Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-09
Rush Soon to
Oil and Mineral
Fields of Alaska

seekers from all parts of Canada ana
various parts of the United states
are gathering for their dash into the
far north oil and mineral fields Wnen
navigation opens about the middle OF
June.
Edmonton, Fort McMurray ana
Peace River Crossing. the latter two
gateways into the Mackenzie river
basin oil fields, are showing signs Oh
great activity with large fleets OIL
river steamers and gasoline boats
ready for the short summer trans
portation season.
Edmonton railroad yards are jam
ming through freight for north
points and both Fort McMurray and
Peace River Crossing are experience
ing unprecedented prosperity and
hustle, all coming from the first wave
of the oil boom.
The little town of Fort McMurray
has already doubled it's population
since last fall and with the opening
of navigation it is expected to reach
four times it's previous size. Many
new buildings are being erected, while
along the banks of the river, boats,
scows and lumber craft are being
constructed.
Peace River Crossing also is gar
nering its share of the rush. This
town is the temporary headquarters
of the government parties going into
the north country this year in addi-
ton to oil prospectors. Ten govern
ment parties are getting ready at
Peace River or have already taken
the field from this point, including
four typographical, three geological
and one astronomical survey parties.
Another government party will make
an exhaustive report of the possibil-
tiles of the new oil fields.
River men say that they will be
able to handle all freight offered for
northern points, recent heavy rains
having filled all northern streams
and solved the problem of low water
which threatened 10 tie up migration
to the Mackenzie fields.
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 a pre-
MUM. One party leaving here for
Fort McMurray took along their own
bedding and shelter tents, reports be
ing that they would be unable to OBJ
tain them on arrival. River crafts
are taking the water daily at both
these points.
That dominion authorities antici-
pate some difficulty with parties of
"Chechakoes" or newcomers, in the
country is evident from the stringent
regulations governing entry into the
new lands.
At all police points manned by the
Royal Northwest Mounted Police. oil
seekers and others are compelled to
show their entry permits. These per-
mlts are not issued unless the ap-
plicants satisfy the police patrols,
composed of hardened ''mushers" and
sour -doughs," that they are physi-
cally capable of enduring hardships,
are properly equipped for the long
Journey, and are assured of being
able to return to civilization at the
end Of the seasons work. Failing in
thls they must show that they have
a grub stake sufficient for a full -
months or that they have the neces-
sary orders on the trading posts al
ready established to carry them
through for years supply of food.
Thus far few of those 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 so
teams and several powerful tractors
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 McAIurray.
lhere are two other routes, however,
winch would land the travellers in the
new fields from six weeks to two
months earlier than by either the
Peace or McMurray lines, but both
these routes call for long portages
and considerable outfit.