stefansson-wrangel-09-27-020a

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From the beginning of our plans about a northern expedition
independent of the Canadian Government, the understanding had been that the men
who went north would do the work and that I would not only find the money for
the initial voyage but also undertake to convert to our plans whatever Govern-
ment might be elected in Canada. But by the time the four men had been together
for a week, their enthusiasm had mounted so that they wanted to be sharers in
the financial side as well as in the work. Knight had no money and did not know
where he could borrow, so he arranged to co-operate financially by having part
of his wages due from the company paid monthly into an account for the purchase
$1,000. worth of shares.
of/shares In this way he eventually became the owner of Fred Maurer had
[SKmExxEHKyxxhiKhxiuExpHkxxnxxKdxtexaixE] borrowed $1,000. from his brother, John
Maurer, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, purchasing ten shares.

Before sailing north Crawford arranged for the purchase of $500.
worth of shares. After he reached Nome he mailed our company back a check for
$100. to purchase a two-year option on shares for $1,000. I think all the boys
took pains to make it clear to their relatives that they were doing this at their
own desire. An example of how thoughtful they were in this matter I take from a
carbon which Ceawford kept in the expedition records, duplicating a letter he
wrote to his mother on August 18th, 1921, three hours before he sailed for Alaska the Victoria sailed
from Seattle. "On very careful consideration I have done something which may
seem unwise to you but as I am situated it seems like a very fine thing. I am
taking five shares of stock in this company. The payment is $50. a month for
ten months. This I did without any suggestion on the part of Stefansson (he is
the company) or anyone else."