A Northern Mercy Flight The Northern Wilderness Is a Tough Place in Which to Be Disabled— But a Partner, a Policeman and a Pilot Soon Had Matt Tiegen Out of the Bush and Safe in Hospital. ONE AFTERNOON in the middle of June, Const. G. S. Nelson, in charge of the Stewart Detachment of the B. C. Police, noticed a caller coming up the steps. It was William A. Ruddell, a trap- per of the Bowser Lake country. “I won- der where his partner is,” mused Const. Nelson. He had not long to wait. Ruddell came in and thrust a note into Nelson’s hand. Surprised, Nelson glanced down at the note, and found that it was addressed to him. He read, “Constable Nelson, Dear Sir, Would you get a plane to Bowser. I fell down and hurt myself, so Bill is going on to town to get the ’plane. Matt Teigen.” Turning to Ruddell, who was standing at his elbow, Nelson asked: “Is Matt badly hurt?” to which Ruddell replied, “Well, I can’t say, but he has an awful sore chest.” He continued, “We were L. F. HEALEY Jeweler - Watch Repairs FERNIE, B.C. FERNIE BAKERY ’ WE SPECIALIZE IN BREAD, CAKES AND PASTRY Phone 66 NORTHERN HOTEL James Ross, Proprietor First Class Dining Room in Connection LICENSED PREMISES Good Rooms $1.00, $1.25, $1.50 and Up Rooms with Bath $2.50 FERNIE, B.C. Page Seventy-two coming down from our trap-line on our way to town. Coming down the Bowser River, about six miles west of Bowser Lake, Matt fell down onto the river bed, and I think he may have broken some ribs. He was in pain pretty badly, so I had to get help as quickly as I could, but I couldn’t leave him on the river bed. I found an empty cabin close by and took Matt there. The next morning, after making Matt as comfortable as I could, I started to hike for Stewart.” Nelson interrupted him. “How was he fixed for food when you left?” Ruddell replied slowly, “We were out of every- thing when the accident happened. That’s why we were coming in to Stewart. When I left Matt at the cabin he was pretty bad. Can you get the ‘plane for him?” Quickly figuring the situation, Nelson knew that to cover the fifty-five or sixty miles to Bowser Lake in time to help the injured man, who now had been alone for at least three days, he would have to secure a plane as soon as possible. But there were no "planes at Stewart, the only one in the vicinity was at Hyder, Alaska. Wasting no time, Nelson contacted Wal- ter Hansen, the owner of a Seebee flying boat at Hyder and asked him if he would undertake this errand of mercy. Without hesitation Hansen agreed, provided that Nelson would secure a clearance for him at the Canadian Customs. Nelson then called on the Silbak-Premier mine for help and secured from them a fold-away type of stretcher. The Customs officials soon granted the necessary permission, and at 2 p.m. the party was ready to leave, four hours after Ruddell had arrived in town. Mercy Fricgut SuccESSFUL On board the ’plane were the pilot, Walter Hanson, Const. Nelson, and Ruddell. Covering the sixty miles or so in about three-quarters of an hour, the ‘plane arrived at the cabin where Teigen had been left by his partner. Circling low over the cabin, they could see no sign of life. The river was the only place upon which the ’plane could land, but the water was too swift and treacherous, so the party went on to Bowser Lake and landed. As soon as they landed, they com- menced the six or seven-mile trek through dense underbrush, carrying with them the portable stretcher. The pilot had volun- teered to accompany the other two, as they would need all the man-power avail- able to bring Teigen out. It took the - little group from three o’clock in the afte;. noon to nine o'clock at night to cover the few miles, progress being often slowe; than a mile an hour. Arrived at the cabin, they found Teigey improved from his injury, but without food for several days, and in a weakened condition. Teigen was made of stern stuf and told the party that with their assist. ance he felt he could walk to the lake Taking pieces of canvas, they bandaged his side, which greatly alleviated the pain, Leaving the following morning at about six, the party reached Bowser Lake at noon. All boarded the ’plane, and as the weather was entirely favourable, took of and landed at Hyder, Alaska, about 1.30 p.m. of the same day, and handed the patient over to Dr. R. Walker of Premier, B. C., for treatment of the fractured ribs, Another patrol was entered in Const, Nelson’s diary. As he wrote, he thought, “Funny. Everyone says Friday the thirteenth is an unlucky day. Well today, Friday, June 13th, 1947, was cer tainly a lucky one for Matt Teigen.” I Ee “PICKPOCKET PRINCE” BECAME PARRAMATTA POLICE CHIEF GEORGE WALDRON, alias Barring ton, known to London police as the “Prince of Pickpockets,” was caught in 1790 and transported to Australia. On learning that a gang of convicts were plan- ning a murderous mutiny, he frustrated their plot by informing the authorities. For this he was emancipated, and later was apnointed Chief Constable of Parramatta. Born in Maynooth, Ireland, in 1793, he died at Parramatta in 1804. DURING the meat strike Mrs.. Sergeant said to her spouse: “When we were first married you used to take the small piece of steak and give me the larger, but yol don’t do that now.” To this the Sergeant replied : “It’s all your own fault, you cook much better now.” HARRY REDMILE GENERAL MERCHANT * McConnell Station C.P.R. KITCHENER, BRITISH COLUMBIA PACIFIC HOTEL JOHN DE CLARA, Proprietor LICENSED PREMISES General Store Good Fishing at Elk River HOSMER, B.C. Good Rooms THE SHOULDER STRA?