102 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



arrived in Hatta's company with 123 deer on the 3d of April. Sixteen 

 deer had been killed since they left Barrow and the living ones were in 

 a very poor condition. The herders were also in want of tent, stove, 

 provisions and all. Mr. Thomas reports also cold weather and a loss 

 of one-tliird of the fawns at the time of the letter. 



The march toward home, as said, began on the 16th and after five 

 and a half days' traveling we had reached the mouth of Neukhik on 

 the Fish River, with the deer, as stated above. During that same 

 time some men were there who traveled with dogs and it took them 

 almost twice the time to cover said distance. At Neukluk, however, 

 a three days' delay occurred because of rain which made the deep 

 snow so soft that one could not travel by any means. On the 26th we 

 succeeded in getting away, and after a very hard day's tramp we 

 reached the Golofnin herd nearly at midnight, and there again the 

 weather bound us another day. 



The Golofnin herd was also in a most excellent condition. It was 

 beyond doubt the best herd I have seen tliis winter. Their feeding 

 ground for the winter was also an ideal place. The herders are doing 

 very weU. They show interest in their work, and there is no reason 

 why the native herders should not be able to take care of that herd at 

 any time. Their nearness to Nome and Council markets is a great 

 advantage to that herd. The sum total for which reindeer meat was 

 sold from said herd during the past year exceeds $1,500. 



From Golofnin, Rock and I continued to Unalakleet, where we 

 arrived on April 1, after forty-nine hours, traveling. 



The Unalakleet herds have also done very well during the past year. 

 During the time while Bals went with me to the Kuskokwim, Okitkon 

 (Eskimo) had charge of the mission herd and did well. All the boys 

 have done very well in their work and they are highly thought of by 

 the chief herders. After the division of the herd last fall, the one of 

 which Bals had charge was driven to North River, some 6 to 10 miles 

 up, while Bahr took his herd to the usual place on South River. At 

 these respective places they have been kept until the first part of 

 April, when they began to move toward the grounds for summer 

 pasture. Ole Bahr had already begun to drive his herd toward Cape 

 Denbigh when I returned from the north, so I met him with that 



had to supply them with tent and food, etc., buying at Candle what we could not supply 

 from our mission stock. Recent letters from Doctor Jackson speak of the probabilitj' of 

 herd being established at Point Hope next season, so that these boys can then return there. 

 With best wishes for the prosperity of your mission, I remain, 

 Most respectfully, your friend, 



Dana Thomas. 



Unalakleet, Juiie 22, 1904- 

 Doctor Jackson: I inclose above letter of interest from Dana Thomas at Kotzebue. It 

 is sad that so many fawns die, but I hope that the later fawns have been able to survive.' 



C. O. LiND. 



