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[written in pen rather than pencil]
Dawson N.W.T. Canada
August 27th 1898
Mrs. Everett Barton Mineola Mo
Dear wife and boy:-
I wrote to you a short time ago, soon after receiving the letters
of the 8th and 28th of June which is the last I have received
from you. However I will not wait till I get another before
writing but will write as often as the opportunity presents its
self. Lee is working on the Eldorado bench claim and is getting
farely good prospects. We bought a half interest of a fellow
going out, a bench claim back of No. 8 on Bonanza. [ed.the Hegg photo of #6 below Bonanza was in Everett's belongings, see also photos of No. 8 above and below] the picFrank and I worked two days on same
and struck pay the poorest will pay 13¢ to the pan or two
shovels full, now if it does not run out on us, we will have a
little stake by next summer possibly a good big one, the claim
joining is turning out good the fellow was offered 5000.00 but
refused and we have a much larger bench then he has probibly 100
ft more. Now this is positively a secret to all others for
various reasons not eaven to your folks as they might mention
same to some one if you tell them. I only write you this as a
comforter to some extent and that you wont run off-- and leave my
boy-- There is a small piece joining it and I have been down hear
since Friday trying to record same but then was about 200 ahead
of me to get claims recorded so it may be several days before I
get in. Oh! yes Frank received a picture from Sophia it was a
real good one, really better looking than than I thought she was.
You said you were going to have some more of yours taken and send
me one but when you went to Montgomery suppose you forgot all
about pictures. as there was some live photos over there. Well
there is a lot of people going out. there was six boats in today
at one time. and another has just come in (9 P.M.) the largest
crowd gone out yet on one boat, was yesterday. The Youkonen.
After this letter you may not hear from me for some time as we
intend to run two rockers on our new claim till it freezes then
we will drift and pile up in dumps for sluicing when spring
comes. Frank and I took up a pack of 45# ea 15 miles when we
went. and I am going to take one other up when I go back. I made
a pack for my dog Jim today am going to pack about 15 or 20# on
him as it is hard enough to walk 15 miles in this country without
packing any thing and then I think I have packed enough
Aug 28--98
Well you have been telling of the preaching and the W.C.T.U.
meetings. We have in Dawson the Catholic.
Presbaterian.
Methodist and the Salvation Army. and all I think more of the
latter than all the rest (here) I go to hear them once and often
twice a week. Just one year from tonight we landed at Deya to
commence our inward journey to the Youkon or Klondyke I have kept
a Diary ever since mostly to keep run of the time and dates. that
little callander is very usefull. must say you were very
thoughtfull to send it. Speaking of the different churches will
say the Baptist have no business here for when they would do the
sousing act (Baptizing) a person would freeze any way in winter.
Dont forget and write the political news when writing. also of
the Postmaster of Montgomery City and of Middletown if they have
made a change yet. So Fanny has a heifer calf? write what they
are worth now, and if you think best to keep the calf, etc. Do
what you want with Mack as he belongs to you write if horses are
a good price and what you think he is worth. there is but four or
five of the Purcell gang here now. I have not saw any of them
that stayed for some time they are working on Sulpher creek. When
you write tell me lots about Jo, also tell Susan to write for she
uses such funny expression that it sounds funny. Sept 1st 98.
Well I have happened to a little bad luck since writing this
letter. some one stold my dog and I also failed to get a claim
recorded joining the one we bought, so I am conciderably out of
sorts. There are twenty two saloons in Dawson. Tell Laite that
this is a great place for Jews and that he should be here. Mr
Carter formily Representative of our County stayed with me two
nights and had quite a chat over the balls we have met at in
Rhineland. he well remembers Lillie Smith. I am going up on the
creek tomorrow so will not continue this letter any longer than
today. Frank come down and went back Mr Carter went with him. he
said they had found a double pay steak on our new claims only
hope it will not run out. I am dreading my trip tomorrow as it
has been raining and the trail is muddy. it has begun to turn
cold here ice is on some of the small streams every morning.
Hoping to hear from my Girl & Boy also would like to have
their pictures. From Your devoted boy E. Barton