stefansson-wrangel-09-12-088

Toronto, Canada Bank of Hamilton Bldg., July 31st, 1923.

Mrs. O. R. Wilcox, Secretary to V. Stefansson, c/o American Geographical Society, Broadway at 156th St., New York, N.Y.

Dear Mrs. Wilcox:-

Early this morning we received a cable from Mr. Stefansson reading:

"Cabling you ten thousand to-day Notify Nome Await night letter before transferring money Nome"

and I immediately sent out cables and telegrams as per copies attached.

I had arranged yesterday afternoon for an appointment with McKenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, and intended leaving last evening, but late in the evening I received a wire from Mr. McGregor, the Prime Minister’s Secretary, advising that he was out of town until Friday. Mr. Stefansson’s wire starts us off cheerfully again and ends a period of anxiety.

Mr. Anderson and I practically exhausted every ordinary channel through which money might have been obtained, and we naturally were postponing until the last minute any general appeal that would have put the expedition on a purely rescue basis.

I am not sure whether I have told you before, but I have arranged with the Toronto Star on Mr .Noice’s behalf to sell the world’s rights to his Wrangel Island story for $3,000, and wired Mr. Noice as per copy attached under date of July 28th,but have not yet had an acknowledgement of this wire.

Yours sincerely, AJTaylor