Report on Introduction of Domesticated Reindeer Into Alaska, 1894

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894. Excerpt: ... their way back to the herd without further attention. They made these trips on an average about every third day until the middle of April, and in that time had hauled enough wood for present needs, besides a number of logs for building purposes. In hauling wood the herders walked near the first deer, the others being tied to the sled in front and in single file, trudging along with their loads. The teams were changed about sometimes, four being sent, but there was no occasion to force the work or overload the deer, and they were given only such loads as they could walk along with comfortably. They took to the work as naturally as a duck does to water, and not a single instance of balking occurred. They pulled as steadily, and much resembled an ox in their movements. If for any cause a halt was made, on starting up again each herder went to his sled, pulling it a little to one side, when the deer at once set himself in the traces, and on he went. This experiment was one of the most satisfactory of any trials during the year, and one that the natives looked upon with wonder. They would watch and walk beside them as they trudged along, and doubtless many of them thought, if they only had a house like the white men, with a stove in it, and deer to haul their wood what comforts they could enjoy. AFFAIRS AT THE STATION. The reindeer station was selected and formally established by yourself on June 29,1892, at 10 o'clock a. m., sun time, by raising the stars and stripes and firing a salute with rifles as the flag gracefully filled to the breeze. A few feet from the southeastern corner of the house, known as the headquarters building, as it now stands, was an empty pork barrel, minus head and bottom, and through this protruded a log that had been picked up on the...