34 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 
the Aleutian Islands, and the first colony was established on St. George Island, near 
Staraya Artel rookery, so called from this fact, the name meaning “old guild” or 
association. Other villages were afterwards established on this island at Zapadni and 
at Garden Cove. 
In the course of time men were carried in similar manner to St. Paul Island, the 
Aleutian settlements at Unalaska and Atka being chiefly drawn upon. The first 
settlement on St. Paul was established at the foot of the large shallow Mishalke Lake 
at the northern end of the island. Later settlements were located at Polovina and at 
Zapadni of St. Paul. 
CONDITIONS IN RUSSIAN DAYS. 
When, in 1799, the Russian-American Company came into control of the islands, 
the various settlements on St. Paul were grouped into one at Polovina. Afterwards 
they were transferred to the present location of the village, in order to be near the 
most advantageous landing places. In like manner, the villages at Garden Cove, 
Zapadni, and Staraya Artel were gradually broken up and the inhabitants grouped 
on the present site of the village of St. George, on the northern face of the island. 
Of the condition of the Aleuts in these early days of Russian control Mr. Elliott 
says: 
They were mere slaves, without the slightest redress from any insolence or injuries which their 
masters might see fit in petulance or brutal orgies to inflict upon them. Here they lived and died, 
unnoticed and uncared for, in large barracoons, half underground and dirt roofed, cold and filthy. 
This is probably not an extreme picture of the condition of the natives in Russian 
times. The Aleuts at the present time look back to these as their halcyon days; but 
this feeling may exist as the memory of indulgences which they are forbidden now. 
It is certain that but little thought or care was bestowed upon them by their Russian 
managers beyond seeing that they did the required work. 
CONDITIONS UNDER AMERICAN CONTROL. 
Under American control matters changed. The Alaska Commercial Company 
early in the period of its lease erected suitable frame cottages, furnished with the 
substantial comforts of life, which took the place of the cheerless and insanitary sod 
houses, or barrabaras. A physician with the necessary medical supplies was stationed 
on each island to care for the wants of the people. Churches were erected and pre- 
sided over by priests of the Russian-Greek faith. Schools in which the English 
branches are taught were established. Wood and coal took the place of the filthy 
seal-blubber and driftwood fuel. The former exclusive diet of seal meat was supple- 
mented by many of the staples and even luxuries of civilized living. 
THE HANDLING OF THE SEALS. 
All the work of driving, slaughtering, and skinning the seals, as well as the curing 
of the skins, is done by the Aleuts under the direction of the agents of the lessees. 
They are paid by the lessees for this labor at so much per skin. Under the old lease 
this was 40 cents, and for the 100,000 skins regularly taken this gave a fund of 
$40,000 for the support of a total population of between 400 and 450, of both sexes 
and all ages. At the present time the price is 50 cents a skin, but the number 
of skins taken has greatly decreased. 
