Snowshoe Thompson (I Can Read Bks.: Level 3 Ser.)

Toronto, ON, Canada: HarperCollins Canada, Limited, 1992. Hard Cover. As New. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. ISBN:0060238011. Based on a true story. One winter John Thompson skis across the Sierra Nevada and creates a path upon which mail and peop le may travel, thus earning his nickname 'Snowshoe Thompson'. An I Can Read Book. White glossy cover, 64 pages. Scarce book. This tale is based on the true story of John Thompson. Born in Norway, he w ent to Placerville, California, in the early1850's to seek his fortune in the gold rush. John was one of many Scandinavian immigrants who introduced skis to America. During the winter, when the Sier ra Nevada cut off northern California from the rest of the country, John braved the long and treacherous journey over the mountains on skis to deliver bags of mail, which often weighed as much as 100 po unds. On his 5 day journey he had only dried beef and biscuits to eat, the snow to quench his thirst, and caves for shelter at night. Even then, he often rescued many lost and half-frozen men alon g th e way. Local folks took to calling him Snowshoe Thompson. Although he never struck it rich digging for gold, he managed to become a legend of the gold rush days..