The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1899-05-27
REINDEER ON THE YUKON.

HedIey E. Redmeyer, Formerly Of
Cook County, Heads the
Expedition NJ
We extract the following from the
"Klondike Nugget, published at Daw-
son 7. T. Jan. II. 1899. Hedley has
made name for hiselt on this trip that
reflects credit upon both his character
and his powers Of endursnce: t*SS
The advance guard Of thu great Ameri-
can reindeer expedition sent ont last
winter for the relief Of Americans 10
Dawson arrived IN the city on Friday.
The raindeer are not however laden With
supplies but are being driven down to
tho American side for tho use Of tine
United States government in tho trans
portation OF mail etc. The expedition u
in charge of Hedlsy e. Redmyer Who j.
assisted by SIX trained mon, Ave Of whom
are Laplanders and one Scandinavian
Redmeyer started upon his trip from
Camp Pleasant, As miles from Haines
Mission, on tho 9th OF May last. At:that
time tho herd numbered 1854 deer. Four
dogs were taken along to assist in driY-
ing them up at night. Redme yer's in
structlons were to follow the Dalton
trail to Arkell and thence to cross over
the mountains to the head waters Of the
Tanana and follow that stream down to
its mouth. After travelling 4 distances
of 40 miles tho country becs me so rough
that it was found necessary to abandon
large portion of the equipment consist-
ing principally of harness and toboggans.
or the latter, 80 were loft behind. Two
weeks were then spent in allowing tho
deer to rest whom the journey was con.
tinued, this time tho outfits of tho party
being packed upon the backs OF the deer.
After another 20 miles Redmyer bscame
convinced that the original course could
not be followed owing to tho nature Of
the country ar d in consequence headed
in 4 more northerly direction. About
this time the deer began shedding and it
was found necessary to remove the packs
from their bucks and another delay re-
suited. The expedition then turned
toward Alsack river but finding the
country impossible Rsdmyer determined
to returu to tho Dalton trail, which be-
crossed in order to be able to follow the
ridge of the mountaina in the warm
weather. He then headed for lake Dasar
do Ash, which was reached about Sep.
tember lat. From here he again re-
turned to tho Dalton trai, which was
followed distance o! ITO miles, tho rain
deer being loaded with packs. Having
reached small lake not ss yet named
on the maps halt was made and tobog-
gaDa and harness for the animals were
made. On Nov. Bird . fresh start was
made, the herd now numbering III deer.
A course was then taken in tho direc
ton of the headwatsrs Of White River.
large lake unnamed was discovered
and tho party was delayed week wait.
ing for the ice to form in order to On.
able them to cross. When the mountains
were reached it was found impossible to
cross owing to the numerous creeks and
abruptnsss OF the hills and tho course
was again altered, this time for lower
point on tho White river, which stream.
was struck on Nov. 20. For distance
Of 275 miles they followed tho course Of
river which Redmeyer says hs 10 fully
convinced 10 the crookedest stream in
the world. - ...v
On December 18th tho Yukon wis:
finally reached at the mouth Of White
river. A stop Of eight days was made
ut that point to enable the deer to rest
and then the march was continued down
the Indian river where tho sherd nov,
numbering 135 animals is located. A
few of the reindeer were lost through
broken legs and by choking. r .az
Az soon % practicable Redmeyer will
again continue tho march With Circis:
City as the objective point. He expects
to make Is miles day down the Yukon.
Hs thinks the reindeer will assist very
materially IN solving the question of CON-
! munication on the Yukon in the winter
time. They are fast travellers and can
get over a. rough country at surprising
rapid gait pulling from 200 to- 500
pounds to the animal. They are hardy
animal and subsist entirely on moss, no
feed having to be carried for them ut all.
The Laylanders who came with Red.
meyer Say that there is = greater amount
OF moss in the Yukon vslly than in their
own country, and the question OF sub.
sstencs for the reindeer IL already solved
by nature. On an average distance OF
IS miles can bo made with them in seven
hours travel. * >.
What disposition will be made Of the
animals when their destination il
reached, l:edmyer does not know. He
does not hims-lf intend to continue ID
charge Of them after reaching Circle