INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEP^R INTO ALASKA. 1 f^9 



attending the Lapps whom I left in his care, has performed several 

 difltieult operations. I would very much reeommend that his bill be 

 paid. 



Hoping' to hear from you very soon, T remain. 

 Yours, truly, 



Hedley E. Redmyer. 

 Dr. Sheldon Jackson, 



St. Michael, Alcifika. 



Seattle. Wash., 3frt/ 19, 1899. 



Dear Sir : J have th(> honor to inclose you a bill of $25.65 of 

 Messrs. Hewitt & McDonald, for supplies furnished H. PI Redmyer 

 and party of Lapps in charge of overland expedition of reindeer. 



This is one of similar bills which 1 have sent to the Department, 

 since leaving Washington to return to Alaska and settle up the 

 aecounts of the Lapps with the War Department to the time of the 

 expiration of their contract. 



You remember that by th(> t(M'nis of the contract these incn were to 

 be paid out of the fund foi- the relief of th<^ peoi)h> in the mining 

 regions of Alaska, up to January ;^1, 1899. 



The rations furnished by the War Department were only suffieient 

 to last them until about October 1, 1899, when it was supposed they 

 would reach the neighborhood of Circle C-ity and be able to secure 

 more. The expedition was expected to go thi-ough an unknow^n 

 countr}^, from the ocean north in southeast Alaska to Circle City, in 

 the Yukon Valley. Li attempting to do it they got lost in the moun- 

 ttiins, and instead of reaching Circle City by the 1st of 'October they 

 did not actually get there until the last of February, 1899. They ran 

 out of provisions and clothes, suffered many hardships, and were 

 compelled to purchase provisions at the trading posts which they 

 reached, paying four and five prices for the same. But it was (Mther 

 that or starvation. 



I learn that since leaving Washington a lull, purchased under similar 

 circumstances from the Alaska Conunercial Company's store, Dawson, 

 was refused l)y the War Department and sent back to the Intei-ior 

 Department. But the bill was for provisions for these Lapps under 

 contract with the War Department, and is properly chargeable to the 

 fund for the relief of people in the Yukon Valley. If I were present 

 in Washington I think J could make all these bills, as they come in, 

 plain and satisfactory to the Department, and I trust that as soon as 

 convenient they may be audited and paid out of the Alaska fund. 



I expect to sail on the revenue cutter Brar in a few days. AVhile 

 passing through Portland, as you retjuested, J called at the First Na- 

 tional Bank to receive any suggestions they had to make and take any 



