160 REPORT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF 



to sleep in, which we buried deep in the snow to keep warm. This was all the 

 house we needed, and our provisions we procured from the reindeer. It is impossi- 

 ble to state wages. In the first place I have not lived long enough in America to 

 know the conditions and circumstances, and in the second place I ought to know the 

 number of animals in charge of each man, and if the position is permanent. 



If you count on my services please inform me at au early date regarding particu- 

 lars, and I should like to start as soon as possible. The company, however, must 

 pay traveling expenses and other expenditures for equipment. I expect only a rea- 

 sonable remuneration for services. I know the English language thoroughly in 

 regard to speaking it, but I am less versed iu writing. 

 Very respectfully, 



P. ElNARSEN, 



507 Marion Street. 



McNeils Island, Wash., January 2, 1894. 



Dear Sir: In the newspaper Skandinaven, of Chicago, I noticed an advertise- 

 ment from you about men wanted to go to Alaska to take care of reindeer. As I am 

 from that part of Norway, where they keep the reindeer in flocks of a hundred to 

 thousands, and as I have some knowledge about herding and taking care of rein- 

 deer I mi^ht give you a few points on the subject matter. In the first place, I do 

 not think there is a Laplander in the United States or Canada, as that race very sel- 

 dom emigrate. They are a people that cling to their forefathers' customs and tradi- 

 tions like the Mongols of Asia. 



In Norway and Sweden tley live as nomads in the mountains with their reindeer, 

 and associate A'ery little with the farmers and other inhabitants of those countries, 

 and they have their own language, though the most of them speak and understand 

 the Scandinavian languages. They are a true, honest, and faithful people, and, if 

 once induced to accept a position they will give up their lives at the post before 

 neglecting their duties. And if you can not find Laplanders in the United States or 

 Canada, I would advise you to send to Norway for them, by the aid of the American 

 consuls at either the city of Christiania, or Throneblyin. They could be hired in the 

 neighboring country. And I can also give you the address of a friend of mine from 

 boyhood, who is the proprietor of a big estate a few miles from the city of Throne- 

 blyin, and his estate is surrounded by mountains, where Laplanders roam with their 

 reindeer, and, as he is a man of cosmopolitan habits, he would gladly aid you in an 

 enterprise like this, and free of charge, and you can correspond with him in the 

 English language as he is an educated man. His name and address is Jacob S. 

 Gram, Stenkjeer post-office, Norway. 



Another important matter is to secure good, trained dogs to help herd the reindeer* 

 In case they are chased by savage beasts, like bears and wolves, the reindeer will 

 spread out, and they can not be brought together without the help of good dogs, no 

 matter how many herders there are, and the dogs will also, by their fine scent, notify 

 the herders of the approach of any enemy, aud the herders will be on their watch, 

 and I do not think this kind of dogs can be found in this country, either. In case 

 you have to write to Norway for Laplanders to go to Alaska, you know they are igno- 

 rant of the English language, and it may be they would not be willing to go to a 

 foreign country, unless they could have a guide that understands their language, 

 and, in that case, I would be glad to accept a position, and go to Alaska with them 

 and take care of the reindeer. When about the age of 20 years I traveled among 

 them in the old country, and know their customs and habits, and take interest in 

 their care of the reindeer. I am 38 years of age, have good health, am used to fish- 

 ing and hunting, and at present live on my ranch in the State of Washington. 



As to what wages I would ask, I will say $75 a month, with board, and, without 

 board, so much more as the board would amount to. 



