Wyatt Earp was encouraged to get into the saloon business by his friend Tex Rickard, who was already cashing in on the miners by operating the Northern Saloon. In the saloons, miners could hang out, drink, gamble and watch (or participate in) fighting matches. After leaving Nome in 1901, Rickard became a famous fight promoter, and founded New York’s Madison Square Garden. Rickard was also friends with Roald Amundsen and Leonhard Seppala. When Seppala toured the U.S. with his lead dog Togo, they made appearances at Madison Square Garden, with Amundsen presenting Togo with a medal for his part in the serum run.
