Douglas Island news., 1918-12-06
NOTED MUSHER
 DIES OF FLU
News Received at Seattle That Split. the-Wind, of Nome, Victim
 of Influenza

The following account of the death Of a famous Alaskan character A taken from tho Seattle Times of No ycmber 2lth:
 "Spllt-thc-Wind, famous through out the length and breadth of Alas ka as the greatest musher thc coun- try ever produced, is dead at Nome Of Spanish influenza, according to a number of tolegrams received by Alaskuns In Seattle yesterday.
 Split" was an Eskimo, about 4 feet tall and weighed about SO pounds. He reached Nome some five weeks ago after spending six years m Che Arctic region as guide to Vil- hjalmur stcfansson, head of the Cam adian exploring expedition He is credited with saving the lives of Che noted explorer and three of his conn panlons when they were lost on the Arctic fec Hoes for several months. u was split-the-Wnd's brain that conceived the idea of granulating and cooking tho babccsh of tho snow shoes and the rawhide thongs and lacing of the slcds. which food sus- tained them until they reached Banks Land, where they were res- cuod by Capt. Louis Lane Of the schooner Polar Bear. stcfansson paid split-the-wind S6.5OO for his serv- ices
 Although only about twenty-five years old when he died, split-the- Wind ten years ago ran eleven Of the best runners in Alaska off their legs in marathon race He was reputed to be Che best hunter in the Arctic.
 split-the Wind paid one visit to Seattle. but he found the city "too much war enough" He had never seen a tree larger than an Arctic willow in his life uu the ship on which he was travelling entered Che strait. It was early morning. and split-the-wnd rushed Co the door of Mike sawin. another musher. who later was killed with thc Monten- cgrin army at Cetiugc. and said, "Miko. get up, quick; willows here a5 big as mountains '
 Split" was very friendly with a member Of The Times staff and for several days he was at Che office first thing in the morning and last thing at night. to ride up and down i'm the elevator When the elevator operator stopped him, he acquired the habit of going into every build ing on Second Avenue and asking Co be taken Co the top floor Elevator ioyridlng was his favorito amuse- ment
 One day a member Of The Times staff invited Split Co matinee performance Of a particularly melo- dramic play In one Of the local the atres A thrilling gun fight was a feature Of the performance Split edged to Che back of the box. Capt Jack Cap'n Jack!" he called in a scared voice.
 "Whats the matter?" asked tho host.
 Split held the door aiar. More better we get out of hero." hc said; maybe they make a mistake"
 Like an Esldmos Split was strictly honest, but on one occasion he fell from grace. A friend had a fine malamute puppy which Split wanted to train for a leader for his dog team The friend jol,ingly of- rored Go trade the dog for his sisters month-old baby. Split reappcarod half an hour later with Che infant au wrapped in furs. "I don't think she want this baby" he said; "but don't ask her; maybe she say No"
 That Split had many friends in Che North is evidenced in the mum bor of telegrams announcing his death received by Northernors in the city yesterday