Letters from Skagway: the Experiences of Carl Trappe during the Yukon Gold Rush, 1898-1899

Collection

Identifier: MS 13-8-2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The letters transcripted here were written by Carl Trappe to his wife, Emma, while he was in Skagway during the Klondike gold rush, 1898-1899. The original letters were written in German; the translation was done by James M. Trappe. The letters remain in the possession of the family.

Dates

1898-1899

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is unrestricted.

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

Carl Trappe, a German immigrant and builder, worked as a carpenter in the Skagway region during the Klondike gold rush. He was trying to make money to send home to his wife and family. Jobs were scarce in the U.S. as a severe depression had hit the country in 1897-1898. Trappe returned to Portland, Oregon and worked as a carpenter and house builder. He died in 1901 as the result of a fall from a roof.

Extent

16 Sheets

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The manuscript was donated to the Alaska State Museum by Lois Avoian for Margaret West Taylor, granddaughter of Carl Trappe. The State Museum transferred the manuscript to the Historical Collections in 1999 (Acc. # 99-71).

Processing Information

The transcription was added to the manuscript collections.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding aid for the Letters from Skagway: the Experiences of Carl Trappe during the Yukon Gold Rush, 1898-1899
Status: In Progress
Author: Processed by: Gladi Kulp January 2000 ; ArchivesSpace finding aid by: Sandy Johnston
Date: 2019 July
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: English