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Billy Martin, ‘super popular’ dogsled racer

We’re staying on our dogsleds for this week’s look at Timmins history.  As we told you last week, dog racing was big in Timmins from 1916 until 1930.

Museum director-curator Karen Bachmann says the most popular racer was Billy Martin.

“And Billy and his 14-year-old daughter would race and would win, oh, I would say pretty well if not every year, at least every second year,” Bachmann estimates.  “They were super popular and one of his sleds is going to be on display in the new permanent gallery at the museum.  And it’ll be interesting for people to see, because it’s approximately 12 feet long.”

The permanent gallery officially opens Tuesday night.

Of course, there were race prizes, such as these ones in 1920.

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“If you won, of course, the A.R. Globe trophy, $152.34 in cash, a subscription to the Porcupine Advance, a subscription to the South Porcupine Herald, a safety razor set and a $10 time prize donated by the Mattagami Pulp and Paper Corporation.”

Second place received new snowshoes, seven pairs of socks, $102.33 cash and a box of cigars.  The third place finisher was given a mantel clock, gold nail clippers – it’s unclear if they were for the dogs or the musher – and a box of cigars.

Winners of the boys’ and girls’ races each got a dollar.

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