Letter 6/20/1898 Dawson City, Canada
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Dawson City June 20th 98
Dear Wife:-- As you see I will write you ever oportunity. Just wrote you a few days ago but there will be another boat going out in a few days. I received a letter at the Office dated Apr 5th and the next day met Mr Purcell, Phipps & Co so I got both letters and muffler. the muffler will come in handy this winter as I know you want me to stay another one??? Well Mr. Phipps did not strike it rich as was reported. They heard that I was dead when they arrived at Deya. If you hear any reports like that, pay no attention to them. I just heard to day that they struck 3.00 to the pan just above where Lee is prospecting but dont tell it for the truth as it might be a lie. We have conciderable hopes of striking something on the Eldorado bench as it corners with a good mine but will have to prospect same first. Am expecting Lee in any day. Frank will be in Friday then he wants to go to American territory. We have about 800.00 on our grub stake nearly every person or party had to send back for a stake or have grub sent to them. It might be a grub famine in here if the boats dont get up. The river is terrible low and several boats have hung up on the bank we can come out over the ice if such will be the case. but if the boats get up there will be plenty of provisions. Now you must not fret about me as I wrote you before, borry some money on the house. dont crimp yourself for any thing I am not living like a king, but am living as well as the majority would like very much to have some vegatables but dried fruits is the nearest we can get to them. We are having fine weather so far. I am in a place where the mosquitos dont bother much. I have a few lumps on my face and hands but have not put on a nett yet. many soft shells are wearing netts. I may have too yet myself. We hear that the U.S. and Spain are fighting to beat the band. You can tell Dr Crockett I hope they will get in to Mo. and clear out some of those bright Pafocrats that are hanging on to the last limbs for some office. as I learn nearly every other man is running on the Dam side. Well I am going to stop in Denver Colo. on my way home and if I get employment will stop there and try my luck. but there might something else turn up for me to come on back but dont think that I even could get a start in Mtg. Co. So Uncle John does not like the east? when you write him tell him that I am a stronger Republican then ever. but I think a little socialism would help us poor devils I received 18 letters since March so you see have been getting a good part of my mail and only one girl correspondant of course I will not tell who she is--- Well your little sister wrote me I forgot I will try and write Susie something. The May West left the 18th for St Michaels there will be other boats leave soon. The Victoria made one trip up to Pelley and has gone up the Stewart to the McQuestion river. think she will have a hard time getting up as the river is getting very low. There is two miles of shore here and the up river boats are from one to six and seven deep along the shore the streets in Dawson is crowded day and night as it is about the same here as to light and darkness. Mabry and party sold out part of their outfit and went down the river intending to go out. McRey will stop on American territory Mr Purcell has gone over on Sulphur I did not get to talk with him but a few minutes but will see him when he comes back. the other fellows are not so well pleased with the country. (I dont think) Rev Headington I believe is his name is in here from Mo.-- I met him at Mr Purcells camp, but you know that preachers in this country are poor company. but he seems like a nice man you wrote of being up at Tebbets to see Mrs Marlow. how would you like to live there probibly I can get in the store up there if Mr Ferguson still owns it. as you know we were corresponding when I left. Well you wrote of a good many dieing now you just look after Mrs Hutch, for she might have a chance yet from the way you are writing to the men. Tell your Pa that I will try and bring him a nuget. I have several small ones now. So Jo likes dolls. does he play with his wagon yet? so Fanny has a little heifer calf? you should get a good price for it from the way stock has gone up. if you sell it before I came home you wrote of fencing the house. put any kind of fence you want to around it. you might have a little different fence in front if you think best. Tell your Papa that I will show them how to break dogs when I come home instead of horses and he sold Jo well has he ever done any thing with the little mare we broke just before I left. I am strong enough to handle two like her now. Will the gray mare have a colt from King Clay I believe that is the horse he breed to. Tell Forest to be patient and firm when he breaks it. or he will have another Jo. My dog Jim is exactly like Poll except color he is white and red. but they are the same disposition and the same build. he is begging me to pet him now. The women feed him just like they did Poll. but they dont smile very sweet on me. And you have never worked Mack any since I left tell your pa to ride him if he likes. expect I will have to break him over when come home. dont think it will be much of a job though. unless I forget all about horses. Well I have run out of any thing to write so will lay this over till tomorrow. June 21st -98. Two small Steamboats came down the river. one did not stop at Dawson at all. they have boats on lakes and river to go out.(up) one came from lake Bennett in 3 days and 22 hours had papers of June the 9th and 10th Inst. while a person can get in and out pretty easy it still costs conciderable. they say it will cost about 100.00 up the river now, if such is the case, the people will nearly all go that way. that is going out. When you write next write who got the Post Office at Montgomery City. if it has changed yet. So several of the boys are becoming fathers I would like to see Mauir White (Smith.) does she keep her mouth shut yet? There might be danger of the ---- catching cold. I thought that the next boat down would carry mail but it will not unless I can find some one to send it by. the mail will leave on the 15th of every month so I may not get this one off before then but hope to. There was a rifle discharged from one of the boats accidentally today. it went through a ladies hat. cut her hair pin off. went through a restaurant and glanced on a mans hip. There will be two prize fights in town one the 25th and one 30th inst but I dont care to see them eaven if I had the money to spare
June 24th 98 I have a chance to send letter today by a Mr Smith that is going out. although news are scarce. There are about 12,000 people here now. and not the 150,000 or 200,000 that was reported coming. Lee and Frank are not in yet. expecting them every day. Many going below and many going out. I wish that we were ready to go also but looks like things work slow when a person is waiting for something to turn up. It is fine weather now. As you can see I am in a hurry and out of anything to write
Hoping that I may see my girl and boy in the near future and with love and best wishes to all
From your
Everett Barton