If so, login to add it. Because Kaasen is the one who actually delivers the serum to Nome, he is the one who receives the lions share of the glory. Leonhard "Sepp" Seppala (/lnrd spl/; September 14, 1877 January 28, 1967) was a Norwegian-American sled dog breeder, trainer and musher who with his dogs played a pivotal role in the 1925 serum run to Nome,[1] and participated in the 1932 Winter Olympics. Half of the meeting is logistics: Welch explains that the serum they need for the diphtheria has been found at the Fairbanks Railroad Hospital (more than 500 miles away) and that it could be put on a train to Nenana (still 483 miles away). Leonhard Seppala and his wife Constance play with a litter of puppies on the porch of their home. At age 20, Seppala entered the family trade, and it was around this time that his childhood sweetheart, Margit, died unexpectedly before they reached the altar. Despite a series of time-consuming mishaps on the trail, Seppala won the race against the bigger, slower dogs driven by Walden and his followers. A relay of respected mushers was organized to expedite the delivery, and Seppala (with lead dog Togo) was chosen for the most forbidding part of the trail. A sustained east wind could also push the ice out to sea, and a team caught on a drifting floe could find itself stranded on open water. Sepp wrote: Liz Ricker divorced her husband Ted and relocated, along with Seppala, to Grey His dog Togo would earn his place in the history books and a place at the Yales Peabody Institute. Leonhard is a "musher" (AKA a dogsled driver) and Togo is his lead dog. SEPPALA'S EXPLOITS and the Poland Spring kennel breeding gave I have always felt that great men need great challenges in order to shine. TogoBaltoNumerous other dogs For more information please contact the Alaska Film Archives. Place of Burial: Nome, Nome, Alaska, United States. When the temperatures dropped below -0 degrees the planes of the 1920s were unreliable and dangerous at best. Mayor George Maynard (Christopher Heyerdahl), who is also the publisher of local newspaper the Nome Nugget, and the town doctor, Curtis Welch (Richard Dormer), gather the important-looking men of the town in a saloon. International Dog Derby in Quebec City, setting a new trail record for the (Color/Silent/16mm film). The prestigious Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award is given annually to the Iditarod musher who illustrates outstanding dog care throughout the race. Seppala became the crucial figure in the delivery by dogsled of a When Leonhard Seppala and his lead sled dog Togo began the relay to transport diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Togo was 12 years old, which is practically ancient for a sled dog. Sweepstakes with this team but failed to finish the race after getting caught According to The Cruelest Miles, although Togo was the only puppy in his litter, he was indeed smaller than average, and worse, he had a painful condition that made his throat swell. For some years in Seattle in his retirement he had a Togo was Seppalas favorite, and the musher often depended on Togos instincts and sense of smell when his own vision failed him. The People of Nome had another idea. Seppala became interested in dog sledding during his first winter in Alaska when he became a sled dog driver for Lindeberg's company. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. supply of antiserum via an otherwise impassable route between Nenana and the Sinopse: A histria de um homem (Willem Dafoe) e sua equipe de ces puxadores de tren que transportaram remdios para a populao do Alasca, a fim de combater uma epidemia, durante a dcada de 20. To his surprise, the dog turned out to be a fast runner and Seppala happily decided to make him a lead dog and name him Togo after admiral Tg Heihachir. He nursed them back to health for most of the remainder of that year; they were not ready to train again until autumn. Beyond the possibility of getting caught in a storm or a dog injuring its paw on a shard of ice, it was also likely that the ice of the Norton Sound could break up and carry the team out to sea. One of the most terrifying moments in the movie is the second crossing of the Norton Sound, on the way back toward Nome with the serum. The whole trail was 674 miles from Nenana to Nome, and Seppala was initially selected to cover the more than 400 miles from Nome to Nulato and back. He was the son of a blacksmith and arctic fisherman. In 1961, Seppala revisited Fairbanks and other places in Alaska at the invitation of American journalist Lowell Thomas, enjoying a warm reception from the Alaskan people. Seppala's only childan eight-year-old daughter named Sigridwas also at risk. This film sequence is an excerpt of AAF-2240 from the Seppala-Hanks collection held by the Alaska Film Archives, a unit of the Alaska \u0026 Polar Regions Department in the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks.The Alaska Film Archives appreciates your support. In real life, things played out a bit differently. (It was widely rumoured that the team had been interfered with or the It was there they rested and slept for six hours before continuing their journey at 2 a.m., heading into another bad storm. He made the decision to leave Togo behind in Maine in March 1927, concerned that the journey would be too much for the retired dog. We consulted cousins Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisburys deeply researched book about the serum race, The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic, along with what few other sources we could find, to break it all down below. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Leonhard Seppala with his dog Togo and Willem Dafoe in. Seppala and his wife returned to Alaska in the mid-thirties, and then after retirement moved to Seattle, Washington. IN 1913 SEPPALA'S EMPLOYER Jafet Lindeberg, a mining company operator, entrusted him with the raising and training of a group of Siberian females and puppies, about fifteen dogs in all. Sepp returned to Skjervy to work in his father's smithy. According to the Salisburys, this is also true to life. As a puppy, he is a runt with little more than a fighting spirit and the endorsement of Seppala's wife, Constance (Julianne Nicholson). Yes. from Alaska flush with gold dollars and encouraged Sepp to take ship Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. 1927 through 1930. [1], In 1913, Seppala inherited his first team of sled dogs by chance. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. This also meant he worked as long as 12 hours a day. Jeff King. Without the antitoxin, estimated mortality rates stood anywhere from 75% to 99.99%, practically a killing blow to Nome. Nome, Alaska organized its Kennel Club in 1908 and the 31-year-old Seppala was ready for his first race. His skeleton is in the Peabody Museum of Natural History's collection at Yale University. in that drive he had worked his hardest and best. As a child The real-life Seppala was astounded at the effect of the harness: The 8-month-old Togo went from pesky to serious, and Seppala finally understood what Togo had been wanting all these months: to be a member of the team. In a feat unheard of for an inexperienced puppy, Togo traveled 75 miles on this first day. with a former driver of Chinooks, Mrs. Elizabeth Ricker. [11], During his first winter in Alaska, Seppala became a dogsled driver for Lindeberg's company. The ride back proves to be just as difficult when Seppala is forced to have Togo pull him and his team from a block of ice over the Norton Sound. A few also suffered frostbite. This did not detour him, however, for he won the Sweepstakes the following three consecutive years. He writes: SEPP WAS A VERY SMALL MAN, short in stature and light in physique, However, at 3 P.M. that day, Seppala and his team arrived at Golovin and handed over the serum to the next musher. Sled dog breeder Previously unexposed children as well as adults were at risk of dying from the infection. Each year until 1897 he went to the Finnmark In the movie, Togo gets his first break by busting loose and harassing Seppalas harnessed team until Seppala finally gives him a chance run with the big dogs. Leonhard Seppala is considered one of Alaska's first great mushers, and like all who took part in the 1925 serum run from Seward to Nome, he's a local hero. Leonhard Seppala/Living or Deceased Is Togo Balto's father? We all did our best. Photos by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images and Disney. Few mushers would dare tempt their fate by crossing Norton sound once, and most would have wasted time going around. (Recovered from my old site: written apr. The Togo true story reveals that as a young puppy Togo required excessive care from Leonhard Seppala's wife Constance. A musher would head out from there to meet Seppala somewhere in the middle. The raven would then land again in the trail just ahead. feeling that the credit had been stolen from Togo who had deserved to be Lindeberg convinced Seppala to come work for his Pioneer Mining Company. Willem Dafoe plays Togo's trainer, legendary musher Leonhard Seppala, and Juliana Nicholson plays his wife Constance. a powerful boost to the early days of sleddog sport in New England. Like in the film, Seppala almost missed musher Henry Ivanoff, who had been in Shaktoolik in case Seppala didn't arrive. Your donation in any amount will help us continue important preservation work. In October of 1926 Seppala and his team was brought to the lower 48 states for a tour and to be honored in Madison Square Garden with a medal which would be presented by the famed Explorer, Roald Amundsen. Both are buried in Nome, Alaska. Subsequently he The film depicts Seppala feeling guilty about pushing Togo too hard to the point of exhaustion. Kasson received most of the early press though he only traveled 53 miles. the resort in 1931 she met Kaare Nansen, the son of Norwegian explorer Everyone knew Sepps abilities. JUMP TO: Leonhard Seppalas biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. Snowy Owl provided all of the adult sled dogs used in the movie. However, Seppala was not always so Big. Leonhard Seppala, or " Sepp," as he was called by his friends, received his first team of Siberian Husky imports from his employer to be trained in 1913, a few years after the first import by Goosak and the subsequent import of Siberians by Charles "Fox" Maule Ramsey. By the time the war had ended, air transportation was becoming more and more of a reality in even these northern climes and, it seemed, the age of the Sled dog was quickly drawing to a close. Bragg's rebuttal was brief and to the point. Seppala continued the trail across Norton Sound. The Seppala House was a gift to Urtha Lenharr by Krier Enterprise of Nome, Alaska. Leonhard Seppala, or Sepp, as he was called by his friends, received his first team of Siberian Husky imports from his employer to be trained in 1913, a few years after the first import by Goosak and the subsequent import of Siberians by Charles Fox Maule Ramsey. three-day 123-mile event with "Bonzo" at single lead. Roald Amundsen. His contribution to Alaskas sled dog racing history, and his pioneering work developing the Siberian Husky bloodline are also well known. He transferred the serum over to the next musher as he was instructed. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by exposure to the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, often by way of direct contact or through droplets in the air (sneezing or coughing). LEONHARD SEPPALA WAS BORN in Skibotn, alongside his sprinting team, keeping pace effortlessly. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. There were some brave pilots in Anchorage that wanted to fly in the serum to Nome but no one had ever been successful traveling such a distance under such conditions. "I literally fell in love with them from the start", he recalled; "I could hardly wait for sledding snow to start their training". Siberian imports Kree Vanka, Tserko and Volchok, together with other key The title card at the beginning declares that Togo is based on a true story, but how much of this is hard history and how much is Disney magic? [1], With Norton Sound behind them, Seppala and his team now faced the final challenge of the trailclimbing an 8-mile (13km) ridge formation that led to the summit of Little McKinley. Bering Sea coastline. Dog Musher #11. Seppala happily decides to have Togo continue running for him. After a town meeting, the phone rang at Seppala's home and the dogs in the yard began to howl. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. The most dangerous part of this trail was the 42-mile shortcut across the sound. The same year the AAS was first run, 1908, Seppala married his wife Constance, a Belgian girl who had come to Nome in 1905. He is a sled dog trainer and racer who is known for carrying the supply of diphtheria serum to the residents of Nome, Alaska. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. All rights reserved. Seppala, Togo and the team traveled through tough, snowy terrain encountering numerous diffculties. Later, he began racing in the All Alaska Sweepstakes, winning a spot in the annals of sled dog racing history for three wins. The work was difficult for Seppala, and he regretted his decision to leave home, until he became a sled dog driver, mushing supplies up to 100 miles each day. Mumbet protected her sister and took the blow instead. They asked him to begin traveling toward Nenana. The darkness and a blizzard also made it impossible for Leonhard Seppala to see where he was going. Indeed, it arrived there the next day, Monday, February 2, at approximately 5:30 A.M., and was thawed and ready for use by 11 am. Seppala introduced the work dogs used by Native Siberians at the time to the American public; the breed came to be known as the Siberian Husky in the English-speaking world. entrusted him with the raising and training of a group of Siberian Seppala manages to get his team back to the outpost of Joe Dexter and passes the serum over to his friend Gunnar Kaasen. This is very close to what Seppala told the Boston Sunday Post really happened, albeit not on this particular run but on a previous trip. The true story behind Togo confirms that as a result of his relatively small size, illness, and bad behavior as a young puppy, Leonhard Seppala decided that Togo was not sled dog material and gave him away to be a house pet when he was six months old. Dog Musher. Leonhard Seppala Popularity . Leonhard Seppala pictured with his 'Siberian Racers' in 1916 (top) and in 1923, with Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. The Wheeler dogs became the foundation the dogs in Liz Ricker's care. Like many famous people and celebrities, Leonhard Seppala kept his personal life private. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. Seppalas greatest test was to come in the winter of 1925 when the advent of the airplane was already putting the final nails in the casket of dog sled transportation in the north. of the Seppala Strain that was finally registered by the Canadian Kennel And when I come to the end of the rail, I feel that along with my many friends, Togo will be waiting and I know that everything will be all right.. He won the New England race, the Lake Placid Race, and the Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Seppala saw the musher stopped on the trail and having trouble with his dogs, but did not intend to stop and be delayed. Dislikes He enjoyed the task from his first run, which he recalled clearly for the rest of his life. Once the race was His tour ended in January 1927 with the dogsled race at Poland Spring, Maine, where he accepted the challenge to race against Arthur Walden, founder of the New England Sled Dog Club and owner of the famous lead dog, "Chinook". History vs. Hollywood visited the headquarters in 2013 and captured the photo of Togo displayed below. Whos the richest Dog Musher in the world. Togo is the story of Leonhard Seppala (played by Willem Dafoe) and his wife Constance (played by Julianne Nicholson), a couple living in Nome, Alaska who raise and train sled dogs. No one is! Those who raced until he completed his "masterpiece" in December 1898, the project Seppala's section of trail featured a dangerous shortcut across Norton Sound, which could save a full day of travel. started the first historic 'Seppala Kennels' in Poland Spring in partnership Birth Name: Leonhard Seppala Occupation: Dog Musher Place Of Birth: Norway Date Of Birth: September 14, 1877 Date Of Death: January 28, 1967 Cause Of Death: N/A Ethnicity: Unknown Nationality: Norwegian Leonhard Seppala was born on the 14th of September, 1877. Temperatures across the Interior were at 20-year lows. Maynard is all in favor of getting the diphtheria antitoxin flown in by airplane, weather notwithstanding. Leonhard Seppala is considered one of Alaskas first great dog mushers; He took part in the 1925 serum run to Nome. 1947. These three wins made himself and his Siberian Huskies famous. A street in Nome named Seppala Drive connects the town to its airport. Photo illustration by Slate. Leonhard Seppala Seppala initially followed in his father's footsteps as both a blacksmith and a fisherman. His wife, Constance, died a few years later aged 85. By Robert Forto, PhD. In 1946, he and his wife Constance moved to Seattle, Washington. After a close competition between him and experienced musher Scotty Allan, Seppala defeated him on the fourth day of the race and finished two hours ahead of Allan to win the Sweepstakes. After 1932 he remained in Alaska. Seppala and his dogs also traveled from Alaska to the lower 48 states to do a nationwide tour. The same year the AAS was first run, 1908, 7-10 days is the most common. partnership arrangement with the Bow Lake Kennels of Earl L. Snodie, It ranged from rough hills of smashed-together ice to slippery "glare ice" polished by the wind, where it was difficult for the dogs to get a foothold. Leonhard Seppala's experience and fame as a champion dog musher are why he was chosen to drive a sled dog team in the Serum Run. As we investigated the Togo fact vs. fiction, we discovered that a Siberian Husky named Diesel portrayed the adult Togo. He was recruited to Alaska from Norway by fellow Norwegian Jafet Lindeberg, who had struck it rich in Nome. Death "He and his wife lived in Seattle until his death at the age of eighty nine. They wanted the 640 miles between the two towns to be traversed by the dog team. Sleddog breed in the 1990s. At the end of his career, Leonhard Seppala was known as the Big Norwegian although he was only five foot, four inches tall, and 145 pounds. In Seppala's worst competition during this entire period was the Quebec driver Emile The other half of the meeting is not-so-subtle pressure on Seppala to ride to Nenana to pick up the serum. He had two stunt doubles, Hugo and Mackey, who were lead sled dogs from Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours in Alberta. Regardless, Seppala could tell that Togo wanted to press on. Enter a grandparent's name. Welch had ordered more diphtheria antitoxin from the health commissioner in Juneau, but the port closed for the winter before the shipment arrived. If not for Togo finding the way and leading the team to the roadhouse at Isaac's Point on the shore, a distance of 84 miles since picking up the serum, they would have faced certain death. However, in 1900, he emigrated to Alaska during the Nome gold rush. They were laughed at and given 100-to-1 odds The Winter of 2018, the City of Nome earmarked some buildings in Nome for destruction because of their abandonment . Onlookers noted that these little dogs seemed as energetic as when they left the starting shoot. [5][6] He was the eldest child of Isak Isaksen Seppl (born in Sweden of Finnish descent) and Anne Henrikke Henriksdatter. (Color/Silent/16mm film). Of course, The problem was, how would the traveling Seppala be told he was not to transport it alone? Leonhard Seppala lived there and ran his dogs, year-round, for the Pioneer Mining Company out of this coastal town. Chinese Zodiac: Leonhard Seppala was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Seppala didnt start out working with dogs, though. Undaunted by the massive storm heading their way and against his wife Constance's ( Julianne Nicholson) better judgement, veteran musher Seppala will push Togo and his entire dog sled team to. After the Serum Run, Seppala and some 40 of his dogs toured the "lower 48" with an Eskimo handler. behind Seppala; in fact, she won the Poland Spring race in 1930, also with Bonzo Seppala and his team mushed five times farther than any other team during that effort. The Salisburys also write that Togo was indeed difficult and mischievous, as well as resistant to being locked up. Details of Death: Died in the Poland Spring, Maine home of Elizabeth Ricker, a friend of Leonhard Seppala and fellow dog musher and breeder. Despite the differences in the Disney version of the storysuch as the blizzard at the beginningthe fictionalized aspects are not an exaggeration of the dangers involved. Overwhelmed by choices? Leave a message for others who see this profile. A Dog-Puncher on the Yukon. It was decided that he was the most qualified of the relay mushers to attempt this shortcut. Constance Seppala (wife) second son of the Earl of Dalhousie. Leonhard did farm work, keeping the family homestead going while Seppala gave the ageing Togo to Liz Ricker so that his old leader could enjoy a [8] Leonhard is considered to have been Kven. Leonhard Seppala and his sled dog team, led by Togo, were major participants in the Serum Run, having traveled the longest distance of any team.

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