We know via stories Felice shared with family and friends that he enjoyed times of solitude, that he was adventuresome and daring, that he often hiked the mountains near his home and that whether for fun or survival, he hunted small animals like hare and fox. He had weathered the harsh climate, backbreaking work and the bleak years of his boyhood with a hope and determination, that for him, life would be kinder in a new land. He set sail in 1881 for America where older brother Fabiano now resided in Illinois. Hard work was no stranger to the Pedroni family and working for the mines or for the railroad provided the families a future. Within a few years he joined the westward migration. His brother Domenico also felt this call and worked his way west to Washington State where he found comfort in the green coastal valley near Puget Sound and in the foothills of stately Mt. Rainier. While Domenico spread his agrarian roots in the Puyallup valley, his restless younger brother Felice was always on the path to adventure.

Unlike other miners, he did not drink or gamble. He worked hard, making his way across the country, mining coal in Illinois, Colorado, Utah, Oregon and Carbonado, Washington. From there he went to British Columbia in 1883, and then in 1894 tried his luck in the Yukon where Felice Pedroni became known as “Felix Pedro”.

Used with permission from Donna Salter Mullen from FELIX PEDRO: His Fame and His Pedroni Family © 2002

“Late In June, 1901 Pedro and Gilmore started from Eagle Creek in the Circle district carrying with them a complete outfit exclusive of tents. They had two horses on which to pack their outfit, which, it is judged, puts the weight at about 400 pounds. This outfit was, of necessity, mostly food since very little “living off the country” can be done during the summer months in Alaska.

Following the high divide from Circle to Fish Creek the two had encountered fairly easy going. The ridge was for the greater part above the timberline and it was fairly dry. When following the creek from Fox downward it was difficult traveling. The trail had to be chopped out for the horses to get through and the wet swamps were infested with hordes of mosquitoes. Once in crossing Goldstream one of their precious pack horses was almost lost.

Following Goldstream for about thirty miles, they reached the foot of Ester Dome, about one month after leaving Eagle Creek. Here a party of four men with pack-horses joined them. These men had followed Pedro and Gilmore out from Eagle Creek believing that the partners were en-route to a “find”.

Ordinarily Pedro and Gilmore had no wish for company, but now they were pleased with the addition to their party. Provisions were running low and a new supply was welcome. In addition, the trail had to be cut for every foot of the way and streams and swampy portions bridged. This was difficult, tedious and slow work for two men while with six men the process was fairly rapid.

Swinging off Goldstream to the left the party climbed to the top of Ester Dome with the idea that from that point they could survey the country and make plans for further progress. While they were on the Dome they sighted a boat coming slowly up the Chena Slough. With the aid of field glasses the name on her pilot house – Lavelle Young – was readable. This boat they recognized as being a trading boat belonging to E.T. Barnette. As they watched, she tied up at a bend in the Slough and the crew made preparations for an extended stop,

The prospectors needed provisions badly, and here was a precious opportunity of obtaining some. They immediately set about laying out a course over the flats to the boat.

Having determined a course of travel, the party come down from Ester Dome and at nightfall camped near Ester Creek. It should be noted that in crossing Ester Creek the party passed over and camped on what has proved to be probably the richest shallow ground in the whole Fairbanks district. Millions of dollars in gold were passed over by them in the course of one day.”

Genevieve Alice Parker – A thesis submitted to the University of Alaska for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Geology and Mining (1929) with direct quotes from Thomas Gilmore. © University of Alaska