(3:39 min) (09 of 19) Driving the Richardson Road Boat to Valdez, then on to Fairbanks via Model T. Stream crossings, rough terrain and speaking with a construction crew manager. Splashed the distributor cap.
01 Began flying (2:43 min.) (01 of 09) On her way to school she was able to see airplanes taking off from the local airport. She thought that was what she wanted to do with her life. She saved up the $125.00 but the flight school closed...
02 Next step (3:39 min.) (02 of 09) During 1940, the U.S. Government was getting ready for war -- the Civilian Pilot Training program was started. They allowed one woman in each class of ten. While at Marshall College she learned how to do...
03 More military training (3:36 min.) (03 of 09) Pearl went to Sweetwater, Texas, to train with the Women's Air Corps. She heard that there was a need for pilots in Alaska. In 1944, she headed to Fairbanks, Alaska. She got stuck in Seattle...
04 First jobs in Alaska (5:04 min.) (04 of 09) Lockheed Vega took her to Fairbanks. Bush flying was what she wanted, but she couldn't get hired in Fairbanks. Herb Hagler at Fairbanks Air Service wouldn't give her a job as a pilot, but he told...
05 A plane of her own (5:30 min.) (05 of 09) There was no flight instruction in the winter so Pearl was laid off. She spent the winter of 1945 at the University at Fairbanks. She saw the Russian pilots flying the lend lease planes. Margaret...
(4:49 min.) (02 of 09) 2. Important issues. Les was interested in statehood and getting a fair share for Alaska; he was less interested in specific issues. Proponents of statehood wanted to get out from control of the Department of the...
(03 of 09) 3. Coal; constitutional convention Coal was needed in Fairbanks and was shipped to Korea. Les believed that he was in the middle in terms of political knowledge. He believed there was some political maneuverings to make Bill...
(3:00 min.) (04 of 09) 4. Statehood issues Taxes need to be fair and equal. Money should not be raised except to fund services for the state. Church and State need to be kept separate.
(5:20 min.) (05 of 09) 5. The convention It was a cold winter. Les drove some of the delegates to the University, where the convention was held. Sessions lasted most of the day and near the end there were evening sessions. Les briefly...
(06 of 09) 6. Consultants and committees There were consultants at the convention to offer advice and assistance, including some consultants who were pushing an agenda. Each of the committees made a good effort and the document as a whole...
(4:27 min.) (07 of 09) 7. Most wanted statehood A majority in Fairbanks and Anchorage wanted statehood. Southeast was the only part of the state with reservations. One delegate resigned just prior to ratification because he objected to a...
(3:45 min.) (08 of 09) 8. Rural/Urban divide The borough concept might have been an error. There are some problems between the city and the Borough. Les felt a young state needed a strong executive.
(3:36 min.) (09 of 28) 9. WWII in North Africa
George worked his way across North Africa. He describes air raids in Cairo, how Rommel was pushed back, how war was declared while he was on the ship to Africa. Bombers ferried across the...
06 Crash took six weeks to repair aircraft (4:58 min.)(06 of 09)
In the mean time took a job teaching in McGrath that keep her busy through the winter. In the spring went to lower 48 to get an airplane. In Seattle went to Northern Commercial...
07 Followed the lend-lease path (6:32 min.) (07 of 09)
Back then you had to check in with customs every time you stopped. Margaret met up with two others bound for Alaska (Major Ware and Joe Barber), and they figured to save money by taking the...
08 Continue into Alaska (4:54 min.) (08 of 09)
Got some bad gas in Northway and had to drain the tanks. Finally made it into Nome, but it took two weeks. Joe Barber's plane was found a month later, and they found a trappers cabin with some...
Remainder of title: Thomas Riggs, Jr., Member Alaskan Engineering Commission, and C. W. Richie and H. J. Atwell, Acting Register and Receiver of the United States Land Office, at Fairbanks, Alaska.