INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC R?:INDP:ER INTO ALASKA. S7 



sup])]}- schooner, which (Hd not roach us until August 28. But wo 

 sharpened up the tools on July 22 preparatory' to the buikling, and 

 made some cold chisels. With the help of some of the boys, ohsorved 

 July 27 as ''Bell Founders' Day," removing the heavy bell from the 

 roof and refitting the collar to prevent a severe rocking whenever 

 the bell was rung. Jul}^ 28 was "Blacksmiths' Day," because we 

 made some necessary tools; Jul}^ 29 was "Stonemasons' Day," 

 because spent in getting out stones for foundation. The next lew 

 days were devoted to the "County Association of Architects," 

 because plans for the new building were drawn, the scale being 

 one-twelfth inch to an inch. August 3 actual work began with 

 six men helping me. The services connected with the laying of the 

 corner stone were held August 6. Work was continued untU the 

 26tli, w^ien we could go no farther until we knew if more lumber 

 should come. Notwithstanding the continual vigilance necessary 

 to the best w^ork and to make the lumber go as far as possible, the 

 work with the men was very pleasant and I am sure profitable to 

 them. They learned much English and also the use of some of the 

 carpenter's tools. The square and level have come, to those that 

 worked wath me, to mean something very definite and exact, and 

 they also learned a little of the wliite man's use of diagrams and plans. 

 As mistakes were made, each one had his share of the jocular query, 



"What's the matter with , asleep?" at which all would laugh, 



and right glad were they when the}" found opportunity to laugh at 

 the Im-ed carpenter. The addition consists of the hospital, IG by 16, 

 separated from the main building by an entry which has been used 

 all winter as a much-needed reception room and w'ash room. In 

 the shed adjoining is a storeroom, a bathroom, and coal bunkers for 

 the schoolroom. The wash room and bathroom may be called a 

 part of the hospital equipment, cleanliness constituting a better 

 medicine than all the drugs obtainable. The bathroom was used 

 a great deal. 



Our plan w^as for four to go to the lake one-fourth of a mile away and 

 get water, which we put in a large tank in our kitchen stove. When 

 the water was hot the boys filled up the bath tub and two of them 

 had their fun, when two more put in more hot water and washed off 

 all the dirt the w^ater would hold; so with hot water, plenty of soap and 

 wash rags and towels the four came out, if not white as the snow, 

 improved at least 300 per cent, the usual returns expected from 

 expenditures in Alaska. 



The walls of the building have double air spaces, and the roof and 

 floors single ones, making, as w^e know from experience, a much 

 warmer room than if the walls had been put against each other. As 

 soon as the Laura Madsen came and the su2)plies were piled under 



