stefansson-wrangel-09-18-038

Galle

Nov. 8

New Braunfels Tex. Oct 21. '24

Dear Mr. Stefansson;-

Your letter from Australia with a copy of the notes that were found in Toronto arrived safely, and your letter of Oct 8, also received. Two days later the tin box with the notes also came to us, and I am now trying to tell you how thankful we are for all. I am indeed glad you did not send the original notes from Australia as this was so much safer, but it was so good to have the typewritten copy then. We were all rather downcast for a time, and it hurts to know there was not the harmony on the Island we first believed. It throws a different light on the whole. After reading Mr. Knights diary over and over again, I thought there was a tension, but could not read between the lines just what the trouble was. We are grieving to think we could not stand by him (Milton) and shelter him, as his trials were not a few, and long more than ever to have all of his diary. But I am looking for a little consolation in that he was physically strong enough to do the required

work at least up to the last note of Sep. 30 I understand how Milton felt, for I know he could not undure to be harshly treated. I am hoping his sense of humor and good hard pluck helped him over all. May it be so.

Could I discard the feeling I have about an unwillingness on Milton's part to make the trip to Siberia, I would be more at peace. Were we familiar with the life one leads in isolation, we would better understand. I know not the ways and laws of the sea and the north but it seems when a few men are so closely confined, would get to be more on the level and each go on their honor, and therefore less [ca...sick] and more companionship.

I am glad the notes were of value to you and that you could use them in the book. I am very anxious to read it.

You say you have exposed Mr. Noice enough to clear the boys completely, that is any good. Mr. Noice wrote me from Brazil saying he had left the diary in Toronto, which is now confirmed. His misfortune now shows again that it will never do to do an unjustly act.

Having read the notes over and compared with the typewritten copy, I am sure you did as well as was possible. I have noticed that the Sep 7 entry is not complete, and am sending you a copy as I read it. This is of little importance I am sure, but is is possible that the photographer had taken the Sep 8 entry and continued after having a few lines of Sep 7., combining the two dates under Sep 7. entry.

We have read a short narative of Mr. Le Bordais's trip to Herald Island and of what they found, and it is with horror that we think of our boys and their possible same fate. I had hoped the ship would bring back something to give us a clue, and I now believe that the boys deposited some thing for safe-keeping on Wrangel. I had just finished reading Capt. Bartlett's book, and had fresh in mind about those four men who evidently were those lost and frozen there, and have vividly before me what the boys endured on the trip, and worse than Mr. Bartlett for they did not survive it.

I hope to read in your book the things that are still mysteries to us, and to see how you view certain unexplained matters.

Now that a year has passed since the tragic news, and any little hope that I held out for the boys, is vanishing. I am about to ask you for

more about Milton's affairs and aggreement with you and the Company, upon leaving for the north. He wrote about some things, but my letters did not arrive in time for him to answer all questions. I am now asking for information and when you are again in New York, and will kindly tell me about it, I shall appreciate very much.

Thanking you, Respectfully Mrs. Galle.