The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 10, 1898, Page 22

APRIL 10, 1898 From the Dyea Goldhunter, March 30, 1898. DASHED TO THEIR DEATHS. Frightful Fate of Two Packers Who Fought a Duel on the Cliffs Above the Pass. SKAGUAY, via Seattle, March 28, 1838.—The A ackers passing over the trial _this long P 0/ 3 ere ap ed and horrified at one of Tost theilling i awful sights that have vet been Witnessed in this land of startling Inctdents and perilous risks For one solld hour two men of powerful phy- fought a ‘frigh battle on the brink of a slque fought a IHiEhiIN feet ‘above the seething ' below. On & narrow path ountain side, scarcely wide iss, the two men met and lain view of the hundreds of 1l on both sides of the sum- precipice two th waters in th h arms of steel each held le. In a frenzred struggle e of the trail and swayed ey neare §:‘;~{u its t until strong, sturdy men along the line grew sick at the sight and turned their heads aw “My God,” cried on an way down the tral don't arate them? tention to him; all eyes were ing figures, a grim silhouette ainst the Arctic sky. No one tried to reach them, e lone dared, no one could. Strong hearts stopped beating, brave, fearless men shuddered, but the fight went « one paid any ed on the two swi e was awful. No hand moved, no sed, seve now and then when a groan o men would balance and then fall back e trail agam. was lifted in the air vith a grim, exultant the edge, cautiously balancing 2 of his foe above his head volce wa went down the the brink smile the Nearer ¢ he approached the brink of the vawning chasm, and as if to make one final effort he leaned far ba , as he did so, a clump of earth broke away from the outer rim of the trail, some gravel stones fl 1to the air, an awful oath broke the dead silence, and the two men fell head- long into the abyss below. A little way beyond their packs were found, and from all the evidences gathered it was established beyond a doubt that the two men had deliberately repaired to the fatal spot to fight thetr duel. The cause of the quarre could not br; ascertained. o e e PART 1. On a bright, crisp morning during the month of October, 1867, the folds of a Russian flag rose and fell in the sky above Alaska. At the foot of the staff from which this flag was hung a Russian soldier stood on guard. Just back of where this soldier was stationed on the side of the hill which n s a gentle slope to the sea, and at the foot of which the town of Sitka lies, there stood in wonderment a littie band of Alaska Indians. They were not of one breed, but a mingled lot of many tribal fragments, as it were, of the once great and powerful hype an group. = jeg=3=FeFeFeFoRetag=gegeg FugugogogogoRaFaFeg gegeguicteFoFeRoFoRaFuiaFayRayrFugaaRa] foBoRegetet R FuReT et e PugaPoRaRaRaPaReFeFatePagey-FeRaRaRaPoPagaFePeg=Fey=Fagaga] Their chief, Don-a-wauk by name, was indeed a magnificent model of his once magnificent race. He belon to the tribe of the Koniags occupied the extreme western ter bordering on Bering Sea. Their close proximity to the shores of Sibe brought about the mingling of their blood with that of the Ru an inhabitants residing in that portion of the Rus: n Empire. This in turn brought about a speedy obliteration of the original race, leaving only traces of them here and there. Don- a-wauk was a f sample of that mixture, his mother being a full-blooded Koniaga, his father a Russian trader, or promishlenik, belonging to that sturdy class of navigators who were first to open up the fur trade in Alaska. Don-a-wauk, as his speech will show, was a “Mission Indian”; in other words, an educated In- dian, one who had not only mastered the English language, but who had studied and acquired the power of graceful and vigorous speech. He was instinct- ively an orator. His voice, manner, gesture, intona- tion and expression of face contributed to that strange force which captivates and sinks every uttered word into the heart. Don-a-wauk’s early environments had much to do no doubt in bringing out this latent passion for flowery words, which came to him naturally from his Asiatic ancestors. Advancing from the group of Indians with a slow and deliberate step, Don-a-wauk approached the Russian guard and said: “Why are all these flags floating? Why are these many soldiers here? Why does the Governor chief pack his belongings?"” The guard made no reply. “You will not speak? You will not answer my questions? Why? Why will you not speak? My people would like to know. I, their chief, would like to know what this all means?” The unbending soldier still made no reply, so Don-a-wauk returned to the Indians on the side of the hill and from his manner and gesture it was plain to be seen that he was very indignant at the treat- ment accorded him by the soldier. As he was thus engaged in explaining the incivil- ity of the Russian soldier to his group of Indians an officer of the United States army appeared. It was Lieutenant Clifford Coffin of Company F, Ninth In- fantry, U. 8. A. Following him came the corporal of the same company, carrying under his arm a neatly tied bundle, which upon being opened proved to ba an American flag. After an exchange of salutes with the Russian soldler, Lieutenant Coffin fastened the flag to the double halliard which was attached to the staff and at the other end of which floated the colors of the Czar. After making a careful examination of the ropes, and surveying with passing scrutiny the surroundings, Lieutenant Coffin again saluted the Russian soldier and was about to retire, when Don-a- wauk approached him, and put the same questions to him that he had asked the Russian. To this the lieu- tenant's reply in substance was that there was noth- ing of any consequence about to occur, and the officer started to go. Don-a-wauk intercepted him and”sald: “But I know there is something. Red Leggins came to the mountains and told me. I left my berries and fish and game and traveled in my canoe all night. Red Leggins tells me that three men, high among your people, three strong men of your tribe, have had many meetings at the Governor's castle. They have counciled many days. They have signed many pa- rers. These iron monsters have suddenly appeared in our peaceful harbor. Many armed soldiers have come among us. My people would like to know what it all means? I, their chief, would like to know.’ “As I said before,” replied the lieutenant, “there is nothing of great importance about to occur. Alaska has been sold, that is all, and this day has been set for the transfer.” “Alaska sold?" ‘“Yes.” IN THE FRENZIED STRUGGLE THEY NEARED THE OUTER EDGE OF THE TRAIL AND SWAYED UPON THE BRINK OF THE pREc";lCE‘ ~, Don-a-wauk stood motionless and_silent. Com- Pletely absorbed if the thoughts which were crowd- “ing his mind he locked far out at sea. Now and then- he repeated to himself: ‘“Alaska sold?” S e e . PART 1L Some time during the year 1860 Baron Oranoft, who was the Russian Governor of Alaska, jm_lrneyt-d to St. Petersburg for the purpose of laying before the Czar the ne ty of co itting a larger number of exiles and convicts to Alaska that they might be em- ployed in the construction of wharves, forts, other improvements and fortifications of the Territory. It was about this time that Iskander Hertzen, one of the leading spirits of the society of anarL;l sts | known as Decembrists, flourished and exercised a great Influence among his followers. Among them was Louise Solovieff, sister of Ivan Solovieff, who at- tempted the life of the Czar in 1879 by thrice firing at him from behind the gates which led to the palace. While there appeared no outward manifestations of this society until 1866, when Tchernishevsky was arrested and Hertzen fled to London, they were nev- ertheless subjected to the strictest surveillance, and one evening in the month of October, 1860, their place of meeting was raided by the officers of the Czar, and among the persons taken was Louise Solovieff. The next day when Louise appeared before the Commissioner of Police, Baron Oranoff was present. She was young and beautiful then, so beautiful, indeed, that when she entered the room of the Com- missioner the baron looked upon her with eager and covetous eyes. The baron stood well at the court of Alexander II, and when a few days afterward he suggested to the Emperor that Louise Solovieff would be much safer in Alaska than Siberia the Czar pretended to see the force of the suggestion, and when the ship that carried the baron back to his castle at Sitka left the port of Odessa, on the third day of November, 1860, Louise Solovieff was among the list of exiles and convicts transported.to Alaska. For a time Louise resented the proffered and pro- fessed affection of the baron, but after a while she softened toward him, became reconciled to her fate, and, yielding to the force of an unalterable desuny' she consented to the liaison. % A year went by, and she bore him a son, a bright little fellow, just turning six at the commencement of this narrative. She called him Ivan, after her brother, and while the baron did not relish the idea the name of a noted anar- hen her’s attack upon the Czar }‘)Bd, t! ;{:‘zs‘ie:lifcczrg[ed, so he made no serious objection to 'g choice of a name. mes’x’::t?flf bzcame deeply interested ighth;azdx:- tion and moral training of the Indians. ef K-1diak- tributed much to_the ;T“s:}‘ms:sgfxll‘i r‘;alds OKn“\:hmk, Unalaska, Atka, Kenof, Mus 2 . At the opening of this story she h;_wd been ’nnm;)( l::tese months’ visit to these various mi ary posts. She had taken her departure in July, son Ivan attended her. It was during her absence on an event followed which forever woman’s happiness. It came about ol Commodore Rodgers, in 1854, divided his C 22 carried on his explorations among the Aleulm: A ands, the coast of Kamschatka and the‘ fmor: Ocean north of the Bering Strait, Captain Prim rr‘he Portland, Maine, was assigned to the x'\aters! of t x far north. In the fall of that year his ship “;fie wrecked, and but for a tribe of Indians alrr;xzh he northern coast he and his crew would certainly ha ished. perx(ml Pon-a-tauk was the name of their chief, and he had a daughter, Il-la-hie by name, & most bPfiifl- tiful and charming creature. Captain Prim ha\vmg shared with the chief his lodge until the following spring grew very fond of Il-la-hie, and Il-la-hie grew very fond of him. At his request, and by the consent of the chief, she accompanied him to one of the mfis{i sions along the southern coast, where she attende! school. Later on she entered a convent in Canada, and grew to be a most accomplished woman. Subse& quently she became the wife of Captain Prim, an bore him a son. Their home for a year past had been at Sitka. The captain, who was now in the employ of the Government of the United States, had gone on an exploration of the interfor of Alaska, and during his absence his wife made the acquaintance of Baron Oranoff. The result of that acquaintance can best be told in the following continuation of this story. As Don-a-wauk stood with his back to the side of the hill and his face to the sea he did not notice the approach of Louise. She called him twice, but he did not answer. She then hurried past the Russian guard, who had stood all of this time apparently ob- livious to the passing incidents around him, and gently laid her hand upon Don-a-wauk's shoulder. “Louise!” he exclaimed in astonishment. “Yes,” she replied, “I returned this morning; tell me, Don-a-wauk, what does this all mean?” “Sold like dogs.” answered he. “What do you mean?” “Mean! We are sold—Indians, dogs, convicts—all sold.” “By whom?” “The Governor Chief.” = 5 “Tell me, Don-a-wauk, what do you mean? Tell me all; T have been away. I have not seen my hus- band to talk with him since my return. He is engaged in some strange enterprise, I know, but he will not tell me. If Don-a-wauk knows, I believe he will.” This appeal loosened the tongue of Don-a-wauk, thus he spoke: and“Your hust?and has sold this country, and Il-la-hie of a son of his carrying this occasion that destroyed the poor as follows: When forces and Z g2 7‘7',121 has sold her people. “Il-la-hie!” exclaimed Louilse. “Yes, she of the musk ox eyes, radiant and beautiful. She has betrayed her race for the silk c the worm and the jewels the Governor Chief has be stowed upon her.” Louise knew that the Indian would tell his story in his own way and in his own time, and while she was consumed with anxiety and fear and impatience, she concealed her agitation and calmly told him to go on. “Last night,” said he, “I came. Red Leggins, swift of feet, ran to the mountains and told me to come quick. I came. Last night I watched the castle. I saw the Governor Chief leave the castle and cross to the house of Il-la-hie. She came out. They wa to the long bridge over Indian River, beyond the N gion School. I follow. My ears not hear, but my e see. The Governor Chief beg Il-la-hie to fly with h She refused. He ask again. A long time were the; there. Then like lovers they come back. I fear thera something wrong. I know now. Soldier captain just tell me. Your husband has sold this count la-hie has sold her people. They will fly toge The truth sank deep into the heart of Lou “My God, Don-a-wauk!” she cried. ‘“He will not leave me and the child here alone?” “He will throw you to one side like that,” repli the Indian, with an accompanying gesture. At that moment there was a distant sound of marching feet, and looking up both Don-a-wauk and Louise saw the approach of what appeared to be a procession. “Come quick,” said Don-a-wauk. “You will soon see that what I have told you is true.” They both retired up the hill where the little band of Indians stood, and the procession entered. At the head came a guard of Russian man-of- warsmen; abreast of them a company of American soldiers. Then followed Brigadier-General Lovell H. Rousseau, the Commissioner appointed by Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, to carry out the terms of the treaty made March 29, 1867, through which the Territory of Alaska was ceded by Russia to the United States for the sum of $7,200,000. By the side of General Rousseau was Captain Pestchouroff, the Commissioner of the Imperial Government of Russia. Then came Major-General Halleck and Ba- ron Oranoff, the new and retiring Governors. Follow- Ing them came several battalions of American and Russian marines. After the invocation Captain Pestchouroff, advan- cing a step, addressed General Rousseau as follows: feneral Rosseau, by the authority of the Imperi Government and in behalf of his Majesty, the Em- peror of all the Russias, I hereby transfer to the United States Government, through you, the duly accredited and authorized Commissioner, all the ter- ritory which formed the Russian Colonies of the Northwest of the American Continent.” General Rousseau, advancing, replied: “Captain Pestchouroff, on behalf of the President, sanctioned Dby the people of the United States, I accent the trans- fer under and by the authority vested in me by the Secretary of State.” As the Russian flag descended it became entan- gled in some way at the trestle-trees of the staff, and S0 great was the consternation: and feeling of fore boding evil from the incident among the Russians that many of them went. Captain Pestchouroff collected himself, however, and, as the Russian flag finally descended, he said: “General Rousseau, the Territory of Alaska is now transferred to the Government of the United Statea. All the forts and military posts are now delivered. Also, the public edifices, such as the Governor's house, the buildings used for Government purpose: dockyards, barracks, hospitals, schools, public grounds and all free lots in Sitka, Kadiak and other stations are hereby delivered to your Government." General Rosseau was about to reply, when there was a commotion among the soldiers; some kind of a struggle had occurred, and before any one could as- certain the cause Don-a-wauk had pushed his way through the crowd and now stood in the center of the hollow - square. His eyes flashed, his lips trembled his hands shook, but for all this he was dignifisd and deliberate, and controlled his emotion sufficiently to thus address those around him: 5 “Why have you forgotten the Indian? to be counseled when the country of our fathers is sold? Who was it first found these fishing eroundes Your fathers or mine? Who was it first climbed {heee mountains to the fields of gold? Was it the whis man or the Indian? Who was it to first disturb xh-A:: deep blue waters? Those belching iron monsters v der, or the bark cance of thedndian? To-day voq have vour ships to carry away. = 2 ‘the gold which was paid for this country. What does the ia e R fe oy oes e Indian receive Once we were stro v man weak. -We were strong when white mr;g‘;. r“'\rrlxivlee We did not use our strength against him. Now white man strong, Indian weak. Can you say a: ich fo b ¥ as much for So completely had Don-a-wauk surprised th so forcible were his words and so effectuallly diderr?e' utter them that not a voice or hand was raised against him. Finally, after a most painful silence, Continued on Page Twenty-four. Are we not and her little ¥