(By Ronald McCuish)
The McCormick Transportation overland stage pulled out of Dawson for Whitehorse at 8 p. m. on December 9th. Twenty passengers clambered aboard amid shouts and
laughter and the cry went up "Whitehorse or Bust."
With Louis Moi and Earl Brooks at the controls all passengers figured
on a pleasant five-day journey. Rumour had it in Dawson that a three-"cat" caravan was en route from Mayo. The next rumour was that it was headed for Whitehorse direct.
The first sign of delay was the second night on the trail when a slight engine trouble developed, but this was soon remedied and the stage continued on its eventful trip. All river crossings were made at night, all hands pitching in to test the ice at each crossing. Over four feet of snow was encountered on the Pelly summit and the trailing sled had to be dropped. All the baggage was transferred to the first cabouse.
This naturally made things a bit crowded as the food supply and ten passengers were also in this cabouse.
The second cabouse was loaded with gas, fuel oil, spare parts and thirteen men. With a stove, three drums of oil and all the other paraphenalia along with thirteen men, sleeping space was scarce; in fact some of the men had to sleep in shifts.
The third night out the lights gave out. For the following five nights eight men took half hour and one hour shifts sitting on top of the radiator of the "cat" holding a Colman's gas lamp to light the way ahead whilst travelling over the trail throughout the night. We sure travelled in style on that job.
There was plenty of food for the trip but before one could fry a couple of eggs for lunch or breakfast he had first to pour hot water over them to thaw them out.
Coming up some of the steeper grades on the Summit the winch line had to be used. This line was a very important part of the rigging.
The ladies and children on this, the first overland stage trip of the
season, came through with flying colours.
From Carmacks to Whitehorse the stage made excellent time as the trail had already been partially broken by trucks travelling to Carmacks. Some game was seen en route. A few miles past North Fork several moose were sighted and all along the trail we came across grouse.
There is some beautiful scenery along the overland route from Dawson to Whitehorse and the trail could be made a very picturesque ink sin the proposed international highway.
The caravan arrived in Whitehorse at 2.30 p.m, on December 18th. Although the first trip over the trail is always considered to be the worst, it was noted that this
year it was tougher than has been for some time past.
The "Whitehorse- and Bust" passengers who made this famous trip
included Scotty Davis, E. Morsberg (pole-liners) R. Hilton, R. McCuish, B. Hunter, R. Muirhead, C. V. Brown, P. DeWolf, J. McLaughlin (dredge-men), J. Johnson, K. McKae, J. Abhul (carpenters), Sam Jovich and Mrs. Muirhead, Ann Muirhead, Mrs. Mrmus and Marie and Josephine. The "cat" drivers were L. Moi and E. Brooks with Alex. Van Bibber acting as swamper. All the passengers are heading for the Outside, some of the boys to enlist in the R. C. A F. and mechanized forces. Others will be seeking employment for the winter and a few are planning on a quiet vacation trip. Taking it all in all it was a great trip and quite an experience for all of us.
