Copies of letters by Allan Crawford to Vilhjalmur Stefansson and Helen Crawford, 1921
Date18 August, 1921
ms numberStefansson Mss-98, Box 9, Folder 6
abstract
Persistent Identifier
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Hotel Frye, Seattle,
Aug. 18th, '21.
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 thay 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
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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.
A. R. Crawford
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Mrs. J. T. Crawford, Toronto.
Aug. 18th, '21.
Dear Mother:
Your letters up to Aug. 12th arrived. I guess this will
be the last from you for some time as it is 12 noon and at 3 P.M. the
Victoria sails. You should hear from me either by wireless in three
weeks (not likely) or by mail about end of September. My address is
Stefansson A. Ex. & Dev. Co., Ltd.,
614 Credit Foncier Bldg.,
Vancouver, B.C.
They will have latest forwarding address. You might tell
any of my friends this. Glad to hear of Marjorie and [gap: ] joining
Tennis Club. The microscope belongs U.T.S. boots and low shoes are
no good. Do anything you like with the "lab" in the cellar. You
can throw away all the liquid and the bottles with powders in them
can be put anywhere. Cards received. Since photos may be lost will
send another from Nome as they are packed now.
I am asking Stefansson to write to you. His forwarding
address is always Harvard Club, New York City. He is going to England
for reasons very shortly and should return before the new year.
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On very careful consideration I have done something which
may seem unwise to you but as I am situated it seems like a very fine
thing. I am taking five shares of stock in this company. The payment is $50 a month for ten months. This I did without any suggestion
on the part of Stefansson (he is the company) or anyone else. The
reasons are twofold.(1) I am convinced that Stefansson now and for
some time to come is the big man of the north; this identified me with
his interests. (2) If we procure a lease of this place from England
the possibilities are tremendous. It would take too long to explain
them. Reindeer, furs and minerals. Last night I was honoured with a
two hour private talk with Judge G. Lomen of Nome, Alaska who holds
the biggest judicial position in that country and is known to every
Alaskan. He is Lindeberg's (one of the big financiers of that country)
attorney and sees a wonderful future in the reindeer industry. I feel
quite confident in saying that as formerly great fortunes were made
from minerals, railways and the exploitation of wheat land, so in the
future the reindeer meat industry is the big thing. Cattle ranching
is rapidly becoming unprofitable in the states and provinces that were
meant for wheat. The reindeer stays out winter and summer without
shed or shelter, procures its own food. Two herders can handle herd
of 10,000. Stefansson has lease of Baffin's Sand for 50 years. He
himself is primarily an explorer and is not out for moeny but there is
lots there.
Expect to hear from me end of September. Will send two
similar letters, one father, one you, in case one is lost.
Love to all
Allan.
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