Alaska Highway history you may not have heard

In 1964, from June through September I worked on the Penalty Ranch across the Peace River from Fort St. John. I went back a few times in subsequent years. The man who owned the ranch, René Dhenin had come to the country from Southern Alberta in the 1920s and was a packer, guide, freighter, horse trainer and cattlemen in the area well into the 1990s.

This year, 2017, is the 75^th anniversary of the beginning of construction of the Alaska Highway. Although he had already been a guide for several years René was not involved in the initial trail blazing and the following rhyme explains why.

The concept of a land route from the “lower 48” states to Alaska had been around for several years. There where three routes in strong contention. Where the Mackenzie Highway is today was one choice, from Peace River town up through Hay River in the North West Territories then west through the Yukon. A much better idea was where the Alcan actually is, from Dawson Creek, BC, north-west through the Yukon. A third choice that was favored by many in the US Army was where the Hazelton – Cassiar – Watson Lake Highway is now.

Thus, in 1942, confusion abounds.

René’s story bellow is a part of that history.

As I’ve mentioned before, the CD with the songs from local artists acknowledging and celebrating the 75^th anniversary can be found at many businesses and art galleries along the Alaska Highway or take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTt25BOVaqs

 Near Muncho Lake

 Minnaker River Valley - Mile 178 on Alaska Highway

Hiking Mountain Ranges, René Dhenin’s Yarn

He told me of a walk he made back in forty one

With a day pack, rifle, knife and hand gun

He received a wire at Fort St. John, it said “Services required”

It specified the date then added, “All equipment, horses supplied.”

“From US Army Engineers” he said, “I’d worked for them a lot,

With my horses and guiding them over hill and ‘round the bogs.

So I put my horses out to graze, stored all tack and gear,

And hitched a ride, me and a pal, early spring that year.

Rode the caboose from Dawson Creek, then Pullman car to Cowtown.

Partied there with folks we knew then railroad again coastal bound.

It took four boats along the coast, each one getting smaller

Then we walked a couple of miles, the Telegraph Trail to follow.

At Telegraph Creek there’s another message, addressed directly to me

And after days and weeks of travel, one I sure didn’t want to see.

Once again from the US Army, my services no longer required.

I’m off in the Coastal Mountains and before I’m hired I’m fired.

My pal says he’s off to the sea, without my work, no work to be found.

He’ll get a ride on some coastal scow and he’s for Vancouver town.

But I make my living with horses and tack, and it’s to the east not west

So we say our goodbyes, off he goes, and I head for a high mountain pass.

I’d walked a week or so, low on grub and getting gaunt,

When some mountain caribou appear; more meat than I really want.

I took a fat cow and did her up, skinning, stripping and eating my fill

Packed some fresh wrapped in hide, but smoked jerky for most of the kill

Crossed many a creek and skirted muskeg, rivers as well, one or two

But coming down in the Omineca, there was the Finley a river I knew.

So I made a raft tied with bark, planning to float down to the Peace

But white water broke up the raft, lost it and most of my meat.

Back when I shot the caribou I’d made the hock skin into slippers.

On stretchers they floated and I found ‘em but lost my boots in the river.

Had my rifle slung on my shoulder, pistol and knife on my belt

So except for my boots and the meat, came out of it all pretty well.

Another day to dry myself and another week of walking

I’m not far from Hudson’s Hope and the supply boat’s docking.

So I caught a ride down river to home where all my equipment sat

So you see I missed the start of building the Alcan, but maybe best at that.

More early Alaska Highway

Here are a few pictures I've come across over the years of the way things looked when the Alaska Highway was built. After the first rough trail was opened, a trail that took several days and often several weeks to negotiate, freight was hauled as was required. Sometimes to the various army camps, most of which where US Army but there where also civilian camps for those who followed the first trail and in later years Canadian Army camps.
Once there was a pioneer road that would (almost, or sometimes) hold up a truck there where civilian trucks hauling for commercial enterprises, trading posts and the army.

Both the US Army and the several civilian contractors who followed them used similar equipment so the Cat in this picture could be from either source. However, since there doesn't appear to be very many stumps in the trail I suspect this one is civilian.

Mechanics from the 93rd Engineers, 1942

341st Engineers on a structure they undoubtedly built and ...

... what it looks like driving over such a structure.

This depicts early attempts at civilian travel in 1943.

A great many things have changed since '43 such as the pavement that can be seen between the snow banks from this picture of Km 1639 taken on Feb.26, 2013. Something that hasn't changed is the marvelous scenery; that is the St. Elias Mountains in the background.

Partners in music acknowledging a leader

Over the years I’ve done a variety of things as it says on the bio on the back of my novels. That’s one of the requirements when one is interested in artistic endeavours such as writing novels and playing music. Doing all those things has built some marvellous memories brought back with great strength when musician, Ray Gathercole posted these pictures. I don’t have pictures of this event and Ray has graciously allowed me to post them here.

The event in question took place April 16, 1970 in the (old and long gone) Charlie Lake Community Hall. A fellow musician (one of those with a well paying steady job) had just taken a better position with a petrochemical company in Grande Prairie, Alberta and was leaving our area. The local musicians, (spear-headed by Gerry Chilli I believe who is pictured) rented the hall and spent an afternoon acknowledging and honouring Butch Peterson, an exceptionally fine guitar player.

Bob Slavik-steel, Ray Gethercole-guitar, Dave McGowan-rhythm&vocal, Gerry Chilli-drums

Lawson Clark-bass, (can't remember a name, Russ?), Buddy Clark-accordion, Lyle Lippert-guitar

 

A year before this event, during August and into September of 1969 some of those pictured toured from Dawson Creek, BC to Dawson City, YT where we played for “Discovery Days”. We played in almost every small community along the Alaska Highway except for the capitol of the Yukon, Whitehorse.

Those who made the trip:

Gerry Chilli, drums.

Buddy (James) Clark, accordion and bass

Shirley Clark, chief cook and door

Lawson Clark, bass

Chuck Gullion, pedal steel guitar

Dave McGowan, rhythm guitar, vocals.

Bob Slavik, lead guitar.

The steel Bob Slavik, is playing here, a Rogers, he bought from Chuck who replaced it with a ShoBud.

The guitar I'm playing is a Gibson Humingbird which was a great unit I wish I still had although it was not as good as the Gibson J-45 it replaced.