ALASKA SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN 1900. 
245 
formed the piers, and at the time of our visit the northern crib had been removed and 
was lying on the rocks a short distance below. This zapor, or rather a zapor, has 
been maintained at this point for many years. It was carried away during the winter 
of 1895 and 1896 and rebuilt by the natives as soon as the conditions permitted. In 
August, 1S99, the master of one of the Alaska Packers Association cannery steamers, 
with the assistance of some natives, pulled out the northern crib. As this made 
but a small opening which could readily be closed, a party from the Albatross dis- 
membered the remaining cribs, piled the timber and rails on shore, and burnt them. 
The stream is now (August, 1900) clear of artificial obstruction. 
INHABITANTS. 
The inhabitants of Afognak consist of Kadiak Eskimos, Russian half-breeds, and 
a few white hunters and fishermen. As much complaint has been made in this 
locality, not only on account of the illegal fishing of the reservation stream by the 
canneries, but by the inhabitants in relation to their condition and surroundings (see 
salmon inspector’s report, 1899, pp. 38-48), it is deemed necessary, in order that the 
Commission may be advised of the facts, to state the situation as it appears to me 
after our visit. 
When Alaska was under the management of the Russian - American Company 
the time arrived when they had in their employ many men who had grown old in 
their service or who had lost their health and could not very well be discharged and 
thrown upon their own resources. Upon representing this condition to the Russian 
Government an order was issued, in 1835, directing the company to locate, as per- 
manent settlers, such of the employees as had married native or half-breed women, 
and who, on account of age or ill health, could no longer serve the company. The 
latter, under this order, was obliged to select suitable land, build comfortable dwell- 
ings, furnish agricultural implements, seed, cattle and fowls, and a year’s provisions. 
The settlers were exempt from taxation and military duty, and the Russians were 
known as colonial citizens and the half-breeds as colonial settlers. The eastern side 
of Cook Inlet, Afognak Island, and Spruce Island were selected as most suitable for 
settlement, and the half-breeds now forming the larger part of the population at 
Afognak village are largely descendants from these colonial citizens and settlers. 
The early name of the village was liatkovsky. The half-breeds have always lived 
on a higher plane of civilization than the natives and are more industrious. Among 
them are a number of skilled craftsmen, such as carpenters and boat- builders, and in 
the latter occupation it is said they excel the whites usually employed at the canneries. 
In our investigations in Alaska we have come in contact with all the different 
phases of native life, from the Haida of the south to the Innuit of the north, from 
the Athapascan of the east to the Aleut of the west, and there are few places that 
can equal Afognak in natural resources for native life. None need suffer here, and 
if any do it is through their own neglect. Potatoes and the hardier vegetables of 
all kinds grow well and can be stored for winter use; hay can be made for cattle; 
the waters teem with fish, not only with salmon during the summer, which may be 
cured for winter use in practically unlimited quantities, but all during the year cod 
may be taken in numbers on the adjacent banks. The furs are not all gone yet; 
bear, fox, and mink are still found in limited numbers, and the catch of sea otter 
