Copies of letters and telegrams between Allan Crawford and Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 1921

(COPY)

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO 168 Walmer Road, TORONTO , Apr. 11th, 1921

Mr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson , Harvard Club , NEW YORK City .

Dear Sir:

Your letter to Sir Robert Falconer , President of Toronto Univ ersity asking him to nominate an assistant on your next expedition, has been referred to me by Dr. W. A. Parks , Prof. of Palaeontology. I under stand that my name is being sent to you so I thought it might be wise to furnish some further particulars.

I am twenty years old ( 1/2/01 ), weigh 151 lbs. and am 5' 10" high. I have never had any eye trouble and I believe my vision is above average. My circulation and heart action is OK and I have a good stom ach. I have never had any serious contagious disease.

I was under age to go overseas but I was in the Officers Train ing Corps in Canada . I was employed by the Geological Survey of Canada last summer in Algoma and so have had some practical experience in Pre Cambrian geology. In this matter I might refer you to Mr. Ellis Thomson , Dept. of Mineralogy at Toronto University or Dr. W. A. Collins , Director of the survey.

I am writing my third year exams. at Toronto . My college work for the last two years has been chiefly geology, palaeontology, chemistry and mineralogy. I have had a good grounding in science and mathematics having taken the first Edward Blake Scholarship in Science at the Honour Matriculation examination at Toronto University in 1918.

Although I have not written for my degree I find in my course I am up against men much older and more experienced than myself. I feel

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I could acquit myself much more creditably if I had the opportunity such as you offer. My father. Prof. J. T. Crawford , is quite in accord with my ideas. If you are disposed to consider me we might arrange an inter view either in New York or wherever would be convenient for you.

Yours very sincerely, (SIGNED) Allan R. Crawford .

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(TELEGRAM)

Phoenix , April 24, 1921 .

Allan R. Crawford , 168 Walmer Head, Toronto, Ontario, Canada .

Regret through misforwarding your letter April eleven received only today your qualifications look good you should hear from me again inside two weeks. My address May fifth Altadena May tenth Santa Barbara California both general delivery.

V. Stefansson .

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168 Walmer Road, Toronto . April 30th, 1921

Mr. V. Stefansson , General Delivery, Altadena, California .

Dear Mr. Stefansson : This is just to acknowledge receipt of your wire of April 24th . Iam awaiting the letter you mention.

Yours sincerely, (SIGNED) A. R. Crawford .

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Elko, Nevada , June 11, 1921 .

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Elko, Nevada June 11, 1921 .

Dear Mr. Crawford :

I am not sure I can offer you this year anything attractive in the way of northern exploration, but can you meet me at Ann Arbor, Michig an , June 30 --arriving there June 29 to be ready? I am unfortunately tied on a western lecture tour by a contract but am getting leave to come east for that one day to get an LLD degree from Michigan .

It will be but a brief conversation, but on the chance of its coming to something I shall pay your expenses if you will risk the time.

( SIGNED) V. Stefansson .

Mr. Allan R. Crawford , 168 Walmer Road, Toronto . Please reply by night letter collect.

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Muskoka Assembly, Lake Rosseau, Muskoka, Ontario . June 19, 1921 .

Vilhjalmur Stefansson , Jerome, Idaho .

Dear Mr. Stefansson :

I am in receipt of your letter of June 11th and wired you at Ashton, Ida . yesterday. I will be at Ann Arbor on June 29th and 30th as you advise. This letter is just to let you know in case the telegram did not reach you today at Ashton.

Sincerely, (SIGNED) Allan R. Crawford .

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Sunnyside, Wash . Aug. 7, 1921 .

Dear Crawford : After you secure a price from the wholesale hardware and groc ery companies, wire me the amount and wait for confirmatory telegram

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before filling out blank checks. If there is hurry, you can save time by "rush” telegrams.

The understanding was you would buy two tons of groceries--no canned goods or preserves in glass. Bacon and butter should be limited as they are expensive and can be replaced by bear and seal fat.

(SIGNED) V. Stefansson . I am writing Knight at McMinnville about Galle .

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Sunnyside August 7, 1921

Dear Crawford :

I fear it will be imperative to keep our Seattle expenditures under $2,000.00. If Knight is still there go over the list with him and see where you can save. Nearly all Eskimos own their own rifles, tents, etc., so if you hire them you may not have to supply them. If Knight thinks well of it I suggest cutting the six rifles to four, the ammunition from 6,500 to 4,500, the shotguns from 4 large and 1 small to 2 large and 1 small, and the ready loaded ammunition proportionately. I would not cut the powder short. If you have the right primers and loading tools you can reload the paper shell 2 or 3 times each shell--both the small and large. I think 2 big and 2 small tents will do (instead of 4 of each) as you will build driftwood houses.

Do not omit anything Knight thinks really needed. In the pro vision line bacon, butter and chocolate are luxuries becuase fat and meat take their place and you will soon run out of them anyhow.

We have a $1250.00 credit in Nome , which you can use for food, etc., if some is left over after buying dogs, etc. I am having Taylor send you £500.00 from Vancouver .

(SIGNED) V. Stefansson .

1/2 dozen primer stoves would be enough. Go through the whole list after you get the prices and see where to save.

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5 (TELEGRAM)

Seattle, Wash. , August 8, 1921 .

V. Stefansson , Care Ellison White, Chautauqua , Yakima, Wash.

Victoria sails Twentieth arrives twelfth and Drydocks possibly delayed longer.

Allan R. Crawford .

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Hotel Frye , Seattle, Washington . August 9, 1921 .

Dear Mr. Stefansson :

Your letter Aug. 7th received and reply wired. We will be most careful with expenses.

Have sent report of expenses to Ellison-White Aug. 1st to 6th totaling $25.28 which you should receive from them. You should also re ceive from Ellison-White cheque covering expenses Aug. 19 -31 for $62.64 or thereabouts.

Enclosed is report extra expenses Aug. 1-6.

Two pair binoculars have arrived and seem satisfactory. Copy of Seattle Times has been sent you. Have rented a typewriter as you see and am getting the accounts entered.

Have sent a couple of photographs of myself to you under separate cover.

Sincerely, (SIGNED) A. R. Crawford .

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(REPORT ATTACHED TO ABOVE LETTER)

THE STEFANSSON ARCTIC EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD. OF VANCOUVER, B.C .

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REPORT EXPENSES Aug. 1st - 6th 1921

(SIGNED) A. R. Crawford .

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(TELEGRAM)

Seattle, Wash. Aug. 11, 1921 .

V. Stefansson , Care Ellison White Chautauqua Missoula Mont

Knight gone home stop clothing groceries photographic supplies cased for shipment twelve hundred plus passage and freight seven fifty stop can scarcely cut above as were cased before your letter arrived stop hardware order held can eliminate more from it stop right if can duplicate at nome stop more satisfactory to arrange for one thousand more here wire definitely tonight so I can proceed stop Victoria sails eighteenth

Allan Crawford .

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( TELEGRAM)

7 Missoula, Montana .

Allan Crawford , Frye Hotel , Seattle, Wash .

Replying Knight s telegram through you in case he has gone home stop have asked Taylor send you five hundred you may sign blank checks for maximum two thousand making total twenty five hundred available for goods freight and passages to Nome where you have twelve hundred fifty additional credit Miners and Merchants bank arranged by Lindeberg would prefer if you spend only two thousand or less Seattle as I can later raise more money in time to cable it your credit Nome where you can buy what you lack you or Knight reply day letter today Missoula .

V. Stefansson .

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(TELEGRAM)

Missoula, Montana .

Allan Crawford , Frye Hotel , Seattle, Wash .

Your telegram August eleven stop as explained my telegram yesterday shall have more money available Nome stop Taylor sending you five hundred you may fill out blank checks for maximun twenty five hundred giving three thousand total to cover all expenditures of party up to reaching Nome stop defer pay ments freight if pressed for money till reaching Nome .

V. Stefansson .

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Hotel Frye , Seattle, Wash . Aug. 13th, 1921 .

Dear Mr. Stefansson :

The $500.00 by Mr. Taylor has arrived together with the extra $500.00 you have ($2500.00 in all in your account) allowed we shall do very nicely. Everything is in order except hardware and as Schwabachers assure me there is time I am letting Knight attend to that when he returns Monday

8 morning.

You will probably see in the press that the Polar Bear is at Nome I have made inquiries and there is no truth in it.

I found it necessary to call on Mr. Thomsen to get endorsement on one of your cheques. This I cashed for $1,000.00 in Amer. Express Co. cheques the other Schwabachers will meet for $1,500.00. Any further in structions should be sent me immediately or it will be too late. Although as I stated in my wire of the 11th Victoria sails 18th it is possible she may be delayed a day or two.

(SIGNED) A. R. Crawford .

Have arranged to defer freight payment.

Just on point of mailing this have rec’d your copy letter to Knight . Your telegram of 12th allows $2,500.00 on your cheques. Shall govern myself by that unless you wire otherwise. Mr. Anderson has written to me about the books, etc. Copy of my letter to Mr. Taylor (answered by Mr. Anderson ) has been sent you. Answer to it by you is now unnecessary. Galle arrives Sunday night.

A.R.C.

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(TELEGRAM: NIGHT LETTER)

Billings, Mont. August 15, 1921 .

Allan Crawford , Frye Hotel , Seattle, Wash.

Through telephone find George Lomen and his father Judge Lomen due arrive on Victoria from Nome get from Judge Lomen information about Orion Gladiator other possible ships also available sailors in Nome stop Knight and Maurer should see him also send me summary by night letter.

V. Stefansson

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(TELEGRAM: DAY LETTER)

Seattle, Washington , Aug, 15, 1921 .

V. Stefansson , Billings, Mont.

Wire received stop Knight arrived this morning stop Schwabachers bill at present thirteen fifty stop we will follow your instructions when Maurer arrives stop Schwabachers will take one thousand cash and bill the company at Vancouver for the remainder stop would this be satisfactory stop wire instructions immediately stop everything else arranged.

Allan R. Crawford .

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R.R, Train, Near Billings, Montana . August 15, 1921 .

Dear Mr. Crawford :

Formal instructions to you are scarcely needed as we have talked things over in general and you understand our plans. In general we must rely only on the resulting understanding of the problem involved, and upon mutual good faith.

You must usually make your own decisions, preferably after con sulting Knight and Maurer . Use the telegraph freely, however Night Letters from Nome are not very expensive. Use the address as printed on this sheet adding ’’Care of American Geographic Society ".

If Maurer can buy some shares in our company he will give you the money which you will use to pay the imperative bills of the expedition.

Alwasy remember the following: Although I have confidence in you, you are [gap: ] in command through the accident of being British while Knight and Maurer are not. They have valuable experience which you lack. You are consequently about in the position of a young man inheriting a property which he has no experience in managing. The wiser you are the more you will follow the advice of your experienced men, Knight and Maurer .

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There will not be much scientific work that you can do during the good trapping season. Should you care to change your present contract with the Company so as to make it identical with that of Knight or of Maurer we should be glad of a letter from you to that effect. It will suit us equally well to have your present contract stand. In case it stands, you may trap is you like, but in that case your whole catch should belong to the Company.

Assuming that there will be only three men trapping ( Knight , Maurer , Galle ) their pay is as follows:

The entire fur catch, ivory, etc. will be sold. Of the gross pro ceeds fifte en per cent will be set aside (15%) and divided into five equal parts. Of these parts, Knight gets one, plus $100.00 per month; Maurer gets two, plus $50.00 per month; and Galle gets two with no additional pay. If there are more men who trap and who are to share in profits, the fifteen per cent of the fur will be divided so as to have each man share in the proport ion intended by the above arrangement.

If you can not reach the island in question you should spend the winter on the mainland (to the South and cross over by sled in March or early April to raise the flag. This should be done no matter if men of our or any other nation are already on the island. Take photos of the ceremony and write a document to deposit in a cairn, keeping a carbon copy. In this say not only that you take possession in the name of the King and Empire, but also that this is done to continue the right to the island already estab lished by the Stefansson Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913-18 (giving date and place of ceremony of 1914 which Maurer knows.)

You will decide in Nome whether to plan to keep on the island or send back to Nome the "Orion”. There will be arguments for either course. It would be useful to me, though not essential to have news that you have actually landed. You might consider the advisability of crossing to the mainland in March and sending out a wireless by the same means used by Amundsen (about which you can learn in Nome ).

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Should "Orion" for any reason fail you, you may be able to make some other arrangements through Gladiator or some other ship (purchase or charter).

Whatever happens send me a night letter the first day after land ing in Nome . You may give out any news that does not reveal anything con fidential.

If you find you must tell people where you are going, you may say that if the season appears too late or the ice too bad for reaching Barrow , you may winter on the Siberian coast or possibly go to Wrangel Island .

Good luck!

(SIGNED) V. Stefansson . Please show this letter to Knight and Maurer .

Hotel Frye , Seattle . August 16, 1921 .

Dear Mr. Stefansson :

Have your memo Aug. 14th Swingston. Expect Mr. Anderson will pay me a visit from Vancouver and I will see that all your advances are credited to you on the books of the company .

They are as follows:

As Canadian funds buying are quoted 10 1/2 today this represents about $3137 at Vancouver .

Do not forget two expense accounts owed you by Ellison-White during my regime--July 19th-31st $62.64 and Aug. 1st-6th $25.28 these no doubt you have received.

You have perhaps forgotten I borrowed $24 from you on the road above the $50 you gave me. I am enclosing my cheque on Vancouver for this

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amt. plus exchange. That makes things square. As Maurer was with Ellis on-White (with lantern) till Aug. 14th, I suppose I should tell Anderson to begin his salary from Aug. 15th, Maurer agrees with this. This recalls something to me. Have Ellison-White reimbursed you for my salary and for Maurer 's? I don't recall your mentioning it so I am enclosing a letter to mail to them if you see fit. As this was earned in service of company I have asked them to pay Vancouver . Mr. Anderson should get the copy en closed so he will understand. Your advances to Knight have been $250 which shall also be credited to you in the books. And to Galle by yourself $50 and by me$40. This will also be noted. Also Maurer 's railway fare $35 and the $50 you gave him. This makes in Canadian funds with sum on page 1 altogether about $3563. The business of exchange may cause some mix-up in the matter of pay. I understand I am getting Canadian money the rest of the men will abide by your decision.

Mr. Anderson advises me that it would have been much better to have had money and bills paid pass through the company. This information would have been helpful a week ago but arriving yesterday it didn't serve much purpose. It however led me to wire suggestion to pay balance of ac count in Vancouver .

I am sorry to have caused you so much worry about the outfit but the way things went it was unavoidable.

I am hoping to take out $500 pay in shares and have advised Mr. Anderson of this. I expect to know whether this is possible in the morn ing.

Judge Lomen is anxious to know whether you know of anyone to whom a good reindeer investment would appeal. He is trying to raise one hundred thousand. Address him Hotel Frye , as he is stopping here. He will leave forwarding address.

Sincerely,

(SIGNED) Allan R. Crawford .

12 (TELEGRAM)

Lewistown, Montana . August 18, 1923 .

Allan Crawford , Frye Hotel , Seattle, Wash .

Glad you Maurer bought shares however keep expenses about limit previously proposed need money for Europe trip good luck

V. Stefansson .

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(TELEGRAM)

Seattle, Wash . August 18, 1921 .

V. Stefansson , Care Ellison White Chautauqua Roundup, Montana .

Hope your trip England successful we will do our best

Allan R. Crawford .

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Hotel Frye , Seattle, Wash . August 18, 1921 .

Dear Mr. Stefansson :

Your letter of instructions arrived and will do my best to follow them.

From conversation with Maurer and later on receipt of your letter I gather that you think I am going to devote my time to mapping etc. when the others were on the traps. I never meant to give this impression to you. I have intended to do as much as possible. What I meant to imply was should any contingency crop up that in the interests of your work would take me off the line for a couple of days I would not like to get a share in the other man's fur. Especially now since I am buying shares I will need what is left to finish up at Varsity.

We are all hoping that the trip to England will be successful we will do our best.

(SIGNED) A. R. Crawford .

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Nome, Alaska September 2nd, 1921 .

Dear Mr. Stefansson : When you have received this no doubt everything will be satis factorily arranged.

At present the Pioneer Mining Co. are the owners of the Orion. So far as I can learn no arrangements had been made for our using it. The credit at the Miners and Merchants Bank is $975.00. It will be necessary to charter a boat either the Olga or the Silver Wave both of which are large or else the Orion. At present the Orion appears to be the boat. I have wired Mr. Taylor for more money and am wiring you to same effect. We were unable to land Aug. 27th when we arrived and the Victoria took all passengers to St. Micheals . Just got off today. This letter is really unnecessary but as monthly mail closes in a few minutes I felt I should drop you a line.

Sincerely, (SIGNED) Allan R. Crawford .

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(TELEGRAM)

Nome, Alaska , Sept. 3, 1921 .

V. Stefansson , Care American Geological Survey , 3755 Broadway, New York City .

Orion not chartered Lindeberg not owner stop bank credit nine seventy five stop must have two thousand to charter Orion or other boat have wired Taylor stop reply

Allan R. Crawford .

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( TELEGRAM) New York , Sept. 4, 1921 .

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Allan Crawford , Care of Carl Lomen , Nome, Alaska .

Ask Lomen on security ten shares reindeer stock arrange defer part payment charter stop Lindeberg sent additional seven hundred fifty to man in charge Orion can you apply that also on charter money try start outfitting immediate ly will make some arrangement satisfactory pioneer mining company latest Tuesday how about chartering some other ship reply night letter Chateau Laur ier , Ottawa .

V. Stefansson .

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(TELEGRAM)

Ottawa, Canada , Sept. 5, 1921

Allan Crawford , Care of Carl Lomen , Nome, Alaska .

Charter whichever ship surest get there money coming from Vancouver tomorrow.

V. Stefansson .

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(TELEGRAM)

Ottawa, Can. Sept. 5, 1921 .

Allan Crawford , Care of Carl Lomen , Nome, Alaska .

After conference Lomen , Knight , Maurer use judgment which boat charter or buy main object get there fear Taylor misunderstood your wire fourth if so wire him again for money he will relay news to me and can send you money if need ed. If urgent only address me Harvard Club .

V. Stefansson .

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September 6th, 1921

Dear Mr. Stefansson : This will be my last till we reach the island . The following

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points should meet your attention:

1. Knight says you have made no mention of his application for ten shares. Mr. Anderson has his application.

2. Mr. Taylor tells me he has been notified by you of my application for option on ten shares. I am sending Mr. Anderson my cheque for one hundred dollars for this option.

3. You have perhaps been annoyed at irregularity of telegrams from me. This was due partly to irregularity of telegraph office hours here and part ly to uncertainness of affairs.

4. In looking over my wires to you I see I state "Nothing done by Linde berg ". Meant to wire "Nothing wired by Lindeberg " (concerning Orion mix up on $750.) It was only by conversation with Mr. Bachelor, paying tell. M. and M. bank , that I got track of the $750 as Pioneer people denied re ceiving it.

5. The boat affair has been explained to you in Maurer 's letter which he read to me. I might give this synopsis, based on what I judge to be correct. Lindeberg organized Golivin Fishing Station and offered in case it did not pay to take it up with his own money from the Pioneer Mining Co. This was the case and he gave his unsecured notes for one hundred thousand more or less The Orion altho an asset of the Golivin Fishing Station had been registered by Lindeberg unfortunately in the name of the Pioneer Mining Co. The Pion eer Co. do not wish to foreclose on notes since the Golivin Fishing Station is worthless at present. The Orion therefore belongs to Lindeberg but the clearance could not be gained from this port unless that title were shown in the register. This would entail legal action for which there is no time.

6. The matter of $750.

This money was paid J. H. Young of Golivin to repair and launch the boat. Young has been in charge of this boat I understand and has had use of it this season without charter. He was in charge of repairs under orders of Pioneer Mining Company . The Pioneer claims he can not be called their

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agent. This is untrue. The Mining Company claim they knew nothing of the money. It will be necessary to recover this money by legal action and this should be done. Your position is clear.

A. If Lindeberg is owner they have blocked owner’s agents (of course we have no power of attorney from Lindeberg ) but they have used boat all summer without charter.

B. If they own the boat they have misappropriated your $750.

7. It is well that I show to you the names of several men whom you should not forget when you come here.

The Lomen Brothers have done everything they could to help us. They will receive our very sincere thanks and should receive yours.

O. W. Cochran - When times were good this man was Lindeberg ’s friend. Now he takes every opportunity to snap at him. Cochran has a most unsav oury reputation here. He is attorney for Pioneer Mines and regulates his actions on advice from San Francisco . He has blocked us in every way be cause we are friendly to Lindeberg . He has lied right and left to me. He is a bitter enemy of the Lomens . You may not recognize him by this descript ion next year for he will be first to grasp your hand. We all expect you to do something to recover your money and show him up.

Charles Johnston - Manager of the Pioneer Mines . Without backbone. Fol lows Cochran's orders. Spoke of the "Almighty Power" etc., you know the type. Not in same class as Cochran . Cochran by the way speaks religion considerably.

Dr. Fromm - was very reasonable with the other men and gave us tooth for ceps, etc. free.

8. The boat we are taking Silver Wave, Captain Jack Hammer . Silver Wave is judged to be best about here and Hammer has an A1 reputation. Will let you know more from the island about his work.

9. Bob Adams the oil man has just passed through here from Barrow . He is going to see Meighen soon who, he says, is a great admirer of your work. I

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suggested he mention your work to the Premier . Perhaps he might be a valuable ally to you. This may have been forward on my part.

September 7th, 1921 . 10. Taylor evidently received my wire with the fifteen omitted as he has sent me one hundred instead of 15 hundred.

September 8th, 1921 . 11. Fifteen hundred dollars arrives, charter signed, boat nearly loaded. $600 deposit paid Captain Hammer , $2000 guarantee placed by Lomens to be taken up from Vancouver office.

12. Have hired Eskimo Ada Blackjack to come with us to sew, wages $50 per month, start Sept. 9th. Seems high but was Knight 's advice. No time to call farther up for Eskimo family.

September 9th, 1921 . Intended start ten this morning. No arrival of dogs is delaying us until noon.

The dogs have arrived.

Good bye, (SIGNED) Allan R. Crawford .

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(TELEGRAM)

Nome, Alaska , Sept. 7, 1921 .

V. Steffenson , Chateau Laurier , Ottawa, Ont.

Your security unnecessary Lomens stop our association with Lindeberg Pioneer making every effort to block us Orion ours but requested in Pioneer name seven fifty misappropriation by them Pioneer negotiation inadvisable silver Wave best boat ready to load waiting confirmation of charter and fifteen hundred for deposit and purchase immediately.

Allan R. Crawford

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Wrangel Island , September 15th, 1921 . 5:30 P. M.

Dear Mr. Stefansson :

Commencing this letter 1/2 mi. off shore. Left Nome Sept. 9th. Called East Cape, Siberia to purchase skin boat, sighted island noon yester day. Resembles in outline and color country round Lewiston, Idaho . Large flat spaces near coast but seems to be mostly hilly. Snow on highest of hills looks like this year’s. Have as yet seen not a single ice cake.

6 P.M. Stopped—don't think this is Rodger’s harbour . Maurer is uncertain. Started unloading. Have been very quiet about our business here since it appears the Russians think they own the island and their Siberian Patrol is liable to pay us an unwelcome visit. Finished unloading 11 P.M. Came aboard for meal and wrote till midnight up again 2:45 breakfast then ashore and raised flag and issued proclamation of which I enclose two copies. Next year bring a phonograph and records as we had no time to get one. Mr. Ander son has copies of grocery and hardware bill so you can see what we lack. At present we are one mi. west Rodger's Harbour . Fox and bear tracks abundant. Also bring Literary Digest, assay outfit and explanatory books—maybe placer gold. We have Esk. woman, Ada Blackjack , with us to sew. Lots of grazing for reindeer. Everyone seems very contented. Best of luck on European trip. Call on my people if in Toronto .

(SIGNED) Allan R. Crawford .

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