Messer, C.J.

1898-1899

Summary: Have reached timber after 53 days on the ice. Puzzles at the existence of the glacier in the face of midday temperatures over 80 degrees. Describes conditions of the glacier–hard work, but spectacular scenery.Their boat is almost ready. Lots of rumors of gold, but little evidence.Received word of a snowslide at the summit which killed three.Talked to a Mrs. H.G. Peeks [sic Peets], who was thrown over fifty rods by the slide and was rescued just before suffocating. C.J. M. letter of 6/5/98, Boston MA Evening Transcript, 7/9/98; C.J.M. letter of 7/20/98 summary: Reflects on the great effort being expended with little to show for it, except for a few commercial interests. Few miners have reached the Copper River; just getting a boat down the Klutina is highly hazardous. The scenery is spectacular, but he has been unable to learn the names of different points, since everyone else is also new to the country. Talked to JAMES TAK, a government scout; he has lived in Alaska 13 years, but has never seen this section. From talking to the mail carrier he has learned that Valdes is booming: townsites have been laid out, hotel has been built, whiskey is being manufactured, and “ladies with no apparent means of subsistence are becoming numerous.” At times it is hard not to get discouraged, but he takes comfort from visualizing the development that will result from their pioneering efforts. C.J.M. Letter of 7/20/98 in Boston MA Evening Transcript, 8/13/98; Summary: A huge exodus from the Copper River country is beginning, as disgusted prospectors head for home; thought at first that these were just the inexperienced and naive, but became convinced it was over when Gambis came out. There is still no sign of gold anywhere in the area. Has found indications of mining pre dating 1898; one Indian told him that long ago Russia had imported Siberian exiles to look for gold. Has just returned from prospecting trip with C.B. Smith of Stamford CT (a shoe seller well known in New England); H. Smith (New York City ice dealer); N.D. Benedict of Litchfield CT (a photographer); Luther Wait of Ipswich MA (a former postmaster); and Harry H. Sweet of Hornersville [sic] N.Y. (engineer on the Erie Railroad). Notes the effects of rumors and high hopes. For two days some good-looking dirt made him a wealthy man in his own mind, but “then came the man with nitric acid.” long letter with much additional information. C.J.M. letter 7-14 to 9/5 in Boston MA Evening Transcript, 9/17/98; Locator, 7/27/98, “Tyee” No. 15 above canyon on Manker Creek, witnesses H. Smith, H.H. Sweet, recorded, 10/12/98, TMDR, p. 18; 22, 24; Locator, Placer Claim No. 9 on Hertle Creek, 10/15/98, witnesses J. Manker, H. Smith, TMDR, p. 24;