File:Alaska and the Klondike (1905) (14782108414).jpg

Identifier: alaskaklondike00mcla (find matches)
Title: Alaska and the Klondike
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: McLain, John Scudder, b. 1853
Subjects: Alaska Klondike River Valley (Yukon) -- Gold discoveries
Publisher: New York : McClure, Phillips & co.
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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their country. The Indian isfalling back everywhere before the advance of the whiteman, but nowhere has his retreat been converted into suchan almost complete rout as in Alaska. The years 1898and 1899 witnessed the great rush to the gold fields ofAlaska, and it is estimated that the Indian and Eskimopopulation has been reduced by death fully 40 per cent,during the past six years. I question these appalling fig-ures, but the estimate is hazarded by more than one whohas had opportunity to observe the condition of these un-happy people. But, granting all that ought to be allowed for exaggera-tion, it is not difficult for any one who has travelled ex-tensively through that country to see that there has beena frightful decimation of the native population, and tounderstand some of the reasons for it. The deserted vil-lages and the wretched condition of nearly all that retaina remnant of their former population tell a sad and pitifulstory. When the Russian came he brought with him vices 276
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w ayS ALASKA AND THE KLONDIKE and diseases which wrought havoc, and in the frequentclashes at amis the natives suffered heavy losses. But theRussian was merciful compared to the American. TheRussian had use for the native, and after a time the traderelation was so well established that the native derivedsomething of profit from it. When the American came the fur trade had declined,and the contact of the two races meant little to the weakerone except further demoralisation and ruin through viceand disease. I do not mean to say that the original con-dition of the natives of Alaska had been free from theconsequences of immorality and ignorance, but their con-dition was such as to cause them to fall an easy prey toall the demoralising influences which usually attend thefirst wave of the white mans civilisation. We have seenthe same thing within our own borders. Our centuryof dishonour has written its record of injustice andwrong done to the Indians here in our own country inlines of ineff

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