Northwest History. Alaska. Eskimos.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1936
• Subjects: Eskimos; Revolutionary war; Barrow; Alaska; the Coast Guard cutter Northland; military; American flag; Dr. Henry W. Greist; Presbyterian medical missionary; Long John; the old cutter Bear; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Hove; Pacific; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/90812

Eskimos Are Still Talking About Big Revolutionary War. Eskimos Are Still Talking About Big Revolutionary War BARROW, Alaska. Jan. 15. (/P) — Eskimos of this farthest north Alaska settlement, are still excited about the. Revolutionary war, made real to them for the first time last summer when the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Northland stage a motion picture show with a drama of 1775. Whites here say that the natives, never demonstrative, may have seemed ungracious guests at the free show, but they still talk about the house furnishings, the huge fireplaces and the military uniforms shown in the film play. "The Eskimos here love the Coast Guard service, and every home must display the American flag on some sort of pole, during the annual visits of the cutters," said Dr. Henry W. Greist, Presbyterian medical missionary. And that reminded him of Long John, Eskimo now dead, who sought frantically for an American flag several years ago when the old cutter Bear hove in sight. "There was a flag famine in Barrow, since many hsd been destroyed in the manse fire," the doctor said, "and the schawl teacher also had none left. "Nothing daunted. Long John got a big, red bandana handkerchief, which he tied to a pole, and cheered loudly for the red, white and blue as the Bear dropped anchor. "That spirit still obtains, although now we have flags aplenty, and every man shows his colors when the Northland arrives."