Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1885 — Sunday in Hudson Bay. [ARTICLE]

Sunday in Hudson Bay.

The houses, not more than twentyfile or thirty in number, are so scattered as to extend along the river bank for nearly a mile; and being all painted white, form conspicuous objects against their dark background of pine woods. On stepping ashore at the landingstage we find ourselves at the foot of a flag-staff indicating the headquarters of the Hudson’s Bay Company, to whom, indeed, the whole settlement owes its existence, the entire resident population, except the mission staff, being composed of their officers and employes. Round this center are grouped the residences of the officer in charge and his subordinates, and also one or two large warehouses. Beyond these stretch away to the right the cottages of the company’s laborers. Every building on the island is of wood. In shape and size, however, the dwelling houses are not unlike those of an English country village, except that only the larger houses have any upper story. Taking now a path to the left, and following the bank, we make our way towards the mission station—easily recognized even at a distance by the flag whjch floats over it, bearing the letters C. M. S., this-being a station of the Church Missionary Society. On our way thither we pass the mission church, a modest little structure of wood surmounted with a steeple, and capable of accommodating about three hundred persons. Leaving this, we soon reach the mission buildings, which, besides the school, include the residences of the Bishop of Moosonee (this station being the headquarters of the diocese), one European clergyman, and a native catechist. Between- the Bishop’s house and the water is a grassy slope on which the Indians erect their tents during their stay. The resident population, the bulk of whom are half-castes, number, together with the few Europeans and Indians, about one hundred and fifty souls; while the Indians who visit the place only during summer are estimated at between four and five hundred.

We will now see how Sunday is spent in this little community. As both English speaking people and natives have to be provided for, the services are begun early enough in the day to allow of four being held in all—two in each language. At G:3O a. m , therefore, the church bell sounds, and soon a stream of Indians (mostly men at this early hour) winds its way to the church door. Let us take up our stand here and observe them as they enter. At the outlying settlements the Indians dress almost entirely in one Style; but here at headquarters, where they come a good deal in contact with Europeans, they adopted something of the variety of European dress. Some of the well-to-do Indians (i. e., the most skillful hunters) appear in blacjk cloth suits colored neckties, and a few even wear English boots, though the majority seem to prefer the soft deerskin shoes usually worn in the country. The women naturally allow themselves still greater freedom, and not unfrequently adorn themselves in a dress of glaring hue, with a striped shawl or beaded jacket equally conspicuous, and the whole surmounted (but this not often) with a straw hat and colored feathers.— The Quiver.