Letter from Frederick W. Maurer to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 6 September 1921
Date6 September, 1921
ms numberStefansson Mss-98, Box 9, Folder 7
abstract
Persistent Identifier
^Northern Exploration^
Wrote his
wife + Mother
Nome, Alaska
September 6th 1921
Mr V. Stefansson,
Harvard Club,
New York City.
Dear Mr. Stefansson:-
We finally landed ashore last
Friday afternoon, Sept 2nd, after a fifteen day
voyage. The Victoria's first arrival here
was August 27th, but bad weather conditions
would not permit our landing. After
laying offshore 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 in as much as Mr Lindeberg
failed to meet his notes in their possession.
The $750
00
furnished by Mr Lindeberg has been
2
applied toward 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 procedure.
As the season is already late and the
Pioneer Mining Co and their representative Mr Cochran
being intagonistic 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
3
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 return 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
4
pretty much worried over my safety, and
I'm sure a letter from you assuring her that
all will be well with me, will releave 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 St.
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. Heres hoping
you join us next summer. Many people in Nome
expecting you then.
Respectfully and loyally yours,
F. W. Maurer
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