IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT ,

ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

A Guide t o Twenty-two Audio Tape In terv iews i n the Alaska S ta te L i b r a r y

Col lec ted by the U.S. Bureau o f Land Management, I d i ta rod Nat ional H i s t o r i c T r a i 1 P ro j ec t O f f i c e i n 1980-19811.

Alaska Department o f Education D i v i s i o n o f Sta te L i b r a r i e s and Museums

Pouch G Juneau, A1 aska 9981 1

November 1981

CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

List o f Audio Tape Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interview Data Logs 3

. . . . . . . . Sample of Oral History Use Agreements 61

INTRODUCTION

Twenty-two o r i g i n a l tape-recorded in te rv iews were co l l ec ted by the

I d i ta rod Nat ional H i s t o r i c a l T r a i l P ro j ec t O f f i ce , U.S. Bureau o f Land

Management, Anchorage, dur ing 1980-1981. These master casset te audio

tapes, use agreements and i n t e r v i ew data logs have been placed i n the

Alaska H is to rs i ca l L i b r a r y f o r preservat ion and scho la r l y use.

A copy s e t o f t h e audio tapes w i t h use agreements can be borrowed on

i n t e r l i b r a r y loan. L i b r a r i e s o r museums may ob ta i n copies o f the audio

tapes i n which they are i n t e res ted by p rov id ing blank tapes f o r the

dup l i ca t ion .

The tapes i n t h i s c o l l e c t i o n have been indexed i n the statewide Oral

H i s t o r y Index compiled by B i l l Schneider a t the Elmer E. Rasmuson

L ib ra ry , Un i ve r s i t y o f Alaska, Fairbanks.

LIST OF AUDIO TAPE INTERVIEWS IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT

ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

Phonotape-C

\~zq 49-80-1 Gularte, Tony (F l a t )

Gularte, Tony ( Id i t a rod) Note: inaudible tape due t o mechani cal f a i 1 ure.

Morris, Jack C. (McGrath)

49-80-3a Morris, Jack L. (continued)

49-80-4 Redington, Joe and V i (Kni k)

49-80-5 Poling, John (Nome)

49-80-6 Ma1 oney , Mami e (Nome)

49-80-7 Curran, J r . , Pete ( ~ o m e )

49-80-7a Curran, J r . , Pete (continued)

49-80-8 Abloogal ook, Mark (Nome)

49-80-9 Hahn, Bonnie (Nome)

1 49-80-10 Peterson, Andy (Nome)

49-80-7 1 Baldwin, Bob (Nome)

49-80-1 2 * Larson, Pete (Nome)

49-80-1 3 No1 1 ner , Edgar (Galena)

49-80-1 4 Evans, Char1 i e (Gal ena)

49-80-1 5 * McCarty, B i l l y (Ruby)

49-80-1 6 Bahnke, S r . , John (Nome)

49-80-1 7 Carl o , Char1 i e (Ruby)

49-80-1 8 Kall and, Edgar (Kal t ag )

49-80-1 8a Kal 1 and, Edgar (conti nued)

49-81 -1 * Aulaye, John ( ~ n a l a k l e e t )

I * Lacking use agreement; r e s t r i c t i o n on copying tape f o r d i s t r i b u t i o n .

GULARTE, TONY

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT OFFICER BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ANCHORAGE D I S T R I C T OFFICE 4700 E 72ND AVENUE ANCHORAGE , ALASKA 9 95 0 7

General ~~~i~~ of Interview: Early history of Iditarod & Flat mining camps.

Roadhouses. First airplanes into Flat.

Date of Interview: July 12, 1980

Location of Interview: Flat, Alaska Length:

Interviewer: Tom Beck, Steve Peterson, BLM

Personal Data Comment s :

~arrator's Name: Tony Gularte Due to mechanical problems, sound

Address: 1403 W 34th PI . Anchorage quality gradually deteriorates.

Tape becomes inaudible at approx-

Telephone: 279- 1846 imately 13:OO .

Name and address of relative or friend:

1908 Birthdate:

Birthplace:

Interview Data:

Tape No. : 80-01

Time :

Side: A

Subjects:

INTRODUCTION

IDITAROD TRAIL ROADHOUSES: IDITAROD-DEEMAN AREA . .

Shermiers R.H. ~ritz's R.H. (Jerry Wynn-proprietor).

, GULARTE, TONY

IDITARCQ TRAIL PRQTECT CWAL HISTCRY PR-

IDITARm TRAIL PRCUECT CFFICE BUREAU CF LAND MANA- AKXORAGE DISTRICT aFFICE ANCHC2RAG;E, AIASKA 9507

General Topics of Interview: Walking Tour of Iditard, Alaska

Ibte of Interview: July 12, 1980

Iacation o£ Interview: Length :

Intbewer: Steve Feterson, Tan Beck, BIM

Fersonal Data: CcrrPnents:

Narrator's Name: Tony Gularte

Address: 1403 W 34th P1, Anchorwe

Telephone: 279-1846

T a p i s larqely inaudible due t o

meal failure,

DO NOT CIRCUIATE

and address of relative or friend:

Birthplace :

inter vie^ Data: .

Time:

Side: A

Subjects:

Introduction

niscussion of streets, shops and warehouses.

End of audible portion of interview

Time:

Notes

Phonotape-C 49-

2 of 4 Narra tor : Jack Morris 80-03 P:

Subjects :

y e a r s . Work Experiences.

Voyage on "w.M. upper" from S e a t t l e t o Bethel , Ak. 1930.

Work as deckhand. L i skeyv i l l e : B i l l Liskey 's camp near

Stony River. Work a s a "flunky ." Frequency of t r i p s - navigat ion. Dances.

ARRIVAL I N McGRATH P r e p a r a t i o n of "Tana'' f o r win te r s t o r -

"LITTLE CHARLIE SMITH" (WHITE DOG SMITH)

Dogtem, mail runs. Frank Lange: Pa r tne r sh ip of Smith &

Lange : summer f r e i g h t business on " ~ n n a b e l le" and poo lha l l .

Boat "Langley" b u i l t .

DESCRIPTION OF OLD McGRATH. Kruhm' s roadhouse . Smith 's poo lha l l . Langley house. Gamewarden Halson's.

Northern Commercial Co. (NCC) s t o r e . Pe te Nichael 's

roadhouse. "Sp i t t en J im ' ' Ebnaw's house.

CHARLIE KONIG family . Dog team and mail runs. Rep lace-

ment of dog teams by a i r p l a n e s . La te r yea rs . La te r yea rs

of Frank Lange and "White Dog" Smith.

ROADHOUSE I N OLD McGRATH. B i l l Kruhm's. Dave Clough's.

Clough's mink ranch i n Takotna, and his move t o o ld McGrath

i n 1930. Supplying wood f o r roadhouse. Clough bu i lds .

Russ S t a l l c u d , T ib ' s Sawmill, Cap McLain, Warren Alfred.

Time :

Phonotape C- 49-

4 P: ,-. of 4 Narra tor : Jack Morris 80-03

Subjects :

Thanksgiving t r i p t o Takotna - f e s t i v i t i e s .

Route from McGrath t o Takotna. Tr ip t o Ophir: weather,

c l o t h i n g , s l e d and equipment. Char l ie Konig . DAILY OPERATION OF ROADHOUSE. A r r i v a l of steamboat and

s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s . Dances. Roadhouse employees, hours of

opera t ion .

CREW ON THE "TANA Number of crew, d u t i e s , "flunky."

Notes

See tape 80-03A f o r con t inua t ion of in te rv iew.

Phonotape C- 49-

2 of Narrator: Jack L . blorris 80-03 A P = Time: Subjects:

Kruhmls mink pens. Christmas time a t Kruhm's roadhouse.

New NCC bui ld ing b u i l t (approx) 1930. P o ~ u l a t i o n of old

McGrath : (approx . ) 150, population of "newli~.lc~rath.

TAKOTNA AND KUSKOKIVIM RIVERS JOIN AT OLD blCGRATH

(Discussion with map)

MISCELLANEOUS. Jack ' s claim near Apple M t . River

changes d i r ec t i on . Candle Creek t r a i l . S tores i n old

LlcGrath. Jack Morris work experiences. Howard Langley: -- - - - - - - - -- --

watchman on steamboats. "TANA" replaced by "Langely . I t

TAPE 80-03 A , SIDE B

BLANK

Notes

Phonotape C- 49-

2 of 3 P: .-. - Narrator: J o e & V i Redington 80-04

T i m e :

RECONNAISSANCE (-1972)

Subjects:

- -- - - -

MT. CLIMBERS ROADHOUSE P i c t u r e s

KNIK HISTORIC SITE: LOG STRUCTURE H i s t o r y . (Built c. 1906.)

U s e .

KNIK HISTORIC SITE: HALL. HISTORY

Res to ra t ion . H i s t o r y of use. U s e as a R.H. run by Lee &

Grace Ellexson. B u i l t c. 1914.

WALKING TOUR OF KNIK HALL: FIRST FLOOR

WALKING TOUR KNIK HALL : SECOND FLOOR

P i c t u r e s of early Knik. Knik s i t e p lan . -- - --

IDITAROD TRAIL: KNIK AREA

0.G. BERNINGS STORE: KNIK S a l e to Teelands .

OLD SITES AND CABINS: KNIK/SUSITNA AREA " ~ h u r c h i l l . "

Burns cabin.

HALFWAY 6 M'. CLLMBERS ROADHOUSES

Notes

- - - -- --

Locat ion

TAPE 80-04, SIDE "B"

ROADHOUSES ALONG THE IDITAROD TRAIL: KNIK-RAINY PASS --

Locat ion of R.H.'s and t r a i l segments. Lee El lexson

MALONEY, MAMIE Phonotape C- 49-80-06

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECI.' ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT OFFICER BUREAU OF LAND blANAGE?IENT ANCHORAGE DISTRICT OFFICE 4700 E 72ND AENUE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 9 95 0 7

General Topics of Interview: Safety ~ o a d h o u s e and f e r r y . Char l i e Dalquis t .

Date of In terview: August 3, 1980

Locat ion of Interview: Mamie Maloney's apt. Nome, AK Length:

In tenr iewer : Tom Beck, BLM Historian

Personal Data Comments :

N a r r a t o r ' s Name: Mamie Maloney

Telephone:

Name and address of r e l a t i v e o r f r i end :

Bir thdate : 1923

Bir thp lace : Nome, Alaska

In terview Data:

Tape No. : 80-06 Side: A

Time :

00:08

Subjects:

INTRODUCTION

MAMIE HALONN: BIOGRAPHICAL Born i n Nome, 1923. Moved

t o Safe ty whi le s t i l l a baby wi th her f a t h e r , Charlie Dalquist.

Time:

10:oo

Notes

Phonotape C-

3 49-

P: of 5 N a r r a t o r : M a m i e Naloney 80-06

S u b j e c t s :

n O O D OF NOME AND SAFETY (1940 ' s ) Large f l o o d about 1947,

acco rd ing t o M a m i e . Mamie and C h a r l i e D a l q u i s t s p e n t t h r e e

days l i v i n g o n second f l o o r of R.H. Flood washed away

L i n c o l n H o t e l i n Nome.

SAFETY ROADHOUSE: HISTORY /DESCRIPTION. The second b u i l d i n g

has s u r v i v e d many f l o o d s , t h e l as t i n 1974.

O r i g i n a l b u i l d i n g burned down b e f o r e 1913. Second was b u i l t

between 1910 and 1913. Second R.H. s l e e p i n g accommodations:

one l a r g e bunk room w i t h s i x beds , f o u r i n d i v i d u a l bedrooms.

MAIL CARRIER: PETE CURRAN, JR. Mail c a r r i e d by dog team;

s topped a t S a f e t y R.H. every two weeks. P e t e ' s f a t h e r r a n

Solomon Roadhouse.

SAFETY FERRY: DESCRIPTION Fer ry p u l l e d by s m a l l b o a t .

o f t e n problems w i t h c a b l e s , t i d e .

MAMIE TRAVELS BY DOG TEAM TO BLUFF ( 1 935 )/HUSBAND GEORGE

TUCKER/MINING ACTIVITY

Route.

Mining a c t i v i t y . Ca r l Olsen ope ra t ed a R.H. Tucker fami ly

had a mining o u t f i t on Swede Creek, above B l u f f . mmie mar r i ed

George Tucker: 1947.

PHOTOGRAPHS : MAMIE SHOWS INTERVIEWER HER PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM.

Time :

4:OO

Phonotape 49-

5 of P : 5 Nar ra to r : Mamie Naloney 80-06

Subjects :

PHOTOGRAPHS Safe ty R. H. and f e r r y . D i r i g i b l e "Norge".

Char l i e Dalquis t . Lindbergh's airplane.

GEORGE TUCKER

R * ~ . / C A ~ ~ NOME R.H. His tory

LIFE AT THE SAFETY R.H. & FERRY. Mamie r e c a l l s v i s i t o r s ,

boarding dogs, summer horse t r a v e l .

FLOOD OF 1945 AT SAFETY

VILLAGE OF SOLOMON, Families . School teachers .

Notes

Time:

Notes

Phonotape C- 49-

2 of 2 Narra to r : Bob Baldwin 80-11 P:

Subjects :

1918.

CAPE NOME ROADHOUSE. Acquired by Mission c.1920. Used a s

summer camp f o r orphans. Used as R.H. i n win te r s . Run by "Cap"

Schr iner f o r t h e Nission; Niss ion closed i n l a t e 1920s, R.H.

so ld ; subsequent owners. A l t e r a t i o n s i n R.H. made by CAA.

Descr ip t ion of second s t o r y dormitory rooms.

CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES : CAPE NOME R. H.

SAFETY WIRELESS TOWER, SAFETY FERRY & R.H.

Desc r ip t ion of tower. Char l i e Da lqu i s t : owner of R.H. & Ferry .

Travel between Nome and Solomon, road cond i t ions .

REV. & MRS BALDWIN. Biographical . A r r i v a l i n Nome 1909 on

honeymoon.

CAP SCHRINER. Sea c a p t a i n . A r r i v a l i n Nome. Travels .

Scandanavian popu la t ion of Nome a r e a , 1920s.

ALASKA GOLD 00. Founded 1923/24. Company h i s t o r y .

BOB BALDWINfs WORK FOR ALASKA GOLD CO. Mining methods.

P roduc t iv i ty . Wages. Hours.

END.

Phonotape C- 49-80-1 7

, CARLO, CHARLIE

IDITAROD TRAIL PRO JE CT ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

IDITAROD TRAIL PRO J E CT OFFZ CER BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ANCHORAGE DISTRICT OFFICE 4700 E 72ND AVENUE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99507

General Topics of Interview: Ruby-Poorman a r e a s i n 1930s. Mail s e r v i c e by

dog team: 1930/31. Roadhouses i n Ruby from 1931.

Date of Interview: September 14, 1980

Location of Intentiew: Ruby, Alaska Length :

In terviewer: Tom Beck, BIN His to r i an

Personal Data Comments :

Narra to r ' s Name: Charlie Carlo

Address: Box 7 , Ruby, Alaska

Telephone:

Name and address of r e l a t i v e o r f r i end :

Bir thdate : 1909

Bir thplace: Rampart, Alaska

Interview Data:

Tape No. : 80-17

Time:

Side:

Subjects :

INTRODUCTION

BLANK

CHARLIE CARLO : FAMILY BACKGROUND

T i m e :

00: 10

Phonotape C- 49-

3 P: of - 3 Narrator: Charlie Carlo80-17

Subjects :

LOCATION O F BOSTON R.H. Remains of R.H. are at curve in road

called t h e "Oxbow"

LOCATION O F 15 M I L E R.H.

LOCATION O F HUB R.H.

T R A I L LOCATION NEAR D E V I L S THUMB

WILD GOOSE R . H: LOCATION, D E S C R I P T I O N

Last proprietor: Walker.

POORMAN R.H. LOCATION, D E S C R I P T I O N

SULATNA CROSSING R.H.

HORSES: FREIGHTING AND USE I N M I N E S , 1930's

LOCATION OF LEWIS LANDING AND f f ~ ~ ~ ~ n TRAIL

TELEGRAPH L I N E AND T R A I L S ACROSS LOUDEN SLOUGH AREA

Notes

BAHN, BONNIE Phonotape C- 49-80-09

ID1 TAROD TRAIL PRO JE C I ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT OFFICER BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ANCHOMGE DISTRICT OFFICE 4700 E 72ND AVENUE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99507

General TOP its of Intemiev: Walk- through tour of Cape Nome Roadhouse

History of use, and building a l terat ions .

Date of Interview: August 4 , 1980

Location of Interview: Cape Nome, Alaska Length :

Interviewer : Tom Beck, BLP?; Bob Spude, HCRS

Personal Data Comments :

Narrator's Name: Bonnie Hahn

Address :

Telephone :

Name and address of re la t ive or friend:

Birthdate:

Birthplace:

Interview Data:

Tape N o . : 80-09 Side: A

Time :

INTRODUCTION

Subjects :

ACOUISITION OF THE CAPE NOME ROADHOUSE BY THE HAHNS ( C I R C A 1960) -

CAA USE OF TRE RH AS A C O M ~ I C A T I O N S CENTER. Changes in the

Time:

Phonotape C- 49-

2 of 3 Nar ra to r : Edgar No l lne r 80-13 P:

Sub jec t s :

1 4 m i l e s from Galena. F a t h e r ( A l ) came over Chilkoot Pass

i n 1898. Father opened t r a d i n g pos t a t Louden i n 1906.

Mother - Nat ive from Louden Slough a r e a . Family moved t o

Galena, 1920. F a t h e r t r apped , c u t wood f o r s teamboats ,

c a r r i e d mail: Old Village-Tanana-Kaltag, by dogsled and

boa t .

SERUM RUNS OF 1925/DOGS. Edgar r a n b o t h runs: January :

Whiskey Creek-Galena. March: Galena-Bishop Mtn. Dog

races i n Ruby - 1919. Weather f o r serum runs . Serum

package. Hauling wood. Lead dogs. S l e d s . John Evans

and C h a r l i e s Evans. Pay.

LEONHARD SEPPALA. T r i p from Nome-Nenana.

JOHN ANTOSKY'S ( ? ) ROADHOUSE I N GALENA.

ROADHOUSES AND TRAILS ALONG YUKON RIVER. B i l l D a l q u i s t ' s

Roadhouse a t Nula to . John Evan's Roadhouse a t Koyukuk.

Mail c a b i n a t Bishop Mtn.

MAIL SERVICE. Frequency. C a r r i e r s : Ben Derrick, John

Summers. .

EDGAR'S FATHER. From N i s s o u r i . Dawson. For tymi le .

Bear s t o r y .

Notes

Time :

Phonotape C- 49-

2 P: of 4 Narra tor : Edgar Kalland 80-18

Subjects :

v i l l a g e s from Tanana. Edgar c a r r i e s mail: Tanana t o Nenana.

1925 DIPTHERIA SERUM RUN. How Edgar came t o p a r t i c i p a t e .

Harry arti in's R.H. a t Rot Springs. Food P r i c e s . Return t r i p .

Weather. Clothing. B i l l Shanon: t r a p p e r , r a n f i r s t l e g of run.

WORK ON STEAMBOATS, FROM 1923. Edgar s t a r t e d i n 1923 working

summers on steamboats. Worked f i v e summers a s deckhand. Ten

summers a s f ireman. Engineer was L.M. Dow. Worked on "Nenana",

"~acobs" , "Alice". Navigation on Yukon and Tanana r i v e r s .

WORK FOR N.C. CO: 1947-1977

DOGS AND DOG MUSHING. Edgar's Fa the r ' s team a t Kallands.

T r i p from Kallands t o Tanana. Dog breeds. Lead dogs: how t o

p i c k them. Hunting with dog teams.

END

TAPE 80-18, SIDE "B"

INTRODUCTION

BLANK

EDGAR'S DOG "TIPPY"

1925 DIPTHERIA SERUM RUN Other serum mushers, Tanana area:

Dan Green (Hot Spr ings ) , B i l l Shannon, Johnny Folger , Sam Joseph

Harry P i tka , T i t u s Nikolai . Dan Green (omitted from Congressional

Notes -

Time :

Phonotape C- 49-

4 P: of - 4 Narrator : Edgar Kalland 80-13

Subjects

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ACCOUNT OF 1925 DIPTHERIA SERUM RUN

Tr ibute t o DI alto" lead dog of Gunnar Kassen.

PICTURES Colonel Vaughn. "Old Man" Perry

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF SLED DOGS

TRAIL TO UNALAKLEET Winter t r a i l from Kaltzg t o Unalakleet .

Condition. Marking. Need f o r improvement.

Notes

Time:

Phonotape C- 49-

2 P: of 2 Narra tor : Edgar Kalland 80-18A

Subjects :

Slough R.H. Lakeshore R.H.

KALTAG PORTAGE. Map examination: (USGS 1 : 250 : Unalakleet

Norton Bay, Ophir) Eatons (1 3 miles from Unalakleet ) . Whaleback (25 mi les Unalakleet ) . Old Woman.

PETE KATONGON OF UNALAKLEET

EDGAR'S HEALTH/MISC. Edgar 's p resen t h e a l t h . B i l l y McCarty . + Modern Medicine.

HARRY KALLAND. Las t i l l n e s s . A s a f a t h e r . Gardening.

BAHNKE , J O H N (S r ) Phonotape C- 49-80-1 6

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT ORAL HISTORY PROGUM

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT OFFICER BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ANCHORAGE DISTRIm OFFICE 4700 E 72ND AVENUE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99507

General Topics of Interview: Cheokuk R.H., B lu f f , R.H.s between Bluff and

Nome, T r a i l s , ~ u i ~ l e y 's mine.

Date of Interview: August 17, 1980

Locat ion of Interview: John Bahnke's home Length:

In terviewer : Tom Beck. BLM H i s t o r i a n

Personal Data Comments :

N a r r a t o r ' s Name: John Bahnke (Sr.)

Address : Nome

Telephone: 443-25 27

Name and address o r r e l a t i v e o r f r i e n d :

B i r thda te : 1907

Bir thplace: Rocky Point a r e a below

Cheokuk

In te rv iew Data:

TapeNo.: 80-16 Side: A

Time : Subjects :

INTRODUCTION note mistake i n INTRO. John s t a r t e d mining a t

/ Quigley 's mine a t a ape 13. He worked f o r s e v e r a l years but not

13,

BLANK

Time:

Phonotape 49-

3 of P : Narrator : John Bahnke ( S r ) 80-16

Subjects :

DEXTER'S R.H. IN GOLOVZN Golovin Nission run by man named O s t .

Joe Dexter r an R..H. i n Golovin. Joe Dexters 'chi ldren and

Grandson.

CHEOKUK R. H. DESCRIPTION Single room. Doghouse. John's

f a t h e r had a par tner : "Cyclone" Hanson.

TRAPPING AND MUSHING AT CHEOKUK I N 1930s and 1940s

16:05 MINING AT BLUFF John mined on the beach a t Eldorado Creek.

Description of surf washer.

OTHER FAMILIES LIVING I N BLUFF. Pete Curran, S r . ,

Charlie Fagerstrom. Sam Tucker. Curran's R.H. a t Solomon

18:45 TOPKOK ROADHOUSE Operated by Nick Christ ianson around 1918.

Roadhouse closed a f t e r Nick l e f t .

19:55 ROADHOUSE, SOLOMON Tom Shaughnessy ( ? ) - s o l d t o Pete Curran, Sr .

22:05 POSSIBLE R.H. 'S BETWEEN SOLOMON AND TOPKOK. Spruce Creek.

Notes:

R.H. a t Pine Creek (4-5 miles from Solomon.) Very ear ly 1900s.

SAFETY R.H. Charlie Dalquis t . W i e Maloney.

CAPE NOME R.H. Cap Shriner . Frank Martin, FAA.

POLING, JOHN Phonotape C- 49-30-05

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT ORAL HISTORY PROGPa

I D I T A R O D TRAIL P R O J E C T O F F I C E R BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ANCHORAGE DISTRICT OFF1 CE 4700 E 72ND AVENUE ANCHORAGE , ALA S U 9 95 0 7

General Topics of In t e rv i ew: Local sources of informat ion on Nome and

I d i t a r o d T r a i l h i s t o r y . Nome area roadhouses.

Date of Interview: August 2 , l g80

Loca t ion of Interview: N o m e , Alaska Length :

--

In te rv iewer : T o m Beck, BLM. Bob Spude, HCRS

Persona l Data Comments :

N a r r a t o r ' s Name: John Po l ing

Address :

Telephone :

Name and address of r e l a t i v e o r friend:

Birthdate:

Bir thp lace :

I n t e r v i e w Data:

Tape No.: 80-05 Side : A

Time : S u b j e c t s :

INTRODUCTION -- - - -

SAFETY ROADHOUSE/MAMIE VALONN G e o r g e Tucker, ~amie's

f i r s t husband: fami ly background.

JOHN POLING'S "HISTORY OF NOME PUBLIC SCHOOLS"

Time:

-L3-

Phonotape C- 49-

3 Nar ra to r : P e t e Curran, Jr. 80-07 2 of P = S u b j e c t s :

moved from Dickson. O r i g i n a l l o c a t i o n of Solomon (mouth

of Solomon R i v e r ) . Storm o f 1913.

PETE CURRAN, J R : MAIL CARRIER. P e t e c a r r i e d mail by dog

team from Solomon-Golovin ( c 1924-1 938 ) . Length of t r i p .

Dog team cargo l i m i t . O the r c a r r i e r s .

SOLOMON ROADHOUSE: DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY. Use a s s t o r e

and roadhouse. P r i c e s . Purchases . P e t e Curran, Sr : fam-

i l y .

VILLAGE OF SOLOMON. Ear lv growth- Families. School .

Mining . Decl ine of popu la t ion .

PETE CURRAN, J R : MAIL CARRIER. Routes.

SEWARD PENINSULA ROAHDOUSES : CAPE NOME-GOLOVIN Prop-

r i e t o r s : Cape Nome (Cap S c h r i n e r ) ; S a f e t y ( C h a r l i e

D a l q u i s t ) ; Bluff (Meegan (? ) ) ; Golovin ( J o e ~ e x t e r ) .

S h e l t e r cabins: Topkok, Chiukak. Old miners c a b i n a t

Spruce Creek (Knut e Drange) . PETE CURRAN, SR: MAIL CARRIER. Drove r o u t e from Golovin-

Unalaklee t . Later (c 1916-1924) drove Golovin-Nome.

TAPE 80-07, SIDE "B"

Notes -

URW\, Pete Jr. Phonotape C- 49-30-07 A

I D ITAROD TRAIL PROJECT ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

General Topics Interview:

and Safe ty Fe r r i e s .

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT OFFICER BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ANCHORAGE DISTRICT OFFICE 4700 E ~ Z N D AVENUE ANCHORAGE , ALASKA 9 95 0 7

Dog Mushing: Seward Peninsula. T r a i l s . Bonanza

Date of Interview: August 4 , 1980

Location of Intenriew: Nome, Alaska Length:

Interviewer : Tom Beck

Personal Data Comments :

Narrator's Name: Pete Curran, Jr. This i s t h e second t ape of a two tape

Address: SeniorHousing, Apt. 10, in terview. The f i r s t t ape is #80-07.

Nome, Alaska

Telephone: 443-2732

Name and address of relative or friend:

Birthdate: 1905

Birthplace:

Interview Data:

Tape NO. :80-07-A Side: A

Time : Subjects:

LOST ON GOLOVIN BAY I C E S to ry continued from t ape 80-07. --

TRAIL MARKERS How dog mushing t r a i l s a r e marked.

CLOTHING WORN FOR DOG MUSHING. Pete desc r ibes c l o th ing h e .

ABLOOGALOOK, MARK Phonotape 49- 80-08

I D I T A R O D TRAIL PROJECT ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM

IDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT OFF1 CER BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ANCHORAGE DISTRICT OFFICE 4700 E 72ND AVENUE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 995 0 7

General ~~~i~~ of ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ : Reindeer herding on the Seward Peninsula: early

20th century. Seward Peninsula trails.

Date of Interview: August 4 3 lggO

~ o c a t i o n of ~nterv iew: Mark's homes Nome, AK Length:

Interviewer : Tom Beck, BLM

Personal Data Comments :

Narrator's Name: Mark Abloogalook

Address : Box 747 Nome, Alaska

Telephone:

Name and address of relative or friend:

Birthdate: 1906

Birthplace: Unal'akleet , Alaska

Interview Data:

Tape No. : 80-08 Side: A

Time: Subjects:

INTRODUCTION

MARK'S EARLY YEARS AS A REINDEER HERDER

Born i n Unalakleet 1906. Starts herding a t early age

EVANS CHARLIE Phonotape C- 49- 80- 14

I D I T A R O D T M I L PROJECT ORAL IIISTORY PROGiLZ14

IDITAROD TltriIL PROJECT OFFICER BUREAU OF I A K D kiAPU'AGE!.fENT ANCIIOMGE DISTRICT OFFICE 4700 E 72ND AVENUE ANCHOUCE, ALASKA 99507

General T o p i c s of Interview: 1925 Diptheria Serum Run. Yukon River R.H.s and

cabins. Lewis Landing. "Yuki" T r a i l . Koyukuk. Dog mushing

Date of In terview: September 12, 1980

Location of Interview: Char l ie Evans' home. Length:

Galena.

Interviewer: Tom Beck, BLM Historian

P e r s o n a l Data

Na r r a to r ' s Name: Charlie Evans

Address: Box 47, Galena

Telephone:

N a m e and address of re la t ive o r friend:

Birthdate:

Bir thp lace : Koyukuk, Alaska

In te rv iew Data:

Comments :

Tape No.: Side: A '

Tine: Subjects :

XNTRODUCTI ON - - -

MAIL cONTRACTORS/ROUTES, MCGRATH AREA

CHARLIE'S FATHER ESTABLISHES STORE ON KOYUKUK RIVER.

Time:

Phonotape C 49-

p : 3 of 3 N a r r a t o r : Charlie Evans 80-14

S u b j e c t s :

BLANK

LEWIS LANDING Loca t ion of " ~ u k i " T r a i l (Dishkaket t r a i l . )

Popu la t ion . Dave ~ e w i s ' R.H. and s t o r e . Lewis moves t o Ruby.

Lewis l and ing gone by 1922.

TRAVEL ON INNOKO RIVER

YUKON RIVER TRAILS, ROADHOUSES, CABINS. Mail S e r v i c e .

Signal Corps cab ins . T r a i l l o c a t i o n . N o l l n e r ' s R.H. , Mail

cab ins : Bishop Mtn. Koyukuk, Louden, Melozi, Lewis Landing,

e t c . CHARLIE TRAVELS ON INNOKO RIVER. Cons t ruc t ion of boa t s .

Notes

Max S ime l ' s s t o r e a t Dishkaket . Fa i rv iew Landing.

LEWIS LANDING TRAIL

1925 DIPTHERIA SERUM RUN. Weather. T r a i l conditions . CHARLIE'S MAIL RUNS OF 1926

ANIMALS /TRAPPING

YUKI TRAIL/OTHER TRAILS TO MCGRATH

Mail r o u t e s . Horses

PETERSON, ANDY

IDITAROD TRAIL PRQSECT WFICE

JDITAROD TRAIL PRWEXX aRAL HISTCRY PROGRAM

BUREAU CF LAND MANAGEMENT AWHORAGE DISTRZCT ClFFICE ANCHC%IAGE, ALASKA 99507

e n e r a 1 Topics of Interview: Travel and Rodhouses on Semrd Bninsula

D a t e of interview: Aug. 15, 1980

location a£ Interview: EJcme,. Alaska Length:

Interviewer: Tbn Beck, Historian, BIM

Personal mta: Ccxments :

Narrator's Nam: Andy Peterson Yet to be transcribed ard annotated.

Address: rJ3me, Alaska

Telephone :

Name and address of relative or friend:

Birthplace : Finland

In terview Data:

TapeNo.: 80-10

Time:

Side : - Subjects:

Time:

Phonotape C- 49-

2 of P: 2 Narrator: Pete Larson 80-12

Subjects:

ROADHOUSES: SEWARD PENINSULA. Safetv RH,

Solomon RH, B l u f f .

PETE WORKS FOR US SMELTING CO.

END

Notes

Phonotape C- 49-

p : 2 of 5 N a r r a t o r : B i l l y McCarty 80-:

I n t e r v i e w Data:

Tape No.: 80-15

Time :

Notes

S ide : A

S u b j e c t s :

INTRODUCTION See " Comments" above

BLANK

ROADHOUSES RUN BY BILLY ' S STEPFATHER: KALTAG AREA

S t e p f a t h e r r a n two R.H.s below Ka l t ag : one s i x miles s o u t h

one , Slough R.H. approximate ly 16 miles s o u t h o n teambo boat"

Slough. S i x M i l e R.H. w a s summer f i s h camp. S t e p f a t h e r a l s o

c u t wood f o r s teamboats . (Slough R.H. d a t e s - see below).

TRAVEL ON IDITAROD TRAIL, EARLY 1900s.

Slough R.H. o n I d i t a r o d T r a i l . Much t r a f f i c : f o o t , s k i s ,

s l e d . D e s c r i p t i o n o f "Yukon" s l e d s . T r a v e l e r s from Ka l t ag

s topped f o r lunch a t S i x Mile, o v e r n i g h t a t Slough R.H.

SLOUGH ROADHOUSE: D e s c r i p t i o n . Long log b u i l d i n g . .

16 beds on each s i d e . S i n g l e s t o r y . Dogbarn. Na t ives supp ly

R.H. wi th moose meat.

USE OF HORSE TEAMS. Teams c a r r i e d t h e i r own f e e d . Six-horse

teams. Worked a t mining camps.

HARRY LAWRENCE: MAIL CARRIER Ran mail from Kal tag t o I d i t a r o d

coun t ry - a l s o down t o Holy Cross. T r i p made every 20 days .

Time:

21:30

-45- Phonotape C- 49-

4 of 5 P: Nar ra to r : B i l l y McCarty 80-15

S u b j e c t s :

DIPTHERLA SERUM RUN OF 1925. B i l l y r a n Ruby t o Whiskey

Creek segment. Ran a t n i g h t . How B i l l y came t o

p a r t i c i p a t e . Temperature. Clothing. T r a i l c o n d i t i o n s . Serum package.

OTHER DIPTHERLA SERUM MUSHERS . Edgar Kal l and . Leonard

Seppala. Seppala r a c e s a t Ruby.

DOG SLED RACES I N ALASKA. Many communities h e l d r a c e s ,

i n c l u d i n g Ruby. After Seppala q u i t r a c i n g , many r a c e s i n

- Anchorage, Fa i rbanks , Tanana, Nenana, Ruby, Nula to , Nome.

BILLY TRAVELS TO NOME ON SAILING SCHOONER. B i l l y t r a v e l s

w i t h Eskimo t r a d e r s from Unalak lee t . REINDEER FAIR AT SHAKTOOLIK. B i l l y and 10 o t h e r boys from

Nula to t r a v e l t o r e i n d e e r f a i r he ld by Laplanders . Lapps

p icked B i l l y t o be t r a i n e d as herder .*

TAPE 80-15, SIDE "B"

REINDEER HERDING. * B i l l y he rds r e i n d e e r i n Una lak lee t

f o r Lap l ande r s .

SHAKTOOLIK REINDEER FAIR. Many events : r a c e s , load-

p u l l i n g by r e i n d e e r , e t c .

THE LAPLANDERS, REINDEER HERDERS I N ALASKA.

Notes

*Side "A" ends a s B i l l y is d i s c u s s i n g how Lapps chose him t o be t r a i n e d as a

r e i n d e e r h e r d e r . S i d e "B" begins with B i l l y d i s c u s s i n g his r e i n d e e r he rd ing

- .

5APiiLE OF. ORAL HISTORY USE AGREEMENT . - - - . - . -. ------ . ..-.-..-.- - -

LDITAROD TRAIL PROJECT -

. . - THE BUREAU OF LMD MAXACE?!E!E

AYCHORAGE DISTPJCT OFFICE ' '2: 5s U. s. DzPAi(mmT OF nl! I ~ T E ~ ~ R - - AND . . . - - - -.

CO~SERVATION Ano RECRE~TIOX S E ~ V I C E . - . . ALASKA AREA OFFICE

. - . . - - - . - - . -.

.. - - - ..- . - . . I. hereby give and grant to the Bureau of Land Management and the

- . . Heritage . . . . Conservation and Recreation Service as a donation-for - - . - . - - -- - - . , - - - . .. . such scholarly and educational purposes as they shall determine - . -- -

. .

the tape recordings and their contents listed below. - ..

. - .-

- - * - -- . - . -._ - _ . - _ . . - .

</k/B/ - Dat of Agreement

- .

&392z - I& Address of Narrator

Name of Interviewer

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMEKT 4700 EAST 72;ld AVENUE ANCHO.MGE ALASfiA 99507

Address of I n t e r v i e w e r