Chapter 2: On the Trail: Dogs and All

     Jesse and Mae have joined the other gold-seekers on the trail to Dawson City in 1898. They are newly married and happily in love. Jesse has trained a team of dogs to bring along with them.

     What were the biggest hazards they found on the trail? Look at the map to see how much progress they were making.

Letter from Mae at foot of Lake Tagish to home. June 2, 1898. 4 pages

Squaw Rapids, between Miles Canyon and White Horse Rapids, c. 1898. Larss & Duclos (no. 2159)

    How would you describe the tone of the letters? What do the letters tell you about life in 1898? What are Jesse and Mae finding out about the cost of getting to the gold fields? Look at the photo (not from the Edgren Collection) that shows what life was like on the boats sailing toward Dawson City. What skills do you think it takes to build and sail a boat on a river through the wilderness?

     Do you think they'll make it to Dawson City?

Overview I Chapter 1 I Chapter 2 I Chapter 3 I Chapter 4 I Chapter 5

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