MISSIONARIES WITNESS MURDER OF SOVIET
OFFICER WHILE VISITING EAST CAPE
-NEW ALPHAGET FOR ESKIMOS
The gas schooner New York re
turned to Nome Sunday June 17th
after spending the winter at the
Little Diomede’s Island and the
mainland of Siberia.
On October 10th. 1922. Reverend
N. F. Hover, a missionary, of the
Evangelical Christian Church, ac
companied by Mr. and .Mrs. J. A.
Earnest. Hans Olsen and 6 natives,
left Nome in the small schooner
New York for the Little Diomede's
Island. It was the purpose of the
expedition to proceed to the Little
Diomedes and there establish a
missionary base for the dissemina
tion of the teachings of Christ.
Having heard that natives on the
Island were without sufficient food
supplies the local Bureau of Educa
tion had intended to send a large
outfit of food stuffs on the New
York, hut the supplies of the Mis
sionaries took up so much space
that very little room was left for the
Bureau supplies, and accordingly
hut three fourths of a ton was tak
en. It was understood between the
missionaries and the Bureau that
the New York would later go to
Cape Prince of Wales and there pro
cure enough extra supplies to tide
over the Diomede natives.
>s the New York approached the
Islands the anchor was lost and the
boat drifted ashore, but no particu
lar damage or loss was sustained
It was soon realized that the wjnter
ha<: so far advanced that to go over
to Cape Prince of Wales was impos
sible and the party made ready to
winter on the Island.
Native food was scarce thruout
the winter and blubber for fuel pur
poses was difficult to obtain; there
was no fresh meat and much dis
'ionaries gladly gave up all they
could spare, keeping just enough to
meet their most meagre needs. Thru
the lack of blubber for fuel the na
tives were forced to consolidate
their living quarters and so con
serve their scanty fuel supply.
As spring approached living con
ditions improved. The missionary
party had plenty ammunition and
their native members were all good
hunters and as all turned in to as
sist the community obtain food and
fuel conditions became easier. Seal
and walrus made their appearance
and food became plentiful. No
flour, sugar and other civilized
foods were available, but the natives
thrived nevertheless.
During the winter Mr. Hoyer at
tempted to hold regular sessions of
school, but the weather became too
severe and the effort was abandon
ed. Religious services were held
regularly and were well attended.
Natives from *the Rig Diomedes
would come to attend the Sunday
i services and they too were assisted
by the missionaries in obtaining
enough food. Mr. Hoyer stated
that while living in the United
I States, the Little Diomedes. he was
i enabled to work in Asia, the Rig
I Diomedes. thru the natives coming,
I to hjs mission.
Rev. Hover accomplished some
thing that will have a great effect
■ upon future relations with the peo
' pie of Alaska and Siberia. Tie es
tablished a literary precident in that
he has created an alphabet consist
ing of Latin. Russian and Armenian
characters, so combined that the
many difficult sounds of the Eskimo
language are easily articulated. The
Eskimo has no written language,
his transmission of daily events and
hgendery lore is thru the medjum
of the spoken word. Rev. Hoyer
has now created a means for more
permanent transmission thru his al
phabet. To prove the feasibility of
the new alphabet it was first taught
to a native girl and she in turn
translated the Gospel of Matthew
into her own language and then
translated it to the other natives.
Wheu spring arrjved Mr. Hoyer’s
party went to the mainland of Si
beria going to East Cape. Difficul
ties were encountered due to ice
conditions but a safe landing was
accomplished.
At New Oskum. near East Cape,
is what is likely the largest Eskimo
village in the world and until very
recently it was uncontaminated by
whites, even traders failed to find
a foot hold there. The natives liv
ed in well constructed homes and
were well satisfied in thejr isolation.
Now the Soviet has sent represen
tatives into the country and the vil
lage has been over run by thorn,
everything is under Russian domi
nation. showing that the Soviet
government is reaching the outposts
of the Russjan possessions.
Soviet representatives met the
New York party and invited them to
land and make themselves at home.
From Holy Cross to Kolyma the
country is now under the jurisdic- i
lion of the Soviet with Theodore
Karieff the Acting Governor. It is
understood that Alexander Karieff. I
brother of the governor, is the Sj- |
b.*rian representative of the Hudson
Governor Karieff was very friend- I
lv to the missionaries and took the !
| party to his headquarters and treat
ed them kindly. A military com
I mander Colonel of the Soviet staff
also met the party and invited them
to come to Whalen for a vjsit. Mr.
Hoyer complied and was taken on
a private dog sled. Governor Kar
ieff accompanied the party. The
trip, while but 20 miles long, was
a difficult one to accomplish as the
way was rough and open water fre
quently encountered. but finally
was accomplished with out serious
accident. Upon arrival at Whalen
Rev. Hoyer was met by a former
president of the Sovjet Committee
at Anadyr, who is now Secretary to
Governor Karieff. Rev. Hoyer was
asked his mission in Siberia and was
informed that the missionaries came
to teach the principles of Christian
ity and not Churchanity. This met
with the approval of the Russians
and Hoyer was told to proceed as
he thought fit. WTiile at Whalen
news was brought that a Russian
at new Oskuni had been killed and
the party was requested to return
to the village. When Mr. Hoyer re
turned to. the village! he learned
that one of the Soviet officers had
taken exception to a certain remark
that reflected upon the Sovjet re
gime and had shot and killed a fel
low officer.
The shooting occurred at the
front door of the building where Mr.
and Mrs. J. A. Earnest were stay
ing and the murdered man fell at
the very feet of Mrs. Earnest. An
experience that certainly discourag
ed further missionary work for the
SUBSCRIBE FOR THE NUGGET
•1.00 PER MONTH.
AMERICAN TRADING VESSELS SEIZED DY
SOVIET. TRADERS HELD FOR TRIAL.
NO SKINS TO LEAVE SIBERIA
While in Siberia Mr. Hover was
informed that the Silver Wave. Is
kum. Blue Sea and Belinda—all
trading schooners—had been taken
in charge by the Soviet government
and a guard placed aboard. The
crew members were allowed to go
ashore but were told not to attempt
to leave the country. The acti n
by the Soviet was the result of the
traders ignoring the license and tax
laws as laid down by the Soviet.
The boats and people were being
held pending the arrival of the So
viet gunboat Tomsk, carrying high
officials from Petropavlovsk. These
officials, it was learned, would sit
in a court and try the alleged viola
tions and dispose of the cases as
they saw fit. The men under ar
rest were told to attempt to send no
letters to America until first cen
sored by the Soviet, neither should
they attempt, to leave without per
mission. All the Americans were
being treated with great courtesy
and consideration, the Soviet even
supplying them with needed food
supplies. A Mr. Peterson, engineer
for Captain Castel of the Belinda,
attempted to leave with the Hoyer
party but was prevented.
Mr. Hoyer advises all Americans
and other foreigners to keep away
from Siberia unless they are willing
to comply with the laws of the
country. Frequent reports have
come out to the effect that traders
indulge in the liquor traffic and are
debauching the natives, and are at
tempting to ride rough shod over
the Russians in their own country.
As the United States has not recog
nized the Soviet government any
American who visits Siberia and
gets into trouble can not expect to
obtain assistance from his govern
The ships being held at the time
of leaving for Siberia and the own
ers. herewith are published:
Silver Wave, Captain Jack Ham
mer. left Nome Aug. 1, 1922 for
Kolyma.
Iskum, Captain Wm. Putta, own
ed by the Phoenix Northern Trading
Co., left Seattle this spring for Si
Belinda, Capt. Pete Paulson, own
ed by J. Castel. left Nome, August
owned by Olaf Swenson
Nome June 22, 1922.
All of the vessels carried general
trading cargoes.
The cargo of the Silver Wave be
longed to Hibbard-SwensonTom
pany. while the cargo of the Belinda
is owned by J. Castel. It is report
ed that Castel has about 1000 fox
skins which he wjll ship out if pos
sible. It is also reported that a
total of 7,000 fox skins have been
gathered by the different traders in
that district.
Rev. Hoyer, the missionary who
relates the foregoing story, is a citi
zen of Sweden, giving as his Ameri
can residence the city of Minneapo
lis. Minn. Mr. Hoyer has spent
many years in the Missjoanry field
and is perfectly familiar with the
Eskimo and Russian languaees. His
frequent visits to Siberia and the
sincere teaching and living of Chris
tian principles has insured him a
passport where other men are un
able to penetrate. The Soviet per
mitted him to leave Siberia unmo
lested, asking him upon his word
of honor to refuse to carry out mail
for interned Americans unless first
passing thru the hands of the Soviet
officials. Rev. Hoyer did as asked
and has no fear to return for he
has kept faith with himself and the
Russians.
VICTORIA 1IMPARTS FOR STATES
The Victoria arrived from St.
Michael June 19th about 8 o’clock
and departed on her return trip to
the States at midnight. The fol
lowing is the list of outgoing pas
sengers:
From Nome—J. Dupertius. Joe
Bowman. F. Willie. Pat Conners, P.
C. McDonnell.
From other points—F. M. McFar
, land. E. P. Spaulding. Mrs. Alice
• Range. Margaret Bryce. Gus Mag
nusou. C. C. Grahom, C. M. Hall,
' G. Beamish. W. H. Knickerbocker.
The following passengers arrived
from St. Michael on the Victoria:
H. Wttnert, J. B. Chaffid. J. H. Jen
, sen. James Varner, Jasper Gee, and
; K. Forsling.
Considerable mail was brought,
be in<g Yukon newspapers and A
| small quantity of first class outside
majl of May dates.
(STBAMBK VICTORIA, ©APT. ©HAS. 8. DAVIS.)
DRY CREBK POWKR PLANT
DELIVERED TO OWNERS
The new electrict power plant on
Dry Creek hill, constructed by the
Yuba Mfg. Co. for the Hammon Con
solidated Gold Fields, was delivered
to the owners this week. The pow
er house and power line are now
completed and jn the hands of the
Hammon Company, which company
will divert the power to the two
mammoth dredges rapidly nearing i
completion on Little Creek. Supt.
P. E. Morse, of the Yuba Mfg. Co. I
states that the diggers, will be com
pleted by July 1st and active dredg-1
lng operations likely will begin a j
few days thereafter.
• The completion of the power plant1
and power l{ne was accomplished
several weeks ago, but the Yuba
Company delayed Anal delivery un
til the heavy machinery of the dred
ges has been placed and the power
plant thoroughly tried out. The
work at the Power Plant under
Supt. Morse, is now completed and
Mr. Hofer, former foreman for the
Yuba Mfg. Co. now becomes Engi
neer in charge of the power plant
and Electrical equipment, under the
management of the Hammon Co.
GEM RESTAURANT OPEN
The New Gem Restaurant Is now
open under the management of Mrs.
F. Wool ridge. Regular dinner will
be served from. 4 to 8 p. m. daily.
Ice cream at all hours.
FOR SALE
One automobile traveling luncb
kit complete, for hikes or picnics,
suitable for five persons, never used.
Inquire Nugget Office.
THE LEO SEIDEHVFR6
STORES
THE ORIGINAL CHEAT JOHN STORE FOR MEN’S WEAR
ONXiT, AND OTR NEW STORE “THE HON MAIM TIE” FOR
liAIHES READY TO WEAR AND FANCY DRY GOODS,
ACROSS THE^STREET FROM OCR OLD LOCATION.
BOTH OF OUR STORKS CARRY THE BEST MERCHANDISE THE
MARKET PRDUCES.
HONEST DEALING IS THE POLICY OF OCR STORKS.
( The Home of Hurt, Schaffner & Marx Clothe*, and HteUoa Hat*. )
M. WK1SBBRG. Manager.
WHOLESALE. RETAIL,
MAH. ORDERS GIVEN PERSONAL ATTENTION.
SHIP ALASKA FURS QUICK!
We’re paying big prices for Alaska furs—demand strong.
We are the largest buyers of Alaska furs in this big
central market and we must have all kinds for quick
sale at present high prices. Money sent same day ship
ment comes in—cash, draft or money order, whichever
you want. ACT NOW—-if you have one skin or a
hundred. Ship to us at once.
Riuke Fur Ed.
ass? ST. LOUIS, MO.
Fouke Grading ALWAYS Makes Your Fur Checks Bigger
Put the Spark of Life
into the Food You Eat
Most foods are ‘dead ’ ’ because in process
ing, boiling and milling we have stripped
them of their delicate life-giving elements
and minerals needed by the body. That is
why we civilized men are so low in endur
ance and vitality. Vegex supplies certain
elements that are lacking from other foods.
Food vitamins stimulate and keep the
life process at its height. Without vi
tamins we cannot live. Vegex is the rich
est known food in Vitamin B and supplies
all vital mineral salts.
Vegex contains no meat, yet it has the
rich satisfying flavor of choice meats and
mushrooms. Its hunger hormone stimulates
appetite and aids digestion. Use Vegex as
you would tea or coffee for breakfast, lunch
and dinner. Use it to give flavor and bal
ance to other foods.
Dissolves instantly in hot water or milk.
Makes a delicious, wonderfully stimulat
ing drink.
Vague fceaMfc ft-/---—
cait Ana. df dsgfMi Mtf gMeaa
A. POLET
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL GROCER
EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR FOR ALASKA FOR ALL
VITAMIN FOOD CO. PRODUCTS.