HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ALASKA.
Contributed by 1st. Lt.Clyde Grady, 7th.ini*.
Alaska derives its name from an English corruption of the native word "Al-ay-ek-s
probably meaning "The great land” or Mainland.
The region now known ?s Alaska was first visited by the Russian officers
Behring and. Chirikov in 1741. Russian traders and trappers soon entered the
country and through their activity other nations became interested in this region.
Spanish expeditions in 1774 and 1775 visited the southeastern shore, and in 1778
the English explorer, Captain Janes Cook, na.de extensive surveys of the coast for
the British Government* The first settlement was na.de by the Russians at Three
Saints, on Kodiak Island, in 1774, and in 1804 the Russian-American Company founds’
Sitka, making it the seat of government in 1805.
In 1799 the trade and regulation of the Russian possessions in America were 4
given over to the Russian-American Company for a tern <--f 20 years, which was afte ---
wards twice renewed fer similar periods. In 1321 Russia attempted by ukase to
exclude foreign navigators from. Behring Sea and the Pacific coast of her possession
which caused a controversy with the United States and Great Britian. The question,
was settled by a treaty with the United States and Greet Britian in 1^24 and 1525
respectively, by which an ettsm.pt r « r<f.e to :ix penman ently the boundaries
the Russian possessions in America*
In March 1867, Alaska was purchased by the United States for the sun of
$7,200,000 in gold, and in October of the sa?ae year the formal transfer was made at
Sitka* From 1867 to 1877 Alaska was governed by the War Uep?.rtment, although
the customs were from the beginning collected by the Treasury Department, and with
the latter the control rested fron 1877 until the passag e of the act of 1884.
This act extended over Alaska the laws of the state of Oregon so far as they were
applicable, created a judicial district, put in force th e mining laws of the Unite
States, and gave the country an administrative system* The influx ~t settlers
after the discovery of gold in the Klondike, Yukon Territory, in 1396 rendered nr-e
adequate laws necessary* In 1899 and 1900 Congress made provisions for a code r/
civil ^nd criminal law, and in 1903 passed a homestead act. In the meantime a
serious boundary dispute had arisen between the United States and Canada regarding
the interpretation of the treaty of 1825* This was settled in 1903 by an agree"'cn■
"'hereby the se^c^st of Canada extended no farther north than 54 degrees and 45
minutes* By the act of May 7th., 1906, Alaska was given the power to elect r
egate to Congress* The act of August 24th., 19352,. provided for the creation of a
Territorial legislature. -"General Information Regarding Alaska”.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CHILKOOT BARRACKS, HAINES, ALASKA.
Compiled by Sergeant George T.Masury, Company "E" 7th. Infantry.
Chilkoot Barracks, (forraakly named Fort *rillian H. Seward), was erected in
1903 under the direction of Colonel Wilds P. Richardson, U.S.Arny (now retired)«>
Previous to that tine the troops stationed in Southeastern Alaska had been located
at Jye& and Skagwny. Two companies of the 14th Infantry had been sent from the
states in 1898, at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, when it wrS thought that an
expedition must be sent to relieve the starving miners of the Klondike. An
appropriation of $200,000 had been voted by Congress and prompt action was taken,
Lt*D.B.Devore was sent to Norway by the Secretary of Tar to purchase and bring o\ cr
fron Lapland 500 reindeer, sleds and drivers for transporting supplies of the expe
dition. The best pack train in the states was sent to Haines Mission to aid the
work. The reindeer were landed at Pyramid Harbor, on West bank of the Chilkat l'iv
(at that tine the nort of ca 11 for steamers fron the states and the beginning of
the Dalton Trail to the "Inside"', and were ferried across the river to the east
bank and driven across the peninsula through what is now the present military res
ervation, to Heines Mission, where they were groomed for the relief expedition.
At this time three things happened which had an important bearing on the situ at ir o,
(l)-the reindeer began to die r^niJly 'aur t' the lack of proper ’*^ss forage to
which they were accustomed in Laniard; (a) information was received, from Army
agents that the Klondike miners we~e rmt nt^r^ine- (quite the contrary);
(continue-1, on memo 3)