Passage was taken on a small steamer from Vancouver. The boat stopped
at a number of settlements on the scenic "inside" route--which
impresses one as a much enlarged and varied trip through the
Catskills--permitting some observations on the Indians of these parts.
The main opportunity was had at Aleut Bay. Here many British Columbia
Indians were seen on the dock, belonging to several tribes. Names of
these, as pronounced to me, were unfamiliar. They have a large agency
here; engage in salmon industry. A minority, only, full bloods--of the
younger a large majority mixed (white blood). The full bloods all show
one marked type, of short to moderate stature, rather short legs, huge
chest and head, i. e., face. Color near onion-brown, without luster.
Indians, but modified locally. Remind one (chest, stature, stockiness,
shortness of neck and legs) of Peruvian Indians.
Indians at Prince Rupert same type; color pale brown; eyes and nose
rather small for the faces in some, in others good size. Look good deal
like some Chinese or rather some hand-laboring Chinese and Japanese
look like them.
Indians at Juneau (the Auk tribe) very similar, but most mixed with
whites.
_Juneau._--A week was spent at Juneau, gathering information, obtaining
letters of introduction, and making a few excursions. The city has
an excellent museum devoted to Alaskan history and archeology, under
the able curatorship of Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff, himself a part
of the history of the Territory. The archeological collections of
Alaska Indians and Eskimos are in some respects--e. g., pottery--more
comprehensive than those of any other of our museums; but they,
together with the valuable library, are housed in a frail frame
building, under great risks from both fire and thieves. Fortunately the
latter are still scarce in Alaska, but the fire risk is great and ever
present. The museum is a decided cultural asset to Juneau.