stefansson-wrangel-09-06-123

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Hotel Frye, Seattle, Aug. 18th, '21.

Dear Mr. Stefansson:

Your letter of instructions arrived and will do my best to follow them.

From conversation with Maurer and later on receipt of your letter I gather thay you think I am going to devote my time to mapping etc. when the others were on the traps. I never meant to give this

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impression to you. I have intended to do as much as possible. What I meant to imply was should any contingency crop up that in the interests of your work would take me off the line for a couple of days I would not like to get a share in the other man's fur. Especially now since I am buying shares I will need what is left to finish up at Varsity.

We are all hoping that the trip to England will be successful; we will do our best.

A. R. Crawford

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Mrs. J. T. Crawford, Toronto.

Aug. 18th, '21.

Dear Mother:

Your letters up to Aug. 12th arrived. I guess this will be the last from you for some time as it is 12 noon and at 3 P.M. the Victoria sails. You should hear from me either by wireless in three weeks (not likely) or by mail about end of September. My address is

Stefansson A. Ex. & Dev. Co., Ltd., 614 Credit Foncier Bldg., Vancouver, B.C.

They will have latest forwarding address. You might tell any of my friends this. Glad to hear of Marjorie and [...] joining Tennis Club. The microscope belongs U.T.S. boots and low shoes are no good. Do anything you like with the "lab" in the cellar. You can throw away all the liquid and the bottles with powders in them can be put anywhere. Cards received. Since photos may be lost will send another from Nome as they are packed now.

I am asking Stefansson to write to you. His forwarding address is always Harvard Club, New York City. He is going to England for reasons very shortly and should return before the new year.

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On very careful consideration I have done something which may seem unwise to you but as I am situated it seems like a very fine thing. I am taking five shares of stock in this company. The payment is $50 a month for ten months. This I did without any suggestion on the part of Stefansson (he is the company) or anyone else. The reasons are twofold.(1) I am convinced that Stefansson now and for some time to come is the big man of the north; this identified me with his interests. (2) If we procure a lease of this place from England the possibilities are tremendous. It would take too long to explain them. Reindeer, furs and minerals. Last night I was honoured with a two hour private talk with Judge G. Lomen of Nome, Alaska who holds the biggest judicial position in that country and is known to every Alaskan. He is Lindeberg's (one of the big financiers of that country) attorney and sees a wonderful future in the reindeer industry. I feel quite confident in saying that as formerly great fortunes were made from minerals, railways and the exploitation of wheat land, so in the future the reindeer meat industry is the big thing. Cattle ranching is rapidly becoming unprofitable in the states and provinces that were meant for wheat. The reindeer stays out winter and summer without shed or shelter, procures its own food. Two herders can handle herd of 10,000. Stefansson has lease of Baffin's Sand for 50 years. He himself is primarily an explorer and is not out for moeny but there is lots there.

Expect to hear from me end of September. Will send two similar letters, one father, one you, in case one is lost.

Love to all Allan.

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