Dr. J.B. Beeson
By: Kate
In 1925, there was a disease called Diphtheria going around Nome. The only medicine in all of Alaska was in Anchorage. Specifically, Alaska Railroad Hospital. Dr. J. B. Beeson had this medicine. He had 300,000 units of it. Everyone thought the best way to get the medicine to Nome was by dog sled. So Dr. Beeson put the medicine in cylinders which he wrapped in a very thick quilt. He then put canvas over the quilt to protect the whole thing. To get to the dog team, the medicine had to go on a train. The train left Anchorage on Monday, January 26. It arrived in Nenana on Tuesday at 11 p.m. The medicine then went on dog sleds to reach Nome. The dog teams made it and the disease was cured.
Sources
www.iditarod.com
The Race to Nome (Kenneth A. Ungermann)