U.S.S.Jamestown,
Sitka
May 16th, 1881
Friend Harris;
Your favor of 2 dinst. was duly received as the "Favorite" is going to leave to-morrow morning I will take advantage of this opportunity to write you a line. The two Indians whom you engaged came down in the Favorite. I paid them $10 each for their time, one half a month at $20 per month, amounting to -- $20.00 I also paid their fares down @ $10.00 each -- $20.00. Making the sum of forty dollars, which $40.00 I paid for the trip to Point Retreat, not including my own expenses, which were about thirty five, yes, forty dollars more. I think there is a little misunderstanding on your part in regard to the hire of the Indians. When you hired one at the cannery to take the place of the one discharged I told you that I would pay one half of the wages if you would engage another, as I thought we should need one more. This, I think was a fair, and even liberal offer, and I don't imagine that you either wish or expect me to pay the whole bill. Let me hear from you on the subject. That my trip in the canoe, furnishing I think my share of the grub, a cook and his proportion, and then not reaching my destination, should cost me $80 doesn't seem to me exactly fair. I shall of course leave that matter for your decision.
I am glad you find everything so encouraging at the mines and I trust that we shall all come out well. Have a talk with Mr. Hanus in regard to my interests for he is interested with me in the deed from Pilz to Hilton.
I hope everything is going on well. There is no news here, the town is very dull.
Remember me very kindly to Rogers, Peterson and Cushman, our ship" mates and to other friends in camp. Your friends here join me in well wishes for your health and prosperity. Don't forget your friend Ring if you make new locations. I am strictly a tea totaler and shall remain one. Having no news I will close my letter.
I possibly shall get up to Harrisburg before the ship leaves here.
Yours fraternally
James T. Ring
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Department of the
Interior Bureau of Education
General Agent of Education of Alaska
Sitka, Alaska, June 12th,1885.
R.T.Harris esq.
Harrisburg, Alaska
Dear Sir
Yours of the 10th is received. Much obliged for the information. I will write Mr. Willard concerning Mr. Church's house.
I understand that the Judge goes to Harrisburg by the Mail Steamer and will leave word for the Rose to come after him. If so I will come upon the Rose and spend two days.
Mr. Frank has beat Haskett out in court on everything. The injunction on the Mission is dissolved. The indictment case con" cerning letter to Grand Jury has been thrown out of court and the other indictments will be when reached.
Truly yours,
Sheldon Jackson
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San Francisco County
Jail
September 30 85
Friend Harris
I wrote you last steamer but got no answer, and don't know if the mail got down yet, or not. I expected to get away this boat to come up, but I am at the same place where I was last month. Ihave not had a hearing yet and God only knows when my trial comes-off. I was out on bail for 2 weeks, but my bail being raised last weekI was locked in again, or more I gave myself up, and have not been able to get any bondsman yet. Radovich has turned out to be the worst ennemi I had, he is trying to get my confidence under pretended friendship only was acting for others and was all the time ready to sell me, which he did, and is doing now everything in his power to work against me; he has sold me completely and so I am entirely lost. They can't find any charge against me and if I had a couple hundred dollars to pay a good lawyer I would be out before in 3 days; but so I have not got a cent, and expect they will do with me what they will. I have been too foolish trying to fight such strong monoply. I am locked up now in a little cell 6 x 8 with 2 others one a burglar and one a murderer, we only get one meal a day and it is so bad that I would not have offered it to a Sywash in Alaska. The jailers want us to buy from them, but a man got to have the cash to buy and the vermints cut one up; the cells are dark and one is compelled to buy his own candles, and if I had a knife (they take everything away from a person) I would have cut my throat long ago. I got nothing to live for, I am disgraced, ruined and am innocently prosecuted because I have tried to hold on to what belongs to me. If you could sell my assay kit, desk tools (if there are any left) or the cabins on the hill for anything at all do so that it may help me a little - The parties who charged me have several times been to see me sell me for money, who and what induced them and are anxious to get out of it knowing my innocence. I met your Capt. Cochrane and told him what I had written you he said your case was set for February. Well I told you how and where to get testimony; the Capt. is no friend of mine, he wrote an article in the Post and abused me shamefully; well of course he had to do it as he is one of Coleman's men and hangs out there all the time. I think you made a very poor selection; are you not aware that Coleman backs Fuller? Don't you know that he owns 1/3 of the Fuller 1st. The best you can do employ a new lawyer. Cochran might be willing to be square by you, but you bet they won't let him. But you know your business best, and I only give you this hind. Dennis De Porte is also kept here by Coleman to help fight me and you. What can you do about representing my claims as I wrote you. Have I got to loose everything. I don't care for myself, but I would like to save something for my family. Cochran and De Porte say that I have no friend left up there and that if I came up again the boys would hang me. So that all the thanks I get in return? The few dollars that I owe any of them surly would not hang me and have I ever wronged a single one knowingly? What had become of Schmeig, I have not heard from him at all. I wished you tell him that I found the other day in my trunk his picture which I thought he had got a year ago, and I intended to mail it to him this boat but that I got locked in again and I got no one to dare to trust to get my trunk, as there are a good many papers in it. Mrs. P. and Willie have left and gone to her folks to work. If any of the boys come down here this fall, tell to come in see me, I probably will be in the County Jail for months yet before my trial comes up. Be sure to write and see if you can get anything for my things, address me simply to general Post office, that will be the surest way of my getting a letter. Don't write to Radovich I know now the S___ 0__ B___ would open and keep them. Give my gest regards to all and don't forget your true
but unfortunate Friend
Geo. E. Pilz
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My address Navy Pay
Office
San Francisco, Cal.
October 29th 1885
My dear Harris:
Yours of the 15th of this month both reached me to day. I have written to McGregor and asked him to let you see the letter so you can know everything I write. There is so much to tell you both that I write half and half so I won't leave anything out. The first thing - I have no doubt at all about those sales you made, as no one in god's earth can touch them. You had a perfect right to sell, as you have no creditors, and will not be anyways indebted to Fuller until he gets a judgment against you, and my brother and I propse to keep him out of that. I engaged my brother to go up next spring to try your case, as I might not be able to go myself. But even if I did come too, it would not cost you but little, if any, more than if one of us came alone. He has been working with me for some time on the case and we feel confident of winning it. I am glad you got Mr. Muloney to look out for it while I am down here, as he can stave off any move for a snap judgment during my absence.
Since Col. Ball went back on me so completely, I was thinking of coming up right away myself, but as Mr. Muloney is there, I won't do so. I wish you had sent that money for Pilz, as he is in need, and a small present now and then would keep him in a good humor and to tell you the truth I am quite hard up just now, and am unable to advance any money. I have just got down to San Francisco to live and will be able to keep an eye on Pilz, and next steamer will send some questions etc. as I do in this mail for Ring - You had better send what money you choose for him and I will carry out your wishes and account for everything to you - You need his testimony, and as he is now ready to tell the truth which is what you need, for gracious sake, Keep him in the humor before the other side buy him up to perjure himself. You are dealing with a set of scoundrels, Pilz included, and everyday is precious to you - I am awful sorry you did not send me the money, but as you authorized me to advance him $50.00 I will borrow and pay him that in small amounts until I hear from you by next steamer. Ask McGregor to send me my copy of the "General Laws of Oregon" as we need them here.
Now while I am on this matter, if you do not want my brother or me to come up there, let me know by return steamer. As you have retained Muloney I don't know exactly what stand I have in the case. My understanding is that he is engaged to watch the case for you, and we (my brother and I) are still the leading counsel to try it. Of course if you want him (Muloney) to be alone I will back out for you, and if you want us, we will remain and try the case for you. Until you let me know, I will say nothing about the case to Mr. Muloney, and if he is only to watch it and do the little work up there, I prefer not to say - anything about the merits of it until I come up. You understand that we think the fewer people know our case the better for you. Please send me by return mail a copy of the "Answer" to the complaint. You have a copy of it in your papers and a copy of that will do. I am going to keep on work" ing the case up as though you wanted me to do so, until I hear from you, and if you then still wish me to remain in it I will be just that far ahead. one of the letters forwarded me from Juneau by the Sept. steamer was from Ring, and I send some papers up by this mail expressed to Pat Corcoran get them and attend to them immediately.
I hope I am still to remain in the case, as I want the satisfaction of getting ahead of that gang - I will take my oath that Col. Ball, engaged himself to me as your lawyer. I will swear he spoke to Murray in my presence for the first time he saw him, after he had engaged himself to me - For he said among other things to Murray "Why I did not know you were on board". But I guess we better keep that quiet just now, until I get a chance to go for him properly. I gave him no points in the case, as I told him you had the papers. So they gained nothing, except to show Ball up for a worthless friend. Ring's deposition will be good for us. I will write to McClellan and see if he knows anything for us You need not worry at all, old man as we are doing everything in the world for you and when the time comes we will be on hand for the fight unless you discharge us. If we are to stay in the case, don't say anything about it to anyone else.
I am sorry to hear of Cushman's death - Old Mike was a good sort of an old thief, and there are many more there who could be better spared than him - Attend to the legal papers - Read this letter carefully and do everything I ask you. Believe me that everything you trust to me will be well looked out for and an exact account rendered. Regards to Church and Jim Williams - Also to uncle Billy and Mike Hayes - With best wishes in the world for you I am yours sincerely,
J.B.Coghlan USN
Care Navy Pay Office San Francisco, Cal.
Tell McGregor I went to see George and Beirn just as soon as I got down and they promised to send the samples right up - I will go down there again to-morrow. J. B. C.
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San Francisco Oct. 30th 85
R.T.Harris Esq.
Dear Friend Harris!
I wrote you 2 letters last mail and sent you 2 dispatches one of them later was returned to me undelivered. Did you not get any and why did you not answer me. I informed you in my last of my fix that I was locked up still and so am I at the present writing; I have not had a hearing or trial yet; not until later part of November or first of December, if then and here I am laying in d____ filthy prison half starving to death, and eat up by vermints its as I got not a cent to buy or pay for anything. As you had kindly offered me some money assistance as had Olds also and had instructed Rad. to assist me but I wrote you that Rad is acting true traitor against. Through him my bonds man gave me up, he told them I was trying to run away. Then he went to my lawyer and he gave me up because I would not pay when they wanted it, and since I did not get any from you this boat, they have quit me. I have tried several others, but they all refuse without retaining fees, and so unless I get some help by the end of November, I am sure to get sent up although I am innocent. My wife can't help me as she hardly can earn enough to keep her, besides Willie's been sick for several weeks. I am ready to dispair and if you boys have gone back on me too I am a gone goose. I received a letter from Olds, telling me about the sad fate of poor friend Powers and Cushman. I wish to God I could be in their places, then I would be out of this misery. Olds also tells me that the old ungrateful Sagemiller, has jumped Mrs. Pilz claim, Pilz 2nd. Well he is too mean for anything. Now you, Harkridre (?) D. Campbell and others know that last year when I came up with Armstrong we done a lot of work there first. I will file a protest wherein it shows that in March, April and May, the work was done over $400.00 worth. Wm. Zobel worked 3 weeks, Jno Hiles 3 weeks, Sam Mathews 6 to 10 days. Everets 10 to 12 days, a Frenchman 3 to 6 days. I worked there over 2 weeks and was working the arrastras on its ore for several weeks. Also had 2 Indians for 2 weeks packing mostly from there. Now if there was any work done on any claim in the Basin last year it was on Pilz 2nd. Please serve inclosed notice personally on Sagemiller and file the copy on records. The sneaking thief he is too low to be allowed to live. Jno Hiles is here and I can get his and Everett's testimony as well as R. Johnsons and I believe Wm. Zobel and Sam Mathew and the Frenchman are up there yet, but you as well as the others must remember it. Have someone go to work on it as Mrs. Pilz has the promise that a party here will advance her the money to pay the assessment on 1885. My time book is in my trunk and I have sent for it so that I can make out an exact affidavit to how much work was done. The d_____ sneak was there a couple times himself when we worked there. He is Coleman's dirty tool and only done it for him. But I will have my revenge on him. I was in such strong hope that you would send me a little money, so that I could get out. $240.00-$300.00 Will clear me of this and get me up there and if you boys would advance me that I would come up and work it out for you at once. I think you boys might help me a little. But, if you can't raise me that money please let me know, so that I know what I am about. I know I am asking a big favor, but place yourself in my position and would to blame me. Do the best you can for me. There is 2 bellows and anvils of mine, those cabins, assay kit the lumber in the ore shutes or anything you can turn into some money, no matter how little it will help me. I have not even money to buy a few candles to light my cell with, or buy a meal once in a while. The grub is horrible. I have had no smoke for ever so long. So you may know what I suffer and at times I do think my senses will leave me. I have not heard from Capt. Coughlan since he knows where I am and is stationed at Mare Island. But I must repeat to you, that he stands right pat with Coleman and you know Coleman owns a big part of the Fuller. I inclose you a notice against Radovich, Please have it recorded in Harrisburgh and then send to Sitka, this boat, so the d_____ black sneak may make a transfer behind my back and try to beat me out of it. I want this notice to be on Record first. The recording fees can be collected per Wells Fargo and Company by addressing me in care of A.P. Whitell M.D. 906 Market Str. He has promised me to pay for it. Another favor to beg of you. Please send me about 25 to 50 lbs. of nice basin ore, it would help me ever so much if you will send it to me sure on return steamer. By any means send me some; address also to Dr. Whitell. Are there no letters for me at Post Office? Please send them, but letters only.
Now Dick will you attend to all this for me to wit: serve and record notice to Sagemiller, record notice to Radovich Send me down some ore. Have some work started on Pilz II, and for God's sake send me a little money.
In regards to Sagemiller's notice, serve it to him before witnesses, let them acknowledge their presents on the back of document, before you file it. And further more, let me know by return steamer per telegram from Nanimo, Victoria or Townsend what you can do for me in money matters, so that I may know what I am about with a lawyer. Mrs. Pilz called last night to tell me, that she had heard that Radovich had written up to you, that he could not advance any money, but for you to send down some in his care and he would use it for me, further that he had put up a big lot for me. That d_____ liar, to Mrs. P. signature he promised to get me out and provide for her, but all he gave her was $5.00 and then not a cent more and to me he turned in a bill for whiskey cigars for $70.00 which he claimed he had treated to on (?) my account to officers and s.f.(so forth) while in City Prison. The d_____ S. of B. he let me walk around hungry often and never paid any money out for me. He has blown all over town that he had put up a big lot and it is all a d_____ lie. He came here since to transfer assay interest in a claim in Calaveras Co. to him and I got so d_____ mad I knocked him down in prison and would have choked him but for the officers. He offered me $20.00 and he could get $500.00 The jailers did not know where I was, they went to him to be told then he would get them I send for the parties and when they came to me Rad found it out, rushed up to Calaveras, bonded the other 2/3 interest for $10,000.00 for 90 days, while the others were going to beg for $1,000.00 So of course it broke the trade up as they did not want 2/3 interest. Don't send nothing to him nor write the d_____ cur and if he comes up remind the boys that if it had not been for me none would have gotten a cent of the $3400.00 he owed and I paid it out of my own pocket. Tar and feather the dam bastard. Hoping you will help and to hear from you sure. with regards from Mrs. Pilz. I remain as ever. sincerely,
Geo. E. Pilz
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San Francisco Dec. 4th 85
R.T. Harris
Dear Sir
My husband showed me the letter sent to him by yourself and Wm. Olds also the subscription list for which please accept my sincerest thanks, I hope before another week to have Geo out of his present difficulty. As regards to Wm. Schmeig he always was the best and truest friend my husband had & I never can think of him in any other light. As regards the Pilz 2nd please do all you can to save it for me & I will not forget it, I hope to be in Alaska before many months myself.
I sincerely hope you will win in your mining suit.
With best wishes
Very respectfully
Marian Pilz
Please excuse pencil as I am not at home.
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Navy Pay Office
San Francisco Calif
January 3rd 1886
My dear Harris
Your two letters reached me in due time. You can feel perfectly easy as regard your decision to employ Mr. Maloney in your case - Of course such a course is preferable to having one come up from below. As you say he is constantly on hand and can advise you from step to step - Pay Ring is in Melrose Mass, as I wrote you and will be there for some time. You had better sent those papers on as soon as possible as he may have to go to sea In regard to getting an order of court, of course I did not do so, as I had to wait to hear from Ring before I could tell where to find him - You should have sent those papers by the December steamer. The Court does not issue the Order under the Oregon statutes - the Clerk of the Court does that, and I wrote to Lewis about it, and sent you the papers, so they could be served on Fuller and Order could go to Mass. by the December steamer - if you don't hurry up the other side may force you to a trial without that evidence, on the ground of negligence as there has always been a Clerk at Sitka.
Now that McClellan is so important, by all means, get his testimony before going to trial and stave the trial off forever, until you do get it. I met Mike Hayes, and of course our friend McGregor I see by the papers that Lt. Cmdr Nichols is down, although I have not seen him. I don't get on any too well with him so I leave him alone.
Private - Mr. McKenna wants to take a Bond of the Harris Mine for $3000.00. I wrote him he could have if he paid cash $300.00, and then the Bond would run until January 1st 1887 before which time the balance of the purchase money $2700.00 was to be paid or the Bond would be void. He is to do the assessment work for 1886. Say nothing of this, and I'll write you immediately I hear from him.
From present appearances I hardly think I'll be on duty this summer, in which I shall be up there again to take some more prospecting trips.
Pilz has been re-arrested, on account of poor Bondsmen. I think there is no doubt. but what he will go to San Quentin. Mr. Radovich seems to be a little mad at him for giving him a deed of a lot of Island property to which Pilz had no title. However, Mr. Radovich has done a great deal for him. He told Mr. R. that the boys in Alaska had raised $800.00 for him, but Hayes only gave him a few dollars. You see he was trying to make out that Hayes stole the balance. But keep all this to yourself, until you get his deposition, and you better have Mr. Maloney send for that very soon. Did Pat Corcoran ever get anything about his wharf debt. Write me next steamer. With kind regards to all I am your true friend.
J.B.Coghlan
I don't know when you can catch Lt. McClellan, as his vessel is now abroad.
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San Francisco Jan. 4 86
R.T.Harris Esq.
My dear friend'
A happy New Years to you & may you be happy & beat those infernal hounds. It has been a bad beginning for me. In jail is a nice place to be on New Years. Then Dick here I am yet & liable to be on across the Bay. I wrote you last steamer as did Mrs. Pilz to send you boys my hardfelt thanks & to express to you my eternal gratitude. But Jack Olds called here yesterday & told me you did not receive the letters. May be you got Hayes letter, so he may had told you how things stand. He helped me all he could, but could do no more than he done. My trial was set on the 12th of last month, but again when I was taken to court the Prosecution had it put off, claiming not to be ready. How long they are going to keep me I don't know. Through your help, we got Judge Louderback to take my case, and he will do all he can, but as much as he can learn, they will do their best to convict me, as there are 3 lawyers to assist the Prosecuting Attorney, of course, these are paid by the hounds. They will have to set my trial for this month again, & it probably will have to come off, as otherwise they will have to let me go on my own recognizance. You see I can't find out at all what they will try & prove against me, as I never had a hearing or police court trial, and they won't allow my lawyer to see the Grand Jury testimony. Through Hayes and Mrs. Pilz work I got out on bonds day before Christmas, she went & saw Judge Toohy before whom my case was first to be tried, but he would not answer the gang, so they somehow got my case before Judge Murphy & he is a Coleman man. Judge Toohy released me & the very next day Judge Murphy issued a bench warrant, and as I was coming down street to meet Hayes to go to see Capt. Coughlan I was rearrested & put back, with bail doubled again. Now I have lost all hopes, as a new venire of Jurymen are drawn for this month's & I understand they got their own venire up, so I won't have a ghost of a show. You see I am helpless to secure any prove, as all I know about my charge is what the complaint reads in 10 words, for forgery of a check of 322 on Humbold bank. Now you know that that black levered S.of B. Radovich, stole from me when I thought him my friend, the letters wherein this check was send to me with others & for what purpose. Yet the Bank acknowledged being advise of its & say I can only have indorsed it as they dont know the man's signature, but that the check is genuine. I hear Murray & Treadwell are going to testify against me for the prosecution. Well if I am convicted Dick, for Gods sake don't believe me guilty, before my maker I am as innocent of this as the baby unborn and do doubt they will give me as much as possible, the limits being 14 years. Well if such be my fate, I shall never live to let my enemi's glory over it but shall find a way of ending this & foiling the hounds. As it is I am ruined man with everything gone, no property, no name and dishonored, I could not outlive what I have suffered words & paper can't express.
I hope you may save the Pilz 2nd and some of them other claims for Mrs. Pilz and Willie, they both have to suffer terrible through this. Willie is working in a store for 3.00 a week, but Mrs. Pilz has not been able to go to work, as she has been eternally running around in my behave, but she was to close watched, so that when she got party interested in my behave the hounds would always seem to now it. Jack Olds will come & see me after the steamer is gone, as he will have more time then & give me all the news. Write me again care Dr. Whitell 906 Market St. I believe he is going to interest himself with Hayes.
Be sure & write me & accept again my hardy thanks. Hayes don't know what you want me to do in your case & Capt. Coughlan has not been to see me, but I told Hayes to bring him, as my deposition must be taken before I get convicted or else they will throw it out. Regard to all friends I remain eternally grateful.
Geo. E. Pilz
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Sherman House
Chicago, Jan. 17, 86
Friend Harris
It seemed like old times hearing from you again. Your good letter with the copies of the "Alaskan" were received ten days ago in Melrose, Mass. I was busy at the time getting ready for a trip to Southern California. We have come this far and shall start tomorrow morning for Los Angeles. I expect to remain in Southern California all winter and to be in San Francisco in April. My address will be care Navy Pay Office, San Francisco. I shall keep them advised at the Pay Office of my address and if I am not in the city when letters arrive there for me they will be forwarded. I am not on duty but am making the trip with a friend for pleasure. We are with "Raymond Excursion Party". It is a pleasant way of travelling; everything except Clutchmen being furnished for our wants and comforts. I think I shall be ordered to duty in the spring. If not I should like very much to go to Alaska. I think Benson will go up there in the spring. I saw him in New York the day. I took dinner a few days ago with Gillmore and his wife in Washington they are well and happy. I had heard of the trouble Fuller has given you. Capt. Coghlan wrote to me last August or in July and I told him in my reply what my answers will be to the interrogatories in the case. I sent this letter to Coghlan, care Patrick Cochran, and presume you have seen it. If my evidence will be of any service to you I am at your command. I am glad the prospect is so bright for the future for Alaska as a mining country, and only hope that you and rest of us pioneers may get our reward. We were the first ones to stake our time and money in the new district and we ought to come out winners.
I have just received a letter from Alexander. He is on the "Omaha" in China. You know he went out there with me and is now making a second cruise on that station. The papers you sent me were very interesting. I enjoyed hearing about my old tillicums and reading of the figures Sitka and Harrisburg are making. Remember me very kindly to Col. Ball, Cochran and in fact to all my old friends and believe me
Sincerely yours
James T. Ring
Why couldn't I be subpoenaed?
care Navy Pay Office
San Francisco, Calif
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San Francisco Febr. 4th 86.
R.T.Harris Esq.
Dear Friend Dick!
I was again disappointed this mail in not getting any letter from you, so is Olds. The boys went down several days, but no mail came. I suppose you had not much to Write, still I would have liked to have known what has been relocated in the Basin after New Years. Please let me know to if possible secure Pilz 2nd and the "Arthur" (running from Ice Gulch up Gopher Gulch to about 250 ft. over top of mountain). Also the "Nevada" between Arthur to North Star 1st running from Ice Gulch westerly. Also the "Elka" westerly from Ice Gulch from the "Harris" or Sitka claim. Also the "Yellow Jacket" in Steep Gulch above upper Bulger Ditch about 200 feet, and is the easterly extension of Pilz 1st, and a very good claim, 3 big ledges about 5 feet each showing in the Gulch very rich ore. (This & Arthur & Pilz 2nd are my favorites & don't miss them) I know you can find some fine day when going hunting you can go up & make those relocations, do so either in yours, Mrs. Pilz or Olds name & either you or Olds will do the right thing by us I know. Dick they are claims worth saving. I would like to save Red and Blue Jacket & Evanhoe and Lord of the Hill but I suppose Sagemiller has nailed them.
John Olds was here today, but did not know yet whether he was going up or not on this boat, as he has not finished his business yet. I would very much like to see him stay until my trial, which is now & finally set for the 15th of this month. 4 times this last month it was set & each time put back by the prosecution, until my lawyer Judge Louderback kicked & I will be tried & convicted sure next 15th. The prosecution claims they will convict me on general principle if they can't prove the forgery on me. W.T.Colemann, Wm. Pierson, Reynolds and Radovich have volunteered to testify against me, so as to influence the jury; & if Johnny leaves I won't have no one to say a good word in my behalf & those letters from you boys won't be acknowledged in court, unless their genuiness proven. My lawyer told me Monday that the only way to beat them was to get the paper & then they would have to dismiss the case, he told me if I would get someone with the money, he would go with him & get the paper, but Johnny has not the money & I can't get any one to advance it to me. I have asked several to advance it & I would work it out, but they humed over it & there is no other way out of it. Although innocent of the forgery, if I could beat the dam hounds by paying the 322.00 & keep from going to Quentin, I would only be too glad to do so. But who will help me now. Johnny said if you know it you surely would do it, but it would be so late, but if he does not go up he is going to write you also & ask you, he has offered to raise the money by giving his own properties as security, but he is not known & can't raise it. I hope he don't go you will help him to get me out, & we will beat the dam hounds Fuller & Carrol & all yet. Why did you not send me an affidavit as you want it, or instruct someone to get it here from me, you know I can't make one in this place unless properly prepared. I hope you won't feel too safe against that dam Fuller, as he will surely beat you if false swearing & lying will do it. Hall will send you an affidavit to sign, peruse it well first & see that I am correct in all the points as I only want the truth & plain facts. I can get Hilton's affidavit, he is bursted in Victoria.
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San Francisco April 28th 86
R.T.Harris Esq.
Dear Sir
I was greatly disappointed not hearing from you this mail I got letter from Olds who tells me you did not get the last mail I wrote you 2 letters & Mrs. Pilz one and Capt. Coughlan send you our depositions. They must have held them out on you as that dam crowd won't stoop too low. Yet I hope you will get them this boat & that they may be in time. I wrote you also 2 weeks ago but the steamer did not sail as intended. I was taken to court yesterday the first time since Johnny left & Colemans lawyer got again a continuance on the grounds of the absence of their witness & it is to he 2 months or 3 months more before it will be called again. If I had had some money to give to the Dist. Attorney I could have forced my trial, but so I have not a cent & it is easy for them to do as they please. The Hall's won't do nothing & especially since you did not send them that corrected affidavit. Olds says you don't want to relocate those claims. For Gods sake take my advice & do so as I know what is in them. Coleman's gang are trying to sell the Basin Group to a syndicate for large sum. Carroll & Murray got their case fixed in the U.St. Courts & cleared (of course with Colemans and Steamship Co. money). Dr. Whitell is the only party here, what sticks to me as a friend everybody has abandonned me as they have everyone so impressed with my guilt, besides a person is locked up for 10 months is naturally looked on as guilty. If I had plead guilty in the beginning, being guilty or not, I would have soon been out, & God knows they say they will give me the full extend, which is 14 years. But you may depend they never take me there alive. If it was not for Willie's sake & with the hopes of revenge I would have put an end to this long ago. Poor Willie is working hurding cows for 4.00 month & that don't pay for his cloths, he has got to get up 5 in the morning. I could not get him in a place here, my being in Jail throws the hood on the poor boy & Mrs. Pilz is worse off, she is trying to do sicknursing, but can't earn enough to live, she has often for days nothing but dry bread to eat. The cheap fare from the east in the last 3 months have thrown thousands of poor people here from the east, so every thing is over done. For God sake Dick if you get a few dollars to spare send it to us, no matter how little & if I never have the chance myself to repay you, I shall teach Willie to be grateful to you.
This prison is in terrible hands now too, & although under public investigation, we are terrible treated in the last 3 months, our food can only be eaten by half famished. It was bad last winter but now 1000% worse. I am at present in with a crazy fellow, who already twice tried to do away with himself, don't speak a single word, but eats everything in his reach. I tell you what I suffer, I don't wish anyone to go through.
Paymaster Ring came here a couple weeks ago, but I have been trying to find out where he shops but can't the Capt. Coughlan promised to let me know, but I guess he has forgotten it. Show this letter to Johnny in case his don't reach him & be sure & write & answer Hall's letter also. Although Hall's won't do a thing for me, yet I rather they get the property than the other gang, and be sure & make those relocations, as I am sure you won't be sorry for it. I wrote Johnny per W.F. & Co.
Hoping that you like the balance won't quite abandon me & that you will write me & comply with my prayer for a little help I remain as ever hoping someday to be able to repay you.
Yours very gratefully
Geo. E. Pilz
Ask your lawyer whether I can't start suit against Fuller for an accounting of our partnership in store, also against Holtern about the saw mill business. Pat Corcoran has my papers in his possession, as he was to be arbitrator & I filed my claim on record in Sitka. I also want to start suit against Hailey on acct. of which if they are sold, If my lien still holds good; also a claim for lumber on record in Harrisburg against a house of Col. Crittenden.
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San Francisco Aug 5th 86
Rich. T. Harris Esq.
Dear Sir and Friend
Although you won't write to me, after I written 4 or 5 letters I will try once more to draw a line out of you. I am ever so anxious to know how you made out with that dam S. of a B. of a Fuller. Did you get a new Trial or have you appealed to Supreme Court. You promised me to write me all particulars but I never heard again from you. The last 2 mails I could not write you direct, but wrote to Olds & you in one as I am so infernal poor I can't buy paper & stamps and since I am abandoned by all I have no one to ask for a little help. I got write this standing at my wicket as I can't buy any coal oil & the cells are too dark to read or write without light except at the wicket. How did you make out against Fuller about the Furniture, I hope you beat the bastard and turn round & have the dam thief arrested for grand Larceny, I would swear out a warrant against him in a minute if I was there. The dam thief, you know he did not dare to produce that pretended Bill of Sale when I was up there although he agreed to leave it in Schmeigs hands, but never done it. I spend more sleepless nights dreaming & thinking about those thiefing Sons of Bitches; But I fear I will never have the chance to get my revenge.
My trial is not set yet, & may not come up before September, so I wrote Johnny to try & get an attached letter with lot of signatures as they won't admit the one Hayes brought down, it not being witnessed or attested. The prosecution say for sure they got me dead & sure conviction now, & I am prepared to be found guilty & convicted for a crime I am as innocent of as you are. But they make their open bracks that I got to go across if money can send me there.
But Dick I will never go there, if it comes to the last I will finish myself. I will never be a convict & live if I have an opportunity. Geo. A. Knight one of the best lawyers on the coast been to see me through Doctor Whitell, & he told me to write you boys who were in lidication, what chance there is for him to get some good case so to pay his expenses guaranteed. We then would go up & investigate my affairs thoroughly & fight them if worth while. He is the best speaker on the coast not even excepting Hall McAllister he was the one nominated Blaine; and is considered boss here. He says he would like to tackle Alaska for a few months, if there was enough in it. He won't accept any offices as he has better practice, & is the leader of the Republicans on the coast. So let me know by return mail if & what propositions there is for him. He would knock the stuffing out of Fuller & the whole gang.
He promised to go on my case if he was retained in the Alaska affairs & he says will burn some up if he takes hold. Carroll and gang are victorious I see in their opium fight, as the Pres. has withdrawn Capt. Beecher's nomination for Collector of Townsend. But every dog his days, Murray and Carroll will die with their boots on yet and their stolen wealth won't do them much good.
Well Dick be sure & write me again as I am all abandoned but by Dr. Whitell and Johnny Olds. Dr. wanted me for Supt. in Meadow Lake where he is building a 20 stamp Mill, but they would not let me out on bail. Mrs. P. has left me too for 2 months & more, although I am told she is in town, she has not written nor have I seen her for 5 months. I ought to let her go 3 years ago it would have been ever so much better for me. Yet you may imagine how it hurts to be left in my present fix without a friend, when I always been a friend to everybody but to myself. Good by yours as ever.
Geo. E. Pilz.
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Navy Yard - Mare
Island, Cal.
Aug. 8th 1886
My dear Harris:
Yours of June 10th reached a short time ago, after being delayed about three weeks in the mail. I am awfully sorry about your case, but I can do nothing for you, as I am not up there. I wrote you three or four times this spring and kept working up your case, but you never answered any of my letters, so I gave up, supposing you' did not care to hear from me. So far as I can see the gang has got you dead. Your lawyer was an ass not to have the records there, as that was your case. McGregor and some of the others thought he sold you out, and called me a d____ fool for taking any further interest in the matter when you wouldn't answer my letters. The result justifies them. Every point your lawyer tried was made too late in the game. The Supreme Court of Oregon has nothing to do with your case. It will have to go to the Supreme Court of the United States. If Mr. Maloney fools around about the Oregon Court he will only made you lose every thing.
I wrote you a point which would have been good against them. Coleman's name was not on the record, Fuller sold to two others, and had the point been made in time you could have got damages. I am here tied up, just when I wanted to come up.
If the Judge don't grant you a new trial on the Indian being on the Jury, your case is gone. Your lawyer's ignorance will have beaten you. No man should have attempted to have gone to trial without the records of the District to back him.
You had no creditors when you sold your property, so you could not have sold it to hinder or delay or defraud them. You were perfectly solvent and owed no man a cent. I sincerely hope you can beat them. I saw by the papers that a Mr. Alfred S. Frank a Portland lawyer was drowned a short time ago; was that their lawyer?
If Maloney does his duty I think he can save you on those sales. If you can do anything in prospecting I will go in with you. It is impossible for me to come up this year, so you had better look out for the Harris Mine.
Give my love to Jim Williams and old uncle Billy and Pat Corcoran. With kind regards for yourself. I am your sincere friend.
Your sincere friend
J.D.Coghlan
I am awfully busy just now.
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S.F. November 11th, 86
John Olds and R.T.Harris
My very dear & true friends! I have waited untill tonight hoping I might get a letter or hear from you in some way. The mail & express been in several days so I hear the passengers. Carroll got in this morning & I hear he is making his braggadocios blows that he won't let up untill he has me out of the way. A Party over heard him tonight in the Occidental & he everlasting raked me up. Well let him. I dare him and his gang to take the stand openly against me. (For the last 3 days I have been before the committee of the Grand Jury & they have started a close investigation in my case; still there is so much they got to inquire into, that it is slower than a snail walk, and I got no one to push anything for me. My lawyers have so much on hand that my case is too insignificant to them to pay me much attention. Knight has only got over his electioneering & has not gone back to work at law yet. He told me tough that he had seen those papers at Lande's & that you had an a number one case, that he would not interfere with Mr. Lande but if he did not do right by you at once he would quick enough take hold, only it was not professional to interfere with others cases.
Well I hope both of you have won your cases. Dick, you can get a lot more evidence here as I told Capt. Coughlan last spring. But you see I would have gotten it for you, if I had had a chance, but I am perfectly helpless, in here. Capt. Tyler, Fuller's former boss on Steamer "Garrett" now of "W.T.Walker" & also partner will give Fuller a hard caracter. Fuller treated Tyler same as me, Tyler set him into business & Fuller in a years time left his partner minus 5000 & a big lot of debts. Whores and gamblers having reaped a harvest.
G.W.Reynolds has succeeded again in turning Mrs. Roberts & Hall Bros from having any courage to take hold, he & his parasites have told such long stories of woes that any one would loose heart to invest one cent. Regensburger the little jobling lawyer who does the dirty work against me has again repeatedly made me propositions through some of the lambs to let up if I would deposit from 300-500 & he would let me out, but if I can only get Knight & Darwin down to work once they ought to burn the case up alive. But this city & these courts are so terrible corrupt, that a person would not believe it untill he gets a true insight into it. There is not one guilty person out of every 10 convicted who deserve to go across criminals go scott free, because the whole judicial government is more or less consisting of criminals & its only poor helpless devils who are made convicts.
I don't hardly expect to get another hearing before next spring. Courts only open again Monday & then will adjourn again in 3 weeks for the holidays.
Be sure & let me know all news. Has there been any assessment work done in the Basin? & where & on which claims? Is that Johnson mill completed & what success?
How is everyone & what are they doing on Quartz both in Basin & Island? I wished I had a few specimens, have promised the Sheriffs some for ever so long & they-always keep dunning me. Those friends of yours Johnny, have not called yet, I suppose they are like everyone else, they don't like to come to a prison. Barry is himself under criminal charge, but out on bail.
Well write me & let me know all news & give my best regards to everyone well wisher and friend up there I wished to God, Johnny your dream about me would come true.
Accept again my heartiest thanks & gratitude & believe me as ever Yours
Most Gratefully
Truly in F.L. & T.
Geo. E. Pilz
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U.S.Navy Yard, Mare
Island,Cal.
January 6th. 1887.
My dear Harris:
Your letter of Nov. 30th. reached me in due time and I sat down right away and wrote to Hendry and the Hall Bros. about their claims against Fuller.
I also went to San Francisco to see them. Hendry told me that he only had a claim of about $300.00 against Fuller and he did not care about pushing the matter just now, as Fuller had told him that he was now in a condition to soon pay him and other creditors their money. When he told me that I only laughed, but could do nothing further. It seems that Fuller used to run on one of their boats, and has the luck of being in their good graces in spite of his long career of non-paying. I also wrote to the Hall Bros. and made an engagement to call at their office to see them; they thought so little of the matter that they did not even leave any word with their man about it, and treated my letter with supreme contempt. The fact of the matter is I think Fuller has written these people that he is in with the Treadwell crowd and is making a good thing, which will, if let alone, soon enable him to pay up; and these people are geese enough to believe him. The lies about that mine are awful big and some asses actually believe the whole of Alaska is one vast goldfield. One thing I want to say to you: if you redeem that property and do not pay enough money to satisfy the judgment, they can resell the whole thing over again, and keep on doing the same thing until they satisfy the whole amount. So be very careful what you do; of course if it is worth the money, it will pay you to settle up the whole claim at once and be free to hold any other property you may, in the meantime, discover. Until that judgement is satisfied you cannot hold anything in your own name; and you know how very hard it is for you to hold any property in the name of anyone else. You have been too decent a man for the general run of Alaska miners, to be liked by them. Since you have let rum alone you are a constant eye-sore to those who spend their time and money in the grog-shops.
I admire you all the more for it Dick, and for the sake of the "square and plumb" I sincerely hope you will keep on in the good work. I was elected Master of our Lodge last month and was "installed" last Monday night. Give my kind regards to Jim Williams and any of our other friends who are around town, and believe me, as before, your friend,
J.B. Coghlan
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Private
Custom House, Sitka,
Alaska,
Collector's Office, June 13,1887.
R.T.Harris,
Juneau, Alaska
Dear Sir: I have made a very careful and thorough examination of your case and I am forced to the conclusion that there is no way to get you out. I find upon looking over the whole record of the case that the order, confirming the sale, was entered January 19th 1887; so that your sixty-days within which to redeem expired on the 20th day of March. As you did not redeem within that time your right is lost and cannot be recovered. Until I examined that record I was under the impression that the order of confirmation was not entered until May 4th, which, if true, would leave the road open to redeem. But the order was made January 19th.
I assure you I regret exceedingly that I am forced to this conclusion, but it is the truthful one and you cannot afford to be mislead and certainly I can't afford to mislead you. You have been badly treated and your case has been shockingly handled, but it is too late to save the property.
Yours truly,
A.K.Delaney
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Navy Yard, Mare Island,
Cal.
Aug. 4, 1887
Dear Harris
I wrote you last week about seeing Capt. Nichols etc. I want you to do all you can to sell the mine. Give him everything and write and tell me just what you offered it to him for. Let me know just how much money you think the mine worth- and the smallest amount I should let it go for. In case they will not take it without a trial - shall I let them have a bond on it & how much should I ask for the bond- how much cash etc. - you know I'm green on such things and I want you to post me. I am without a clerk here just now, so am busy up to my eyes. Good bye. Yours fraternally
J.B.Coghlan
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Juneau Alaska Nov 3rd 1891
Mr. J. M. Davis
Dear Sir
I have agreed to retain Mr. R.T.Harris in charge of the Alaska Union Mining Co. mill and property on Douglas Island up to July 1st 1891. and his compensation on and after November 1st 1891 will be one hundred dollars per month, and you are hereby authorized to make a monthly settlement with him accordingly.
Alaska Union Mining Company
by Thomas S. Nowell
President
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Puget Sound Naval
Station
Bremerton, Wash.
Nov. 11th 1899
My dear Harris:
Your letter of Oct. 31 has just reached me, and I hasten to let you know how glad I am to hear from you again, after all these years.
But I don't understand what you mean by my going back on you. You are away off there, of course I have been "on the go" all the time & haven't had the time or opportunity to write to all my friends. I certainly never did anything to give rise to any story or to have anyone think I had gone back on you. Since I saw you in 1885, I have been cruising a great deal and was also on duty in the Eastern states, so I have not kept posted in Alaska, except as I saw about the Klondike etc. in the papers. The last two years, as you can imagine, have been very busy ones with me. I left the U.S. May 6, 1897, and went to Europe, from there to China and arrived there Feb. 18th 1898 in time to hear of the blowing up, of the Maine, of course after that there was nothing for me, but preparation and then the war. I took part in Dewey's battle of Manila Bay May 1st 1898. and in every one of the different "scraps" our vessels had out there and only left Manila Dec. 15 1898. Since then coming home etc has kept me very busy.
I have just come back from the East, where I went to receive Admiral Dewey, and I had a royal time, I can tell you. I am now in command of this station, where we have a good Navy Yard, which is being built up very fast, and consequently I am kept here pretty closely.
Capt. Goodrell of the Marine Corps, came down from Sitka (where he has been for a year or so) on the last steamer and gave me all the news of that place, but very little of Juneau. From what he says Juneau must have changed immensely, but most of the "old timers" must be dead and gone. I shall try to run up next year for a trip and stop over one steamer, but nothing is certain as yet. Give my love to your boys, and regards to any one I know. Cape Nome seems to be the great place now.
Write again soon and believe me
Your sincere friend
J.B.Coghlan Capt. U.S.N.
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Sitka, Alaska,
March 11, 1902.
Mr. Richard T. Harris,
Juneau, Alaska
My dear Sir:
I received yours of the 3d inst. by last mail. Lieut. Jarvis has not yet arrived but when he does I shall sound him on all those matters. I shall do the best that I can for you. I shall urge that he appoint Alaskans to all places when he makes any changes and not ship in any more foreigners. For the most part they are not at all interested in the District and are ready to leave on the next boat after they get out of office.
Collector Jarvis will act with deliberation in all these matters.
Respectfully yours,
John G. Brady
Governor of Alaska.
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Victoria B.C.
January 30th 03
Mr. R.T. Harris
Dear Sir
In reply to your letter of January 15th 03, in reference to a man of the name of Garriety who died in Sitka, and claims that he found gold in large quantities close to the Takow harbour, and was picked up from an open boat by one of the Hudsons Bay Steamers, and taken to Victoria; I may mention that I have not the slightest recollection of the above, nor do I think for one moment that it ever happened, as in those days as you yourself are well aware no white men were ever seen in open boats above the vicinity of Wrangell.
If you wish it I will publish your letter in the Vic. local paper it might show some light on the subject.
Yours truly
Herbert George Lewis
Late Master
H.B.Co. Steamer "Latouche"
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Dear Maggie (Pilz)
Yours just on hand & very thankful. Please tell Mr. Hayes sure not to pay Whaley a cent. I hope that the Doc & Greathouse will carry it out. I am just writing to Alaska, so to send it by Str. tomorrow. Please write a note yourself to R. Harris and Jno Olds and ask them yourself to do all they can to hold your Pilz 2nd. Please let me know any news by messenger.
Of course if my trial don't come off for a week or 10 days I will have my money from home to settle with Brandt & please don't hesitate to take part of Hayes to pay your and Will's expense till I get out. Hayes told me that Harris wanted him to help me all that was needed,
So don't hesitate to take $50.00 of Hayes for yourself. I am sure I will get 3 to 500 from home, as I wrote to mother & brother both.
I would like to get out of this hole you may depend.
Give Hayes my regards and tell him not to pay Whaley a cent.
Yours as ever loving and hoping,
George (Pilz)
Show Hutelines and Greathouse the letters if you think it will do any good.
Be sure & write to Alaska & send per Wells-Fargo, get it in a Wells-Fargo box tonight or before 9 in the morning.