208 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



quantity of fresli fish and vegetables. In return for Lis kindness the 

 Treasury agent, Mr. Manchester, and the Alaska Commercial Com- 

 pany's agent, Mr. Kedpath, sent him off some presents. 



The weather last winter and spring was exceptionally mild ; the lowest 

 temperature in December was 14°, January 8°, and February 2° above 

 zero, and then only for one day in each of the months. The ice did not 

 make its appearance around either of the islands or even in sight, con- 

 trary to the usual custom. This is accounted for by the prevailing 

 winds being east and southeast instead of north and northeast, as is 

 generally the case. 



The condition of the natives on the two islands remains about the 

 same as heretofore reported. They are slowly becoming more American- 

 ized and are perfectly happy and contented, as they well may be with 

 the treatment they receive at the hands of the Alaska Commercial 

 Company and the Government. The usual number of deaths occurred 

 this year, mostly the result of imprudent exposure. Although the best 

 medical treatment is furnished them, with medicines free, they fail to 

 give that careful attention to nursing which is necessary to bring them 

 through. When they are remonstrated with for exposing themselves 

 unnecessarily in bad weather, they generally reply in Eussian, "Never 

 mind ; to die is good." When once prepared for death by the priest of 

 the Greek Church, they calmly and happily await the end. No tears are 

 shed by the relatives of the deceased and no sorrow is manifested in 

 the household. If it is a wife, the husband, according to their custom, 

 makes the coffin, and if a husband, then the nearest male relative 

 makes the coffin. The body in all cases is taken to the church, where 

 services are held, at the conclusion of which every man, woman, and 

 child kisses the corpse on the forehead and on the left cheek. The 

 body is then carried to the grave by the relatives and buried. A few 

 days after the funeral a tea party is given at the house of the deceased, 

 and is usually largely attended, mostly by the female portion of the 

 population. After forty days' mourning and prayer, the surviving wife 

 or husband, as the case may be, is at liberty to marry again. 



The sanitary condition of the villages on both islands could not be 

 better; and, indeed, will compare very favorably with the small towns 

 in the States, if not put many of them to shame, could they be com- 

 pared. 



On the 17th of June, at noon, the United States man-of-war Tlietis, 

 Lieutenant- Commander Emory, arrived at this island and anchored, 

 • having on board his excellency, A. P. Swineford, governor of Alaska. 

 Commander Emory, with a number of his officers and the governor, 

 came on shore, and were met at the landing by the Treasury officials 

 and Alaska Commercial Company's agent, Dr. H. H. Mclntyre, by 

 whom a cordial welcome was extended the distinguished visitors. 

 Every facility was offered the governor to further the object of his 

 visit. He was placed in possession of the fullest information from the 

 books, and by personal observation as well as inquiry among the 

 natives, as to the management of the fur-seal islands. The entire 

 ship's party were taken to the rookeries by the Treasury agent, as well 

 as upon the seal fields, through the salt houses and store, schoolhouse 

 and church, where the governor looked into everything critically. He 

 took occasion to express himself as highly pleased with the condition 

 of the natives and the management of the Government's interests and 

 the relation of the lessees therewith. 



He was, indeed, quite profuse in his praise of the company's care and 

 provision for the natives, as well as the correct methods of conducting 

 the Government business. He thought it could not be improved on. 



