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

Sept 6th 21

Dear Mr. Stefansson

This will 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 one hundred dollars for this option. 3. You have perhaps been annoyed at irrgularity of telegrams from me. this was due partly to irregularity of telegraph office hours here and partly to uncertainess of affairs. 4. In looking over my wires to you I see I state "nothing done by Lindberg meant to wire nothing wired by Lindeberg (concerning Orion mix up on $750. It was only by conversation with Mr. Bachelor, paying tell M+M Bank that I got track of the $750 as Pioneer people denied it. 5. The boat affair has been explained to you in Maurers letter which be

To V Stefansson

Sept 6th 21

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 foreclose on ?? notes since the Golivin Fishing Station is worthless at present. The Orion therefore belongs to Lindeberg but th clearance could not be gained from this port unless that little 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 outfit repair and launch the boat. Young has been in carg charge of the boat I understand and has had use of it this season

To V Stefansson

3

Sept 6th 21

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. I judge this to be a lie. They thought the money was Lindebergs and intended to steal it in the [: by smach].It will be necessary to recover this money by legal action and this should be done. Your position is clear.

X If you are Lindeberg is owner they have blocked owners agents and (of course we have no power of attorney from Lindeberg) as 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. The will receive our very sincere thanks and should receive yours.

To V Stefansson. [: 4]

Sept 6th 21

O. W. Cochran - when times were good this man was Lindeberg's friend. Now he ca takes every opportunity to snap at him. Cochran has l a most unsavoury reputation and regulates his actions 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 nexty year for he will be first to grasp your hand. We all expect you to do something to recover your money & show him up.

Charles Johnston - manager of the Pioneer Mines. Without m backbone follows Cochrans orders. Lied to us considerably altho I don't think I he wanted to. Spoke of the "Almighty over that 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 & gave us free dental tooth. forceps etc.

To V Stefansson 5 Sept 6th 21

8 The boat we are taking Silver Wave Captain Jack Hammer Silver Wave is judged by to be the 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 very great friend of his. Adams is a great admirer of your work I suggested he mention your work to the premier perhaps m he might be a valuable ally to you. This may have been forward on my part.

Sept 7 th 1921

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

Sept 8th 1921

11 Fifteen hundred dollars arrives charter signed boat nearly loaded. $600 deposit paid captain Hammar $2000 guarantee placed by Lomens to be taken up from the Vancouver office.

12 Have hired eskimo Ada Blackjack to come with us work to sew wages $50

V Stefansson

6 Sept 6 th 21

per month start Sept 9 th seems high but was Knight's advise. No time to call farther up for Eskimo family

Sept 9 th

Intended start ten this morning. ^Non^Arrival of dogs is delaying us fromuntil noon.

The dogs have arrived.

Goodbye Allan R. Crawford