George Shakes, Tlingit Chief. Letters received, 1879-1898. ASL-MS-0004-06-004

 

ASL-MS-0004-06-004-01

Fort Wrangel, A.T., Aug. 5, 1879. 

 

The Undersigned, having been favorably 

 impressed by personal interviews with 

Shaikes, [Shakes] the Stikeen Chief, 

and by information from other sources, respecting 

his disposition and intentions, comply with his 

request for a “Paper.” 

 

We are inclined to believe that his disposition 

is pacific, and his intentions praiseworthy.  He 

professes to be a good citizen, and promises to use 

his influence in favor of law and order. 

 

So far as he meets these engagements, he 

deserves the support of “the whites.”  And we cor- 

dially commend him to all good men. 

 

We also earnestly advise Shaikes to 

discountenance all evil practices among his 

people; to put away evil counselors, and to 

chose advisors from among wise and true 

friends. 

 

[verso]

In view of  Shaikes’ position and promises, 

we request him to use his influence among his 

own people and the strangers that visit this 

town, to encourage them to attend Church 

and send their children to School.  

[signed] 

S Hall Young. 

A. L. Lindsley 

H. Kendall 

Sheldon Jackson

 

ASL-MS-0004-06-004-02

S.S. California 

Dec. 28th 1879 

 

To All whom it may concern.

The 

bearers is a (struck through) are passengers on board 

the S.S. California bound to Portland. 

Koot a shan and Shakes 

[signed] 

Ed C. Hughes 

Purser 

Esquimalt 

Dec. 28th 1879

 

ASL-MS004-06-04-04

Custom House, Sitka (struck through) Wrangel [Wrangell] Alaska,

Collector’s Office, October 30, 1881.

 

Shakes, the bearer of this is author-

ized and empowered to seize any 

liquor that may be found on land

or in the waters of Alaska.  Also

to seize any canoe having liquor

on board and to arrest all

persons in charge of or belonging to 

such canoes.  All persons resisting

him in the discharge of these

duties shall place themselves in

peril of arrest, transportation to

Oregon, and five years in prison-

ment.

[signed]

I.S. Oakford

Deputy Collector

 

[seal]

DISTRICT OF ALASKA

PORT OF SITKA

COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS

DEPUTY

 

 

ASL-MS-0004-06-004-05

Custom House, Sitka (struck through) Wrangel [Wrangell] Alaska,

Collector’s Office, November 2, 1881.

 

To Shakes

Chief of the Stikeens

 

You are hereby empowered

and authorized to arrest and hold

Johnson Tashnoo, and Arthur

Katlahuck , who were in Lynch’s

canoe on his late smuggling expe-

dition, and keep them in close

confinement in your house, which

is hereby accepted as a house of

detention under the control of

and attached to this custom

house. When prisoners are in

the house you will hoist the Custom

House flag and refuse admittance

to all white residents unless they have

 a permit from this office. 

[signed]

I.S. Oakford, deputy collector

 

 

ASL-MS-00004-06-004-10

Orville T. Porter, UNITED STATES MARSHAL. 

DISTRICT OF ALASKA,

U.S. MARCHALL’S OFFICE.

 

Wrangel [Wrangell] Sitka [struck through], Alaska, March 4th 1894

 

This is to instruct 

Shakes,

one of the

policemen acting under me at this

place,

To break up any Hootznoo

distilery that he may find and

keep the stil as evidence against

guilty partys.  But not to make

any arrests without a warrant

from the court.  Unless, in case of

forcible resistance.  then he may

arrest and bring to me.

[signed]

Wm G. Thomas

Deputy U.S. Marshal

 

 

ASL-MS004-06-04-13

Sitka, Alaska, Jan. 29th, 1898.

 

Mr. George Shakes

Fort Wrangel [Wrangell], Alaska

Dear Sir,

I have thought of you this winter

and wondered if the native children

attend school as well as when I

was there.  As chief of police you

are expected to see that all chil-

dren attend school, and I trust

you will be faithful in this respect,

and thus honor your office and

benefit your people. 

 

I hope to visit Fort Wrangel before

long.

 

Very truly, [signed]

Wm. A. Kelly

Supt. of Schools

 

ASL-MS-0004-06-004-15

DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR,

District of Alaska,

Office of the Executive,

 

Sitka, Alaska, November 22, 1898.

 

Mr. George Shaaks [Shakes],

 

Wrangel [Wrangell], Alaska.

 

Dear Sir:

 

Your services as Indian Policeman will not be required

after November 30th,

 

Very sincerely,

[signed]

John G. Brady

Governor of Alaska.

 

asl-ms0004-06-004-16

Department of the Interior

 

Executive Office

 

Fort Wrangell , Sitka (struck through), Alaska, Sept 27, 1900.

 

Kootwat

Yutkook

Shatrich

 

Gentlemen,

 

I have just been

talking to the Stickines [Stikeen] as I talked to

you at Chilcoot.  I have urged Shakes 

to go to George’s feast so that he could

have the opportunity to consult with other 

leaders of the Thlingit [Tlingit] and think out

what is best for you to do as a peo-

ple.  I assured him that you would

treat him kindly and would not

bring up any old quarrels to fuss over.

I know that you will treat him kindly

for my sake because I have urged him

to go. 

 

Respectfully yours  [signed]

John G. Brady

Governor of Alaska

 

http://library.alaska.gov/hist/fulltext/ASL-MS-0004-06-004.htm