1900-1910

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Header Record

Title: Collection of letters of Charles Horsfall [decimalized .01-.53]. [various places]

Writes to his children and wife about Klondike gold fields, mining, life in Alaska, Mormons, and the 1906 election. Horsfall was a Mormon.

GLC05245

22 July 1900 - 11 August 1900

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

Complains to his son that business is "very dull" and everyone is "disappointed at the actual conditions when compared with what they had expected." Comments on lowered prices for items such as bread, flour, and lumber. He had stomach cramps and a man gave him some medicine which was supposed to cure "biliousness," but it made him vomit. Says that it is a "hard experience" and he's not making any money now, but he thinks he'll come back with more money than he started with. He's building a rocker and working on a suction pipe, but there are problems with the weather. He's raising dogs in…

GLC05245.01

27 September 1900 - 1 October 1900

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

Writes to his son about everyday matters in Alaska concerning his work and the weather. Encloses a letter for Haslam and Mullen, and sends these letters with Jerry Langford, who surprised him by calling that afternoon. Mentions that the town's water supply during the winter will be from ice they haul from some of the fresh water creeks. Postscript dated 1 October states he had to send the letter by mail instead. Written on stationary from the Alaska Gold Mining Company, Cape Nome, Alaska.

GLC05245.02

15 October 1900

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter

Title: to Owen Horsfall [incomplete]

Writes to his son that he and other men bought a sail boat for $700, and he has made some money by transporting passengers to the U.S. Transport "Lawton," and charging "$1.00 pr head." He found that the currents "are quite a factor in boating business as they run from 4 to 6 miles per hour." Describes "hauling wood up close to the cabin, as they come and take it right from ones door, if not watched." He is a stockholder in the company, but he and Ben would like to go into business by themselves. An Idaho man gave him a nugget of gold which he is sending along with a "little pair of mits,…

GLC05245.03

11 November 1900

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter

Title: to Owen Horsfall [incomplete]

Writes to his son about a blizzard "4º below zero, wind blowing from N.E. at the rate of 60 miles an hour, and sand and snow cutting the skin off one's face in going against it." Comments on the brilliant northern lights. Plans to mush with Jim Reed and the dogteam to stake ground. Supposes McKinley was elected President, but it will be a long time before he knows for sure. Written on stationary from the Alaska Gold Mining Company, Cape Nome, Alaska. Last page or pages missing.

GLC05245.04

30 November 1900

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

Writes to his son stating that many men lost their lives from starvation or exposure as they were stuck with their dogteams on the trail to Teller, Alaska. He was talking to a friend, who told him that last summer at the local saloon and gambling house "they got all of their claims from parties who did not think much of them and would sell them for $10 or perhaps a hundred dollars each, or perhaps wanted a few dollars for a gambling stake…" Written on stationary from the Alaska Gold Mining Company, Cape Nome, Alaska.

GLC05245.05

17 May 1903

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 avoid it and return to family life in Salt Lake City. It is up to her to decide what they will do. He begs her to write to him. With letter to his children also dated 17 May 1903 (see GLC05245.18.02).

GLC05245.18.01

circa November 11, 1907

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [children] [incomplete]

The snow and storm have made it quite dark. Reports that he periodically gets up to make a fire while Ben tends to the horses and together they bought and share a cross cut saw. The ice stretched 500 feet out from the shore. Says he intended to send them a gold nugget but forgot. Written on Alaska Goldmining Company stationary.

GLC05245.39

20 October 1910

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

Horsfall apologizes to his son Owen for not writing sooner. Writes that he enjoys the work and outdoors, stating "I have felt even better than usual, tho' nothing seems to ail me at any time." Relates that "Dr. Cannon and his Chief Lieutenant had a babptism in Bering Sea a few weeks ago (a woman), and I understand there was a great crowd to see it, which is natural, considering the proverbial curiosity of the ordinary public pertaining to Mormon." Written at Fort Davis

GLC05245.53

17 May 1903

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Header Record

Title: Two letters of Charles Horsfall, one to his wife, and one to his children [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC05245.18

17 May 1903

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Children

Mentions how much the children must have grown. Talks about selling all his equipment; boilers, engines, pipe tools, etc. States he will enclose a money order with this letter. First page is written in very light pencil, and there is bleedthrough from the ink on the other side making it difficult to read. With letter to his wife Mary of the same date (see GLC05245.18.01).

GLC05245.18.02

1900/12/01

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

He describes his daily morning chores. There was ice on the beach 10-15 feet high that morning. He would give $50,000.00 if he had it to be able to spend Thanksgiving at home with his family.

GLC05245.06

1900/12/10

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

Writes to his son that at times he becomes discouraged not knowing what the coming season will bring. The days are short, the sun rises at 9:30 am and sets at 1:45 pm. "The camp is quite civilized this winter compared to last…" The Editor of the "Nome News" stated that this Thanksgiving there was turkey and mince pies, and last Thanksgiving there was beans and rice. This year there were dress suits and "decollette dresses" at a dance, and last year there were overalls and parkas. There is a school there with 2 teachers and 50 pupils.

GLC05245.07

1901/01/21-1901/1/22

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

Wants his family to spend the winter with him after they find land. Feels he has to make up for his past drinking and gambling, and states, "All my best endeavors for the rest of my life shall be put forward to atone for my neglect during the past year and a half." Describes himself as a "broken reed" and hopes his son doesn't turn out like him.

GLC05245.08

1901/03/03

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

Describes doctoring Pearson for badly frozen toes, wrists, and cheeks,using carbonized water and vaseline. Complains about the long winter. "March has come in like a lamb and will probably go out like the proverbial lion."

GLC05245.09

1901/07/10

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

He's leaving camp for the hills for a few months. His hair is turning white, he says he's "not cut out for a miner or prospector especially to commence it so late in life." See GLC05245.11 for a note that was included with this letter.

GLC05245.10

1901/07/10

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

A list of words which Owen spelled wrong on his last letter, the corrections, and a note that Charles is sending a book of views under a separate cover. Written on a report form from the Alaska Gold Mining Company. (See GLC 5245.10 for the letter this accompanied).

GLC05245.11

1901/09/03

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Owen Horsfall

He started out on a prospecting trip and went as far as Teller, but returned to his cabin because, "his chicken had enough of prospecting in such beastly weather." When he returned home he found his cabin had been broken into, and all of his clothes, blankets, and canned foods were stolen. He wants Owen to send him some more clothes

GLC05245.12

1901/10/27

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

1902/01/06

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 "Engineer or Master Mechanic." He expects to hear from Berry in Australia. One man froze to death and three others were badly frozen. [continued on 01/08] He thinks Owen and Eddie would really enjoy a visit. He has lost weight. He would like to send for The Nature Cure by Physical and Mental Methods.

GLC05245.14

1902/04/20

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Transportation Company for $10 to $15 per day. He has disposed of the horses and all but two dogs. Berry has left Australia. Hopes the boys will visit and asks them to send him Appleton's Mechanical Encyclodpedia. The "Bering Strait is frozen clear across the Siberian coast." Describes rescuing a Government horse that had fallen through the ice. […

GLC05245.15

1902/06/19

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 " not accountable to him."

GLC05245.16

1902/10/28

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Eskimos are ice fishing again.

GLC05245.17

1903/06/19

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 when he can.

GLC05245.19

1903/08/16

Horsfall, Charles G., fl. 1900-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 summer. He has arranged for Owen to get his diamond stud. He will check Carol's horoscope and describes the importance of astrology as well as palmistry. He mentions automobiles and their frequent accidents. Written at Fort Davis

GLC05245.20