Edward Algernon Dixon (1871-1955)
Edward Dixon was born in Buctouche, Kent County, New Brunswick.1) He joined the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) in 1893 and was stationed in Regina when he volunteered to go to the Yukon.2) Corporal Dixon was one of three officers stationed at Canyon City during the Klondike gold rush.3) Sgt Joyce was in charge at the White Horse Rapids. The detachment numbered one NonCom Officer and three constables. Constable Dixon was acting as a pilot.4) In September 1898, the Corporal and one constable were stationed at the Canyon and one constable was stationed at White Horse Rapids where there was a small shack. The detachment should have been five men but only three were available.5) The police turned in their rations to Mr. Macaulay and got their meals at his Canyon City hotel.6)
The police reported no more than thirty boats totally wrecked out of 7,000, five people drowned, and 300 boats damaged. No lives were lost and there were few accidents after a rule was applied that only licensed pilots could take boats through.7) Constable Dixon worked almost full time as a river pilot. He returned the five miles from White Horse by horseback along the tramway.8)
NWMP Superintendent Steele reported that Constable Dixon was of great assistance to parties running the rapids and with one exception brought every boat safely through. Dixon ran the S.S. Goddard through Miles Canyon and Whitehorse Rapids successfully, acting as head pilot. The sweeps were used, and rudders left on and a full head of steam kept up to the head of each rapid and then the engine stopped until the boat got through. The charges for piloting through the rapids were $150 for steamers and $25 for barge or scow or $20 for a small boat. In cases where people could not afford to pay, constables Dixon and others ran them through gratis.9) A Mr. Dunleavy complained that while at White Horse Rapids, one of the police named Richards was canvassing orders for another named Dixon. Superintendent Steele investigated and found the charges to be unfounded.10) Superintendent Steele denied reports that constables Fyffe and Dixon, serving at the Whitehorse Rapid, were taking money for lining up piloting jobs.11) Dixon served seven years with the North-West Mounted Police.12)
Dixon stayed in Whitehorse after he left the NWMP. He and partner John Smart built the Closeleigh Hotel and Saloon, later renamed the Pioneer Hotel, on Front St. early in 1900. Dixon sold out his interest later that year.13) In 1901, Dixon and Smart owned the Closeleigh Hotel and Saloon Racine and Dixon was building a 26×60 building to operate the White Horse Steam Laundry. The building was close to the shore and near the boat building area. The building was replaced in 1901 by a 40×60 log structure. The laundry supplied power to the White Horse Hotel, and Dixon had plans to supply power to the entire town. The laundry took in private business as well as laundry from the hotels and steamers.14) Dixon also managed the Regina Hotel.15)
Dixon acquired the Rabbit's Foot Extension and the Sadie mine in the Whitehorse Copper Belt around 1906.16) In July 1910, E. A. Dixon, one of the owners of the Anaconda quartz claim in the Whitehorse region, bought Charles Ward’s interest in the claim for $4,000 cash.17) By 1916, he was co-owner of the Grafter mine together with Robert Lowe, John P. Whitney, and George Armstrong.18)
Dixon was chief of the volunteer fire department and president of the Whitehorse Conservative Association. He was elected to the territorial council in 1915 as the member for Whitehorse. He enlisted to serve in the First World War in 1916 as a member of George Black's 104th Regiment. After the war he moved to British Columbia.19) Lieutenant Dixon and his wife Clara visited Whitehorse in April 1920 to settle up Dixon’s business affairs.20) Thirty-five years later, Edward Dixon’s ashes were spread over Miles Canyon.21)
