Collection:
Juneau—Douglas City Museum
Object ID:
2006.31.004AB
Accession#:
2006.31
Credit Line:
Donated by John Harris McKay.
Object Name:
Letter
Title:
Letter from Richard T. Harris to his niece
Date:
07/20/1904
Scope & Content:
Juneau, Alaska
July 20/04
My Dear Niece Lizy Weir McKay
I received your Kind Letter Dated May 16th which found me in Excellent Health and also your Photos which I prize very much and I think the[y] are Simply grand. And I feel proud of them I hope you will Excuse your old Uncle for my Long Silence but I have Just returned after a Long trip into the Interior of Alaska. And I did not receive your Letter until my return which was a few days ago. I am very thankful for all the Information you give me in regards to your Father's family for I really Had forgotten how many Children their was in Your Family. Why you had quite a Large family my two Boys is in good health and will visit the Fair at St. Louis abought the 1st of September. I will not go myself as I am busy in the Customs Department as their is a great deal of Shipping to this Port abought from four to Six Ocean Steam Shifts every day as Juneau is the principal Town and the Largest in Alaska, and a beautifull place you know. When I first found this place in 1880, we named the town Harrisburgh but we afterwards changed the name
2
by mutual agreement to Juneau And I got the name of the District. It is the Harris Mining District and its Boundries is over 100 miles up and Down the Coast. The minerals is principaly Gold and Silver and Copper we have one of the Largest quartz mills here in the word. 880 stamps on the plant and works 1460 men all the time and has neavour shut down for over 20 years day and night. Except on Christmas and the fourth of July and the one mine has crushed and taken out over Twenty—three Millions of Dollars in Gold over three times as much money as the Government paid for Alaska. But their is but there is plenty of other mills and mines up and Down the Coast for a Distance of over 1400 miles up into Behring Sea, as Alaska is a Large Country and in a short time will be one of the best Gold produceing Countries that the United States posess. And the finest Salmon fisheries in the world and also fur Bearing animals of allmost every species.
We have has a very Rainy Summer up he this year. More so, than I ever saw in Alaska previous to this year but we are looking for Better weather. Soon. the Town is Improving fast, plenty of first class buildings going up and plenty of work for every Branch of Mechanical business as we have no strikes nor no Labour unions has ever been introduced into Alaska as the[y] receive no encouragement here and I don't think the[y] will for some to come
3
My two Boys are getting along first class in their Studies and is considered the Brightest and more advanced in Lerning. The[y] Stand at the head of the School, they will graduate next Spring Wm John Devotes a good portion of his time to Cartoon work as he is doing work for two papers
Lizy Dear I am Sorry I cain not send you some Photos of my self with this Letter for Since I returned I had no time to get any taken. But I will in the near future I hope your two Sons and Mr. McKay is well and hearty as he is a fine looking man in his Photo and I must say I am proud of you Lizy as I have got them Stationary over my writeing Desk. So as I have you allways in my memories as I said before in my previous Letter I neavour had the pleasure of Seeing any of your Family only your Brother Thomas when he was a child. I would like Dearly to see you all before I pass over the River but that wish may neavour be gratified Your Cousin Wm John Harris send you all his Kind Love, he is mining three miles from Juneau and comes to see me every week. And is very Kind to me. And Mary Harris Dobbins thinks everything of her old Uncle. She is going to the St. Louis Exposition and will meet my Boys there: She is a splendid Looking woman
4
And has a most Excellent Kind Husband and the[y] have accumulated Considerable of real Estate and some very valuable Town Property in New Mexico and Colorado and Salt Lake City. The[y] have no children. She is crazy to have me go and Stay with them for Company. But I have a good home of my own and besides I am So much atatched to Alaska…and the Salt Water that I would not be Satisfied to live Inland as I Love the old Ocean. All your cousins are in good health Back in Missouri. Your Aunt June Died Last Spring and Brice and Reid takes charge of the Home place. I can't think of much more at present as the Mail Steamer is abought to Leave the Dock, but when I hear from you again, I will write you a more Lengthy Letter and please Excuse this poor Scribling as been so Long gone and so much Exposed to the Scorching Rays of the Sun on the Steamer my Eyes is a Little Blur. Just at present. give my Kind Love to all your Family Mr. McKay and your two Dear Boys and Keep a Large portion to yourself I will now close by asking the Blessing of God for you all and wishing you Success, and happiness I remain as ever
Your Loveing Uncle
Richard T. Harris
Juneau, Alaska
Write Soon Lizzy
P. Office Box 229
July 20/04
My Dear Niece Lizy Weir McKay
I received your Kind Letter Dated May 16th which found me in Excellent Health and also your Photos which I prize very much and I think the[y] are Simply grand. And I feel proud of them I hope you will Excuse your old Uncle for my Long Silence but I have Just returned after a Long trip into the Interior of Alaska. And I did not receive your Letter until my return which was a few days ago. I am very thankful for all the Information you give me in regards to your Father's family for I really Had forgotten how many Children their was in Your Family. Why you had quite a Large family my two Boys is in good health and will visit the Fair at St. Louis abought the 1st of September. I will not go myself as I am busy in the Customs Department as their is a great deal of Shipping to this Port abought from four to Six Ocean Steam Shifts every day as Juneau is the principal Town and the Largest in Alaska, and a beautifull place you know. When I first found this place in 1880, we named the town Harrisburgh but we afterwards changed the name
2
by mutual agreement to Juneau And I got the name of the District. It is the Harris Mining District and its Boundries is over 100 miles up and Down the Coast. The minerals is principaly Gold and Silver and Copper we have one of the Largest quartz mills here in the word. 880 stamps on the plant and works 1460 men all the time and has neavour shut down for over 20 years day and night. Except on Christmas and the fourth of July and the one mine has crushed and taken out over Twenty—three Millions of Dollars in Gold over three times as much money as the Government paid for Alaska. But their is but there is plenty of other mills and mines up and Down the Coast for a Distance of over 1400 miles up into Behring Sea, as Alaska is a Large Country and in a short time will be one of the best Gold produceing Countries that the United States posess. And the finest Salmon fisheries in the world and also fur Bearing animals of allmost every species.
We have has a very Rainy Summer up he this year. More so, than I ever saw in Alaska previous to this year but we are looking for Better weather. Soon. the Town is Improving fast, plenty of first class buildings going up and plenty of work for every Branch of Mechanical business as we have no strikes nor no Labour unions has ever been introduced into Alaska as the[y] receive no encouragement here and I don't think the[y] will for some to come
3
My two Boys are getting along first class in their Studies and is considered the Brightest and more advanced in Lerning. The[y] Stand at the head of the School, they will graduate next Spring Wm John Devotes a good portion of his time to Cartoon work as he is doing work for two papers
Lizy Dear I am Sorry I cain not send you some Photos of my self with this Letter for Since I returned I had no time to get any taken. But I will in the near future I hope your two Sons and Mr. McKay is well and hearty as he is a fine looking man in his Photo and I must say I am proud of you Lizy as I have got them Stationary over my writeing Desk. So as I have you allways in my memories as I said before in my previous Letter I neavour had the pleasure of Seeing any of your Family only your Brother Thomas when he was a child. I would like Dearly to see you all before I pass over the River but that wish may neavour be gratified Your Cousin Wm John Harris send you all his Kind Love, he is mining three miles from Juneau and comes to see me every week. And is very Kind to me. And Mary Harris Dobbins thinks everything of her old Uncle. She is going to the St. Louis Exposition and will meet my Boys there: She is a splendid Looking woman
4
And has a most Excellent Kind Husband and the[y] have accumulated Considerable of real Estate and some very valuable Town Property in New Mexico and Colorado and Salt Lake City. The[y] have no children. She is crazy to have me go and Stay with them for Company. But I have a good home of my own and besides I am So much atatched to Alaska…and the Salt Water that I would not be Satisfied to live Inland as I Love the old Ocean. All your cousins are in good health Back in Missouri. Your Aunt June Died Last Spring and Brice and Reid takes charge of the Home place. I can't think of much more at present as the Mail Steamer is abought to Leave the Dock, but when I hear from you again, I will write you a more Lengthy Letter and please Excuse this poor Scribling as been so Long gone and so much Exposed to the Scorching Rays of the Sun on the Steamer my Eyes is a Little Blur. Just at present. give my Kind Love to all your Family Mr. McKay and your two Dear Boys and Keep a Large portion to yourself I will now close by asking the Blessing of God for you all and wishing you Success, and happiness I remain as ever
Your Loveing Uncle
Richard T. Harris
Juneau, Alaska
Write Soon Lizzy
P. Office Box 229
Dates of Creation:
07/20/1904
People:
Harris, Richard
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