Robert Pickett

In 1898, Robert Pickett was president of the Klondike Teamsters Association. The association was formed to put Dawson’s streets in good condition and to “protect mutual interests”. Calderhead stated that nearly all of the improvements to the streets were due to the teamster’s labour. The sawmills donated slabs and a few property owners contributed money or labour. The association was interested in maintaining the streets to keep the fees down. In August 1898, they were working on a sawdust and slab road from the Harper and Ladue Mill to the hospital.¹⁾

One day in September 1899, Robert Pickett of Pickett & Devlin tried to cross the Klondike River to Klondike City with a loaded wagon. The river was low and it was possible to cross the bars at the mouth. The current was swift and pushed against the wagon box until the horses lost their footing. Bob cut the traces and th horses rolled over and over almost to the Yukon River. Several men took twenty minutes to get them back on their feet but then none appeared harmed by the experience.²⁾