Seward daily gateway., 1923-04-14
ARCTIC TRADERS ON WAY ID STAES;
 MANY FURS
TRIP MADE FROM FRANKLIN BAY TO SEWARD IN ONE MONTH
 AFTER MANY HARDsHIPs

From far-off Cape Bathurst, one of the most northern points of the Can- adian possessions, to Seward, in lit tie more than a month is the remark able mushing feat of two Arctic trad CTS, Owen Williams and o. Ostergard, who arrived here Wednesday on their way to the States and eventually 6 visit to the Canadian cities.
 Messrs. Williams and Ostergard left Cape Bathurst on the morning of March 5, losing seven days en rouse on account of bad weather along the Arctic coast, arriving in Seward on the evening of April II, just one month of elapsed travelling time be- ing required on the trip. Both men have the weathered appearance of the winte nraveler. With them they have four of the dogs used on the trip. These will be taken out to the States and used on the incoming trip this summer.
 In making the trip out the men, aft CT leaving the confines of Franklin Bay, travelled over the Huska lakes, which lie parallel to the large Eskimo lakes; traversed the tundra regions until they hit Point Toker; from Point Toker they struck directly for the Mackenzie river, striking 1t some dis tance below Fort McPherson. From there they headed for the head waters of the Porcupine river, down that stream to Fort Yukon, up the Yukon river to Circle City, and cross country to Chatanika, thence by rail to Fair banks and on to Seward. The total distance travelled is estimated at close to 2,000 miles and these men are of the very few who have ever made the trip from so great distance.
 In speaking of trapping conditions in the section from which they came they stated that the country was prac- tically a virgin one but very difficult of access. With them they brought a large number of Arctic fox and many marten skins which will be disposed of at either Vancouver or Victoria.
 They stated, among other things, that the region lying between the Mackenzie river and Darnley bay was practically one vast deposit of coal with oil indications in many places In three distinct places it is noticeable that fires have attacked the coal seams and consumed much of the de- posit. For many square miles there remains nothing of the tundra but one vast deposit of ashes, all vegetation being consumed or else the earth is robbed of its producing qualities. Car ibou and other game has been driven from this belt on account of lack of feed, the shore margin being the only feeding district now available.
 This summer, in making the return trip MT. Williams and MT. Ostergard will journey down the Mackenzie riv- CT, striking the Athabasca river be- low Fort McMurray, cruising down that stream and crossing Lake Atha- based and going down the Slave river until the Great Slave Lake is reached. Bearing westward on this lake the upper reaches of the Mackenzie will be reached and the long trip down that river will be commenced. In spite of the description they state that the return is the easiest part of the whole trip. Arriving at the Mack enzie deltas they will shortcut be- tween Richard Island and the main land, and after cruise along the Arctic shores arrive at their base camp at Capep Bathurst.
 Both men are old timers in the dis trict and for the past six years have confined their activities to the Frank lin Bay section, principally trading with the natives, which number about