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Correspondence from Fitzwilliam Sargent [CE’79], 1880- 1897

 Series — Box: 0041.01, Folder: 09

Scope and Contents

1880 May 21 (D. & R.G. Eng. Corps, Cañon City, Colorado) to Richard III, got a transit and marked the railroad line through the Royal Gorge and Grand Canyon in knee deep snow meeting another party along the Texas Creek at base of Sangre de Christo range – enjoyed it except for weather, living in tents at 6 to 8 thousand feet, get twice the pay as in east, lead mine in mountains, negotiating with N.Y. & N.E. R.R. – low salary but good prospects 1880 July 31 (Noname Gulch, Colorado) to Richard supposes he is star gazing, as transit man he gets $90, running down the Pacific side of Continental Divide looking for Poncha Pass but very tired of mountain life. 1880 November 18 (Poncha Pass, Colorado) asks Richard “what have become of you? Have you become absorbed into the Milky Way” he is corresponding with Cunningham and “Pad has gone up the spout” has been meandering on the Continental Divide – Monach – Marshall and Poncha Passes – the former being 11,000 ft up. Just returned from Ute Country, Gunnison valley on edge of Reservation snowed in Poncha Pass – 8 miles west of the town of Poncha Springs, 40° below temperature in mountains. Had a good time at Gunnison City – big dance house – $100 per dance, 25 cents for lb. of apples, 50 cents a drink – such is the Winter of our discontent. 1881 February 13 (Mier, Mexico) relates the problem of getting mail, disbanding of party in D. & R.G. R.R. poor weather, hears of work in Indianapolis, Ind. goes there and on East, while in Philadelphia received an offer on the Mexican National Construction Co. running a line from U.S. to Mexico City, here he is ass’t topographical man, sailed for Galveston then to Corpus Christo and from there to determine a crossing for the road over Rio Grande, went by rail to San Diego, then by stage to Mier – 5th largest city in Mexico. Looks to Bethlehem as Mecca and L.U. as Mohammed, remarks that the ’79 M.E.s lack interest in L.U. 1881 August 8 Matamoros, Mexico complains about not getting mail, since February has been in the interior of Mexico and mail disarranged, asks for information about proceedings in June, since February he has been to Monterey, and several villages to Soltillo. Gives address in Brownsville, Texas, travelled from Laredo to Lampazos on to Matamoros. Now is chief topographer. Asks for information about coming event in the history of J.S.C[unningham] and the boys (of ’79) 1881 September 7 (Rancho Santa Anna) thanks for letter and accounts for other mail too and the information contained in the letters, last year he was in the snow banks at 11,500 ft mountains freezing, now he is sweating in the lagoons of lower Rio Grande but he is flourishing at $125. as Topographer per month with expenses. His line is 36 miles (more or less) N.W. of Matamoros in the Valley of the Rio Grande, Company furnishes him with a fine horse, a Colt .45 and a Winchester, has had two Geological offers – 2nd Geological Survey of Penna. Anthracite region other in Indiana, relates meeting other engineering grads from engineering schools and says he is proud to be a L.U. Engineering seems to be booming. Outlines a plan to forward money as dues to ’79 (being only four grads) – recalls Merriman speaking of a remembrance from ’79 to the University, glad to hear all the news from all the boys – “did Merriman or Doolittle ask after me” 1881 October cut off from civilization within a few leagues of Camargo Millions of ducks and geese thicker than mosquitoes, has shot many with the Winchester, has a skull of a supposed U.S. soldier because of service buttons, he is out of reach complete for months at a time, thanks for the news. 1882 January 9 (Laredo) apologizes for missed donation for the Cup. Things are booming here and looks as if he will be absorbed by Monterey Division so he is OK. Prof. Williams wrote him. Mail routes in locality are very crooked, with lost and greatly delayed mail – askes about Paddock, Jimmy (Cunningham), had Xmas card from Miss Brodhead – first from the Ladies in Bethlehem, will send address if he moves, asks for news from Bethlehem especially the Ladies. 1882 June 18 (Salinas, Mexico) too late to unite in spirit with his classmates at L.U. He returned from Monterey and lain low with Malaria, wants to return East now saving his money. Track laying has stopped – having reached the grades – heavy work, present location miserable and monotonous and lonely – only good is good pay and no expenses but feels he now is no longer fit for life in the East. Asks about old classmates and news from Bethlehem. 1882 July 15 (Salinas Victoria Mexico) thanks for the letter, heard from Cunningham. He is in charge of computing earthwork, excavation of embankments. Envies Dick being back in Bethlehem, asks about “The Burr” thinks he might write some of his experience for the journal for the Freshmen to inform them about the real world away from comforts of home. His R.R. has resumed a change for the better so he will not at this time move on. 1887 November 27 (Aurora) writes to Richard III in Cordoba, he writes in midst of a winter storm, he is Engineer of Tests of the C. B. and A. R. R. and now married to Kit (Cowdrey) who is friend of Dick’s sister in the Seminary and asks for husband’s name now in Denver. Kit hears from Miss Brodhead and Miss Schweinitz from Bethlehem but no one else, pays his due to scholarship fund and heard of Frederick’s death – he died of fever on N.E. coast of Brazil. Warren Wilbur brought a car load of L.U. boys for the Brake tests but all they did was get drunk was askance of the representations of L.U. Counsels Dick on coming home and get married – Kate Brodhead is waiting for a good man – come and be Prof. of Astronomy at Lehigh and see her. Also advises to stay where he can make and save money. The America’s Cup stays in America – the Volunteer coming in two miles ahead of the Thistle – Cleveland is President and Robert Lincoln is talked of. News of interest: automatic brakes, steam heat from locomotive, electric light via dynamo in baggage car , automatic car couplers. Mrs. S sends her best regards and ask to come visit via trip to Denver. 1897 July 4 Tucker to Sargent (Wiscasset) reports that letters have reached him. Starts tomorrow for Nova Scotia and start West about July 26 by way of Lake Geneva – Chicago and hope to have a visit with you either before or after. Visited Bethlehem for the exercises – saw Porter of ’78 and Emmerick Trehau, Cunningham is very stout, went to Philadelphia and spent a night with Doolittle at his new observatory where is finely established. At Lehigh new President appears to be a good man, energetic and well balanced, Frazier, Ringer and Merriman were all very genial and met Mrs. Merriman after many years, saw Miss Kate Brodhead for a moment – unchanged and a lovely woman, Drinker, Baker, Lathrop, Rice of the older set were there; and Meaker aged very much, did not see Williams, new head of Physics is Franklin – looks to be a bright man and hear good reports of him from elsewhere. Shall telegraph movements at end of July for a meet. (photocopy not original)

Dates

  • 1880- 1897

Conditions Governing Access

Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.5 Linear Feet (3 Manuscript Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository

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