The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-01-22

games have been held at more or less
- regular intervals in many different
countries during these 80 centuries but this wear
for the first time in history the games will in
clude sled dogs races.
Obviously it would be impossible for the sled
dog races TO be held at the same time and place
as the other branches of Olympic competition.
So that is why Lake Placid. N Y. comes into
the Olympic picture. 1t has one of the finest
sled dogs racing courses on this continent and
there on February and the teams of thus
kies," driven by their fur-clad ''mushers' will
race % miles each day to win Olympic honors
for the nations which they represent Previous
70 the races at Lake Placid. elimination con-
tests are being held in various parts of the
country, notably in New England TO determine
the American representatives in the Olympic
finals, so these finals will see in the entry lists
the names Of some of the greatest sled dog
drivers and teams in the world pitting their
speed and endurance against each other
Outstanding among these viii be such drivers
as Leonard Seppala of Alaska, native of Nor
way but now a naturazed American citizen.
the man who with his heroic lead dog Baltic.
thrilled the world few years ago when they
carried the diphthera serum TO stricken Nome:
Emile St GODDARD of lie Pas. Manitoba a young
FrenchCanadian. who has won three world
championships; Frank Dupuis another Cana
dian; Arthur T. Walden Of New Hamp-
shire, experienced Alaskan sourdough musher
and dogmaster for Commander Byrd in
the Antarctic: Walter Claiming of Boston. who
has twice defeated teams from both sides Of
the border in the annual races at Lake Placid:
Charlie Lyman. the barber of Laconia " H.,
who has defeated veteran mushers fur trappers
and mail drivers Of the Northland; Norman
Vaughan, E. Goodale and Fred Crockett ''the
three Musketeers OF the South pole'; and many
others.
Nor is sled dog racing a sport in which only
men compete. Although Seppala. if successful
In the trials will represent his adopted country
rather than his native land. Norway will prob
ably be represented by a former American the
outstanding woman dog driver OF the East She
is Mrs. Kaare hansen. who before her marriage
to the son Of the famous Norwegian explorer
was Mrs. E P. Kicker, Jr.. a formidable COM
petition TO the men in many an exciting dog
And competitor from the West NAV be
Miss Lydia ("Whistlin' Lydr) Hutchinson whose
fame is intimately associated with the fame of
the annual American Dog derby at Ashton,
Idaho.
What horse racing is to the people of the
more moderate climates in North America. sled
dog racing is TO the people Of the north where
the SHOWS are deep. the winds bite cold and the
ice-bound trails defy man and his principal
beast Of burden, the sled dog, TO conquer them.
Part timber wolf. part Labrador husky the fierce
shaggy malemutes won their place in history
during the Klondike gold rush third Of CEN
fury ago. But their usefulness by no means
ended with the end of the gold rush. Today In
the land which lies north of ST. day in and
day out these dogs haul provisions, medicines.
freight and supplies. They an essential part
of the fur trade for with their help the trappers
patrol their 2O0mile trap lines and bring back to
civilization the furs which fashion DEGREES
milady must wear.
The sport OF sled dog racing is comparatively
lew but it has grown in favor and in extent
more than most people realize. II began back
in 1905 when the first OF these picturesque
sporting events was held over the 4OS-mile will
derness trail in Alaska from Nome TO Candle
creek and back. MANS best friend" had made
ii possible for the golden riches of Alaska to be
obtained the first Alf-Alaskan Sweepstake
race dedicated to the huskies. The plan