were determined to do the foreigners out of their claims and take them In researching the Togo true story, we learned that in real life Leonhard and his wife Constance had a daughter named Sigrid, who was eight years old at the time of the 1925 Serum Run to Nome. History vs. Hollywood visited the headquarters in 2013 and captured the photo of Togo displayed below. And while the movie Seppala gets the date of Togos death right (He left us on a Thursday in December), in reality Seppala decided to put Togo to sleep, given Togos joint pain and partial blindness. I once told Jeffrey Bragg about about a training run I had with 16 dogs attached to my four-wheeler. Leonhard Seppala Was born 14 Sep 1877 in Skibotn, Troms, Norway. of Harry R. Wheeler, the owner of Grey Rocks Inn. The prestigious Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award is given annually to the Iditarod musher who illustrates outstanding dog care throughout the race. 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. Siberian sleddogs, becoming a legend in his own time. Leonhard Seppalas mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. This clip features famed Alaska dog musher Leonhard Seppala and his wife Constance Seppala sitting on the porch in front of a house and playing with a litter of puppies. as a winter recreation; in 1908 the first All-Alaska Sweepstakes race was run. He eventually manages to meet up with fellow sledder Henry Ivanoff and retrieve the serum. Seppala felt that there was nothing he could do about the newborn, but reluctantly was forced to keep him. 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. Togo (formally), Togo acting up [1]:7275[12] He went on to win the race the following two years, as well, at which point the All Alaska Sweepstakes was suspended until 1983. And while the suspense in the movie is more than adequate, Seppala described even more danger. Seppala gave the ageing Togo to Liz Ricker so that his old leader could enjoy a until he completed his "masterpiece" in December 1898, the project Neither he nor his canine freight leader, Suggen, knew the dangerous trail, and when a blizzard suddenly descended on the area during the race, Seppala realized his young dogs had lost the trail and they were all at great risk of death due to the nearby drop-off to the Bering Sea. Mumbet protected her sister and took the blow instead. Chinese Zodiac: Leonhard Seppala was born in the Year of the Rabbit. The Salisburys also write that Togo was indeed difficult and mischievous, as well as resistant to being locked up. 1947. While my trail has been rough at times, he wrote in his diary at age 81, the end of the course seems pretty smooth, with downhill going and a warm roadhouse in sight. mongrels were the best way to travel in this frozen tundra. Seppala and his dogs also traveled from Alaska to the lower 48 states to do a nationwide tour. A Dog-Puncher on the Yukon. After the Serum Run, Seppala and some 40 of his dogs toured the "lower 48" with an Eskimo handler. He was a musher. Together with his dog Togo and several other dogs, he was able to brave through snowy weather and tundra to save countless of lives. 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). Seppala embarked on a tour of the 'Lower 48' with 44 dogs and an Inuit handler. Sweepstakes. Leonhard Seppala and his wife Constance play with a litter of puppies on the porch of their home. In 1946, he and his wife Constance moved to Seattle, Washington. Seppala and Swedish Lapland Leonhard Seppala, born 1877, would during those days go from being a good musher and just another hard-working blue-collar man to being the most famous dog-team driver in the world. Father of Private. Not only is Diesel related to Togo, he also resembles Togo in coloring: Unlike many Siberians, Togo had a darker coat. 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. He is a sled dog trainer and racer who is known for carrying the supply of diphtheria serum to the residents of Nome, Alaska. under way, Sepp writes: IN 1925 THE CITY OF NOME was threatened by a midwinter diphtheria epidemic. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. While most drivers considered 30 miles (48km) a long run, Seppala travelled between 50 miles (80km) and 100 miles (160km) most days. Leonhard Seppala is the protagonist in the 2019 film Togo. started the first historic 'Seppala Kennels' in Poland Spring in partnership So, as politicians are apt to do, the Governor complicated the plan to include some 20 teams and mushers in performing a relay. Nome City Cemetery, Nome, Nome Census Area, Alaska, USA He is a sled dog trainer and racer who is known for carrying the supply of diphtheria serum to the residents of Nome, Alaska. People of this zodiac sign like animals, healthy food, nature, cleanliness, and dislike rudeness and asking for help. Dog musher who was one of the men tapped to deliver a vital shipment of diptheria serum over ice-bound roads. Dog Musher. trade and allow him to work as a Master blacksmith. It was there they rested and slept for six hours before continuing their journey at 2 a.m., heading into another bad storm. The following year a team of ten sleddogs was brought to Nome from eastern No passable winter roads. Roald Amundsen. I guess you could say Nome was willing to put all their hope into one basket, Seppalas sled basket. SEPPALA'S EXPLOITS and the Poland Spring kennel breeding gave his father was away on the fishing grounds. In 1960 the chipper little man flew to Laconia to serve as honorary judge at the World Championships Sled Dog Derby. THE GOLD STRIKES IN ALASKA and the Yukon were the talk of Norway This meant avoiding rocky cliffs along the shore, but it also exposed him and his team to the dangers of the Sound. This clip features famed Alaska dog musher Leonhard Seppala and his wife Constance Seppala sitting on the porch in front of a house and playing with a litter. Which one is right for you? Togo jumped into the water, clambered back out, wrapped the rope around his body, and pulled. worked as a ranger for U.S. Mining and Melting Company, first in Nome have gone anywhere without the Poland Spring dogs and the sleddogs of Kasson received most of the early press though he only traveled 53 miles. He was by many reasonable accounts, the greatest musher of all time! The following year Seppala's Siberian team won the Nome They asked him to begin traveling toward Nenana. Yes. Unfortunately, there was no gold to be found and instead took up training sled dogs. When Amundsen cancelled his trip a few weeks after the puppies arrived in Nome, Lindeberg gave them to Seppala. 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. Snowy Owl provided all of the adult sled dogs used in the movie. fast teams; none of the Nome mushers wanted to accept the challenge. returned each spring to Alaska to continue his employment there, leaving Indeed, when the whiteout conditions suddenly lifted, Seppala found that he and his team were at the bottom of a hill, racing towards the cliffs along the sea. His tour finished in the State of Maine in 1927 with a challenge race in He said goodbye to Togo and gave the dog to fellow sled dog musher, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Rocks Inn in St. Jovite Station, Quebec. The serum was to be taken by train to Nenana, and from there relay teams would set out from Nome and Nenana, meeting in the middle at Nulato. The only planes they had were water-cooled aircraft from World War I, which didn't perform well in cold weather. When the temperatures dropped below -0 degrees the planes of the 1920s were unreliable and dangerous at best. He nursed them back to health for most of the remainder of that year; they were not ready to train again until autumn. In June 1999, a memorial was . rugged life for a child; "Sepp" (as many later called him) grew up It was only in the previous February that the first airmail flight in Alaska took place. The only way in, then and now, after the snow flies, is by plane. Seppala, Togo and the team traveled through tough, snowy terrain encountering numerous diffculties. His telegram is pictured below. His contribution to Alaska's sled dog racing history, and his pioneering work developing the Siberian Husky bloodline are also well known. The ice on Norton Sound was in constant motion due to currents from the sea and the incessant wind. The Story of Leonhard Seppala the resort in 1931 she met Kaare Nansen, the son of Norwegian explorer The Winter of 2018, the City of Nome earmarked some buildings in Nome for destruction because of their abandonment . Leonhard "Sepp" Seppala (September 14, 1877 January 28, 1967) was a Norwegian sled dog breeder, trainer and musher who played a pivotal role in the 1925 serum run to Nome. [1], The next day, the gale had intensified into a severe blizzard, with blinding snow and winds of at least 65mph (105km/h). of self-defense. However, they could only afford a short rest, and set out again at 2 am. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. In As the Salisburys put it, they were considered a part of the landscape.. Seppala became interested in dog sledding during his first winter in Alaska when he became a sled dog driver for Lindeberg's company. Who are the richest people in the world? To hasten delivery of the serum, more mushers were added to the relay. Everyone knew Sepps abilities. Welch had ordered more diphtheria antitoxin from the health commissioner in Juneau, but the port closed for the winter before the shipment arrived. Please check back soon for updates. Leonhard Seppala was born in Norway. This clip features famed Alaska dog musher Leonhard Seppala and his wife Constance Seppala sitting on the porch in front of a house and playing with a litter of puppies. When he was a young man his friend Jafet Lindeberg convinced him to come to America due to the gold rush that was going on. Highlights plus less visited destinations. After a town meeting, the phone rang at Seppalas home and the dogs in the yard began to howl. Photos by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images and Disney. He writes: WHILE SEPPALA WAS IN ALASKA the sport of dogsled racing was developed feeling that the credit had been stolen from Togo who had deserved to be Because Kaasen is the one who actually delivers the serum to Nome, he is the one who receives the lions share of the glory. Seppala's section of trail featured a dangerous shortcut across Norton Sound, which could save a full day of travel. had also settled. Everyone knew Sepp's abilities. Seppala had not abandoned his mining career with his tour of the U.S.A. After at lead, again setting a new trail record for this three-day 75-mile event. 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. his name was over, but his Seppala sleddogs, descendants of original Siberian The real-life Leonhard Seppala The mutual trust between Seppala and Togo was also as depicted. Seppala set out from Nome, met the driver carrying the serum with a former driver of Chinooks, Mrs. Elizabeth Ricker. 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? Background information Early on, it was believed that the individual attention led to his rowdiness and mischievous behavior. Seppala and Togo managed to win some local fame after winning the All Alaska Sweepstakes three years in a row. I responded by reminding him that Leonhard Seppala often ran as many as 24 dogs on snow and ice! Photo illustration by Slate. The Wheeler dogs became the foundation [1], This emergency delivery, also known as the "Great Race of Mercy", is commemorated annually with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.[14]. tough and self-reliant. Alaska at the invitation of American journalist Lowell Thomas, enjoying alongside his sprinting team, keeping pace effortlessly. Leonhard Seppala Popularity . They were survived by their daughter, Sigrid Hanks. of the Seppala Strain that was finally registered by the Canadian Kennel He had two stunt doubles, Hugo and Mackey, who were lead sled dogs from Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours in Alberta. [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. International Dog Derby in Quebec City, setting a new trail record for the The initials "G.I." His slow freight leader Balto (which was actually a cull from Seppalas team) became the famed dog of the Race for Life. New York had Kasson and Balto come for the dedication of a statue erected in Baltos honor. Seppala traveled a total of 261 miles to save the children of Nome. In 1916 the Nome Kennel And although Seppala did not seem upset on his own account (he praised Kaasen), he was reportedly upset that Togo had not received his due. from Nenana more than halfway, and returned immediately by night across Norton Feeling that he has had enough, Seppala refuses to train Togo further. Leonhard Seppalas birth sign is Virgo and he had a ruling planet of Mercury. Seppala happily decides to have Togo continue running for him. Nevertheless, Seppala took off to Alaska where he started working under Lindeberg. Leonhard Seppala: property of Jonathan Hayes. Please visit the About section of our YouTube channel to learn how you can help today. The bundle containing the serum was knocked out and he dug with his bare hands in the snow to find it. Seppala would cross the sound each way in the race to deliver the serum. Constance Seppala (wife) He and his wife lived in Seattle until his death at the age of 89. First Name Leonhard. ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. 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. The strengths of this sign are being loyal, analytical, kind, hardworking, practical, while weaknesses can be shyness, overly critical of self and others, all work and no play. [10] He became a naturalized citizen in 1906. Subsequently he Ivanoff had to run after Seppala as he raced past, shouting, "The serum! [1] around 1899. Seppala apparently Yes. In advanced cases, diphtheria can also cause the neck to swell, in part due to swollen lymph nodes, resulting in a condition nicknamed "bull neck" (visible below). Leave a message for others who see this profile. Seppala grumbles that Constance is too softhearted and. And Togo has many behavioral issues: Hes magnetically drawn to Seppala, such that he successfully defies any of Seppalas attempts to pen him up or give him up for adoption. The film depicts Seppala feeling guilty about pushing Togo too hard to the point of exhaustion. considered the hero of the run. 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. If the Serum Drive finished travel at most.). Thank you! The real Togo spent a few weeks at his new home before he jumped through the glass of a shut window and ran several miles back to Leonhard's kennel. 'Sepp' entered the 1914 Thank you! Ruling Planet: Leonhard Seppala had a ruling planet of Mercury and has a ruling planet of Mercury and by astrological associations Wednesday is ruled by Mercury. Leonhard Seppala is considered one of Alaskas first great dog mushers; He took part in the 1925 serum run to Nome. Sound each way in the yard began to howl i responded by reminding him that leonhard Seppala born... Hasten delivery of the serum was by many reasonable accounts, the phone rang at Seppalas home and the in... Cross the Sound each way in, then and now, after the puppies in! 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