Port Simpson, British Columbia
By O. E. Davis
PORT SIMPSON is the most northerly town of British Columbia immediately on the seacoast. It is about seven hundred miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia, and has a population of eight hundred, about forty of whom are white people; the rest are Indians of the Semallia nation. This nation and the Haida of Queen Charlotte Island are the most clever of all the nations of the coast. The Haidas are distinguished for their sculptural ability, while the Semallias are noted for their musical talent. The large timbers of only one of the old-fashioned structures remain as a witness to the advancement that has been made in civilization and in the style of building in the last forty years. The old-style house was from thirty to forty feet wide and from sixty to eighty feet long. Large posts two or three feet through were set in the ground, and were eight or ten feet high. On top of these were placed immense timbers, while small logs and slabs split from cedar formed the roof and sides. In the center of the roof a large square opening was left to admit light, and for the smoke to escape from the log fire that was in the center of the building, there being no floors or partitions, only one door, and no windows. In these structures several families lived, usually relatives or of the same tribe. Later these buildings were replaced15with smaller structures of about the same style, to accommodate each family; these were made from smaller timbers and boards split from cedar logs. Many of this style still remain, but the principal portion of the town to-day consists of houses of modern architecture. The custom of erecting totem-poles was long ago abandoned, but many of these poles still remain in the village, some of which were erected on the bodies of slaves taken from other nations. Also many tombstones are to be seen at the doors of the natives as memorials of departed ones. The deceased having been interred in the burying ground, the stone was placed at the house; but this practice is now discontinued. The old heathen “potlatch,” so called in the Chinook jargon, meaning giving away of goods or money, accompanied with great feasting and the working of magic and trickery, was abandoned in Port Simpson many years ago, and only the feasting is practiced. Many times at the potlatch hundreds of dollars’ worth of furs, blankets, etc., were committed to the flames, the object being to convey to the minds of the spectators the impression that the chief or person so doing was so wealthy that money and goods were of no value; however, the goods were mostly furnished by his tribe. In dress the Semallias are tasteful, considering their former customs, many now adopting some of the late fashions. When the Hudson Bay Trading Company first established their post at Fort Simpson (later called Port Simpson), in the year 1831, they cleared about three acres of land, around which were built double barracks, the outer one being from four to six feet high, and the inner one from ten to twelve feet high, with a watch-house at each corner, and a sentinel on watch both night and day; also a squad of forty armed men was constantly employed by the company. At present only a small portion of the old barracks remains as a witness of those perilous days. In early years Port Simpson had a population of more than seven thousand Indians, but it now has less than eight hundred. The great decrease in the population is due to two causes,—the smallpox epidemic about 1850, which swept away hundreds of the inhabitants, and the frequent wars between different nations, as well as tribal outbreaks in each nation. While talking with a native who had seen many years of heathenism, he told me that scarcely a night used to pass without one or more persons being shot in some dispute, but that the cruel and bloody struggle among this people ceased many years ago, and now the country is blessed with peace and quietness; also many have become Christianized by the various denominations that have started missions along the coast. Yet many of the old heathen customs are still practiced by some of the so-called Christians. The younger portion of the population have more or less desire to develop their mental faculties, and many are earnest adherents of the religion they have been taught. As before stated, the white population of Port Simpson numbers about forty, twenty of whom are engaged directly or indirectly in missionary work. The Methodists have twelve workers, the Church of England has three workers, the Salvation Army has two, and the Adventists have one. Notwithstanding the thirty-five years of teaching from other denominations, together with the present large force of workers who oppose the truth, also the natural disposition of the native to shun the stranger, there has been much more accomplished than I had hoped for in so short a time. Four of the Indians have taken their stand for the Sabbath, and I think that several others will soon do so. We hope to see marked advancement of the message among this people in another winter’s work. We are now entering the fishing season, in which they scatter to various portions of the coast for fishing. As yet there is but one worker in British Columbia laboring for the Indians. Are there not others who will come and help in this work? God is no respecter of persons. He does not look on complexion, features, or mental ability, but upon the sincere desire of the heart. He gave his Son not only for the comely and learned, but for the uncomely and ignorant as well. Let us make no discriminations in our efforts to labor for all. I am of good courage in the service of the Master. Will some of the readers of this article please send me English tracts and Signs of the Times to be used among this people?