Percy de Wolfe: 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

If you are related to Percy de Wolfe or would like more information contact:   jgould@northwestel.net