Seattle Collies Recruited for Reindeer Duty
A government-commissioned mission sends a litter of Seattle-bred pups to the frozen North to herd reindeer.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A number of Scotch collies, exhibited at the recent bench show by J. C. Campbell of this city, are now on their way to Alaska on the revenue cutter Bear, having been purchased by the government for use in herding reindeer. United States Commissioner of Education Harris telegraphed to Frank J. Barnard, superintendent of Seattle schools, to get four collie pups. Dr. Sheldon Jackson, the government representative at the Alaska missions, will take charge of them. The collies sent consisted of the fine litter of seven pups, which were made orphans by the accidental choking of their dam, Mollie Bawn. The pups are about six weeks old. It is a fact recognized by dog men that the collie is the most susceptible of education of all the different breeds, and the government has recognized his good qualities for the purpose desired by introducing the breed into Alaska to replace the Eskimo dogs, which are useless for herding and even kill the reindeer.
“It is a fact recognized by dog men that the collie is the most susceptible of education of all the different breeds.”
The transition from local dog shows to government-sanctioned Arctic logistics illustrates Seattle's role as the primary gateway to Alaska during the turn of the century. It also underscores the scientific management of food resources, such as the introduction of reindeer to replace Indigenous hunting traditions in the territory.
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