  shoulder  and  7  feet  9  inches  in  length.  This  is  one  of 
the  largest  individual  caribou  of  which  we  have  authentic  record. 

Like  most  animals  of  the  damp  Pacific  coast,  both  the  R.  osborni 
and  R.  montanus  are  very  dark,  the  latter  in  fact  almost  as  black  as  a 
moose.  The  antlers  of  Osborn’s  caribou  are  large  and  sweeping,  and 
are  characterized  by  large  size,  often  palmation  and  prongs  at  the  end 
of  the  main  beam.  The  posterior  prong  on  the  main  beam  is  nearl}T 
always  very  heavy.  The  brow  antlers  also  are  sometimes  greatly 
developed.  The  range  of  this  animal  is  probably  much  the  same  as 
that  of  Stone’s  mountain  sheep,  the  southern  limit  in  each  case  being 
the  Rock}r  Mountain  divide  separating  the  headwaters  of  the  Peace 
and  Fraser  rivers.  On  the  north  this  splendid  animal  probably  extends 
into  Alaska  and  the  headwaters  of  the  Yukon  River. 

Prof.  J.  A.  Allen  describes  the  relations  of  R.  montanus  and  R. 
osborni  as  follows: 

Rangifer  montanus,  in  late  September  pelage,  may  be  described  in  general  terms  as 
a  black  caribou,  with  the  neck  and  shoulders,  especially  in  the  males,  much  lighter 
than  the  body  and  limbs;  while  R.  osborni,  in  corresponding  pelage,  is  a  brown 
caribou,  with  much  more  white  on  the  rump  and  posterior  ventral  surface,  and  the 
whole  neck  and  shoulders,  as  well  as  the  back  and  limbs,  much  lighter  than  in 
R.  montanus. 

The  specimens  of  R.  montanus  are  without  measurements,  but  the  species  is  appar¬ 
ently  about  the  same  size  as  R.  osborni,  as  shown  by  the  measurements  of  the  skull. 


188  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 


In  addition  to  the  marked  contrast  in  color,  there  are  striking  differences  in  the 
size  and  form  of  the  antlers  in  the  two  forms,  the  antlers  of  R.  montanus  being  of  the 
typical  woodland  caribou  type,  and  in  their  relative  shortness  and  much-branched 
character  recall  strongly  the  antlers  of  R.  terraenovae,  but  they  are  much  lighter  and 
more  slender  than  in  that  species.  They  have  the  same  abrupt  upward  curvature  of 
the  main  beam,  in  contrast  with  the  much  longer  and  heavier  and  more  depressed 
backward-sweeping  main  beam  seen  in  R.  osborni. 

NEWFOUNDLAND  CARIBOU. 

Toward  tlie  end  of  the  Pleistocene  period  the  island  of  Newfound¬ 
land,  extending  over  the  now  submerged  banks  to  the  southeast,  was 
connected  with  Labrador  over  the  Straits  of  Belle  Isle,  which  even 
now  are  little  more  than  9  miles  wide.  Between  Newfoundland  and 
Cape  Breton  and  Nova  Scotia  on  the  west,  the  present  Straits  of  Cabot 
formed  part  of  a  deep  sea  which  extended  into  the  Gulf  of  St.  Law¬ 
rence.  This  land  connection  to  the  north  explains  the  distribution  of 
fauna  upon  the  island,  especially  the  absence  of  moose,  which  on  the 
north  shore  of  the  St.  Lawrence  appear  to  have  never  extended  east 
of  the  Saguenay  River  into  Labrador. 

Until  recently  it  was  believed  that  caribou  crossed  the  Straits  of 
Belle  Isle  when  they  were  occasionally  frozen  over,  and  that  the  t}'  pe 
found  on  the  island  was  considered  to  be  identical  with  that  on  the 
mainland,  forming  at  best  no  more  than  a  well-marked  local  race.  It 
is  now  known  that  no  such  crossings  occur.  Since  1896  they  have 
been  recognized  as  a  separate  species  of  woodland  caribou  ( Bangifer 
terraenovae ),  and  until  the  disco very  of  the  Cassiar  Mountain  caribou 
were  considered  the  largest  and  handsomest  representatives  of  the 
genus.  The  nearest  relatives  of  the  B.  terraenovae  are  of  course  the 
B.  caribou  of  the  adjoining  mainland. 

Two  types  of  caribou  are  recognized  by  the  natives  of  Newfoundland. 
The  smaller  variety,  inhabiting  the  southwest  portion  of  the  island 
south  and  west  of  Grand  Pond,  where  the  country  is  timbered  with 
hard  wood,  is  locally  known  as  the  <c  mountain  caribou,”  and  is  said 
not  to  migrate.  The  antlers  are  for  the  most  part  much  smaller  than 
those  of  the  larger  and  better- known  animal  in  the  east  and  north  of 
the  island.  There  is  no  satisfactory  explanation  of  the  existence  of 
these  two  types,  but  there  are  many  similar  instances  among  the  various 
members  of  the  deer  family.  Some  moose  are  short  legged  and  thick 
bodied,  with  widely  palmated  antlers,  in  contrast  to  others  which  are 
taller  and  more  rangy.  In  the  Adirondacks  a  similar  contrast  is  found 
between  the  ordinary  deer  and  the  meadow  buck,  or  swamp  deer.  The 
swamp  deer  has  a  thick  body,  short  legs,  and  black  dorsal  stripe.  Its 
antlers,  which  sometimes  present  the  bifurcated  prong  of  the  closely 
allied  mule  deer  of  the  West,  have  a  heavy  beam  and  burr  thickly 
studded  with  small  knobs.  These  variations,  however,  must  be  con¬ 
fined  to  individuals,  as  both  forms  mingle  freely,  and  in  fact  these 


INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA.  189 


special  characters  appear  to  be  confined  to  the  males.  In  Newfoundland, 
however,  the  smaller  or  mountain  race  inhabits  a  distinct  locality. 

The  larger  variety  migrates  annually,  going  north  in  the  spring  and 
returning  in  September,  in  bands  of  five  to  ten,  seldom  numbering 
over  twenty-five.  These  bands  are  generally  led  by  an  old  doe,  while 
the  u  stags,”  as  the  bulls  are  called  in  Newfoundland,  are  usually  found 
in  pairs.  Many  of  the  finest  stags,  however,  do  not  migrate,  but 
remain  on  the  high  barrens  of  the  south.  The  migratory  habits  of 
the  animals  have  been  greatly  disturbed  by  the  recently  completed 
railroad,  along  the  line  of  which  a  cordon  of  sportsmen  formerly 
gathered  in  the  fall,  shooting  at  everything  that  passed.  If  this  had 
continued  a  few  years  more  the  result  would  have  been  the  separation 
of  the  caribou  into  two  herds,  as  was  the  case  of  the  buffalo  when  the 
Union  Pacific  Railroad  first  crossed  the  United  States. 

The  velvet  is  shed  during  the  first  week  of  September,  and  for  some 
time  after  the  antlers  are  bright  red  in  color,  due  not  to  dried  blood 
but  to  the  rubbing  of  the  antlers  against  spruce  trees  and  alders. 

As  a  general  thing,  only  those  antlers  which  have  a  double-brow 
antler  count  high  in  points,  a  point  being  defined  as  a  knob  upon  which 
a  watch  can  be  hung.  One  of  the  handsomest  and  most  highly  prized 
types  of  antlers  is  locally  known  as  the  u  going-back  head,11  belonging 
to  old  stags  on  the  decline;  the  beam  is  extremely  massive,  and  the 
points  short  and  numerous. 

Antlers  with  30  points  are  considered  to  form  a  good  head.  Forty 
points  are  rare,  and  the  days  of  the  50-pointers  appear  to  have  passed, 
even  if  they  ever  existed.  In  the  future  the  finer  antlers  will  become 
increasingly  rare,  as  one  of  the  first  symptoms  of  the  decline  of  airy 
given  race  of  deer  is  the  deterioration  of  antlers.  In  proof  of  this, 
witness  the  increasing  scarcity  of  handsome  wapiti  heads.  This  also 
holds  good  of  the  moose  of  Maine  and  New  Brunswick,  where  the  best 
heads  scarcely  equal  the  average  of  those  taken  along  t  he  Upper  Ottawa 
River.  The  antlers  of  the  Scottish  red  deer  are  as  inferior  to  those 
taken  in  the  German  forest  as  the  latter  are  in  turn  inferior  to  Hun¬ 
garian  antlers  from  the  same  species.  In  all  those  countries  collections 
of  antlers  dating  back  several  centuries  show  a  tremendous  decline  in 
the  best  heads.  Antlers  in  the  castle  of  Moritzberg,  near  Dresden, 
dating  from  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth  centuries,  are  so  large  that 
it  is  difficult  to  believe  that  the  animals  which  bore  them  were  of  the 
same  species  as  their  degenerate  descendants  in  the  neighboring  forests. 
This  deterioration  is  chiefly  brought  about  by  long-continued  elimina¬ 
tion  of  the  best  stags,  but  too  close  inbreeding  has  probably  aided  the 
general  decline. 

A  new  game  law  was  enacted  in  1902  which  shows  a  very  earnest 
purpose  on  the  part  of  the  Newfoundland  authorities  to  protect  their 
magnificent  herds  of  caribou.  If  the  law  can  be  enforced  against  the 


190  INTRODUCTION  OF  DOMESTIC  REINDEER  INTO  ALASKA. 

natives,  as  well  as  against  the  visiting  sportsmen,  the  former  indis¬ 
criminate  slaughter  of  deer  can  be  regulated,  if  not  stopped.  The 
difficulties  of  educating  the  natives  of  new  countries  to  respect  game 
laws  are,  it  is  needless  to  say,  very  great.  The  new  law,  however, 
organizes  the  local  guides  and  makes  them  to  some  extent  responsible 
for  the  observance  of  the  law.  This  is,  of  course,  a  great  step  in  the 
right  direction.  The  prohibition  of  water  killing,  a  special  close  time 
during  the  migrating  season,  and  the  prohibition  of  hunting  within 
five  miles  of  the  railroad,  are  also  features  which  commend  the  new 
law  very  strongly  to  all  interested  in  game  preservation.  The  deer, 
however,  have  been  so  abundant  in  the  past  that  they  are  still  regarded 
by  the  natives  as  their  chief  supply  of  fresh  meat,  and  it  will  be  some 
years  before  the  Newfoundlanders  themselves  come  to  realize  that 
intelligent  and  efficient  protection  is  in  their  own  interest.  This,  how¬ 
ever,  is  the  history  of  the  enforcement  of  game  laws  everywhere,. 
The  law  itself  must  be  in  advance  of  public  opinion,  and  complete 
enforcement  of  the  law  can  only  be  achieved  long  after  the  statutes 
are  on  the  books. 

In  closing,  the  writer  desires  to  acknowledge  his  indebtedness  to 
Prof.  J.  A.  Allen,  to  Mr.  Andrew  J.  Stone  for  much  of  the  informa¬ 
tion,  and  for  many  of  the  photographs  which  appear  in  this  article, 
and  to  Mr.  F.  A.  Lucas,  of  the  United  States  National  Museum  at 
Washington,  to  Mr.  A.  S.  Peed,  of  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  to 
Mr.  P.  T.  Varnum,  Mr.  Chas.  D.  Cleveland,  Mr.  Wm.  T.  Hornaday, 
Mr.  C.  Grant  La  Farge,  and  Mr.  Arthur  Moore,  of  New  York,  for 
i  I  lustrations. 


iidex. 


Page. 

Agents,  transportation  of,  on  revenue  cutters .  37-40 

Annual  report,  Dr.  Sheldon  Jackson .  9-34 

Appendix .  35-190 

Apprentices,  reindeer .  11, 15, 109 

Appropriations  for  reindeer .  18-19 

Bethel  (Kuskokwim),  reindeer .  14,15 

Annual  report . 104-109 

Bosqui,  E.  L.,  regarding  reindeer . . .  161-163 

Brady,  John  G.,  Governor,  regarding  reindeer .  155 

Brevig,  T.  L.,  reindeer  report .  80-85 

Bureau  of  Education,  United  States,  letter  of  transmittal .  3 

Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  reindeer . . .  13, 15 

Annual  report .  63-66 

Caribou .  174-190 

Commissioner  of  Education,  United  States,  letter  of  transmittal .  3 

Du  Chaillu,  Paul,  regarding  reindeer .  164 

Eaton  (Unalakleet),  reindeer .  14, 15 

.  Annual  report .  86-103 

Education,  plan  of  operations . 47, 140 

Eskimos,  reindeer  a  factor  in  civilization . 19-21 

Funston,  Brigadier-General,  regarding  reindeer .  155-156 

Gambell  (St.  Lawrence  Island) ,  reindeer .  13, 15 

Annual  report . 66-80 

j  Golofnin  Bay,  reindeer .  15 

Annual  report .  85 

Grant,  Madison,  regarding  caribou .  17L-190 

[Grosvenor,  Gilbert  H.,  regarding  reindeer .  165-174 

I  Hamilton,  Dr.  William,  cruise .  31-34,  41-57 

Harris,  William  T.  ( See  Commissioner  of  Education,  United  States.) 

I  Herders . : .  9-11 

(Herds,  loaned  by  Government . 18 

Jackson,  Dr.  Sheldon,  report .  9-34 

[  Kotzebue,  reindeer .  12-13 

Annual  report . 59-63 

I  Letters  of  transmittal .  3 

IlLind,  Carl  O.,  supervisor  of  reindeer . 15 

IjMcKenzie,  D.  A.,  regarding  reindeer .  156-163 

|  Miners  and  reindeer .  21-22 

INulato,  reindeer .  14-15 

Annual  report .  103-104 

(personnel  of  superintendents,  herders,  and  apprentices .  11 


191 


192 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Point  Barrow,  reindeer .  12, 15 

Annual  report .  57-58 

Reindeer,  apprentices  . . . . 11, 15, 109 

Appropriations . : . . .  18-19 

Carrying  mails . . . . . . r  .  22-24 

Employment  of . 22 


Factor  in  civilization .  19-21 

Freight  line . -  - . . . 28-31 

Herds . . . . 9-10,15-19 

Increase  from  year  1892 . 18 

Plan  for  introduction . . . . . . .  139-154 

Relief  expeditions . . . . .  24-25 

Supervisor  of .  15 

Transportation . 26-28 

Reindeer  stations .  12-15,  57-66,  80-134, 174-190 

Schools.  (^Education.) 

Secretary  of  the  Interior,  action  of .  3 

Senate,  United  States,  action  of . . .  ‘  3 

Siberia,  purchase  of  reindeer,  correspondence  . .  137-139 

Soldiers,  relief  of .  25 

Stations,  reindeer.  (See  Reindeer  stations. ) 

Teller  station,  reindeer . . . . . . .  13-15 

Annual  report . . .  80-85, 109-134 

Treasury  Department,  cooperation  of  State  and . . .  34 

Wain wright  Inlet,  correspondence  regarding  reindeer  station  at . . . 134-137 

Whalers,  relief  of  . .  25-26 

Wickersham,  Judge  James,  regarding  reindeer. .. . .  156, 160-161 


o