Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-02-03
FORMER IOWA MAN BECOMES
hoMESick AND TRAVELS
FAR IN FROZEN NORTH.
WALKS ALONE FROM kLoNDlkE
TO EDMONTON, ALBERTA
Says Homesiek Person Can Overcome
All obstselss-comss by Train From
Edmonton to Sioux City to Visit
Parents After Absence Of Seven
Ysars-Faess Death.

Sioux City, Feb. s.-Homesicknes.
impelled Edward E. Osborn. fur trad
er in the Kiondike region, to tramp
1900 miles across snow covered British
Columbia to Edmonton. Can, where he
boarded a train for him home in Sioux
City.
Osborn is visiting with his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. C. r. Osborn. laos Tween
ty-fifth street. He believes he Will re-
cover from the nelancholia one suffers
in the north, in three weeks when he
expects to return TO his little store in
Robinson. near the arctic circle
1t IS said that no obstacles stand in
the path of a man who is sufrerin 2
with inconsistencies. Osborn found none
in his long walk, which was filed with
suffering. privation and narrow es-
capes from death. He was determined
TO risk his lie and limb in reaching
Sioux City to see his parents. And he
Won out.
In North Seven Years.
sick. He had been in the north coun-
Try for seven years and had no, heard
from father or mother He did no,
know whether they were alive or dead,
Then he deciled to undergo ali hazards
IN order TO return TO the states.
on his ,rip across Alaska, accom-
panied by two Indian guides. who cou1 ]
not understand his language very well.
and dogs
party narrowly escaped being killed by
a pack OF wolves that attacked them.
BY throwing a couple OF dogs to the
band of howiing animals. Osborn and
MS companions succeeded in reaching
a haven of safety, an old house that
mad been abandoned by some miner In
his search fo- gold. Another time the
party narrowly escaped being crushed
in a saowslide.
The hike was made at a Door season
Of the year. but this did not daunt
OSBORN. Barred trains and i'm passa bic
snow were encountered IN the long
Journey, but the party trudged deter
H1iredly onward TO Edmonton, where
OSBORN caught train for home.
Employed in Sioux City.
Seven years ago Osborn who was
employed by Sioux City Seed and
Nursery company. was irnbued with the
ceslre 10 go out and make HIS fortune.
he concluded that the north country
would be his goal He went 20 Nome.
Alaska. where he remained two years,
lhen ne went 70 Teta jaime. 3. c.
"hene ne established trading station
and general store. Trade was brisk.
Irappefs brought their f,ss to him and
exchanged 1t for food and clothing.
osoorn MADE money. but he had not
reached the height of his fortune.
which he placed at $50 900, and he con.
GUIDED he would move farther north.
rearing OF great opportunities a. Rob
ihson, small mining camp in north :
western Canada. Osborn went there
ana opened a store. Trapping was good
IN the locality and he proa;,ed by ex-
changing clothing and food for the
SKINS OF animals. Although business
vas good. Osborn was not happy. As
ne slept IN crude bedroom in the rear
OF MS store the homing instinct came
upon aim. He tried TO shake off the
t4ofhes!ckness. but could not. He turned
over MS business 10 countryman and
with two Indian guides started out on
MS long hike to the United States
A bhzzarc ragged Throughout. the
Journey. The snow was too deem for
the sledses and the trio plodded along
on snoWshoes. The weather was er-
tremely cold. the mercury in a ther-
mometer carried by the party at tim es
registering Is degrees below zero
Didn't Mind Cold.
Ihe nike vas nothing" said Osborn.
At night we slept on the snow, using
sleeping bags of thick fur. Our SUITS
also were OF heavy fur. While the
temperature at times was far below
zero we did not notice it.
we had some exciting experiences
on the trip. We were nearly caught in
a snowslide. and once when we were
attacked by wolves thought we were
done for
The experience with the wolves oc.
CURED one night as the party was pre-
pairing for sleep. The campfire had
died down and an ominous stiffness
prevailed. Suddenly the cry Of wolves
vas heard from the forest nearby. The
guides succeeded in revivIng the cam D
fire. and the party prepared for hgh,
as the wolves rushed on. They paused
snarling and swapping around the little
party, when one OF the guides had a
happy idea. Picking up one OF the
dogs. ne threw him into the midst OF
the pack and Osborn and the guides
started to run. but their progress was
inlpeded By the snowshoes. Soon the
wolves had devoured the dog and had
started in pursur The guide threw
another dog into the pack and the
party by luck stumbled into deserted
cabin several rods away. where thu
doors were barricaded and the wolves
| shot down.
Robinson is busy little town Of 50t