Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 115, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1910 — MEN OF ACTION. [ARTICLE]

MEN OF ACTION.

In the rush for Alaskan gold men did not forget to be ready to help the unfortunate. The author of “Trailing and Camping in Alaska,” A. M. Powell, narrates an Incident that occurred at Valdez. The place was overcrowded with prospectors and miners, food was scarce and there was a good deal of Sickness. Many had come over the glacier, and others had lost their lives in the attempt. A dog team galloped up and stopped in front of the only pretense of a hotel at Valdez. The night was dark, as the northern winter nights always are when the moon is not shining. The dogs immediately lay down, almost exhausted from their long trip, and the two men were soon surrounded by inquiring friends. One of the two said: “What do you think, fellows? Just this side of Saw-Mill Camp we passed a woman who was pulling a sled on which was her sick husband. We .remonstrated against the undertaking of crossing the glacier, but she replied that they might as well die up there as anywhere else, as it meant certain death to stop. Our dogs could only pull our outfit, and there wasn’t grub enough for all, so we were compelled to leave them., They will be at the last timber to-night, and if somebody doesn’t go to their rescue, they will be dead by this time to-morrow.” A man stepped out from the crowd and said: "I’ll go for one. Now who else has a good dog team to. splice in with mine?” “I’m your huckleberry,” announced another It was three o’clock in the morning before they had made their selection of dogs and were ready to start on that hazardous trip. “There goes the best dog team in Alaska and driven by the best two men on earth!" exclaimed a man, as they turned a corner and were gone. The trail was easily followed, and soon the nine miles of level were parsed. The" speed slackened only when they were ascending the summit, which they reached by eleven that mornfng. Down, down the steep descent they plunged, and by one o’clock were off the glacier and skipping over level ground. The poor woman had pulled the sled until she was exhausted, and had sat down beside her husband. She was bidden to seat herself comfortably while they fastened the two sleds together. Soon they were bounding away at such a rapid rate of speed that the woman wept for joy. When they recrossed the summit the whple range was “smoking” and the wind was sending the fine snow along the crust. “Twenty miles to tbwn, and it can never catch us,” said the driver. Townsmen anxiously waited and watched the trail. As the team rushed up they were surrounded by eager, helping hands. They were saved by men, not of good intentions only, but by men of Instant action.” ■