Hazel Meloy

This pioneer couple, Jack and Hazel Meloy, the last of their kind, epitomized the spirit of rugged independence and self-reliance. Their word was their bond. Hazel was a descendent of John Hunt Morgan, the Confederate officer who terrorized the American Midwest during the Civil War. Jack, who was born in Yakima Washington, ran away from home at the age of 12.

The couple met in the Chisana district where they both worked packhorse trains freighting supplies to miners in the Chisana Stampede. They entered the Yukon in 1913, married at Fort Selkirk, and lived the rest of their lives on the banks of the Yukon River.

They freighted, each ran a winter trap line, and together they operated a trading post at Coffee Creek for Taylor and Drury. Later, they settled at Kirkman Creek where they were known for their hospitality and integrity. This farm was l28 miles upriver from Stewart Crossing. In his guide of the Yukon River, Mike Rourke states that F. Laderoute had been farming there since 1898 and that Jack and Hazel Meloy moved to the farm in 1948 and remained there until moving to Dawson in 1964.

Their gracious log home boasted beautiful gardens and birdhouses and they served their guests on fine bone china (although their old camp enamelware was preferred when dining alone).

In the mid 60s when Jack’s health demanded living closer to medical facilities, they moved to Dawson and held court in their home on the corner of Harper and 8th Avenue.

Their legacy is the great respect they earned from all they met. The first year the Sourdough Rendezvous had a Mr. & Mrs. Yukon (1971) the Yukon Order of Pioneers put Jack’s and Hazel’s names forward. They were great at the job—a perfect Mr. & Mrs. Yukon. They were special guests of many of the Rendezvous events at the Festival. A creek in the Dawson Range is named for Jack. Their black marble marker is in the first row, left in their photo of the event.

The following is a collection of memories of Hazel by Ione Christensen:

Hazel was a storied legend when I was growing up in Fort Selkirk; it is through these stories that I know her best. I seldom saw her, maybe once or year on our way down to Dawson when we stopped in for a visit, or in later years when they came up to Whitehorse and would visit with my parents.

Hazel was one of those super women whom I wished to emulate. She was a successful trapper, excellent cook, great gardener, superior shot and just an all-round exceptional bush person. She worked hand in hand with her husband in everything they did. But she was one tough lady and you did not want to mess with Hazel.

Captain Cogland found that out one sunny day as he steamed up the river by Coffee Creek where the Meloys lived. Hazel had a letter to be picked up and, as was the custom, if you wanted the boat to stop for mail at any of the small settlements along the river, you would put out a white flag. The sternwheeler would touch into shore, a slip plank would be put out and a deckhand would run off and pick up the bag, then get right back on board and off they would go.

Well, Captain Cogland was an ornery old cuss and this day he was not in the mood to stop for Hazel’s mail and he proceeded to steam right on by, where upon Hazel got out her trusty 30-30 and fired one shot through the Pilot House. Captain Cogland stopped!

For all her toughness, Hazel had a soft side. On her bed, she had the most wondrous collection of china dolls one could wish to see. On our short visits, when we were going to Dawson, I always wanted to go in to see the dolls. I was never allowed to touch them but I could admire them under her supervision.

I caught my first big fish at Kirkman Creek. We had stopped off for a visit and while Dad and Mom were up visiting with the Meloys, I took my willow fishing pole out of the boat and started fishing for grayling in the mouth of the creek. I soon found there was more than grayling in the, murky waters. This very big pike took my bait and I had a fight on my hands. I ran up to the house with the fish bouncing behind me!