New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-21
NOME TO WHITE HOUSE
alaskan Mail Carrier and Dog Team
.4rriue-SlO,OOO Won.
[From The Tribune Bureau.l

Washington Feb 90-By driving his sever-doE
team hitched to his sled into the White House
ground to-day "AIusher' Eli Smith of Nome
Alaska. won $4,000 IN gold At least, Eli saws so
and he also added You don't suppose Ia make
that trip Tor glory my health, do your his
statement ought to be accepted for all or at least
pat OF the big bet.
Well but I'm glad I'm hers" sigh3d tia Alas
kan he dropped into Il leather seated chair in
the anteroom OF the Presidents Office at l2;45
o'clock. Say. don't you know it's quite a little
trip down from Nome. If you come by doga' he
continued. I started on November H. 1865 and
have been moving along almost all the time since
7, started with ten dogs and wound up here with
seven"
Just at this moment little Quentin Roosevelt the
Presidents youngest child. approached and regard
ed Smith with unfeigned admiration.
DO you own the dogs?' he afked the Alaskan
Bet do" replied Smith. Come on with mo
and Fl show you the whole layout" with that he
led Quentin outdoors, where the seven dogs. har-
messed TO the strange sled-waEon, or wagon-sled
resting Charley Alters. ono OF the Presi-
dents coachmen. had brought a bucket OF water
and was giving the thirsty animals drink.
They look a good deal ike wolves" remarked
Quentin.
-Four Of en- arc" replied Smith Three of en-
I thought Esquimaus were people that 1--we up
North observed Quentin
They are" agreed Smith. You right
meant 'Es9u!mau dogs DO you want ride? Jump
Quentin Ieaped on the sled and Smith gave two or
three whOops 10 the dogs and TO the crowd Of 800
persons tBdL Ahu gathered 10 inspect the
looking outfit. At first the dogs made line for
the street separating the White House grounds
from the War. State and Navy Building. The
street q point Is a dozen feet lower than tho
grounds, and shout Of horror Went up from the
crowd the heet-footed dogs seemed about to rush
down the steep steps and land the youngest child
OF the President the granitoid walk. But no
such accident occurred. Smith gave Il couple more
strange yes. put his foot the odd brake that
controls the Sled, and in instant the vehicle
made sharp turn and went down the walk. Cuen-
tin RODE in the sled to the gate and around tie
curViug road to the big front porch, where a bat
terry Of cameras was waiting TO Bnapsnot the trav-
eller from Nome Quentin scrambled out OF the
sled before any Of the photographers could aim ar
him, eXclaning - thank you very much" 70
the owner OF the team. and disappeared
To-day Smith and his dogs the talk Of tho
town. He drove into town through fashionable
Connecticut avenue. having started from Gathers
burg, Nd at Z a. m. Later no drove the team
down T. and Pennsylvania and was
followed by crowd Of men and boys three blocks
long.
According 10 Smiths story, F. J. Pierce, OF Mum
Der Three Anvil, Alaska, bet $1,000 in November.
1905. that he could not drive to the White House by
May l. 1867. The money put up both sides,
and q q 3 he is rested Smith says % 3 going
back to Nome 10 gather in tho $4,000. And he
won't drive the dogs back, either. for he IS going
by railroad and steamship Ike any other traveller.