The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-02-13

Inc world OF sport lurHiSncS nv
more exciting contest than the dog
races of northern Alaska. True, the
entire course is not visible from any
one position and the finish is often
devoid of an exciting climax. Yet
this is no deterrent to racing fandom
and the start of every race is the
scene of excitement, while the entire
population turns out at the finish to
hail the victor and console the loser.
Announcement that the first team will
start at > o'clock in the morning is
the signal for n general lighting up
of houses and IL pecring out of heads
When the buglc proclaims the start of
the first team. the streets are
througed about the judges stands
and every available balcony is fairly
alive with humanity. For the trial of
strength and endurance is on, the
prize is thousands of dollars and many
bets on the race are recorded.
Greatest of all the races is the All
Alaskan sweepstakes. 4l2 miles in
lcugth over Il difficult trail. Across
the peninsula from Nome to Candle,
from Boring Sea to the Arctic Ocean
and return. the trail leads through
canyon and over mountain, a tortuous
course fraught with unexpected and
unseen dangers at every turn. The
racers know nothing of the weather
that will greet them at each new
stretch of track Today the sky is
4 tln ait
wrapped in blizzard. The start may
he made under sunny skies, while 20
miles out the teams may be forced to
seek shelter from the binding storm.
The snOwslde comes unannOunced,
burying dogs and driver or sweeping
them into the canyon far below, from
whence ascent means the loss of hours
of time. if not serious injury. Snow
blindness may visit dogs so that they
cannot keep the trail. or, their feet
may be torn by the sharp ice. Any
of hundred disastrous events may
happen to rob a contestant of the
coveted prize.
For days before the appointed start
bookmakers are busy recording bets
on the race. Saloons which. in the
far north are more like clubhouses
than anything else, are the scenes of
great excitement and the telling of
tales by veterans of the trail. Every
man has his favorite and the relative
merits of huskics. wolves and mama
lutes play no small part in the gen
cral discussion as to the outcome. On
but a. 1t Til s6fcssrcsesE s tshyssmg s the
ing until the required number of
sturdy creatures, selected for strength
speed and endurance, is definitely do
termined. Then follow trips over the
trail, trials of speed on short courses
ana tests of strength on difficult
grades until, when the day arrives.
each contestant enters with the best
material that his experience has been
able to select.
Every precaution is used to protect
the life and health of the dog. Tiny
moccasins are carried to place upon
wounded feet dark or green colored
veils are at hand to protect the DOGS
from w-blindness; beef. mutton
'"u soup serve to nourish and
'trengthen these intelligent creatures
N whom so much money is staked
or the winter trail is dangerous and I
90 many precautions cannot be taken |
'ften dogs and driver are found starry. r
ng and nearly frozen within mile
L their own camps. In one of the
reat races gale drove driver and
IL team out upon Boring Sea. where .,
'ey were compelled to spend the "
ght in driving storm. Brown - ~,
'adhouse is known as the "House of l.,
thousand Bow-wows, because the
tire number of entries in one of
G races was compelled by biz e.,
RI to stop for IS hours at his alta. "
IN. Yet, it is because the most dar.
courage is required for these con.
JUS That they commend so much in.
est. The world admires sucb fo.ts Po
sterling manhood. ia, H..
The race from Nome to Candle md 49,. n
urn was inaugurated in 1908. Re-. ,,o ~"
Use OF the great expense inyolved n. ~"
the extreme hardship of +ho ,'
rse, support for the venture was ..,
v at first There were ten entries a '",'
This race, which proved one of the ''''
u exciting of the series. The teams =,
started two hours apart, which .h,'
found to be mistake on account NJ
nc great variation in the wo.+hor