Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
January 21, 1938
The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
In 1922, President Warren G. Harding visits Metlakatla, Alaska, and intervenes when an Indian complains that commercial nets block salmon runs, ordering enough fish released for the natives' winter supply. (148 characters)
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Harding Aids
The Natives
Getting Fish
(By Preston Grover)
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Jan. 20, -Many sad stories have been told of the late President Warren G. Harding. This is a happy one.
Glance at a map of Alaska. Notice that the line separating it from Canada runs southward from up in the Arctic but when it gets near the sea coast it turns backward and down the coast, giving the United States a long strip of coast line.
Near the southern end of that strip is an island named Metlakatla. It has a history.
About 20 years before the gold rush to Alaska an industrious Episcopalian missionary, Father Duncan, was preaching among a tribe of Indians on the mainland opposite the island and well inland.
Duncan was successful as a missionary. although he was often in conflict with church officials. He believed in going half way with the Indians in religious matters, allowing them to adapt Christianity to their own conditions, to a degree.
The Schism
Becoming quite out of patience, he finally broke with the church and moved with his Indian colony out on Metlakatla Island
There the Indians. handy and self provident, did very well, catching salmon for winter, selling a few furs and worshipping under Duncan's guidance
Ultimately Presbyterian missionaries came to the island. so that now there are two rival groups, .a little bitter at times, but usually getting along together.
President Harding visited Metlakatla in 1922 on his trip to Alaska. With him was Herbert C. Hoover. then secretary of commerce, in which is the bureau of fisheries. Keep that in mind. It is important.
During the Harding visit, a mass meeting of the Indians was called in front of a meeting house and the Indians were invited to state their complaints, if any. A stalwart Indian of middle age arose. His neighbors, embarrassed and shy, sought to pull him back to his seat, but President Harding intervened.
"Let him talk." he said.
Indian's Revenge
The Indian told his story. He had been over to the mainland in a boat with his squaw to catch the winter supply of salmon. Far up their favorite salmon stream they went, set up their equipment and waited No salmon came.
Long after the time the salmon should have arrived. they waited-knowing that without salmon it would be a hard winter for them. Finally they went down the stream. despondent.
They found the trouble at the mouth of the stream. There a salmon fishing barge was anchored. and nets blanketed the entrance. Not a salmon could pass
The Indian asked permission to catch enough fish from in front of the nets, but was refused. He was told he could buy what he needed, but had no money. Back to the island he came, and who should be there but the President of the United States.
The Indian got quick action. It is against the law to block a stream with nets. Some salmon must pass to replenish the stock.
The President ordered that enough fish should be let go by also for the Indians. The order passed from Harding to Hoover to the canners. And Metlakatla got its fish that winter
The Natives
Getting Fish
(By Preston Grover)
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Jan. 20, -Many sad stories have been told of the late President Warren G. Harding. This is a happy one.
Glance at a map of Alaska. Notice that the line separating it from Canada runs southward from up in the Arctic but when it gets near the sea coast it turns backward and down the coast, giving the United States a long strip of coast line.
Near the southern end of that strip is an island named Metlakatla. It has a history.
About 20 years before the gold rush to Alaska an industrious Episcopalian missionary, Father Duncan, was preaching among a tribe of Indians on the mainland opposite the island and well inland.
Duncan was successful as a missionary. although he was often in conflict with church officials. He believed in going half way with the Indians in religious matters, allowing them to adapt Christianity to their own conditions, to a degree.
The Schism
Becoming quite out of patience, he finally broke with the church and moved with his Indian colony out on Metlakatla Island
There the Indians. handy and self provident, did very well, catching salmon for winter, selling a few furs and worshipping under Duncan's guidance
Ultimately Presbyterian missionaries came to the island. so that now there are two rival groups, .a little bitter at times, but usually getting along together.
President Harding visited Metlakatla in 1922 on his trip to Alaska. With him was Herbert C. Hoover. then secretary of commerce, in which is the bureau of fisheries. Keep that in mind. It is important.
During the Harding visit, a mass meeting of the Indians was called in front of a meeting house and the Indians were invited to state their complaints, if any. A stalwart Indian of middle age arose. His neighbors, embarrassed and shy, sought to pull him back to his seat, but President Harding intervened.
"Let him talk." he said.
Indian's Revenge
The Indian told his story. He had been over to the mainland in a boat with his squaw to catch the winter supply of salmon. Far up their favorite salmon stream they went, set up their equipment and waited No salmon came.
Long after the time the salmon should have arrived. they waited-knowing that without salmon it would be a hard winter for them. Finally they went down the stream. despondent.
They found the trouble at the mouth of the stream. There a salmon fishing barge was anchored. and nets blanketed the entrance. Not a salmon could pass
The Indian asked permission to catch enough fish from in front of the nets, but was refused. He was told he could buy what he needed, but had no money. Back to the island he came, and who should be there but the President of the United States.
The Indian got quick action. It is against the law to block a stream with nets. Some salmon must pass to replenish the stock.
The President ordered that enough fish should be let go by also for the Indians. The order passed from Harding to Hoover to the canners. And Metlakatla got its fish that winter
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Heroic Act
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Harding Visit
Metlakatla Indians
Salmon Fishing
Alaska
Presidential Intervention
What entities or persons were involved?
Warren G. Harding
Herbert C. Hoover
Father Duncan
The Indian
Where did it happen?
Metlakatla Island, Alaska
Story Details
Key Persons
Warren G. Harding
Herbert C. Hoover
Father Duncan
The Indian
Location
Metlakatla Island, Alaska
Event Date
1922
Story Details
During his 1922 visit to Alaska, President Harding hears a Metlakatla Indian's complaint about commercial nets blocking salmon access for their winter supply. Harding orders the release of fish, ensuring the Indians get their needed salmon.