The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-08-13
SUPPLANT
DOGS IN FAR
NORTH
"SCotty" Allen Builds and
Tests Motor Sled for
Travel in Alaska.

PORTLAND, Orc, Aug. l2.-AleX
a. Allen, better known rs 'Scotty"
Allen, hero Of tho all-Alaskau sweep
stakes, the classic dog team race OF the
continent, is spending n day or two
in Portland on his way back to Nome,
his home since 1900.
"ScOtty" is returning to the north
after having taken 4 big shipment OF
Alaskan dogs TO France for the use of
the Allies. Last winter he delivered
44O dogs to the French authorities,
they having been collected in Alaska
and Labrador.
The dogs are used by the Alpine
Chasscurs," explained Mr.. Allen. They
were to be put to work hauling Nmmu-
milton to the artillery batteries, most
ly over the snow, and they are do
ing good work, ! have heard from
them frequently since | left them over
there last winter"
Interested In Hardware.
Mr.. Allen has spent the last few
months in Bcrkcly where his family
is located. Although the other Al
lens will stay there, "Scotty' is going
back to Nome, where, strangely
enough, he is Interested in Il hardware
store.
But nobody thinks OF him az a NOR
chant; he is known 10 sport followers
everywhere as the man who has won
more Of the Nome sweepstakes than
any other. The Rll-Alaskan classic
has been run nine years. In eight OF
these Mr.. Allen has been entered,
driving a dog team owned by himself
and Mrs. C. +. Darling,
In all eight races he has been In
the money, n record no other driver
ever has made. He has won the race
three times, has bcen second three
times and he finished in third place
twice.
Be 1t known that the sweepstakes,
which which all Alaskans especially
are familiary, is tho most gruellIng
contest imaginable. 1t Is the limit of
human endurance. Beside 1t a forty
five round fight for the heavyweight
championship with o complete coma
for the loser when the finish comes,
becomes merely a friendly contest in
comparison.
Wins $4,000 Purse.
To the winner Of the swoepstake
there is a liberal reward. The prize
varies with the year. The biggest
purse that Mr.. Allen won was in 1909,
when he received $4,000, several gold
watches and other gifts for driving
the Darling-Allcn team into Nome
ahead Of the painting packs Of Mala-
mutes that struggled along the trail
behind him.
Last winter, much to his regret,
"Scotty" was not in the race. He did
not return from taking his shipment
Of dogs to the Allies in time, Next
April he expects to be in again, and
he hopes to repeat his former sue
cesscs.
After some Of the dogs were sold to
the Allies there are still thirty fine
huskles left in the Darling-Allen ken
nels, and from his collection Mr.. Al
len expects to select a winning team
for the next race. The dogs are OF
mixed blood, part Malamute and part
bird dog. The setter is preferred for
this crossing. Mr.. Allen believes they
are superior to the Siberian wolves
driven in the Alaskan races.
Builds Motor Sled.
But this veteran dog racer believes
an improvement can be made owe the
dog team for transportation over the
Alaskan snow fields and he has been
busy ON it. At Oakland during the
last few weeks he has been helping
build a motor sled that will be tried
out during the coming fall in the
Nome snow fields. The motor sled
will follow Mr.. Allen north and he
will give 1t a test when It reaches
him.
Mr.. Allen is travelling by auto from
Berkeley to Seattle, where he takes
a steamer for Nome, as a guest Of
Judge J. z. Fuller, Of Fairbanks. Mr..
Fuller WIS formerly federal judge for
that district. The two will go out
over the Columbia river highway. Late
this month they will sail from Seattle
for Alaska.