Editing Balto (section)

=== Post-race fame: movies, statues, vaudeville and sale to a sideshow ===
Newspapers were heralding the feats achieved during the serum run almost exclusively to Balto, eclipsing the efforts of the 18 other mushers and 150 sled dogs who participated.{{r|v458|NG20200519}} The death toll in Nome was seven people—not counting [[Alaskan Natives]] who were not recorded—adding further to the [[media sensation]] as the diphtheria epidemic was seemingly averted.{{r|NG20200519}} When the ''[[New York Daily News]]'' published exclusive photos of Kaasen's arrival in Nome, Balto was pictured directly in the foreground of the entire team;<ref name="DailyN19250317p48">{{Cite news |date=March 17, 1925 |title=First Photos of Nome Dash Rushed 5,120 Miles for NEWS Readers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-first-photos-of-nome-dash-ru/145602286/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York, New York |page=48 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729134406/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-first-photos-of-nome-dash-ru/145602286/ |url-status=live }}</ref> these photos were later revealed to be staged recreations hours after Kaasen arrived.{{r|k715}} The recent adoption of radio in the [[contiguous United States]] also meant dispatches from Nome had been relayed to radio stations throughout the country.{{r|NG20200519|PlainD19940107p1}} As 1925 ended, Balto was credited in news coverage as having accomplished the entire serum run by himself,{{r|v458}} a misconception that persisted long after his death.{{r|PlainD19400310p56}}
[[File:Balto's Race to Nome (1925) - 1.jpg|left|thumb|The Merrill Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, showing the American documentary film ''Balto's Race to Nome'' (1925)|alt=An outdoor movie theatre marquee facing to the right of the theatre's entrance. In large lettering are the top two lines, "THE MERRILL" and in smaller lettering on the bottom three lines, "BALTO, HERO DOG IN RACE TO NOME". Directly underneath this marquee is a marquee in the distance saying "MAJESTIC".]]
Film producer [[Sol Lesser]] promptly signed Kaasen, Balto and the team of "thirteen half wolves" to a contract with [[Educational Pictures]] for a movie based on the serum run.<ref name="PlainD19250226p19">{{Cite news |last=Marsh |first=W. Wade |date=February 26, 1925 |title=Balto, His Husky Pals and Master Get Film Contract |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-balto-his-husky-pals-a/150184760/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731064444/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-balto-his-husky-pals-a/150184760/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Film production began in April 1925 in [[Los Angeles]]. Upon arriving in the city, Balto was the recipient of the "[[Freedom of the City|bone of the city]]" by the mayor of Los Angeles, along with other dignitaries<ref name="PlainD19250410p25">{{Cite news |date=April 10, 1925 |title=Tales and Views of the Theatres – Film Topics: Good Old Balto. |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-tales-and-views-of-the/150168874/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=25 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731064520/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-tales-and-views-of-the/150168874/ |url-status=live }}</ref> including actress [[Mary Pickford]].{{sfn|Salisbury|Salisbury|2003|p=146}} The [[two-reel]] movie, ''Balto's Race to Nome'', debuted the following month to positive reviews;<ref name="PlainD19250503p77">{{Cite news |last=Marsh |first=W. Wade |date=May 3, 1925 |title=Balto and His Pals in New Film; Gloria in New and Old Photo Plays |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-balto-and-his-pals-in-n/150185164/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |pages=1, [https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-balto-and-his-pals-in-n/150185252/ 4]:Dramatic |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731064519/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-balto-and-his-pals-in-n/150185164/ |url-status=live }}</ref> it is now considered a [[lost film]]. Shortly after the film's release, Kaasen sued Lesser for unpaid wages;<ref name="PlainD19250517p73">{{Cite news |last=Marsh |first=W. Wade |date=May 17, 1925 |title=The "New" Marion Davies Praised; Balto's Film in State; Letter to Tom Mix |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-the-new-marion-davies/150185735/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |pages=1, [https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-the-new-marion-davies/150185804/ 4]:Dramatic |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731064446/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-the-new-marion-davies/150185735/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lesser then sold the existing contract to the [[vaudeville]] circuit.{{r|PlainD20150118p31}} Kaasen and Balto soon traveled across the country, making public appearances and being bestowed gifts from the cities visited.<ref name="Oaklan19250510p 4">{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1925 |title="So This Is Oakland!" |url=https://newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-photo-balto-is-honored/145564938/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731064514/https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-photo-balto-is-honored/145564938/ |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |location=Oakland, California |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="PlainD19250719p84">{{Cite news |date=July 19, 1925 |title=Gunner Kassan and his huskies that took antitoxin to Nome last winter... |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-gunner-kassan-and-his-h/150185334/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=84 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731064447/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-gunner-kassan-and-his-h/150185334/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In one instance, while visiting [[Cleveland, Ohio]], Kaasen was awarded a subscription to ''[[The Plain Dealer]]'' as a gift from an existing subscriber, to be delivered to his home in Nome.<ref name="PlainD19251114p12">{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1925 |title=Hero of Nome Death Race is Early Subscriber in Contest |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-hero-of-nome-death-race/150187302/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731065045/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-hero-of-nome-death-race/150187302/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Balto memorial in Central Park.jpg|thumb|Statue of Balto in [[Central Park]], [[New York City]]]]

A [[statue of Balto]], sculpted by [[Frederick Roth]], was erected in [[New York City]]'s [[Central Park]] on December 17, 1925, ten months after Balto's arrival in Nome. Balto modeled in front of Roth<ref name="PlainD19250726p66">{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1925 |title=Balto Has a Busy Time in New York |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-balto-has-a-busy-time-i/150186277/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=2:Dramatic |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731065046/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-balto-has-a-busy-time-i/150186277/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PlainD19250720p11">{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1925 |title=Famous Dog Poses for His Statue |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-famous-dog-poses-for-hi/150186181/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and was present for the monument's unveiling.<ref name="NYC">{{cite web |title=Central Park Monuments – Balto |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/monuments/75 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826152707/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/monuments/75 |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation |publisher=The City of New York}}</ref> The statue is located on the main path leading north from the [[Central Park Zoo#Children's Zoo|Tisch Children's Zoo]].<ref name="CP">{{cite web |date=January 24, 2019 |title=Balto Statue |url=https://www.centralparknyc.org/locations/balto-statue |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731201755/https://www.centralparknyc.org/locations/balto-statue |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=Central Park Conservancy}}</ref> In front of the statue, a low-relief slate plaque depicts Balto's sled team and bears the inscription, "[d]edicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of stricken Nome in the winter of 1925: endurance, fidelity, intelligence".{{r|CP}}<ref>{{cite web |date=June 1993 |title=Balto, (sculpture) |url=https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!302803~!7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826151627/https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!302803~!7 |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=Smithsonian Institution Research Information System |publisher=Smithsonian American Art Museum}}</ref>

Seppala had been "amazed and vastly amused" at Balto and Kaasen's celebrity statuses,{{sfn|Ricker|1930|p=280}} but was displeased as it overlooked his lead dog [[Togo (dog)|Togo]], who went through the run's longest and most dangerous part.{{r|w127|Slate}} Seppala made a similar cross-country tour with Togo and his teammates in 1926, including a gala ice-rink appearance at [[Madison Square Garden (1925)|Madison Square Garden]], believing that Togo had been deprived of fame and acclaim.<ref name="v458">{{cite web |last=Clifford |first=Stephanie |date=February 13, 2012 |title=Spirit of a Racer in a Siberian Husky's Blood |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/sports/spirit-of-a-racer-in-a-siberian-huskys-blood.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617140522/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/sports/spirit-of-a-racer-in-a-siberian-huskys-blood.html |archive-date=June 17, 2024 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times |page=1:D}}</ref> Before relocating to [[Poland Spring, Maine]], in March 1927, Seppala claimed Fox was the actual leader of Kaasen's team<ref name="p864">{{cite web |date=March 9, 1927 |title=Balto Not Nome Hero Dog; Seppala Says Husky Named Fox Was Leader of His Team |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/03/09/archives/balto-not-nome-hero-dog-seppala-says-husky-named-fox-was-leader-of.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521085540/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/03/09/archives/balto-not-nome-hero-dog-seppala-says-husky-named-fox-was-leader-of.html |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=The New York Times |page=25:Sports}}</ref> and failed to get any proper credit due to Fox's name being more common and would not stand out in newspaper headlines like Balto.{{sfn|Salisbury|Salisbury|2003|p=249}} A February 1932 interview Seppala had with [[Henry McLemore]] furthered this, claiming a newspaper reporter simply chose Balto as "the lead dog&nbsp;... that brought the serum in" after multiple names were offered by Seppala; as he was still riding to Nome with Togo at the time, this is likely [[Anachronism|anachronistic]].<ref name="Zanesv19320218p10">{{Cite news |last=McLemore |first=Henry |author-link=Henry McLemore |date=February 18, 1932 |title=Today's Sports Parade (Seppalla, Bonzo, Balto and Fox) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-zanesville-signal-todays-sports-par/152080521/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Zanesville Signal |location=Zanesville, Ohio |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Hearst Newspapers |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729200349/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-zanesville-signal-todays-sports-par/152080521/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The "Vaccine Research Association" unsuccessfully called for the Central Park statue's removal in 1931,<ref name="AkronB19310925p 342">{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1931 |title=Discredit Balto As Canine Hero |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-discredit-balto/152080547/ |access-date=August 26, 2024 |newspaper=The Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |page=34 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826192953/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-discredit-balto/152080547/ |url-status=live }}</ref> citing a 1929 interview where Seppala claimed all the dramatic events surrounding the run were fabricated to sell newspapers.<ref name="Richmo19380126p8">{{Cite news |date=January 26, 1938 |title=Questions and Answers: Balto's Dash to Nome |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-news-leader-questions-and-a/153672696/ |access-date=August 26, 2024 |newspaper=The Richmond News Leader |location=Richmond, Virginia |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826193024/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-news-leader-questions-and-a/153672696/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Unwilling to show disrespect to a sled dog, Seppala partly backtracked from these claims in his memoir:{{sfn|Salisbury|Salisbury|2003|p=249}}

{{blockquote|I hope I shall never be the man to take away credit from any dog or driver who participated in that run. We all did our best. But when the country was roused to enthusiasm over the serum run driver, I resented the statue to Balto, for if any dog deserved special mention it was Togo&nbsp;... At the time I left [for the run] I never dreamed that anyone could consider these dogs [the second string] fit to drive even in a short relay.&nbsp;... As to the leader, it was up to the driver who happened to be selected to choose any dog he liked, and he chose Balto.{{sfn|Ricker|1930|p=281}}}}

After the dispute with Lesser was resolved,<ref name="LosAng19270301p322">{{Cite news |date=March 1, 1927 |title=Last Days Will Be Peaceful Ones: Husky Dogs to Live in Cleveland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-last-days-will-be/150658231/ |access-date=July 20, 2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Daily Times |location=Los Angeles, California |page=12:II |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Balto and his teammates were sold to Sam Houston, owner of a [[traveling circus]]. The exact circumstances for the sale are unclear: some accounts, including Houston himself, claimed Kaasen sold the dogs after tiring of the constant traveling and moved back to Alaska.{{r|PlainD20150118p31|PlainD19270302p1}} Other accounts claimed Seppala made the deal with Houston and ordered Kaasen—who was still under his employ at the Pioneer Mining Company—back to Alaska.{{r|j765}} Seppala claimed in his memoir that he sold the dogs to Lesser, with Balto selling for much more "on account of the publicity given to his 'glorious achievements'".{{sfn|Ricker|1930|p=281}} Kaasen and Seppala never spoke to each other again.{{r|v458}} Kaasen's departure occurred after the Central Park statue unveiling; upon returning to Nome one year after the run,<ref name="Tacoma19260219p1">{{Cite news |date=February 19, 1926 |title=Gunnar Kassen Brings Load of Yeast to Nome |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-tacoma-daily-ledger-gunnar-kassen-br/153476861/ |access-date=August 19, 2024 |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819045542/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tacoma-daily-ledger-gunnar-kassen-br/153476861/ |url-status=live }}</ref> he found himself alienated by residents of Nome over his fame, with some expressing resentment over the bypassing of Ed Rohn.{{sfn|Salisbury|Salisbury|2003|p=147}} By May 1947, Seppala dismissed the serum run as little more than "just an ordinary hard run" and Balto's fame as "a product of modern publicity rather than of outstanding merit&nbsp;... Balto was just a good average dog".<ref name="NomeNu19490218p5">{{Cite news |date=February 18, 1949 |title=Seppala And The Siberian Huskie, Part III: As told to G. F. Freudenberg by Leonhard Seppala one day in May 1947 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-nome-nugget-seppala-and-the-siberian/151738187/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 |newspaper=The Nome Nugget |location=Nome, Alaska |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729134438/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-nome-nugget-seppala-and-the-siberian/151738187/ |url-status=live }}</ref>