The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-02-14


more exciting contest than the dog
races " northern Alaska, True, the
entire course Is NOT visible from any
one position and the finish II often
devoid OF an exciting climax. Yet
this Ii no deterrent to racing fandom
and ske start of every race Is the
seene oE excitement, while the entire
population turns out at the finish 10
hail the victor and console tho loser,
Advertisement that tile first team Will
start al 2 o'clock IN the morning II
thc slgnal for general lighting up
OF hsAscs and pssring ont of heads
Whsa the hugle preelaims the start Of
the first team, the streets are
threagcd about the judges stands
and every available balcony is fairly
alive with humanity. For the trial Of
strength and endurance Is on, the
priae IL thousands Of dollars and many
bets en- tho race arc recorded.
Greatest OF all the races Is the All.
Alaskan sweepstakes, 4i2 miles in
length over difficult trail. Across
the peninsula from Nome 10 Candle,
from Bcring Sea to the Arctic Ocean
and return, the trail leads through
canyon and over mountain, tortuous
course fraught with unexpected and
unseca dangers AZ every turn. The
racers know nothing OF the weather
that win greet thein at each new
ssreteh Of track. Today the sky Is
clear at Nome, tomorrow the city Is
wrapped in blizzard The start may
be made under sunny skies, while 20
miles sut the teams may be forced To
seek shelter from the binding storm.
Tho saowslide comes unannounced,
buryisg dogs and driver or sweeping
them iAto the canyon far below, from
whesee ascent means the loss OF hours
81 time, II aot serious injury Snow.
blindaess may visit dogs 10 that they
eannot keep the trail, Or, their feet
may be torn by the sharp ice. Any
Of Hundred disastrous events may
happen Go rob q contestant OK the
coveted prize.
For days before the appointed start
bookmakers are busy recording bets
on the race. Saloons which, lii the
far north, are more like elubhouses
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
morris OF husklcs, wolves and mama
lutes play no, small part in the gem
eral discussion as to tho outcome. On
the part Of the racers themselves, the
contest represents far more than nero
speed. The experience, endurance and
quick wit Of tho men count heavily,
while ths selection Of dogs Is mat
ter Of weeks. CANNES are selected
and tried, rejected or set aside for
further trial. Another team Is brought
out and put through a system Of Gull.
Ing until the required number OF
sturdy creatures, selected for strength,
speed and endurance, Is definitely de.
termined, Then follow trips over the
trail, trials of speed on short courses
and 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 preeaution Is used TO protect
the life and health Of the dog. Tiny
moeeasins are carried To place upon
wounded feet; dark or green colored
wells are at hand to protect tho dogs
from blindness; beef, mutton
and soup serve to nonrish and
strengthen these intelligent creatures
on whom so much money il staked.
For the winter trail is dangerous and
too many precautions cannot be taken.
Often dogs and driver are found starry.
ing and nearly frozen within a mile
OF their own camps la one OF the
great races gale drove driver and
his team out upon Rering Sea, where
they were compelled to spend the
uight In driving storm. Brown i
roadhousc Is known as the s'FIouse Of
4 Thousand Bow vows, z because the
entire number OF entries ia one of
the races was compelled BY biIz.
card 10 stop for rs hours at his sta.
tien. Yet, Il i because the most dar.
ing courage IL required for these con.
tests that they commend 40 much in.
terest The world admires sueh feats
81 sterling manhood
The race from Mono to Candle and
return Was inangurstea ia 1905. Be.
cause Of the great expense involved
and the extreme hardship OF the
course, support for the venture was
slow At first There were ten entries
~ this race. which proved one Of the
most exciting Of thu series. The teams
wsrs started two hours apart. which
was found 20 be a mistake on account
of the great variations 10 the weather.