Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-23
HE DELIVERS A LETTER
MAIL CARRIER SEES
POSTMASTER GENERAL.

Eli Smith, the Alaskan mail carrier who
has been a visitor in this city since last
Wednesday, called at 2:25 this afternoon
at the Post Office Department and deliv-
cred letter, securely fastened in can
vas bag. to Postmaster General Cortelyou.
In order to have a look at the dogs and
the sledge on wheels, Mr.. Cortelyou de-
seconded the stairs from his Office on the
fifth floor and met the hardy mail carrier
on the 18th street steps of the building.
Not until a few moments before II
o'clock did Mr.. Smith receive word that the
Postmaster General would be glad to re-
ceive him and his dogs today. The time
set for the interview was 1910 pm, but
an unavoidable delay in hitching the team
to the sledge made the outfit a little late
in arriving.
AS the dogs ran swiftly around the cor
ner of 10Th street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue., and. at the quick command of their
driver, swung to the left and crossed the
avenue at an angle, the signal was passed
from one police officer to another, and Mr..
Cortelyou was thus notified to be ready.
A great crowd of people enjoying the free
dom of the noon lunch hour followed as
quickly as possible behind the team, and
gathered about the 18th street entrance to
the building.
Describing a wide circle on the street, the
team turned straight for the steps and drew
sledge and all up on the pavement. So
eager were the dogs that they ran up the
steps and We're only deferred from trying
to take the whole outfit through the revolv-
ing doors into the building by the rough
orders of their master.
Inspected by Mr.. Cortelyou.
The team was loosened from the sledge-
wagon and driven to the top of the steps,
whittier Mr.. Cortelyou came and shook
hands with Mr.. Smith. The Alaskan ap-
peared in the same rough garb in which
he made his appearance at the White House
last Wednesday, except that today he wore
a coat.
After the Postmaster General had con-
versed for a few moments with his strange
visitor and looked the ferce-looking dogs
over very carefully Mr.. Smith presented
him with d package containing a letter
from the postmaster at Nome, Alaska,
which he had brought all the way for that
purpose. Mr.. Cortelyou smilingly thanked
him and proceeded to ask a few questions
about the dogs and the trip. He was sorry
to learn that three dogs had died during the
journey across the United States.
Before departing Mr. Smith secured a
promise from Mr.. Cortelyou to give him a
letter in reply to the one he had Just de-
livered. That Is to be part of his evidence
that he has made the trip. He Is to de-
liver it personally to the ADDRESSED.
Mounting his sledge once more the man
carrier drove his dogs rapidly south on 18th
street and then back into Mr.. Cortelyou's
view at a very rapid pace, guiding them
the street. After witnessing this perform
ance the Postmaster General waved good
bye to his guest and returned to his office.
The Alaskan outfit was last seen by Capt.
Campbell and his officers of the Post Office
Department watch, who had charge of the
ARRANGEMENTS for the visit, disappearing
eastward on Pennsylvania avenue, followed
by a curious crowd Of men and boys.