Northwest History. Alaska. Epidemics & Contagious Diseases.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1936
• Subjects: epidemic; Eskimos; Point Barrow; Alaska; Dr. Henry W. Greist; Presbyterian mission; Indian bureau authorities; Juneau; Indian affairs; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Indian; Pacific; Barrow; eskimo*; walrus*
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/90734

Mumps Epidemic Strikes Eskimos. MUMPS EPIDEMIC STRIKES ESKIMOS. BARROW, Alaska, Feb. 10. UP)- Mumps in virulent form threatened to spread among Eskimos today while stricken families ate spoiled walrus meat and huddled together for warmth in their tireless igloos. Dr. Henry W. Greist, in charge of the Presbyterian mission, blamed Indian bureau authorities at Juneau for the lack of supplies. He said wireless messages asking for help brought only replies of refusal. Can't Ship Fuel. JUNEAU, Alaska, Feb. 10. (/P) -- Charles W. Hawkesworth, assistant director of the bureau of Indian affairs, said tonight he had wirelessed to Dr. Henry W. Greist at Barrow was impossible for the government to ship fuel to the Eskimos whom Greist described as sick, cold and hungry. "Dr. Greist informed this office the Eskimos at Point Barrow were cold, starving and had the mumps," Hawkesworth said. "We answered it was impossible to ship fuel there. We asked why some of the estimated 30,000 reindeer at the point could not supply the necessary food.