Alaska Nellie

† Who is Alaska Nellie ? ¢ Nellie Neal Lawing is one of Alaska’s most original, colorful and famous pioneers. She is the first woman ever hired by the U.S. Government in Alaska! In 1916 Nellie was contracted to feed the hungry crews on the long awaited Alaska railroad connecting Seward to Anchorage. Nellie never missed a meal, the conditions were harsh and supplies were limited. She delivered many of her meals by dogsled, fighting off moose attacks and hazards of the trail, often during below-zero blizzards. She always brought with her a great tale to tell. How she had wrestled Grizzlies, fought off wolves and moose and caught the worlds largest salmon for dinner. Nellie was always of the old sourdough tradition. The workers listened and laughed with every delicious bite. Alaska Nellie established herself at “Lawing, Alaska”, on Kenai Lake and converted an old roadhouse into a museum for her multitude of Big Game trophies. It was a great railroad stop and the highlight of any Alaskan visit. Her guest register of over 15,000 read like the Who’s Who of early twentieth century, 2 U.S. Presidents, the Prince of Bulgaria, Will Rogers, Authors, Generals and many silent-screen movie stars. President Harding himself had to come to see who all those checks were made out to. Nellie would entertain dignitaries and railroad workers alike, she loved them all. Colt pistol on her hip and a baby Black Bear by her side, Nellie was always ready with one of her outrageous tales of adventure. “ I was just minding my own business on Kenai Lake when a huge Grizzly showed up, I fired my Colt, but as luck would have it, somehow, it misfired, I then had to kick the heck out of the brute and he ran off, but before he ran off he bit me good, right on the wrist, see here”. She would then fold back her sleeve to show a scarred arm.