INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 83 



made considorablo progress in learning to l)reak and drive the sled 

 deer. We allowed them to come in as often as they chose, provid- 

 ing they woidd drive deer, until they got to neglecting the herd, 

 when regular times were set. Per Larsen Anti is an excellent deer 

 man, and possesses the qualifications of a shepherd. He knows 

 the personalit}' of nearly- every deer in the herd. Were he only 

 a mariied man his worth and influence would be far greater. In 

 our opinion Christian homes are the foundations of all stal)le govern- 

 ments and enduring civilization. Ole Pulk has been far from 

 satisfactory. With a strong-minded American or Lapp constantly 

 in the camp, he might do good service, but as it was we thought 

 best to remove him Maj^ 1, since which time lie has lived in the 

 Beach House with Mr. Richards. Richards has been able to tell the 

 boys of the eagerness of the young men on the mainland to secure 

 herds of reindeer, and that has had a good influence on the boys, 

 so that they have conducted themselves much more satisfactorily 

 during the last few months. Shut in on an island of small popula- 

 tion, ideas are narrow, and onl}^ become broadened by contact 

 with those from outside. Seeing more outsiders and removed from 

 the influence of the old men ol the village, with an efficient teacher 

 among them, the six boys we have would compare well with any 

 herders I have read of. We hope to have some women in the camp 

 this winter, a much-needed element, and a most necessary one before 

 the camp will become a home. 



One of the boys is very anxious to secure a wife from some other 

 people. The people here are intermarrying to such an extent that 

 the whole village is like a large family, and unless steps are taken for 

 their relief they will soon be gone. 



Another matter under this head demanding 3'our most careful 

 consideration is the future of the boys who graduate. What pro- 

 vision is to be made as an initial outfit for the young herder at the 

 time of his graduation? What is to be given him beyond his 50 

 head of deer? There is no market for meat here like there is for 

 herders on the main land, neither an}' stores where a herder could 

 secure needed supplies by purchase or in trade. There is no freight- 

 ing to be done for miners nor other means of earning money, and at 

 the same time preparation has to be made for weather perhaps 

 severer than most of the herds meet on the mainland, because there 

 is no protection from the severe winds so frequent here in winter. 

 Tents can not stand, nor do they suffice for protection. Fuel is 

 another serious problem on account of an absence of timber. Drift- 

 wood is onh' found along portions of the north side, and the beach 

 is allotted among the different houses, so that each one has his 

 claim, and for another to take wood from any place but his own is 

 considered and treated as "claim jumping." 



