In 1917, the St. Paul Winter Carnivale, along with others, sponsored a dog sled race - the Red River-St. Paul Derby - from Winnipeg to St. Paul along much the same trail as the Red River ox carts used to travel. There was great publicity all along the route, with major newspapers and news reel crews covering the event from start to finish.
People came out to see the teams, in every town they passed through. Despite temperatures up to 25 degree below, no one wanted to miss seeing the brave men and dogs as they challenged the elements. Towns provided resting stops when needed, and morale boosting as the sleds flew past to sounds of cheering.
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| The Winner |
The first man to cross the finish line was Albert Campbell, a Metis from the Pas, Manitoba, and his team of "...splendid blacks."
He had made a pledge to his dying father only two weeks previous to the race, that he would win it in his honor.
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| Others who finished the race (unknown which ones, alas...) |
I have been so curious of pictures my grandmother had in an album until I saw an article in the New Castle News from 1917.He was a photographer for the newspaper and wrote an account for the newspaper about the race he covered. This is it. Now some of these pictures make so much sense.
ReplyDeleteShirley, thank you for your comments. If you see this response, I'd love to know more about your grandfather, the photographer, as well as any additional information you may have about this event he covered.
ReplyDeleteThis was my grandmothers brother. George W.Dawson, a photographer for the Selig-Tribune News Service. He was from Pittsburg, Pa. I found a photo album my grandmother had with pictures that I could not identify. Then I found the newspaper story in the New Castle News. New Castle, Pa. dated Feb.17, 1917. It told about his travels with the dog sled race and talked about it in the paper. I then found your site.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! That's always amazing to find out more information on your family. So happy we helped. Shirley, would it be possible to get a scan of that article? I'd LOVE to see it!!
DeleteI think this is all 👌awesome!
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