Letters and telegrams between Vilhjalmur Stefansson and Frederick Maurer, 1921

^ Knight's letters of this sent sent to J. I. Knight ^

(COPY)

February 23rd, 1921.

Dear Mr. Maurer:

During your stay on Wrangel Island did you ever go any considerable distance inland? Please write me as fully as you can about the vegetation of Wrangel Island, both from your own observations and from anything you may have heard from the other men who had been inland.

Did you see lichens, mosses or grasses? Were flowers common? On what parts of the island did you find the most driftwood and what kind of wood was it? Around Herschel Island the driftwood is chiefly spruce with a little pine and cotton wood. On Wrangel Island I have supposed that you might have found driftwood from the Pacific which would presumably be in part composed of logs of larger variety than those you see around Herschel Island.

I have noted what you said in one of your stories about killing a considerable number of foxes towards the end of your stay. Did it strike you that Wrangel Island is a good location for fox trapping or walrus hunting?

I hope you will be able to reply soon, as I am anxious to get these facts before my book goes to press.

Mr. Frederich W. Maurer, New Philadelphia, Ohio.

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(TELEGRAM)

Du Valle, Wash.

V. Stefansson, Care Ellison White, Chautauqua, Preston, Idaho.

Can you give me definite information as to prospects of going north anxious to accept proposition you offered but should know soon before close of

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Chautauqua season so can make plans accordingly if I go north will remain permanently hope your favorable reply by telegraph collect am now using films.

Fred W. Maurer.

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(TELEGRAM)

Fairmont, W. Va. March 18, 1921.

Fred W. Maurer, New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Please meet me Statler Hotel Cleveland forenoon March twenty-three for conference if possible period will pay your expenses reply collect Fairmont Hotel, Fairmont, West Virginia.

V. Stefansson.

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(TELEGRAM)

Akron, Ohio. March 19, 1921.

Mr. V. Stefansson, Hotel Fairmont, Fairmont, W. Va.

Will meet you per your wire of even date.

F. W. Maurer.

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(TELEGRAM)

Dayton, Idaho.

F. W. Maurer, Care of Chautauqua, Creston, Washington.

Sorry no chance to go north this year but think there will be next year if you still want to go hope you have success with movies good luck,

V. Stefansson.

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Belt, Montana. June 29, 1921.

Dear Mr. Stefansson:

Thank you for your telegram of a week ago.

It is regretable that your plans will not materialize this year. However, I am confident that the things you are working for will eventually unfold themselves to you.

As I told you in my telegram I am very desirous of going North with you. I would be glad to serve in any capacity you may see fit to place me; either with exploration party or developing commercial enterprise you mentioned the day we met changing trains. The prospects for future of such a proposition look promising.

Several weeks ago while in Oregon I was the guest of Knight for a day and enjoyed a pleasant visit with him and his people. We talked over our ideas of the North and decided we would like to go North together if possible. Knight is a likable fellow and am certain our team work would be congenial.

You may be interested in knowing about the films. It was not until Mr. White took charge of this circuit that I was able to get any cooperation from the office. Up to that time we had had four managers. It seems the substitution of slides for films did not meet with satisfaction with some of our audiences and as a result our manager at that time had already made arrangements for my leaving the circuit when Mr. White took charge at the eleventh hour. As soon as he learned the trouble there was a machine and competent operator furnished me. Since then everything has been going along very nicely and the films are going over "big".

As for the rental of my slides, I asked $20.00 a week during the four weeks they were in use. I considered this a fair price in view of the fact that quite a few were broken through having their inexperienced crew men handle them while operating lantern. It seems Mr. White and I can not arrive at an agreement on this as he is willing to allow only

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$10.00, saying that if I "held out" on my price he would have to refer the matter to you. Am enclosing his letter. However, I fail to see why you should be referred to in this case when they failed to live up to their end of the contract by not furnishing a satisfactory machine and operator in the beginning. I merely mention this in case they approach you on the subject.

While in Thompson Falls, Mont. a few days ago I met a Mr. Skulson and his wife who said they knew you very well; were reared together and have attended the same school in North Dakota. They asked me to remember them to you.

This circuit will close July 28th and I am wondering if you could use me as your operator for the balance of your circuit or during your lyceum tour this fall and winter. Since there are no possibilities of going North this year, I have no plans for the time after July 28th and would like to return to you in that word providing you have not made other arrangments.

Have burnt all my bridges to go North which I am banking on and hope you keep me in mind.

Would appreciate a reply at your convenience. With best wishes for your success, I remain

Cordially yours,

F. W. Maurer.

--------- (MEMO)

Livingston, Aug. 14, 1921.

Gave Maurer $50 ck. to give Galle. " " $50 for wages to date.

Maurer to buy thousand dollars in shares of company--company to agree to buy back shares at end of year for eleven hundred?

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Maurer to give all expenses accounts to Crawford--Company to reimburse Stefansson for money paid Maurer.

Gave Maurer $35 fare Nampa to Anacortes, Aug.2.

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Lewistown, Idaho. Aug. 18, 1921.

Fred Maurer, Care of E. L. Knight, Passenger Steamer Victoria, Seattle, Wash.

Glad you could buy shares. Hope you and all have good luck. Wired Knight and Crawford care Frye Hotel today. Write me from Nome. Hope to see you next year.

V. Stefansson.

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Seattle, Wash. Aug. 17, 1921.

V. Stefansson, Care Chautauqua, Lewistown, Mont.

Money received stop have purchased ten shares stop Crawford purchased five stop Mr. Anderson here from Vancouver stop We sail three o’clock afternoon eighteenth.

F. W. Maurer.

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Nome, Alaska. September 6, 1921.

Mr. V. Stefansson, Harvard Club, New York City.

Dear Mr. Stefansson:

We finally landed ashore last Friday afternoon, Sept. 2nd, after

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a fifteen day voyage. The Victoria's first arrival here was August 27th, but bad weather conditions would not permit our landing. After laying off shore a day the Victoria steamed for St. Michael where she remained six days discharging freight.

Our investigation here proved that the Orion is not available for our use being tied up in considerable legal complications.

Mr. Cochran, local attorney and representing the Pioneer Mining Co., claims the Orion is their property inas much as Mr. Lindeberg failed to meet his notes in their possession. The $750.00 furnished by Mr. Lindeberg has been applied against the expense of putting the Orion in commission. At the present writing the Orion is registered in the name of Pioneer Mining Co. and it appears to us that the only way of securing this $750.00 is through legal proceedure.

As the season is already late and the Pioneer Mining Co. and their representative, Mr. Cochran, being antagonistic against Mr. Lindeberg's interests, we consider negotiations with them unwise. It is commonly known here that Cochran is crooked and for many reasons has become very unpopular. I believe you should be acquainted with these facts so as to be on your guard in case of future dealings with this man and the company he represents. The sentiment here is against him.

At present we are awaiting your confirmation of the schooner Silver Wave charter, and additional money to meet purchases of such necessities that were not bought in Seattle. As soon as favorable news is received from you will proceed at once for our destination. It is considerable more expensive having to charter the Silver Wave, but she is the best boat available and in command of a capable captain.

All reports from the north as to ice conditions are favorable. If for any reason our progress is blocked, you can rest assured we will exert every effort to get there. You should know for certain on the re-

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turn of our boat, as I believe Crawford will arrange to have them wire you.

Mr. Anderson from Vancouver arrived in Seattle the day before we sailed and straightened out all our financial wrinkles. The money I received to place in the company was turned over to him, for which he gave me ten shares of stock at $100.00 per share. The conditions also were made clear to him.

If it is not asking too much of you, Mr. Stefansson, I would like to ask another favor of you. It seems I haven't been successful in convincing my mother that the North is a perfectly safe country to live in. She is pretty much worried over my safety, and I'm sure a letter from you, assuring her that all will be well with me, will relieve her of all unnecessary worry. I would also appreciate your writing a similar letter to my wife.

Mother's address:

Mrs. David Maurer, 209 West High Street, New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Mrs. Maurer's address:

911 Robbins Ave., Niles, Ohio.

If you can find time to write these letters, you will confer me a great favor.

All of us are wishing you great success in all your undertaking abroad. Here's hoping you join us next summer. Many people in Nome expect you then.

Respectfully and loyally yours, (SIGNED) F. W. Maurer.

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