The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-09-19

within small fraction of a second
Is an important consideration in fixing
a meridian, and In the days before the
wide use of radio 1t was necessary to
get telegraphic wires to stations on
the line and to have time signals sent
from astronomical observatories. In
the southern part of the line differ
ence Of half a second would have
meant the location Of the boundary
more than 300 feet from its true posi-
ton. 1t was necessary even to cor
rect the observations to compensate
for the tiny lag in the passage Of the
electric current of the signals from Its
source to the surveyor.
Surveyed by Joint Commission.
Both the United States and Canada
were vitality interested in the proper
location of the Hist meridian, and the
work was therefore entrusted to 4
Joint commission with members from
the two countries. Work could be per-
formed only during the open summer
seasons, and more than five years were
there was timber, vista 20 feet wide
was cut through it. Monuments, visi-
BILE from the adjacent ones on each
side, were placed along the line not
more than four miles apart. Finally
detailed map was made Of a strip
of country extending two miles on each
side of the boundary. Five-foot
aluminum-bronze shafts set In a ton
of concrete were placed at prominent
river crossings and at main-traveled
points. At less important points three
foot cones Of metal were set In 4
lighter concrete base.
In the survey Of the 141st meridian
greater obstacles had to be
overcome than In most other surveys
of recent times. The transportation
Of supplies and instruments was one Of
the major problems. The meridian Is
crossed in only two places by possible
routes of water transportation-at the
Yukon river, navigable by large river
steamers, and at the Porcupine, on
which small craft may ply. For more
than 200 miles south of the Yukon,
food, feed for horses, camp outfit, In
struments and personnel had to be
carried for the most part on pack
horses whether the way led over
tundra, meadow or swamp.
Two miles an hour was as great speed
as could be counted on, and the horses
could not be worked for more than a
,ix-hour day.
Among other things which the sur
yeying parties did during their work
n the far north was to carry knowl-
edge of the white man and his world
nto out-of-the-way places. They gave
he Indians their very first glimpse Of
,orses and steamboats, in some cases.
Indians Were Alarmed.
When Indians at Rampant House
Jaw the party's little steamers. without
ow-line or sail and belching smoke and
team, push their way up rapids in the
'orcupine, they had the most exciting
Of their lives. When the
lorses were unloaded, and in celebra-
ion Of their freedom from cramped
uarters began running about and roll
ny on the ground. the Indians ran for
heller with feelings In their breasts,
10 doubt, such as those the Aztecs had
rhen Cortez's centaurs rode into their
midst. Even the dogs, who had never
cen such beasts before, took to the
ills. But novelty soon wears away;
efore many days Indian children were
hrowlng stones at the queer horn
,ss caribou"
The American and Canadian parties
Of from 30 to 80 men each,
i'd not operate in one group. A num-
er Of small groups were organized,
ach going It's own way. These SUBJ
arties consisted of six or seven men,
ach In charge Of veteran surveyor.
a the determination of the principal
oints on the meridian, however, a
arty made up Of both American and
anadlan surveyors worked; and their
ldividual observations had to check
efore the points were fixed as Off
ally correct.
Every day had to count in the rela-
vely short summer season, especially
ong the northern portion OF the line,
, that Sundays and the Fourth of July
,uld not be observed as holidays. On
lose days the working period was
by several hours, however,
some concession to customs back
ome. An interesting feature Of the
b was working under the midnight
in. So interested were the surveyors
one party who happened to be on
e Arctic circle on June % one year,
at they insisted on working all
jght.'