Curtis, M.M.

1898-1899

In Seattle with Johnson, Brosemer, Berklin, Anacher [Anacker], Krampitz and H. Moore preparing to leave for Copper River on the Chilcat, Martin County MN Sentinel, 3/11/98; Curtis letter of 3/9/98 aboard Chilcot (sic.). Chilcot grounded on a reef for 24 hours; everyone seasick; very concerned about misuse of guns on ship, They shoot at anything moving, including a school of porpoises. “With their beautiful colors and swift movements they were a beautiful sight, but these assassins with murder in their hearts, succeeded in wounding several of them.” One gun accidentally discharged and wounded one of the few people who did not deserve that fate, Lyon County Reporter (Marshall MN), 3/26/98; Curtis letter, 3/16/98: Arrived in Valdez, miserable trip, doesn’t think prospects of getting into the interior are very good, but “the impossible always had a great charm for me.” Lyon County Independent (Marshall, MN) 4/9/98; Curtis letter: moved to the foot of the glacier; about 1,000 people here, saw Larson Brothers of the Marshall party; they were detained by the illness of Updahl, others well. Also saw a couple of the Sleepy Eye and New Ulm party, Lyon County Independent (Marshall MN), 4/16/98; Curtis letter 3/25/98: begin climbing the glacier today; Hollo and party camped above on glacier; Opdahl died the other day and is buried at the foot of the glacier. Roy Murfin was killed by accidental gunshot and is buried near Opdahl. “My health is good. Nearly everyone is certain that I am going to kill myself, but I think I know.” Lyon County Independent (Marshall MN), 4/16/98; Letter by John Rollo written from Valdez mentions M.M. Curtis is at their camp on Valdez Glacier, 3/30-4/9/98 published in Marshall New-Messenger, 5/6/98; Curtis Letter 8/4/98: Now at Cudahy, Yukon Territory. Crossed glacier, brought goods down the Tazlina at great effort (40 miles in 4 wks); went up Copper to Salina then to Lake Metaska; then 235 miles to Forty Mile Creek; Saw Marshall group including Hollo, Chris and Andrew Larson, and A. Freese. Traveled from Lake Metaska with 110 lbs of provisions in two packs; traveled for a while with Ownings of St. Louis. Territory after Metaska quite beautiful, lots of flowers and berries; thinks there is little gold in Copper River region, but Forty Mile looks promising; will spend winter here to investigate, Lyon County Independent (Marshall MN) 9/19/98; Letter by John Rollo mentions M.M. Curtis heading for Dawson City, written 5/9-6/2//98 published in Marshall New-Messenger, 7/1/98; Letter from M.M. Curtis describing his journey from Valdez to Port Cudahy, N.W.T., written 8/1/98, published in Marshall New-Messenger, 9/16/98; Article mentions Curtis made it over the divide to Dawson City, in Marshall New-Messenger, 11/25/98; Curtis is described as a “Civil War veteran in his 60’s who ‘still out tramps the boys.’”