The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-06-09
MANY PREPARE FOR
RUSH TO OIL FIELD
5. IN MACKENZIE BASIN
CBy Associated Pressj

I
+. EDMONTON. Alberta. June 3
Fortune seekers from all parts of Can
ada and various parts Of the United
States are gathering for the dash into
the far north oil and mineral fields
when navigation opens about the mid
die of June.
Edmonton, Fort McMurray and
Peace River Crossing, the latter two
gateways into the Mackenzie river ea-
sin oil fields, are showing signs CT
activity. with large fleets OF river
steamers and gasoline boats getting
ready for the short summer transpor-
tation season.
Edmonton railroad yards are jam
med with freight for north points. and
both Fort McMurray and Peace River
Crossing are experiencing unprece-
denied prosperity and hustle, all com
ing from the first wave Of the Oil
boom.
Population Doubles.
The little town of Fort McMurray
has already doubled its population
since last fall and with the opening OF
navigation it is expected to reach
four times it's previous size. Many
along the banks of the river, boats,
scows and lumber craft are being con-
tructed.
Peace River Crossing also is garner
ing its share of the rush. This town
is the temporary headquarters Of the
government parties going into the
north country this year, in addition TO
oil prospectors. Ten government
parties are getting ready at Peace
River or have already taken the field
from this point, including four topo-
graphical, three geographical and one
astronomicaI survey parties. An
other government party will make an
exhaustive report of the possibilities
Of the new oil fields.
, River men say they will be able
to handle all freight offered for north
ern points, recent heavy rains having
filled northern streams and solved
the problem Of low water which
threatened to tie up navigation to the
Mackenzie fields.
Traffic Is Growing.
In the meantime the activity at Fort
McMurray and Peace River Crossing
is growing IN intensity daily. Every
train to the north is crowded and
travellers from both points say that
Accommodations are at premium. One
party leaving here for Fort McMurray
took along their own bedding and
shelter tents. reports being that they
would be unable to obtain them on
arrival. River craft are taking the
water daily at both these points.
That dominion authorities anticipate
some difficulty with parties of Che
chaokes" or newcomers, in the coun-
ic evident from tho CtrinCpnt
ulations governing entry into the new
lands.
Police Pass on Applicants.
A all police points manned by the
Royal Northwest Mounted Police, oil
seekers and others are compelled TO
show their entry permits. These per-
mits are not issued unless the appli-
cants satisfy the police patrols, COM
posed of hardened "musherS" and
"sour-doughs" that they are physical
ly capable of enduring hardships, are
properly equipped for the long jour
ney, and are assured of being able to
return to civilization at the end of
the seasons work. Failing in this,
they must show that they have grub
stake sufficient for a full IL months
or that they have the necessary or
ders on the trading posts already es-
tablished to carry them through for
years supply of food.
Thus far few applying for permits
have been refused by police officials.
Later on, when the real rush be-
gins, police officials say. considerable
wedding out will have to be done.
The 16-mile portage between Fort
Fitzgerald and Fort Smith is expect
ed to show considerable congestion
when the rush starts, old timers say
notwithstanding the presence Of 50
teams and several powerful ractorc
which have been sent to this strip OF
land to cope with the influx.
The two natural routes leading to
the Fort Norman fields are via Peace
River Crossing and Fort McMurray
There are two other routes, however
which would land the travellers in
the new fields from six weeks to two
mouths earlier than by either the
Peace or McMurray lines, but both
these routes call for long portages
and considerable outfit.
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