Family papers of Richard Tighe Harris, 1853-1969

Collection

Identifier: MS 60

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection includes dated and undated correspondence, invitations, mining and other legal records, financial records, memoranda books, drawings by William John Harris (son of R.T.), photographs including those of Joe Juneau and R.T. Harris for "Old Tillicum" cigar ads, maps, publications, a scrapbook, newspapers, and Masonic Order materials that belonged to R.T. Harris. The collection contains documents that provide insight into the history of the Harris family and of R.T. Harris' mining activities in the Juneau area between 1879-1881 and 1885-1886. The correspondence between Harris and his sons contains information about life at the Indian school in Chemawa, Oregon.

Dates

1853-1969

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to research.

Conditions Governing Use

Request for permission to publish material from the collection must be discussed with the Librarian. Photocopying does not constitute permission to publish.

Biographical Note

The Richard Tighe Harris family originated in Ireland. Early in life Harris came to America; he lived in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1858 he went to Missouri and then to Kansas Territory. He then moved to mining country -- Idaho Territory, Montana Territory, British Columbia -- and in 1879 arrived in southeastern Alaska to prospect for gold. In 1880 Harris and Joe Juneau, grubstaked by George Pilz and led by Chief Kowee, discovered gold in the Silver Bow Basin.

Extent

2 boxes ; 0.8 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Organized into seven series: I. Correspondence, II. Legal records, III. Financial records, IV. Memoranda, V. Pictorial materials, VI. Printed material, and VII. Memorabilia. Dated correspondence arranged in chronological order.

Acquisition

Provenance unknown

Existence and Location of Originals

Originals of papers in: University of Alaska, Anchorage. Library Archives and Manuscripts Dept.

General

Photocopies except R.T. Harris' original handwritten account of the discovery of the Harris Mining District, October 4, 1880.

Index includes correspondents, names found in letters, geographic locations of letters sent and received, and corporate bodies.

R.T. Harris' diary (MS 60-70) was added to this collection.