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Show Longest Overland Mail Trip Pour trusted employees of Lho Hudson Bay company, which has operated in Canadu since 1670, accompanied by two dog teams, each carrying 300 pounds of mail and provisions, are on the way to Fort McPhorson, 2100 miles north of -Edmonton, Alberta, on what is conceded to bo tho longest overland mall trip In tho world. They are scheduled to reach the frln&o of the Arctic circle on February 2S, tho journey occupying about ! sixty days. Tho trip from Edmonton to Athabasca, 100 miles, was made by train the first day, after which the party started on the lonely trail, which follows tho windings of the Athabasca, -Slavo and Mackenzie rivers. One of tho teams, with two men, Is destined to Fort Smith, tho other going go-ing to Fort McPheraon. Tho "mushora" aro experienced river and woods men. who havo passed years In tho north country. coun-try. Included In tho mall Is a small pack- et for Stofansaon, tho Arctic explorer,' to bo delivered at Hcrschell Island, the most northerly mall point In Canada. The original plan was to push on to tho far outpost, but advices Just received are that tho supply ship Belvedere, which sailed from Nome last July, has not reached there. In tho event tho ship does not arrive soon, the detachment of Royal Northwest Mounted Police, stationed sta-tioned on the island, will fall back on Fort McPhcrson. Otherwl3o, tho mail carriers will continue their Journey 00 miles farther north. "The winter trip to Fort McPhorson is fraught with great danger," said Acting Postmaster Cairnu of Edmonton, "but we feci confident that tho men will get through, as they know all conditions of the country." ' I |