stefansson-wrangel-09-20-081

Maurer

Ans. Date?

New Philadelphia O. Oct 27 - 24

Mr. V. Stefansson New York.

Dear Mr Stefansson

The telegram and your letter with check came to hand. I am returning check for you do not owe it to me. Fred had borrowed money different times and provided colateral. just recently I have settled at the bank for Fred's loan. I feel that the loss belongs to Fred alone, he was anxious to help you in your work. Sometime later when you are out of debt and want to do something to repay Fred for the loss, I think I can suggest something that you may agree with. In the meantime forget about it. There are several things in connection with Fred's affairs and the expedition I would like to talk to you about, and would be glad to come to some town near here, should you come to Cleveland or Columbus, Canton Akron. send wire day or 2 before and I will arrange to be there if possible. As to suggestions for your late book, will say that the part about Noice did not appeal to me, since he has made retraction no doubt you can shape it up, that will make better reading. Then I would suggest that in connection with photograph you have short biography of each of the four boys in part of book, Mrs Crawford has written to me that she felt a certain letter of Fred's be published. Our Family does not feel that way and prefer the letter be kept out of book. That is one thing I would like to talk to you about. I think knowing Fred that I could give you some light on why Fred wrote that kind of letter. Then there is a page marked insert p 63, which the Maurer family

2

would like to have revised or eliminated. We know that Fred did not want to get married of course you can't know everything about the affair and we don't want any unpleasantness about it but we have letters and telegrams in our possession showing that a certain lady insisted on the marrige and I am sure Fred went through with it to save us any worry, and because he didn't want to be a cad, not because he wanted to be married before he left. So we kindly asked that you leave out the words "Maurer wanted to get married" or eliminate the page altogether. Thanking you for permission to make these suggestions Kindly treat this letter confidential

I am sincerely John Maurer

P.S. We want you to know that we appreciate the motive you have in sending check, and wish you success in all your undertakings. J.M.