Collection Search

to Owen Horsfall

As he writes, he hears "the sound of Sirrash kids enjoying themselves on the ice covered river." He lost two dogs and now only has nine. He's going to apply to construct a bridge across the Nome River.

GLC05245.13

to Owen Horsfall

He did not go on the 31st because there was not "gold enough in Alaska" to tempt him out during "the worst blizzard of the season." He enjoyed exercising two of the dogs who ran to town when untied. He hopes to get a position with a big company as...

GLC05245.14

to: "my dear boys."

Describes the blizzard last night. Discusses his work building a suspension bridge across Nome River at the expense of about $5,000 but storms are delaying the construction. Afterwards, he expects to work for the North American Trading and...

GLC05245.15

to Owen Horsfall

He is awaiting the arrival of books he requested and gives instructions as to how to send them. He caught a cold and has just finished working at the Military Post this morning. He is going to meet with Mr. Watson and tell Mr. Watson that he is "...

GLC05245.16

to: "my dear children."

He has fallen behind in collecting the money he intended to send to them. He will start a job at a Road House tomorrow for $25 per month and lodging. A man is going to ask the government to either purchase his bridge or pay for using it. Laps and...

GLC05245.17

to Mary

He asks his wife if she does not agree that he has been sufficiently punished. He wants to either resume their relationship or end it with a divorce. He is willing to pay for the divorce and some of the children's expenses but will do anything to...

GLC05245.18.01

to Mary.

He has heard that Orson and Gaffer have died and Eddie has had an accident. He worries that his letters to her may be ignored or returned. He is amazed that "one so kind hearted could be so hard and unforgiving." He will continue to send money...

GLC05245.19

to Owen Horsfall

He thanks Owen for the "nicest and newsiest letter" yet. He will send money to Owen for a vacation and to Aunt Annie for his parents' headstones. He advises Owen that diet is the key to perfect health. He wants the whole family to visit next...

GLC05245.20

to Owen Horsfall

He is sending Owen and Eddie several gifts including watch chains and Eskimo trinkets. The river has seven inches of frozen ice and the skating is terrific. He recommends "a regular and judicious course of athletics and gymnastics" as health is...

GLC05245.21

to boys

Mush ice is forming in the Bering Sea and "the great white silence" is coming. He would do anything to see them. He sent them the gifts and not money because he wants them "to be able to put on as good an appearance as anyone." He counsels Eddie...

GLC05245.22

to Owen Horsfall

He wishes he could see the family and wishes them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Army company in Alaska will be relieved next year. "Nome has become quite metropolitan" and he will soon be a member of the "Arctic Brotherhood." They...

GLC05245.23

to Owen Horsfall

Smith the mailman set a record with his dogteam averaging 100 miles per day. He explains the idea that glaciers or volcanoes left the gold nuggets and that Alaska was originally tropical. The Republicans are "between the devil and the deep sea"...

GLC05245.24

to Owen Horsfall

Hopes to get a mail contractor's position as the pay is not bad. Will try to visit them next summer if possible. Telegraphic news told of "imminent" war between Russia and Japan, a Chicago theatre fire, and a railroad wreck. Wishes he were better...

GLC05245.25

to Owen Horsfall

Writes that he is proud of Owen's studies and not surprised at Eddie "having a girl." Read that a captain is going to leave Port Clarence and try to reach the North Pole by the Northwest Passage. Mentions that anthracite was used as coal for the...

GLC05245.26

to Owen Horsfall

Plans to go to the Koyukuks. States his chances of obtaining a mail position are "nil." Writes that he has "given [Mary] freedom through the court" and expects she will choose another man. He still respects her but feels that both she and the...

GLC05245.27

to my dear children.

Reports that he quit his position at the Post because he did not want to work continuously for 12 hours. He bought a quarter interest in a mine nearby and is now "taking out a 'dump' which means that the pay streak is 30 feet under the ground and...

GLC05245.28

to Owen Horsfall

Wishes he could have attended Owen's college Commencement. Thinks he should leave the area but keeps putting it off. There is a movement to "establish a 'Choo-Choo' line for passengers and freight between Nome and Solomon." Writte on YMCA Army...

GLC05245.29

to Owen Horsfall

He would have met Owen in Portland had he known about Owen's trip earlier. He discusses what career Owen should pursue. He points out that Owen's strength in mathematics would serve him well as a Ph.D. or in the mechanical, electrical, civil and...

GLC05245.30

to "my dear loved ones all"

The rolling of the ship makes it difficult for him to write and to sleep at night. The boat stopped at Sitka, home to the Executive Mansion, Juneau, Yakurat, and Kayak island. [continued on 2/20] He arrived in Valdez the day before and had "never...

GLC05245.31

to "Owen and all"

Discusses working for three partners on building a waterwheel and piers at the junction of the Copper and Svlutiva rivers. States that the scarcity of horses has made moving supplies difficult and instead they have had to chop down logs in the...

GLC05245.32

to boys

Discusses a trail cutting and bridge building job he got through a "dicker" with J.A. Crutteudeu. Wants Ed to choose a profession and find a position in it and advises Owen to take the Saltain[?] job rather than stay in the bakery. He is on the...

GLC05245.33

to my dear children

Reports there is no snow for sleds so he must use horses to carry the mail. Claims it is difficult to cross rivers with the horses because the ice is too thin to hold them. Rests in a "skookum" log cabin halfway through the six day round trip....

GLC05245.34

to Owen Horsfall

Describes this letter as "Via Valdez and Gokona." Encloses it in this letter due to his "inability to procure the Draft in time." States the weather has been unusually nice recently.

GLC05245.35

to Owen Horsfall

He is sending the Draft for $100 he intended to enclose in his previous letter. He quit the mail service a month ago and is planning to go to Nome by way of Seattle. The winds are strong buildings must be propped up to withstand them. He is no...

GLC05245.36

to My dear boys and girl

Thinks Owen should do some "rusticating" and worries about his nosebleeds. Thinks last year's strikes are affecting the gold output and that individual mining is coming to an end. He is glad Uncle Jesse Knight is taking care of the holdings....

GLC05245.37