The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-12-27

rrom london rit-Bits.


For three years past now the United
States Government has regularly used dogs
for carrying letters to the prospectors in
the small mining settlements of Alaska.
Every week letters are sent from Dawson
City to the various towns along the great
Yukon river to Fort Gibbon, distance of
800 miles, by dog teams. From the latter
town fortnightly service is maintained
with Cape Nome, 900 miles distant, right
across frozen, barren and desolate country.
These services are continued right through
the winter, when the thermometer often
registers 500 below zero.
From six to eight dogs make team and
haul a load Of from 100 to $50 pounds
across the snow and ice. At the present
moment the Government employs 152 dogs
for this purpose. At its depot in Dawson
there is disabling room for 800 dogs.
1t is a common sight to see SO sledges and
toboggans there and over 200 sets Of dog
harness hanging from the walls. The dogs
cover from 35 to 40 miles day, and 1t
takes 80 days for the mail to reach Fort
Gibbon from Dawson.
This weekly post route in frozen Alaska
is the longest, coolest and most daring mail
route undertaken by man the world over.
Only experienced men are employed for the
work. Last winter two of the carriers had
Ito have their big toes amputated through
the severe frost. During the winter the
journey is very trying. The driver has
often to go ahead of his team on snowshoes
on accouGl of the drifting of the snow, the
dogs following after him with the mail on
a toboggan. 1t is dangerous and difficult
work, as there is no sign of a trail l min
utes after man passes over it.
Last winter the postofice contractor for
the district built cabins 10 to 20 miles
apart between the two towns of Eagle City
and Circle City, on the Yukon river.
These two places are 176 miles apart.
Previous to the erection of the little shelters
there was not house or settlement OF any
kind between them. The mail carrier,
with his post dogs, can now take shelter IN
these cabins and rest there for the night
after the prescribed distance of 40 miles
has been covered.
1t is also proposed to erect similar cabins
between Fort Yukon and Fort Hamlln.
These two cities are 280 miles apart and
at present there is not single house be-
tween them. The river alsois from 10 to
II miles wide at this point and considerable
difficulty is experienced in getting over the
snowdrifts. After days march on the
longer routes the driver calls for a halt,
makes his dogs as comfortable as he can
and then retires to his own thick sleeping
bag. He has no fear of wild beasts, for
the dogs instantly awaken him by their
bowls should any animal approach the
camp.
Wonderful as it may seem, the mails
have never yet arrived behind time at any
of the towns along the Yukon river, where
weekly service is maintained. This, re-
membering the enormous difficulties, speaks
well for the pluck and perseverance, OF the
postal authorities and their assistants. The
arrival of the mail team, particularly during
the winter months, at the far Northern
mining settlements is very important
event, and the dogs invariably receive
cheer from the lonely miners as they scam
per down the main street with their pre-
cious load of letters, bringing news from
friend and relative from the outside world.