Grand Forks herald., 1917-01-24
DRIVERS SLEEP
BESIDE TRAINS
ON TRIP SOUTH
To Cook Own Meals and Re-
main with Packs Through
out the Entire Trip.

st. Paul, Jan. 24,-with bigger
field than any that ever participated
in the famous Alf-Alaska Sweep
stakes. the Red River-St. Paul Car
nival Derby is in progress today, the
dog trains having for their speedway
the historic route over which mail
was carried half a century. ago by
dog sledge. between st. Paul and Fort
Gary, on the site OF Winnipeg.
Each driver carries a letter from
Sir James Atkins. lieutenant gover-
nor of Manitoba. 8 to Governor ]. A.
A. Burnquist Of Minnesota. To the
man who crosses the finish line in
Como park. st. Paul. winner in the
derby. will belong the honor Of plac-
ing the letter he carries in the hands
of the. Minnesota executive.
International amenities and refer
OF equal interest in Minnesota and
Manitoba. and everywhere through.
out the great northwest, make up the
contents Of Sir James greeting to
Minnesota's governor.
"Mushing" on the hard-beaten
country roads through southern Man
itoba. North Dakota and Minnesota
packed snow in the far north. and the
drivers in the derby left Winnipeg
with the knowledge that their moe
casin-shod feet will be hlistered and
bruised before they. end their long
journey in St. Paul, 522 miles away.
Expert dog train drivers believe
the winner of the derby will be the
man. who has given the closest pre-
liminary study to the route Of the
race and to the road conditions he
must encounter before he reaches the
!, s'A.' s,esRG s,ssG'bis} biess}a Ts, Trail. ''.5.s
The drivers, VIII 9psen beside the
trail, and will cook their own meals,
as rule. although some may. take
| advantage fthe opportunities offered
| In the various taowns for obtaining
ready-cooked lunches. However, they
are accustomed to keeping house" In
| ment Of their sleds during the race
in addition to food for men and dogs
for two days, consists of the rabbit
skin sleeping blanket and the small
kettle in which the Northman brews
his tea.
Drivers to Run.
Instead of the heavily laden sleds
the dogs are accustomed to hauling
across the snow and ice throughout
the winter months. they will have
practically light toboggans on the
race. For the driver will ride less
than half the distance. Hardy fol-
lowers Of the trail as they are, the
derby drivers left Winnipeg with the
intention of running from fifty to six
ty miles day, riding only for breath
ing spells. This means that they will
be hauled by the dogs not more than
forty miles of the ninety or one hun
dred miles.
Sixteen Hours a Day.
The drivers expected, when they
started the race. to stay on the trail
no less than sixteen hours each day,
sleeping eight hours in. twenty-four
The dogs. like their masters, sleep
beside the trail. They are unused to
kennels, and shield themselves from
the cold by digging in" where the
snow has drifted. Their shaggy
coats sometimes freeze to the snow
while they sleep. for their Long. tire
less daily runs keep them perspiring
until stopping point is reached.
indian drivers are, pitted 3 against
white men in the derby, and the Lake
Winnipeg fishing camps are rivals Of
the Hudson's bay district which in the
past has worn the laurels sshen dog
| racing was considered.
From LePas. in the Hudson's bay
section, five teams. each handled by
an expert driver, are participating in
driving his team of pure white
Huskies which won for him the title
OF cha mpion driver in the 1916 Hud-
sons Bay Sweepstakes, and expects
to retain his reputation. by winning
the race to St. Paul.
John hayes. also pf. LePas. who
finished in the Hudson's bay event 9
scant five minutes. behind. Camppelt
after forcing the latter to set a new
of
hours ana rs minutes. has entered his
team In the derby. but entrusted the
! driving to the redouptable Bill Gray.
son or LePas. one OF the most pic
turesque and typical representatives
Of the hardy race Of Mortimer to be
found in the whole province OF Mani
| toha.
Unique Costume.
Grayson will be easily picked out
from among the other drivers along
the route of the race by reason OF
coat OF caribou hide anA a fur~toquel
LOCKING much like a. Polar sxplorer.
His coat 10 fringed At the bottom
and no has decorated It with bright
ribbon streamers He 10 a big. silent,
rawboned fellow. and impresses ev-
eryone with his apparent knowledge
OF the trail and the ways Of sledge
NOoo. AAo 10 plCkoO Oy mnuy OeFUy
fans a. the winner, although each Sec
ton has its favorite and almost every
driver has his hackers In the betting
that was done In winnipeg prior to
the start OF the race.
When the derby is finished and the
Northmen' are encalnped in 81. Paul
for the remainder Of carnival week.
! tney Will have much&to DO, for their
stockade and tepees will be visited by
carnival throngs and they will have an
their winnings by participating in s.
| mile and 10-mile races on. the state
fair ground track. 4
From Truckee, Cal, Ind from far
| on AlaakA. chaIlensea 1--we shAen re-