INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 115 



ANNU^M. REPORT BETHEL REINDEER STATION. 



Bethel, Alaska, July 26, WOJ^. 



Dear Sir: Since I wrote to you from the ship about the arrival 

 of the Finns, I have received your letter of April 22, announcing 

 the coming of Mr. H. E. Redmyer. 



We arrived at Bethel July 22 with all the Finns, but could not 

 take all our ])ro visions at once, therefore I sent the Finns down to 

 Quinhagak for the second load (with some natives) , and then I will 

 giv(^ thoni tlieir provisions and take them to the deer. Mr. Karbum 

 has 5 children, and we think it impossible that they can all go to 

 Copper Center in winter. Their children have been bom in the 

 States and have not even seen deer; traveling just in the coldest 

 time of the year is too dangerous for them. I have made arrange- 

 ments for them to stay here over winter. If the Government pays 

 for rent, stove, and wood, the other things Mr. Karbum will pay from 

 his salary. 



Next year we can either send them out to Valdes, or Mr. Karbum 

 can come back and stay on the Kuskokwim. I will wait for your 

 directions. 



The men like Alaska very much — coming up the river, seeing the 

 many places with so much grass. Oh! they just wanted some cows 

 and start right in here. It is just like Finland, they always say. 



Now, with the Lord's help, we will do all we can to get them to 

 the deer and start them for Copper Center. 



From our deer I can give encouraging news. They have increased 

 to 500. 



"13 dead, ''11 dead. 



How many of these fawns belong to the native herders I could not 

 learn. 



I thank you very much for the reading matter and school supplies. 

 The latter is needed and the former always very welcome. Mr. 

 Joaquin will go to the Yukon to-morrow and take our mail along. 

 I close now with all good wishes to you, and remain. 



Yours, truly, 



Adolf Stecker, Superintendent. 

 Rev. Doctor Jackson, 



Washington, D. C. 



Two of the Finns have asked you to have some of their pay sent 

 to their families in Michigan. I hope that can be done, as they are 

 anxious to help their families. 



