The 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska, would have taken more lives and spread farther had it not been for the heroic hearts of the men who shared the serum run. Their names are listed here in honor of their sacrifice and spirit.
“Wild Bill” Shannon—Nenana to Tolovana (52 miles)
Dan Green—Tolovana to Manley Hot Springs (31 miles)
Johnny Folger—Manley Hot Springs to Fish Lake (28 miles)
Sam Joseph—Fish Lake to Tanana (26 miles)
Titus Nikoli—Tanana to Kallands (34 miles)
Dave Corning—Kallands to Nine Mile mail cabin (24 miles)
Edgar Kalland—Nine Mile to Kokrines (30 miles)
Harry Pitka—Kokrines to Ruby (30 miles)
Bill McCarty—Ruby to Whiskey Creek (28 miles)
Edgar Nollner—Whiskey Creek to Galena (24 miles)
George Nollner—Galena to Bishop Mountain (18 miles)
Charlie Evans—Bishop Mountain to Nulato (30 miles)
Tommy Patsy—Nulato to Kaltag (36 miles)
Jackscrew—Kaltag to Old Woman shelter house (40 miles)
Victor Anagick—Old Woman to Unalakleet (34 miles)
Myles Gonangnan—Unalakleet to Shaktolik (40 miles)
Henry Ivanoff—starts from Shaktolik but meets Seppala
Leonhard Seppala—Shaktolik to Golovin (91 miles)
Charlie Olson—Golovin to Bluff (25 miles)
Gunnar Kaasen—Bluff to Nome (53 miles)
And, of course, the dogs!
My special thanks to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art; Anchorage Municipal Libraries; the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; and my husband, Jim, for their assistance with the historical research surrounding this event.