(3:24 min.) (24 of 24) 24 Barge runs Barges were difficult to bring into port, had to judge waves and tides just right. On one trip to Unalakleet, men, women and children off-loaded supplies. In the 1940's the people of Unalakleet wanted...
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...
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...
(3:09 min.) (01 of 09) 1. Early life Les's father went north with the gold rush; when he found that the claims had all been staked, he and his partners opened up a paint and wallpaper store. Les moved to Fairbanks with his wife and eldest...
(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...
(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...
(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.
(4:20 min.) (09 of 09) 9. After the convention. Les played a very valuable role in bringing people together. There was great camaraderie among the delegates. Les went home and showed his father a copy of the constitution. His father read...
(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...
(4:18 min.) (14 of 28) 14. Pacific Alaska Airways
Joe Barrows set up this airline; he wanted Pan Am to take it over for him. He wanted to fly clipper flying boats. His wife stayed in Alaska and was the first woman (Mary Barrows) to get...
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...