About this Item
Two separate Folio leaves (ca. 32x20 cm or 12 ¾ x 7 ¾ in) and slightly smaller. 4 pp. Brown ink on blueish watermarked lined laid paper. Foldmarks, several minor tears on folds, but overall a very good letter written in a legible hand. Interesting, content-rich original letter that provides an insight into life, farming activities and land deals executed by Washington state pioneers. Written by an Olympia resident and Freemason George Tykel, the letter is addressed to Daniel J. Hubbard - a member of the same Masonic lodge (apparently, Olympia No. 1) and a resident of Thurston County since 1852. The letter mostly discusses the conditions of their potential co-ownership of a part of the Chambers Prairie ? the territory now occupied by the town of Lacey, east of Olympia. Tykel describes the size of the land lot, the price per acre and the amount of interest he is planning to charge Hubbard. The deal apparently went through but became a subject of a legal dispute. An article in the main Olympia newspaper, "Washington Standard," informed about the public "Sheriff's Sale" of exactly that part of the Chambers Prairie in April, 1861, "in favor of D.J. Hubbard and against George A. Tykel" (Sheriff's Sale// The Washington Standard. 27 April 1861, p. 3). Tykel also shares local news and several mutual acquaintances, notes that he has been attending dancing school and mentions the upcoming execution of Nisqually Chief Leschi (1808-1858), who was hanged at Fort Steilacoom on February 19, 1858, after his defeat in the Yakima Wars (1855-58). Overall an important content-rich original letter by an Olympia pioneer. George Tykel joined Olympia Lodge in 1856 and was expelled in March 1862. He was deceased by 1902 (Masonic History of the Northwest. San Francisco: The History Publishing Co., 1902, p. 375). Little Tykel Cove on the western shore of the Budd Inlet, north of modern-day Olympia Golf & Country Club, was named after him (Meany. E.S. Origin of Washington Geographic Names. Seattle, 1923, p. 320). Daniel J. Hubbard was a resident of Thurston county since 1852 (The Washington Standard, 29 March 1889, p. 3). In 1856, he was a non-commissioned officer in the "Pioneer Company," Central Battalion, Second Regiment, W.V.T. (Todd, R., and others. Letters of Governor Isaac I. Stevens, 1856-57// The Pacific Northwest Quarterly, vol. 31, No. 4 (Oct. 1940), p. 414). Some of his letters are now deposited in the Libraries of the University of Washington and the University of Michigan. Excerpts from the letter (the spelling is original): " Saturday, Feb. 6th 1858. Bro. D.J. Hubbard, <?> I have your letter before me & will reply to your several interrogatorys in plain and concise language that cannon be mistaken nor misconstrued in relation to our land trade or purchase. The offer is still open to you for acceptance or refusal as you see propper. Neither care I a straw which you adopt. Since it's with no motive of speculation, or anxiety to sell that I have consented to take you in, as a partner, for should I desire to sell out I could dispose of it on much better terms, but as there is more land than I have any desire to cultivate myself, and at the same time wishing to retain an interest in the whole, I have in consideration of the partiality I entertain towards you, extended that privilege to you, there being no other person under the Sun, except my own Brother, with whom I would enter into such an arrangement, of so complicated a nature <?> Friday, Feb. 11th 1858. Sir, the Mail passed by before I got this letter completted & hastily leaving then I left this remaining on the Secretary's Desk & Mr. Ward & Jake Myers came up during my absence & tore off a portion of my sheet. <?> Jake [Walderie?] <?> has loaned to Louisson & Co. $1600.00 & they have got into difficulty with Capt. Hunt & Scranton about the steamer Constitution which is now tied up to Gidding's wharfe & ordered sold. Frankel & Lighter stand a chance of looking fiv. Seller Inventory # M82
Contact seller
Report this item
