IRON MAN OF THE NORTH

by John Gould

Percy DeWolfe carried the mail between Dawson-Fortymile-Eagle Alaska from 1910 to 1949 when the mail contract to Eagle was finally discontinued.His last contract was to Fortymile. Mail to the outlying areas by this time was being delivered by air.

Percy DeWolfe was born in Nova Scotia and as a young man worked his way west. He and a life long partner, Pete Anderson, arrived in Dawson on June 28, 1898. They had come down the Pelly River in a small boat. They were broke when they got here, and by that time all the good claims were taken: Pete, who was a fisherman from the coast, decided to try fishing for a living. They were able to buy a fish net on credit and went down the Yukon 10 miles and brought back the first fresh salmon to Dawson. They built up a decent fishing business in the summer time and did some winter freighting in the Fortymile country. During this time they built the 16 mile Road House and Halfway House on the Yukon river.

In 1910 they dissolved partnership when Percy got a contract to carry the mail from Dawson to Eagle, Alaska. He carried the mail summer and winter through all kinds of weather and road and river conditions. During freeze up and break up, he battled the ice floes, at times risking his own life to get the mail through. On one trip he had his horses go through the ice. He had one passenger at the time who managed to jump

free. Percy was able to throw the 20 bags of mail off of the sleigh before the three horses and sleigh went under the ice. In February 1947 when the temperature in Dawson went to minus 73 Fahrenheit, Percy was on his way back from Eagle. He was a week overdue and the post master, Tommy Byers, was concerned for his safety. A ground and air search was started. Pat Callison of Callison's Flying Service flew low over Halfway House. Percy, hearing the plane, came out and waved at him. He arrived home in -50 F. temperatures unaware that there was a search on looking for him.

In 1935, Percy DeWolfe received a silver medal from King George for his service. The following letter came to him from the Minister of the Interior, T.G. Murphy.

Dear Mr. DeWolfe: April 29 1935

It affords me pleasure to transmit to you the enclosed medal from His Majesty the King to be worn in commemoration of their Majesties Silver Jubilee. I regret circumstances do not permit me to make this presentation personally which would afford opportunity for me to express to you some appreciation of your service to the Yukon Territory. With kindest regards and best wishes I am; Yours Faithfully,T.G. Murphy

Our resident Historian John Gould may be of help. Contact him here: jgould @ northwestel.net

DeWolfe Race is Born

This 210 mile sled dog race to commemorate Percy deWolfe's accomplishments was the brain child of the Klondike Visitors Associations Dawson Diamond Jubilee Committee. It was also their idea that the mushers or dog drivers, carry special stamped envelopes commemorating Mr. deWolfe. So, in 1976 this race began as a yearly "fun run" to Eagle Alaska return. Several yam and runs later, "a bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the Malamute Saloon" (Robert Services), well, a local bar In Dawson anyway. Someone mentioned turning it into an actual dog race with prize money, the idea stuck. A committee was formed, a trail mapped out, rules were drawn and fundraising began.

Since its birth in 1976 the Percy deWolfe Memorial Mail Race has evolved to reflect the changes in mid-distance dog races. Originally race rules were geared to working dog teams, trappers and freighters. A minimum sled weight was required and the race route utilized trapping trails. Some portions were only opened just prior to the race and marked with willows or spruce boughs. With the demise of bush teams the dog limit was raised from 7 to 9 dogs and the mandatory weight rule was dropped to attract racing teams. The start of the Yukon Quest in1984 also dramatically affected the Percy. Trails were opened earlier, maintained and marked better. The additional dog sled traffic helped pack a faster type of trail. Winning times have generally decreased since the first Quest race. Despite changes in the rules & trail the race still emphasized toughness, dog care, and trail savvy. The rough Yukon River is not much different now than it was years ago when Percy delivered the mail.

The Percy deWolfe race is generally held the third Thursday in March. The actual starting line is in front of the Old Post Office located at the corner of King and 3rd Ave. Our postmaster and the RCMP are included in the ceremony of handling the mail to sled #2. We reserve the #1 bib for Percy.

To avoid confusion, each team commences the race at 2 minute intervals. Tearing down King Street and then along Front Street, they join the river trail that leads down to; Eagle, Alaska. They stop for 6 hours then commence along the same route back to Dawson to finish. Mandatory gear is required to be carried such as snowshoes, an axe, dog food, sleeping bag, etc.