stefansson-wrangel-09-09-016

Nome, Alaska, Aug. 19, 1922.

Allan R. Crawford, Commander, Wrangel Island Expedition,

Dear Mr. Crawford:

The arrival of the schooner "Teddy Bear" and her crew will evidence the fact that we have been assisting Mr. Stefansson in sending the ship to bring out your party.

Our first communication with Mr. Stefansson was only a matter of a few days ago and since then we have been negotiating with small schooners, and only a few days ago signed a charter with Mr. Joe Bernard, of the schooner "Teddy Bear".

Since informing Mr. Stefansson of our action, he has requested us to send for the relief party that spent the past winter on the Island. You will notice from the attached correspondence that he is desirous of one or more of your party remaining another season in command of the expedition which we are sending. I am sending you a complete file of the correspondence which we have had. You will observe that there is a great deal of latitude left to us, and we have exercised our best judgment, and in some instances accepted the best that was available. It is rather difficult to furnish supplies to an expedition of this nature, not knowing what you might have on hand. Those whom we are sending seem to have but little of their own and it is necessary to furnish them with rather complete outfits. We have aimed to keep down the expense, but we hope that what we are sending, together with what you have left, will be sufficient to make up a good outfit.

It is our understanding that you have with you a great deal of ammunition and plenty of guns. If this is true, we are rather fortunate, as guns are a scarce article in this camp at this time. Our men have their own guns, and we have purchased ammunition, to make certain that they would have ammunition to fit their guns. We assume that you have a number of guns which you will leave with your successors?

#2.

One of the men, Mr. Fridolff Hogglund, is taking with him several dogs. We recall that you took with you Louis Erickson's dog team. However, no doubt this new blood will be acceptable, and they should be self-supporting.

I have explained to the men that they are to accept orders from you, and that in the event your party are all returning, one of them will be placed in command and held responsible.

Billy Patch, the Eskimo which we are sending, is a good man. His wife is a very good sewer. We are sending with her reindeer skins, sinew, drilling, thread, et cetera, and she should keep the outfits in repair for all the men.

With regard to fur clothing, et cetera, I would suggest that you leave behind all clothing which you can spare.

I am sending you duplicates of all invoices. All goods have been purchased on this market, subject to return. I request that you go over the invoices carefully and only retain such goods as you consider will be of material benefit. During our rush in outfitting we may have made some mistakes. You will have the opportunity to correct them.

We are sending one sack of U. S. mail, which is an accumulation of the winter. Part of this mail was sent in care of Mr. R. W. J. Reed, Customs Collector, and he delivered it to us today. The balance had been turned over to us by the Post Office.

I am also enclosing copies of all contracts with the men and the charter with Mr. Joe Bernard.

Joe Bernard is taking a considerable quantity of trading goods with him on speculation. You will notice by Mr. Stefansson's instructions that you are authorized to purchase supplies from him.

Mr. Scarborough is a passenger on this boat, and I would be very glad if you would assist him in securing pictures which will have a news value, especially motion pictures.

#3

I regret very much that I am unable to accompany the "Teddy Bear", as Wrangel Island has a fascination for me.

We will be glad to welcome you back in Nome, and sincerely hope that the past winter has been kind in all respects to the entire party.

Assuring you of my best wishes, I remain

Respectfully yours,

RL-GC

Ralph Lomen

Mr [Heillens] will hand you this file of correspondences etc - It is my judgment that he is the man to whom you will give final instructions + place in charge-