Western America
1903 to 1909-Dated Lot of Five Yukon Gold Rush Letters
1903 to 1909-Dated, Lot of Five (5) Letters, Related to the Yukon Territory, Alaska, Group is overall Very Fine.
Letters number 1. 2. & 3. Oct. 26, 1903-Dated, 3 page Letter, written upon “The White Pass & Yukon Route” letterhead, measuring 10.75” x 8.5” in which “G.B. Edwards” writes to “Mr. C.E. Morris” of Pony, Montana, about Gold. The letter reads, in part:

“…the last two days we are stirred up… The men brought in 40 oz. of coarse gold… and the town will be nearly depopulated…” He writes that 2000 tons of Dawson freight remains until next year, due to ice. The terminal is doing good business with steamers plying various ports and during “…our busy season” have handled $50,000 per day.”

This Letter relates an interesting slice of life in the Yukon Territory during its most exciting Gold Rush period. It includes copies of Two Letters to Edwards, dated on December 4th and 5th, 1903, replying to his inquiry about selling his land. They suggest he sell five lots and house for $250.

4. & 5. June 11, 1909-Dated,2 page letter on watermarked, bond paper, measuring 8.5” x 5.5” from “Mrs. M. Rawson” of Seattle, Washington, to Mrs. Augusta Green, of Preston, California. This Letter contains heartbreaking news. It reads, in part:

“Dear Madam, we are in very great trouble on account of not being able to get medicine. Now I want to know if it were not possible to get a little Liniment. My daughter is suffering, we feel confident, with cancer of the womb, as she has been threatened with it in other parts and nothing but that liniment will cure her… It is an awful thing the court has power to prevent people from having those medicines…”

This Letter is accompanied by its original envelope, postmarked at Seattle, WA. and embossed with a blue “Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition, Seattle 1909”.

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