Letter from Allan R. Crawford to Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 6 September 1921

^ Stef. Arctic Ex ^

C O P Y

September 6th, 1921

Dear Mr. Stefansson:

This will be my last till we reach the island. The following 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 on 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 partly to uncertainness of affairs.

4. In looking over my wires to you I see I state "Nothing done by Lindeberg." 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 receiving 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 Pioneer 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 payed 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 Co. The Pioneer claim he cannot be called their 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.

C O P Y

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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 unsavoury reputation here. He is attorney for Pioneer Mines and regulates his actions on advice from San Francisco. He has blocked us in every way because 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 description 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. Follows 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 forceps 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 A 1 reputation. Will let you know more from the island about his work.

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

C O P Y

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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.

Intended start ten this morning. No arrival of dogs is delaying us until noon.

The dogs have arrived.

Good bye.

(signed) Allan R. Crawford.