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[Collections of 129 items concerning the Alaska gold rush] [decimalized]
1900-1902
Sherzer, Edwin B., fl. 1900-1902
Writes to his wife Clara about his experiences during the Alaska gold rush, many of the letters from Nome.
GLC05755
to Clara M. Miller
15 May 1900
re: Describing the scenery and the mood like the houses that covered are with heavy snow, Indian creeks that are streaming down the bay.
GLC05755.001
19 May 1900
re: The moment he arrived, he didn't see any sign of life. But then later he saw 200 Indians and 25 whites and they were his roommates.
GLC05755.002
27 May 1900
re: Very descriptive about the scenery around him--is ship journey, Russian Orthodox Church ceremony with Indian boy choir. Encounters with some Indians
GLC05755.003
1 June 1900
re: Describing the view; explaining his job. He misses her and everyone else. He'll be home soon.
GLC05755.004
11 June 1900
Red ink, and written recto only. re: Daily activities on the boat and off the boat. Wrote about the animals(skin), roommates(seasick), Indians and the scenery (Monarch Island, glacier).
GLC05755.005
22 June 1900
re: Gives A to Z, descriptions on the city of Nome. And how things are there.
GLC05755.006
29 June 1900
written recto only. re: Wrote about how, he and his roommates got settled in the woods. What they did all day (played roulette, climbed, haunted). How much he getting paid.
GLC05755.007
11 July 1900
re: Newsy letter from his wife. Talks about his sister and brother and how they are. And a company where his brother works in. All of sudden, Talks about Gods and stuff. But then later talks about some dog which supposed to make Clara jealous.
GLC05755.008
17 July 1900
re: S. Newman Sherzer (writing for his brother, who has traveled to Port Safety) intends to stay in Alaska for two more weeks. A mention about the weather says it is fine. Hopes the [street]car strike is over so he can sympathize with Miss Eva.
GLC05755.009
27 July 1900
Says he was on a "prospecting tour." Says she wouldn't recognize him with bronzed hands, two weeks' beard, etc. Prices & problems making money: "I feel very much disheartened and discouraged and if things do not turn out better I don't know what we...
GLC05755.010
3 August 1900
with postscript containing verses. re: Conflicts about the arrival of the letters. Describes a storm in detail. Talks about his sister growing up, and talks about his appearance and also how he feels.
GLC05755.011
10 August 1900
"I hope when I get back home I will not have forgotten how to be gay, but every thing is so dreadfully solemn up here [. . . .]" Talks about a politician, "Mr. Johnson," who asked him "to vote for McK [inley] in the last election and asked me what I...
GLC05755.012
16 August 1900
re: Describes weathers and scenery. Explains how he dreads winter, speaks of liberty.
GLC05755.013
23 August 1900
re: describes weather. Says "it reminds me of our Indian Summer all except the nights which are quite cold". Talks about grace. A women he does not like, tells Clara to inform him about her younger sister, doesn't like saloons. Doesn't like to drink...
GLC05755.014
30 August 1900
They have built their cabin, which consists of one room 10 x 12. Describes dog team. Remarks that with old, soiled clothes "I never though I would look so tough."
GLC05755.015
6 September 1900
Alludes to a secret; says he is "perfectly willing to wait several years as you said" and tells her that he went to Alaska, because it was the only place, a man could find work, "but it is a dogs life and you might as well be buried, no pleasure, no...
GLC05755.016
13 September 1900
A dreadful storm raging; fear of being flooded. Two postscripts, one mentioning having their dogs live in the cabin and one, dated 9/14, saying the storm is over and everything is okay.
GLC05755.017
20 September 1900
re: Very horrible weather but has changed for the better in recent day. Speaks about his cabin, expects to hear about Miss Eva. Likes Clare's letters cheerful letters.
GLC05755.018
27 September 1900
re: Describes daily routine (breakfast, work, supper). rowing a boat with "a greenhorn."
GLC05755.019
30 September 1900
Addressed to "Dear Pitty." Good letter mentions "the little stamp photos" form his mother. Talks about mud and spills, a lady getting stuck in mud. Mentions saloons and gambling: "This place is certainly awful for disreputable characters, you can...
GLC05755.020
4 October 1900
re: Waiting for chilling blast. Raining hard. Daily activities like chop woods and feed the dogs. He has luxury meals once in a while. Also he saw article about "horrors of Cape Nome." Remembers his wife's and his relatives.
GLC05755.021
11 October 1900
re: Received her letter. Very descriptive about the weather. Describes dogs and dog fights. Talks little about their new house. Got little emotional about each other's feelings.
GLC05755.022
18 October 1900
re: Dog injuries. Robberies. Skating people. Making caps (with drawings). Detailed weather report. And says "The past 4 or 5 days have been very beautiful indeed and the atmosphere is very clean and bracing it puts new life in one and makes your...
GLC05755.023
8 November 1900
re: Doing both of their assessment work. Detailed weather reports and very detailed daily activities (how they catch fish). Mentioned little about an election in the place where he works. "They did have little election for corporation up here…"...
GLC05755.024
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