Guide to the Fred Wildon Fickett papers
1858-1989
Collection number: HMC-0108.
Creator: Fickett, Fred Wildon, 1857-1928.
Title: Fred Wildon Fickett papers.
Dates: 1858-1989.
Volume of collection: 5.1 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials in English.
Collection summary: Soldier and member of the army exploratory expedition to the Alaskan interior in 1885.
Biographical note:
Fred Wildon Fickett was born in Dixmont, Maine, on August 29, 1857. His parents were Perez and Rebecca Fickett. As a young man he learned to enjoy rural life, hunting, and shooting. He was educated in local schools in Maine and in 1877 he enrolled in Maine State College. Prior to his entry into that institution, he received a release from his father enabling him to conduct his own affairs and to retain his own earnings; this presumably was necessitated by his minority. While in school, he concentrated on studying the sciences and supported himself both by working on a farm and by teaching. Fickett graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1880. He participated in the graduation ceremonies by delivering a talk on science and literature.
While teaching school he met a young woman, Nellie Tibbetts Lord. They became friends and ultimately they were engaged, this was Fred Fickett’s second engagement. Most of their courtship was from a distance while he was in the Army. After several years of correspondence, they were married in Carmel, Maine on September 12, 1886. During their long union they had four children: Harold, Webster, Fred, and Mary.
Fickett was a restless man who sought to improve himself and his situation in life. Tiring of teaching, he joined the U. S. Army Signal Corps in 1881, in the hope of obtaining fresh opportunities. That service appears to have recruited well-educated men. After an extensive period of training and successfully passing his examinations, he received an appointment to Sitka, Alaska. In this remote posting, his salary was considerably higher than if he had been sent another place in the continental United States.
Fickett arrived in Sitka in September, 1882. His orders directed him to take over the operation of the signal station from Sergeant John J. McLean, who was not happy with the change. Within a year, McLean was back and Fickett was made his assistant. The relationship between the two became friendly after a short time. Indeed, it should be noted that Fickett, though a Private, had a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Alaska. These included Navy and Marine officers, doctors, missionaries and other religious personages, and various prominent individuals and families. His associations include the Kashevarov, Mitropolski, and Cohen families, Commander J. B. Coghlan, Lieutenant and Mrs. Thomas, and Major and Mrs. Morris.
Fickett’s duties in Sitka involved handling correspondence, writing reports, and making weather observations. When not on duty, he visited various parts of the town and region. In his diaries, he comments on a Russian Orthodox Wedding and New Year’s celebration; Christmas; various parties; and a cremation. Fickett enjoyed shooting and outdoor excursions; he went on several hunting trips. He also went on one inspection trip and two prospecting trips, and a number of picnics. Always looking for opportunities, he considered going into business or law practice in Alaska. In 1884, Fickett suggested an exploratory expedition into the interior of Alaska; however, General Hazen of the Signal Corps did not approve.
Fickett was ordered to Portland in October, 1884. Lieutenant Henry Allen, who had visited Alaska earlier, asked Fickett to accompany him on his expedition rather than go on a separate one. Within two weeks Fickett agreed. At the end of January, 1885, Allen, Sergeant Cady Robertson, and Private Fred Wildon Fickett were ordered to Alaska. Their orders were both specific and general. They were to ascend the Copper River and descend the Tanana if possible; along the way they were to assess the character, number, relationships, and disposition of the inhabitants of the region. Their movements after leaving the Copper River were left to their discretion.
Allen’s party left Portland on January 28, 1885, and arrived in Sitka on February 10. After some difficulties in gaining transportation, they sailed on the U.S.S. Pinta on March 16 and arrived three days later at Nuchek where the supplies were unloaded. On the next day, accompanied by Peder Johnson, a prospector, and three natives, they left for the river. The ascent of the Copper River began on March 29. The party faced many problems and immense hardships. Melting snow, the difficulty of the terrain, and the weather forced the abandonment of most of their supplies and equipment. On April 10, they reached Taral where they were joined by the prospector, John Bremner. Then the Chittyna River was explored and, after a stay with a local chief, Nicholai, they returned to Taral. Accompanied by Nicholai and others, they continued their ascent. On June 6, they reached the high point between the Copper and Tanana Rivers. The descent of the Tanana began a week later and, on June 25, they reached the Yukon. After a stay at Nuklukyet, the party divided. Bremner and Johnson stayed on the Yukon; Robertson was sent to St. Michael by steamboat; and Allen and Fickett left for the Koyukuk River. That river was reached on August 3, after a portage of several days.
During the exploration of the Koyukuk, Allen named a tributary after Fickett. The party also crossed the Arctic Circle. The descent of the Koyukuk began on August 9. The Yukon was reached on August 21. The party arrived at Ft. St. Michael in the evening of August 30, and on the following day, their pictures were taken. The U.S.S. Corwin arrived on September 4. On September 5, they left for San Francisco, via Unalaska where they stayed from September 15 to September 30. They arrived in San Francisco on October 11.
Throughout the expedition, but especially on that part along the Copper and Tanana Rivers, the men suffered from strain, exhaustion and poor diet. They were often forced to consume food which they would not touch under normal conditions. The result was a series of illnesses, including scurvy, which were later ameliorated by an improvement of diet.
Upon their arrival in San Francisco, they were interviewed by reporters and their photographs were taken. After visiting friends, Fickett traveled to Vancouver Barracks where he learned that he was posted to Portland. While there, he began writing his report. He had hoped to be ordered to Washington to work with Allen on the expedition report, but General Hazen of the Signal Corps would not permit it as the General wanted a separate report for the Signal Corps. During his stay, he began to study law. Finally in March, Fickett was ordered to Washington where he arrived on April 7. Fickett finished his report later that month.
Allen completed his report and submitted his draft to the Army. It included the maps he had made on the trek as well as photographs they had taken or had obtained from Lieutenant Abercrombie. Its publication was ordered and it appeared in print in 1887. Allen’s trip proved to be one of the most extensive American exploratory expeditions on the continent. It was praised by many contemporaries as well as by later historians and other commentators. Besides being high adventure, the expedition provided a detailed picture of the interior of Alaska and its inhabitants. Allen also brought back good maps of the Copper, Tanana, Koyukuk, and other rivers.
Fickett was ordered to Eastport, Maine, in June, 1886. The location was important to him because of its proximity to his fiancée and family. There Fickett encountered an unexpected problem in that the person in charge had failed to adequately maintain the signal station’s records. After an inspection, he was also criticized in the inspector’s report. He believed that this led to his application for leave being denied and his promotion being delayed.
While in Eastport, Maine, in late June, he was finally able to visit his family and fiancée. Among others whom he visited, was President Fernald of Maine State College who informed him that they were going to present him with a Master of Science degree at their next commencement. Fickett and his fiancée were to have been married in a month; however, he was refused leave and was soon ordered to go to a new station in Galveston. Because of these developments, the couple modified their plans and, on Sunday, September 12, 1886, they were married at his sister’s home in Carmel, Maine, in what he referred to as “a very impressive ceremony.” Within a week he was in Galveston. In February, 1887, he reported that he was criticized in General Orders for trying to delay the execution of orders regarding his change of station.
Nellie Fickett was not able to join her husband until April 24, 1887. A month later Fickett mailed his thesis, entitled “Alaska,” to his college in Orono, Maine. A Master of Science degree was awarded to him in June, 1887. He continued his legal studies and passed his examinations. Fickett received his first attorney’s fee in mid July.
Fickett stayed in the Army until 1890. Several months later, in 1891, he was appointed Assistant Observer in the U.S. Weather Bureau Office in Galveston. After six months he resigned and accepted an appointment as Judge in the City Court in Galveston. In 1898, he received a pension for “disease of mouth result of scurvy” the result of his service on the Alaska exploratory expedition.
Fickett practiced law in Galveston to 1902 when he moved to Arizona. In 1906, he was Vice President and General Manager of the Lincoln Consolidated Mining Company and managed the Lincoln and Old Pueblo Mines. In 1910, he purchased the Goodin Transfer Company, which he operated until his death. He died in Tucson, Arizona, on February 7, 1928, after an illness of six months. Two years later Fickett’s wife applied for a widow’s pension. Aided by Senator Hayden of Arizona, Nellie Fickett was awarded a pension of thirty dollars per month.
Throughout his life, Fred Wildon Fickett was an active man. His early interests in the outdoors and shooting were matched by a continuing interest in education and an appreciation for knowledge. Fickett’s writings contain many references to hunting and shooting, an interest which is illustrated by his being a leading member of the Tucson Rifle Club in his later years. Fickett’s interest in learning did not stop after he graduated from college, but continued in many other ways including the study of law. He encouraged his wife and his children in this endeavor. In addition, Fickett was a member of the Baptist Church and a very active Mason. Fickett’s contributions to history are a result of his love for the outdoors and his interest in knowledge. The former provided the stamina to endure the hardships of the Allen Expedition, while the latter provided a major impetus to his participation in it.
Collection description:
The papers in the Fred Wildon Fickett Collection relate primarily to his life and activities from 1876 through 1890. A significant portion of the collection concerns his military career, especially his stay in Alaska and his participation in the exploratory expedition under Henry Allen in 1885. Papers prior to his entrance into the Army in 1882 concern his education and his brief teaching career. The papers of the period after he left Alaska deal with his postings in Oregon, Maine, and Texas, his marriage, his brief service with the Weather Bureau, and the beginning of his legal career. There are only a few items that document his life in Texas and Arizona after 1890.
The two main bodies of documents are Fickett’s “Diaries and Journals” and his letters. His diary for 1880-1888 presents an extensive amount of information and is the most basic record in the collection. The diaries and journals series also contain the original journals maintained by Fickett on the Allen Expedition as well as his handwritten copy. Fickett’s letters to his fiancée, Nellie Lord, are both personal and comprehensive and are at times more descriptive than the diaries. The diaries and correspondence provide insight into life in Alaska, especially Sitka, in the mid 1880’s. His feelings for his fiancée are a frequent topic while other subjects represented are his military training, education, his legal studies, courtship, and marriage.
Nellie Tibbetts Lord Fickett is represented by over forty letters and two notebooks. Her letters provide her perspective on their relationship as well as her social life and her interests. Her letters cover only about one year of their correspondence.
The writing of the Allen report and other studies on the expedition was a matter of concern and interest to Fickett. In addition to being mentioned in his journal and letters, the collection includes both a draft and published copy of Allen’s report. Various items in the series on notes were apparently compiled for the preparation of the report and/or for Fickett’s thesis.
Alaska, the land and its inhabitants, is represented through the collection. Fickett’s observations, besides being found in diaries and letters, are also located in various writings: his Master’s paper, an article, and a speech. In addition, the photographs depict various scenes and people including acquaintances of Fickett, military personnel, residents of Sitka, and people from the Arctic region. All of the artifacts were acquired by Fickett in Alaska.
Arrangement: Most of the documents in each series are arranged in chronological order.
Series 1: Diaries and journals; 1876-1888
Series 2: Notes, notebooks, and speech; 1878-1912
Series 3: Education, legal, and other papers; 1877-1894
Series 4: Military and pension papers and reports; 1881-1930
Subseries 4a: Enlistment and promotion records; 1882-1890.
Subseries 4b: Papers; 1881-1890
Subseries 4c: Reports; undated, 1887
Subseries 4d: Pension papers; 1912, 1930
Series 5: U.S. Weather Bureau papers; 1891-1892
Series 6: Correspondence; 1877-1930
Subseries 6a: Letters from Fred Wildon Fickett; undated, 1882-1911
Subseries 6b: Letters from Nellie Tibbetts Lord Fickett; 1884-1887
Subseries 6c: Incoming correspondence; 1877-1930
Subseries 6d: Third party correspondence; 1870-1926
Series 7: Printed materials; 1883-1967
Series 8: Photographs; 1858-1925
Subseries 8a: Fickett family photographs; circa 1850-1925
Subseries 8b: Allen expedition photographs; 1885-1886
Subseries 8c: Residents of Sitka, Alaska photographs; undated, circa 1883-188
Subseries 8d: Sitka buildings and views photographs; circa 1883
Subseries 8e: Arctic region photographs; circa 1885
Series 9: Artifacts; 1883, 1885
Series 10: Fickett and Lord families genealogy papers; 1875-1989
Alternative formats: Most of the collection has been microfilmed and is available in microfiche format at a number of libraries throughout Alaska.
Digitized copies: 40 photographs from the collection and the expedition journals have been digitized and placed online in Alaska’s Digital Archives. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Access restrictions: The expedition diaries (series 1, folders 4 and 5) are in fragile condition. Use of these materials is limited to the online digital surrogates. High resolution images of individual expedition diary pages are available upon request for these two diaries. Both diaries were rewritten and expanded by Fred Fickett after the expedition (folders 7 and 8). The expanded journals are accessible in hard copy form, digitally, and the first of the two has been transcribed and are linked in the container list below.
Rights note: Archives and Special Collections holds the rights to the materials in this collection.
Preferred citation: Fred Wildon Fickett papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Published guide: A published guide to the papers was created in 1985 and updated in 1997. This guide is available through many libraries and contains copies of many of the images in the collection. The online guide should be used for the most complete and up-to-date information about the collection contents and access to the collection.
Related materials: The published copy of the Allen expedition report can be found in many U.S. Government Documents repositories. The National Archives holds many other documents relating to the military careers of the individuals on the expedition as well as expedition records.
Acquisition note: The main body of papers in the Fickett Collection was acquired in two separate transfers from the descendants of Fred W. Fickett in March 1981 and March 1982. Small additions were made in 1983 and 1984. The donors have transferred to the University of Alaska Anchorage the papers and all literary rights to them in the deed of gift.
Other Fickett papers and papers of his family were added since the publication of the original guide in 1985.
Processing information: This collection was arranged and described by Dennis F. Walle in 1985. Mr. Walle updated the guide in 1997. Funding for the publication of the guide was provided by a State of Alaska Library Assistance grant. Publication of the guide was provided by the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center. The guide was converted by Arlene Schmuland to meet current description standards (including the conversion from a calendar format to a box/folder/item listing format) in 2010 and is a replacement for the 1985 publication. The first of the two expanded expedition diaries (box 1, folder 7) was transcribed by Petra Banks in 2013.
Container list:
Series 1: Diaries and journals; 1876-1888. 0.3 cubic feet. This series consists of eight diaries and journals maintained by Fred Fickett. The most comprehensive item is the diary for the period 1880-1888. Four volumes concern various trips; two of these were maintained on the Allen Expedition. The diaries and journals are arranged in chronological order by the first dates in the work; the exception to this order are the last two volumes which are contemporaneous copies.
| Box/ Folder | Description | Date |
| 1/1 | Diary, six loose pages. Discusses activities, school, college at Orono, end of engagement. | 1876 November 2-1877 August |
| 1/2 | Diary, 102 pages. 6.25 inches wide by 7.75 inches high. Discusses his family, friends, social life, work, and teaching in Maine; enlistment in the U.S. Army Signal Corps; military training at Fort Myer, Virginia; trip to Sitka by way of San Francisco; life, associates, and residents in Sitka and Alaska; ordered to Portland, Oregon; ordered to accompany Lieutenant Henry Allen on expedition up Copper River; return from expedition; preparation of report; ordered to Washington, D.C. and then to Eastport, Maine; marriage to Nellie T. Lord; ordered to Galveston, Texas; activities in Galveston; M.A. thesis and degree; start of law practice. The main individuals mentioned are Nellie Lord, Sgt. John McLean, Maj. and Mrs. Morris, Lieutenant and Mrs. Thomas, Lieutenant Henry Allen, Cmdr. J. B. Coghlan, Andrew Kashevarov, the Mitropolski family, as well as many other military and civilian personnel. Note: a number of entries in the diary have been scratched out presumably by Fickett. Occasionally Fickett uses a simple code to record private matters; it involves a utilization of the preceding letter of the alphabet to replace the actual letter. The code was first used in late December 1880. | 1880 August 29-1885 January 21 |
| 1/3 | Trips journal, 26 pages. 3.75 inches wide by 6 inches high. Describes three trips: The first was an inspection trip from Sitka to Killisnoo to Harrisburg and return on the steamer Rose; the second was a prospecting trip to Cross Sound with Edward Hale and Costa on a sailboat Nellie; and the third was a prospecting trip (for copper) with Dr. Wyman and others on the Rose to Killisnoo and Harrisburg and then to Glacier Bay; mentions meeting Joe Juneau on trip. The journal also contains a list of supplies, a list of expenses, and two hand-drawn maps. | 1883 October 31-November 10,
1884 August 25-September 9, September 18-October 16 |
| 1/4 | Expedition journal, 50 pages. 4 inches wide by 6.75 inches high. Discusses the Allen Expedition up the Copper River and describes their activities and hardships; it also contains weather and other scientific observations. The volume is Lieutenant Henry T. Allen’s bank book from the First National Bank of Portland, Oregon; there is only one entry for September 30, 1884, relating to a balance of $241.84. The first page contains a list of abbreviations that are used throughout the volume and in the next journal. The first eleven entries are numbered one to eleven and correspond to March 20 to 30, 1885. Since the book was carried on the expedition and was written in pencil, it shows extensive wear and smudging from use, dirt, and handling. | 1885 March 20-June 13 |
| 1/5 | Expedition journal, 73 pages. 3.75 inches wide by 5.75 inches high. Continues the description of the Allen Expedition to its arrival at Fort St. Michael on Sunday, August 30, 1885, as well as the trip from that place to Unalaska. | 1885 June 14- September 30 |
| 1/6 | Trips journal, 23 pages. 3.75 inches wide by 5.75 inches high. Describes several trips: the first is the return of the Allen Expedition from Unalaska to San Francisco; the second covers Fickett’s trip from Portland to Washington; the third outlines his trip from Eastport, Maine, to Galveston, Texas; the fourth is his trip from Galveston to San Antonio, Texas, to reenlist; the fifth covers a trip from Galveston to various other towns and cities and his return. In addition, the volume contains a list of expenditures for September 1886, when Fickett was married. | 1885 October 1-November 18,
1886 March 31-April 8, September 10-21, 1887 January 4-7, 1888 April 25-May 2 |
| 1/7 | Expedition journal, 95 pages. 5.5 inches wide by 8.25 inches high. Volume spine is broken and many pages are loose. This volume begins with Fickett’s leaving Portland, Oregon, to go to Alaska for the start of the expedition to explore the Copper River and the interior of Alaska. Discusses activities of members of the expedition, their hardships, and their relationships with one another and with the inhabitants of the region through which they passed. After the March 20 entry, in combination with the next journal, it is Fickett’s transcription of his expedition journals (Nos. 3 and 4 above) with the exceptions that it is written in ink, that the abbreviations are spelled out, and that some entries have been expanded. A searchable transcription is available. | 1885 January 28-August 30 |
| 1/8 | Expedition journal, 13 pages. 5.5 inches wide by 8.25 inches high. Discusses stay at Fort St. Michael, trip on the U.S.S. Corwin to Unalaska, sailing to San Francisco, and the trip from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon. This item in combination with the preceding journal, is Fickett’s transcription of his expedition journals (Nos. 3 and 4 above) with the exceptions that it is written in ink, that the abbreviations are spelled out, and that some entries have been expanded. | 1885 August 31-October 27 |
| 1/9 | Expedition journal, 26 pages. Typescript copy of the previous journal (box 1 folder 7) with some annotations. | 1885 January 28-August 30 |
Series 2: Notes, notebooks, and speech; 1878-1912. 0.15 cubic feet. The contents of this series are primarily notes and data on various projects or activities of Fred Fickett or Nellie Lord Fickett. They relate variously to school work and teaching, Alaska, the Allen Expedition, and household purchases. The papers are arranged in chronological order.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Date |
| 1/10 | Surveying field work notes, spring and fall terms, 124 pages. 3.75 inches wide by 6.25 inches high. Contains notes on surveying class as well as biology. It also lists the members of the surveying class. | 1878 |
| 1/11 | School teaching notebook, 37 pages. 3.5 inches wide by 6.25 inches high. Contains notes for classes and students taught by F. W. Fickett, as well as several pages of accounts and biology notes. One page contains his rifle score made while in the Army. | Undated, 1882 March 25, April 1 |
| 1/12 | School teaching notebook used by Nellie T. Lord, 53 pages. 3.75 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. Contains class and lecture notes of Nellie T. Lord while teaching. The notes primarily concern science and mathematics. | 1884 Spring |
| 1/13 | Alaska notebook, 56 pages. 5.5 inches wide by 8.25 inches high. Contains information on Alaska gathered from various sources. Much of the volume concerns Native Americans and their language, customs, and numbers. Several pages are devoted to historical developments and missionary activities. Many of the entries were obtained from works by William H. Dall, Sheldon Jackson, and Ivan Petroff. While the latest date is 1884, internal evidence suggests that this information was gathered after the expedition and possibly served as supporting documentation for the expedition report. | circa 1885-1886 |
| 2/1 | Copper River expedition notes, 18 pages. 7.75 inches wide by 12.5 inches high. These notes are in a very neat handwriting and were apparently written after the expedition’s return. | 1885 January 16-April 12 |
| 2/2 | Notes, 2 pages. 10 inches wide by 13 inches high. Contains entries concerning trip from Portland to Sitka. | 1885 January-February |
| 2/3 | Expedition meteorological notes, 8 pages. 7.75 inches wide by 12.5 inches high. Contains observations on weather. There are detailed barometer, thermometer, and other entries. They end after one instrument was lost and another was stolen. Brief general remarks accompany some entries. | 1885 May 8-June 27 |
| 2/4 | Accounts notebook, 52 pages. 3.75 inches wide by 6 inches high. Contains daily entries for household food purchases. | 1890-1891 |
| 2/5 | YMCA speech transcript (Unprovenanced Xerox copy), 5 pages. Text of speech related to Alaska expedition. | 1887 November 6 |
| 2/6 | Alaska speech, 10 pages. 8.5 inches wide by 13 inches high. Contains discussion of Alaska, including its history, people, customs, and the various religious groups; mentions Father Mitropolski, Sheldon Jackson, Rev. Falconer, and John Brady. The date given for this document is approximate; it is based on a quote from a publication dated 1912. | Circa 1912 |
Series 3: Education, legal, and other papers; 1877-1894. 0.1 cubic feet. Most of the documents concern education, his marriage, and his legal practice. They are primarily in chronological order with the exception of a receipt that has been added at the end.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Date |
| 2/7 | Freedom agreement, 1 page. By this document, Fred W. Fickett’s father freed him to transact business in his minority and promised not to demand any of his earnings nor to be responsible for his debts. It was signed in Etna, Maine, and witnessed by L. F. Starkie. | 1877 February 8 |
| Oversize folder | Bachelor of Science diploma, Maine State College, 1 page. | 1880 June 30 |
| 2/8 | Maine State College commence program (Xerox copy from University of Maine at Orono), 3 pages. On page 3, F. W. Fickett is listed as speaking on “Science and Literature.” | 1880 June 30 |
| 2/9 | Maine State College Class Day program, 4 pages. This program lists the fourteen members of the class. F. W. Fickett delivered the Oration and F. A. Mansfield delivered the Valedictory speech. | 1880 July 1 |
| 2/10 | State of Maine teacher’s certificate, 1 page. States that F. W. Fickett of Etna, Maine, is authorized to teach in the Winter School, District No. 11 in Corinna, Maine. | 1880 November 22 |
| 2/11 | State of Maine teacher’s school register, 2 pages. Lists students names, ages, and attendance (?) for school held in Levant Village, Maine; list includes Nellie Lord. | 1881 November-December |
| 2/12 | East Maine Conference Seminary merit roll, 1 page. Provides standing in class of Miss Nellie T. Lord; it is signed by M. W. Prince, Principal. | 1883 Fall |
| Oversize folder | Marriage certificate, 2 pages. The marriage between Fred W. Fickett and Nellie T. Lord took place in Carmel, Maine. | 1886 September 12 |
| 2/13 | Wedding announcement, 1 page, 1 envelope. | 1886 September 12 |
| 2/14 | Marriage announcement newspaper clipping, 1 page. | Undated |
| Oversize folder | Texas law license, 1 page. License to practice law in Texas issued by the District Court, Galveston County. | 1887 May 14 |
| Oversize folder | Master of Science diploma, Maine State College, 1 page. Honorary degree. | 1887 June 29 |
| 2/15 | Maine State College commencement program (Xerox copy from the University of Maine at Orono), 3 pages. This program identifies F. W. Fickett of Galveston, Texas, as receiving a Master’s Degree and delivering an oration entitled, “Alaska.” He was excused from speaking. | 1887 June 29. |
| 2/16 | “Alaska” master’s degree paper (Xerox copy from the University of Maine at Orono), 32 pages. Discusses the expedition, Alaskan history, geography, people, resources, and climate. | 1887 |
| 2/17 | Draft of “Alaska” master’s degree paper and notes, 41 pages. | 1887 |
| Oversize folder | U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Fifth Circuit and Fifth District law licenses, 2 page. | 1894 October 30 |
| 2/18 | Wells, Fargo and Company express receipt, 1 page. Receipt for shipment of a box from F. W. Fickett in Portland,, Oregon, to Miss N. Lord in Levant, Maine. | 1885 January 14 |
| 2/19 | Texas Eastern District U.S. Commissioner appointment, 1 page. | 1897 July 5 |
Series 4: Military and pension papers and reports; 1881-1930. 0.37 cubic feet. This series consists of documents relating to Fickett’s military service.
Series 4: Military and pension papers and reports. Subseries 4a: Enlistment and promotion records; 1882-1890. 0.05 cubic feet. The enlistment papers are three documents acquired from the National Archives; only his promotion to Corporal is an original record. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Date |
| 2/20 | Enlistment and allegiance oath of F. W. Fickett, Washington, DC, 2 pages. (Xerox copy from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.) | 1882 January 5 |
| 2/21 | Re-enlistment document, San Antonio, Texas, 2 pages. (Xerox copy from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.) | 1887 January 5 |
| 2/22 | Register of enlistment copies, 2 pages. (Xerox copy from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.) Indicates that Fred W. Fickett enlisted in San Antonio, Texas, and was discharged on June 16, 1890 in Galveston, Texas. | 1887 |
| 2/23 | Appointment to Corporal, 1 page. Fred W. Fickett is appointed Corporal in the Signal Corps. It is signed by A. W. Greely, Chief Signal Officer. | 1888 July 21 |
Series 4: Military and pension papers and reports. Subseries 4b: Papers; 1881-1890. 0.15 cubic feet. This series includes military correspondence, general and special orders, and reports covering the period from his enlistment to his discharge. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Date |
| 2/24 | W. B. Hazen, Brig. and Bvt. Maj. General, Chief Signal Officer (Washington, DC) to F. W. Fickett (Etna, Maine), 3 pages with 4 page enclosure. Encloses a circular which answers his questions on entrance to the Signal Corps. Discusses exams, final examinations, and course of study at Fort Myer; there are no current vacancies. Describes the course of study at Fort Myer as well as pay and advancement. | 1881 July 7 |
| 2/25 | W. B. Hazen, Brig. and Bvt. Maj. General, Chief Signal Officer (Washington, DC) to Members of the Mutual Benefit Association Signal Corps, U.S. Army and Members of the Signal Corps, 3 pages. Contains transcripts of three communications concerning the association and its operation. Envelope addressed to Nellie T. Lord. | 1882 February 10 |
| 2/26 | General Orders No. 44. Louis V. Caziarc, 1st Lieutenant, Acting Signal Officer (Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Private 2nd Class Fred W. Fickett is promoted to Private 1st Class. | 1882 July 1 |
| 2/27 | Special Orders No. 79. W. B. Hazen, Brig. and Bvt. Maj. General, Chief Signal Officer (Washington, DC) signed by Lieutenant Louis V. Caziarc, 1st Lieutenant, Acting Signal Officer, to Private F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Orders Private Fickett to report to the Chief Signal Officer for temporary duty in his office. | 1882 July 27 |
| 2/28 | Special Orders No. 182. R. C. Drum, Adjutant General signed by C. W. Benjamin, Assistant Adjutant General (Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant General’s Office, Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett. Orders Private 1st Class, F. W. Fickett to Sitka, Alaska, and to relieve Sgt. John J. McLean in charge of station. | 1882 August 7 |
| 2/29 | Louis V. Caziarc, 1st Lieutenant, Acting Signal Officer (War Dept., Washington, DC) Signal Corps, U.S. Army; to Private F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Refers to order #182. Directs him to receive from Sgt. John J. McLean of the Signal Office all records, instruments, and instructions belonging to the station at Sitka, Alaska. | 1882 August 7 |
| 2/30 | Final report of Signal Service property at Sitka, Alaska Territory, 6 pages. This report was made by Sgt. John J. McLean for his successor, Private F. W. Fickett and includes a receipt signed by F. W. Fickett. | 1882 September 16 |
| 2/31 | S. M. Mills, Signal Service (Washington, DC) to F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska), 4 pages. Orders him to report certain instruments which are not mentioned in his reports. Document includes endorsements of June 18, August 15 and 19, and October 3, 6, and 10, which authorize the adding and dropping of other pieces of equipment. | 1883 June 18 |
| 2/32 | Private F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to Chief Signal Officer of the Army (Washington, DC), 3 pages. Discusses payment of a check to Pacific Coast Steamship Co. in 1881 to Mr. McFarland for shipping. Includes endorsements of October 9, November 4, December 5 and 11. | 1883 October 9 |
| 2/33 | S. M. Mills, Capt. (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska), 1 page. Transmits thanks as Chief Signal Officer for $1.25 toward the purchase of a portrait of General A. J. Myer, late Chief Signal Officer. | 1883 October 16 |
| 2/34 | Special Orders No. 27. Louis V. Cazairc, Lieutenant, Acting Signal Officer (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska), 1 page. Directs Sgt. John J. McLean to proceed from North Platte, Nebraska, to Sitka and relieve Private Fickett, in charge of station. Upon being relieved Private Fickett will report to Sgt. McLean for duty as assistant. | 1884 March 5 |
| 2/35 | S. W. Mills, Capt., Signal Service (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska), 1 page. Orders him to turn over government property to successor upon being relieved. | 1884 March 10 |
| 2/36 | Final report of Signal Service property at Sitka, Alaska, made by F. W. Fickett: 2nd Quarter 1884, 12 pages. Receipt is signed by John J. McLean. Lists property in the office under the charge of Private F. W. Fickett. | 1884 April 21 |
| 2/37 | F. Ward, 1st. Lieutenant, Acting Signal Officer (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) through Sgt. McLean, 1 page. Thanks him for his letter of January 29 suggesting explorations of certain parts of Alaska, but they cannot be carried out for lack of money. | 1884 April 22 |
| 2/38 | Sevellon A. Brown, Chief Clerk (State Dept., Washington, DC) to F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska), 2 pages. Answers his letter of June 9 concerning purchase of the laws of the United States and lists the cost of approximately 20 publications. | 1884 July 9 |
| 2/39 | S. W. Mills, 1st Lieutenant, Property and Disbursing Officer, Signal Service (Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (St. Michael, Alaska, via San Francisco, California), 2 pages. Encloses various checks (not included in collection) drawn on Fickett’s signature and also for extra duty pay, fuel, quarters, and rations for September, October, and November of 1882. | 1883 January 11 |
| 2/40 | Special Orders No. 187. H. Clay Wood, Assistant Adjutant General, signed by E. J. McClernand, Aide de Camp (Dept. of the Columbia, Vancouver Barracks, Washington Territory) to Private F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Directs Private Fickett to proceed to Portland, Oregon, on public business. | 1885 November 2 |
| 2/41 | Special Orders No. 194. H. Clay Wood, Assistant Adjutant General (Dept. of the Columbia, Vancouver Barracks, Washington Territory) to Private F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Directs Private Fickett to proceed to Portland, Oregon, and report for duty at the Signal Station there. | 1885 November 13 |
| 2/42 | Special Orders No. 50. R. C. Drum, Adjutant General signed by W. I. Volkman, Assistant Adjutant General (Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) through Chief Signal Officer, 1 page. Private Fickett is directed to proceed to Washington, D.C., and report to the Chief Signal Officer of the Army. | 1886 March 2 |
| 2/43 | Special Orders No. 54. B. M. Purssell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Wash, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Directs Private Fickett to proceed from Washington, DC, to Eastport, Maine, and report for duty as assistant to Sgt. Daniel C. Murphy. | 1886 June 7 |
| 2/44 | Special Orders No. 91 Extract. James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Directs Private Fickett at Eastport, Maine, to report to Galveston, Texas. | 1886 September 4 |
| 2/45 | Signed by James S. ?, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) through observer in charge, 1 page. States that he will be transferred to duty as assistant in Galveston and instructs him to move promptly. | 1886 September 6 |
| 2/46 | J. M. Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett. (Eastport, Maine) through officer in charge of station, 1 page. Replies to his telegram of September 9 and denies his request for a week’s delay in Bangor, Maine. | 1886 September 10 |
| 2/47 | J. M. Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) through Private E. E. Chase, 1 page. Inquires whether he desires to re-enlist at the expiration of his term of service. | 1886 November 26 |
| 2/48 | Private F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) through Private E. D. Chase to Chief Signal Officer of the Army (Washington, DC), 2 pages. Acknowledges receipt of his letter of January 31, 1887. He acknowledges receipt of their letter directing him to note the Alaskan Expedition on his discharge. He encloses his discharge as directed. The second page contains endorsements of (March 2) Private E. D. Chase and endorsement from the Signal Office signed by J. M. Mitchell. | 1887 March 2 |
| 2/49 | Special Orders No. 26. James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Private F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 2 pages. Directs Fickett to proceed from Galveston to Columbia and other places to carry out special instructions, after which he is to return to Galveston to resume his duties. Includes an attached printed memorandum concerning transportation and funding. | 1888 April 15 |
| 2/50 | General Orders No. 31. Robert Craig, 1st Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett, 2 pages. Promotes Private 1st Class F. W. Fickett to Corporal as of July 21, 1888. Contains outline of his service. | 1888 July 23 |
| 2/51 | Robert Craig, 1st Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) through the station’s officer, 1 page. Informs him that he has been promoted because of his service in Alaska. Instructor’s report in 1886 showed that he was ignorant of certain station duties; states that in order to reach grade of sergeant he must thoroughly post himself on the duties of observer. | 1888 July 24 |
| 2/52 | Special Order No. 71. Robert Craig, 1st Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Directs that Sgt. Allen Buell to go to New Orleans for re-enlistment and directs Corporal Fickett to assume temporary charge of the station at Galveston. | 1888 July 30 |
| 2/53 | Special Orders No. 83. James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Relieves Fickett of duty at Galveston and directs him to proceed to Yankton, Dakota, and assume charge of the station and records there. | 1888 September 14 |
| 2/54 | Special Orders No. 85. James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Revokes Special Orders No. 83 relative to Corporal Fickett. | 1888 September 19 |
| 2/55 | James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) through observer in charge, 1 page. His inquiry concerning promotion to sergeant has been considered, but since he may be leaving the service, they decided not to do so because that would have necessitated a transfer. | 1888 October 6 |
| 2/56 | Circular No. 2. R. E. Thompson, 1st Lieutenant, Signal Service (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 11 pages. Transmits pamphlet identifying Signal Corps enlisted men. | 1888 November 1 |
| 2/57 | Special Orders No. 22. James Allen, Captain (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 2 pages. Directs Corporal Fickett to assume temporary charge of that station from Sgt. Buell. Directs Buell, after preparing station inventory, to proceed to Abilene and assume command of that station. Directs Sgt. Isaac M. Cline to proceed from Abilene to Galveston and assume that station; at which time Corporal Fickett will report as assistant to Sgt. Cline. | 1889 March 16 |
| 2/58 | A. W. Greely, Chief Signal Officer (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Mr. S. O. Young, Director of the Texas State Weather Service (Galveston, Texas), 2 pages. Received his letter of March 27, concerning Private Buell and his record with the Corps. All consideration has been given to Corporal Fickett; his orders from Galveston had been rescinded to permit its retention there in a subordinate capacity since he was acquiring a practice and standing in the community. | 1889 April 1 |
| 2/59 | James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) through observer in charge, 2 pages. Replies to his request of May 10 for one month’s leave of absence and states that it is impractical to grant it. Discusses reasons. Endorsement on reverse states that it is transmitted to Corporal Fickett through Sgt. Cline. | 1890 May 13 |
| 2/60 | Special Orders No. 67. A. W. Greely, Chief Signal Officer signed by James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Orders Corporal Fickett to proceed from Galveston to Toledo, Ohio, and assume temporary charge of that station until the return of Sgt. W. Bell, after which he will report as assistant to Sgt. Bell. | 1890 May 20 |
| 2/61 | James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) through observer in charge, 2 pages. Replies to his request of May 17 for a 30 day leave of absence; it is possible for a short leave granted before his transfer. Endorsement on reverse states that it is transmitted to Corporal Fickett through Sgt. Cline. | 1890 May 22 |
| 2/62 | Special Orders No. 72. A. W. Greely, Chief Signal Officer signed by James Mitchell, 2nd Lieutenant, Signal Corps (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett, 1 page. Revokes the part of Special Orders No. 67 concerning Corporal Fickett. | 1890 June 5 |
| 2/63 | James Allen, Captain (War Dept., Washington, DC) to Corporal F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) through Sgt. A. M. Cline, 1 page. Outlines procedures for discharge and the settlement of accounts. | 1890 June 12 |
Series 4: Military and pension papers and reports. Subseries 4c: Reports; undated, 1887. 0.15 cubic feet. This series includes an original typescript draft and a published copy of Allen’s report on the expedition. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/Folder | Description | Date |
| 2/64 | Allen, Lieutenant Henry T., Report of an Expedition of the Copper, Tanana, and Koyukuk Rivers in the Territory of Alaska in the year 1885…, 225 pages. This is a typescript draft of Allen’s published report which contains some handwritten corrections. This draft corresponds to Parts I-III, V-VI of the published report though there are textual differences. The ink is blue and much of it is faded. | Undated |
| 2/65 | Allen, Lieutenant Henry T., Report of an Expedition to the Copper, Tanana, and Koyukuk Rivers of the Territory of Alaska in the Year 1885…, 172 pages. Includes maps and illustrations. Washington: Government Printing Office. | 1887 |
Series 4: Military and pension papers and reports. Subseries 4d: Pension papers; 1912, 1930. 0.01 cubic feet. This series contains a reissue of his pension certificate and two documents relative to obtaining a pension for Fickett’s wife after his death.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Date |
| 3/1 | Pension certificate, number 1017755 (Reissue), 2 pages. Reissue of pension issued on 1898 March 21 for “disease of mouth result of scurvy” made 1901 January 11. | 1912 June 18 |
| 3/2 | Senate Bill 4137 (71st Congress, 2nd Session), 1 page. Seeks a pension of 30 dollars per month for Nellie Lord, widow of Fred W. Fickett. | 1930 April 8 |
| 3/3 | Senate Calendar No. 701 (71st Congress, 2nd Session), 62 pages. Describes the military service of Fred W. Fickett and the situation of his widow; recommends pension of 30 dollars per month (page 47). | 1930 May 30 |
Series 5: U.S. Weather Bureau papers; 1891-1892. 0.01 cubic feet. This series consists of three documents relative to Fickett and his service in the U. S. Weather Bureau including his appointment as an Assistant Observer. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Date |
| 3/4 | Mark W. Harrington (Chief of U.S. Weather Bureau, Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, DC) to W. H. Crain (Cuero, Texas), 1 page. Refers to Crain’s letter recommending the appointment of Fickett as observer in charge at Galveston. States that there is no vacancy at that post. | 1891 July 14 |
| 3/5 | Appointment (Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, DC). 2 pages. Fred W. Fickett is appointed an Assistant Observer in the Weather Bureau at a salary of 60 dollars per month. | 1891 September 17 |
| 3/6 | R. M. Laughlin (Weather Bureau, Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, DC) to F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 2 pages. Received his letter announcing his appointment as Judge of the City Court of Galveston and resigning; his resignation is accepted and he is granted one month leave of absence. | 1892 March 11 |
Series 6: Correspondence; 1877-1930. 0.92 cubic foot. The correspondence is divided into four sub-series: the letters of Fred W. Fickett and Nellie Lord Fickett, other Fickett correspondence, and third party correspondence.
Series 6: Correspondence. Subseries 6a: Letters from Fred Wildon Fickett; undated, 1882-1911. 0.78 cubic feet. Letters written by Fred Fickett, primarily to Nellie Lord, his fiancée and later his wife. Some letters are accompanied by envelopes. Envelopes without letters are placed in the folders in chronological order. Typescript transcriptions were made by a member of the Fickett family and unless otherwise noted, transcriptions can be found at the end of the series. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 3/7 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Signal Corps; Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. He read her letter many times; it’s the first one that he’d received since he got there. He’s getting used to things. Discusses uniforms, course, discipline, guard duty, and activities. Gen. Hazen spoke to them on Wednesday; he stated that they had created a class with a good education and wanted to teach them how to apply the knowledge of science to discover new laws of nature. He hopes to be sent to Maine after he is through. | 1882 January 14 |
| 3/7 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Signal Corps; Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Describes guard duty and associates. He is thinking of her and wants her picture. His father was reluctant to speak to him when he left for the Army. | 1882 January 22 |
| 3/7 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Received letters from her, her mother, and President Fernald. Discusses his activities, studying, and writing; his illness, and another soldier’s posting. Wishes he had time to study everything given to him. He will know his station in about five months. (There is a note in a numeric code at the end.) Inquires about her activities; hopes to be stationed in New England because of her. Smallpox is raging in a nearby Black village; the soldiers were vaccinated and were not allowed to communicate with anyone from that area. | 1882 January 29 |
| 3/8 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Everyone is either on the town or sick in the hospital. He’s been working hard on his lessons; describes guard duty. Sunday inspection is over and he has nothing to do now except prepare for Monday lessons. Will go to Arlington National Cemetery after dinner. Describes cemetery, Lee’s home, and his feelings. | 1882 February 11-12 |
| 3/8 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (U.S. Army Signal Corps) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. He ranked third in target shooting but thinks he can improve. He was also ranked in studies. Discusses her attending Mr. White’s school. He will probably read law and later study languages. There are two bills in Congress, one to raise their pay and another that would make the Signal Corps independent of the Army. Discusses attitudes on labor, work, ancestry, and so forth; friends in Corinna, Maine, and the Masons. | 1882 February 19 |
| 3/8 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. They are very busy during the week and have little time to think. He will send a picture in March. Discusses various people in Maine, a lawsuit, and education. He’s thinking of joining an exclusive Mason organization in Washington. Looks forward to their setting up a home together, in which he wants a library. | 1882 February 26 |
| 3/9 | 1 | F. W Fickett (U.S. Army Signal Corps) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. His father suggested using the political influence of his friends in Congress if he wanted a particular place. He won’t push himself until he is ready and then the influence of Fernald, Maj. Ruggles, Rev. Dr. Allen, and Blaine may be useful. Discusses pay and posts. Doesn’t want to go south because of Yellow Fever. If he went to Alaska he could have 3,500 dollars in three years. Discusses plans, her education. Visited town and went to the theater. Discusses friends in Maine. | 1882 March 5 |
| 3/9 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. His final picture was made and mailed to her. Lists his correspondents; she’ll like his father when they get acquainted. He has been attached to Company B, U.S. Signal Corps; the members are scattered across the continent. Discusses uniforms, Signal Corps, and her education. Discusses schools and mentions friends in Maine. He expects to be sent west, but wishes he could be assigned to Bangor. Went to a Masonic funeral which had the largest crowd he’s ever seen for a funeral. | 1882 March 11-12 |
| 3/10 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Note: a small part of the letter is in code. He’s been a soldier for three months; though lonesome, he never regretted the course he’s taken. Discusses his roommates. Discusses class divisions and his upward progress. He expects to be one of the first to leave Ft. Myer. Discusses drill and training on horseback; received letters from Will Fernald and from President Fernald. | 1882 April 5-8 |
| 3/10 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Note: much of this letter is in code. He’s on duty as an observer. Discusses Ft. Myer and sends a rough sketch of the post. Served as an observer and as an operator. Some of his class will be kept at the Chief Office in Washington, the best position in the Corps; though the pay is high, he’d rather not go there since promotion is better elsewhere. Doesn’t fear competitive examinations. | 1882 April 15-16 |
| 3/11 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Received her letter as well as one from his father. Discusses the weather, teaching, her courses, and school subjects. He has one brother, two half-brothers, and one half-sister. Discusses her relationship with her mother. He thinks of Nellie as “my little Puritan.” Talks about signaling. | 1882 May 20 |
| 3/11 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. They are practicing long range signaling with flags and torches, and use powerful telescopes about four feet in length to read the signals. Exams will be in two weeks after which they’ll receive orders. Discusses lawsuit in Maine; met a former officer who had been wounded at Antietam and discussed politics. Asks for her picture. | 1882 May 27 |
| 3/12 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. He is lonesome and homesick. They have finished their course, but they won’t be examined for another two or three weeks. Discusses a forthcoming court martial. Discusses various people in Maine. He views the Signal Corps as a means of laying a good foundation for the future. He wants to become a lawyer and live in the country on a farm; he would also like to teach. | 1882 June 6-10 |
| 3/12 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. He expects the examinations to start Tuesday; soon the class will be scattered widely. Happy to hear her school is going well. Discusses her courses and grammar. Mentions meeting a Civil War Veteran. | 1882 June 17 |
| 3/12 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. He is happy the examination is over. It lasted three days and he wrote as fast as he could. Hopes to go to a place where he can be near her. He has not been feeling well, so he went to the hospital where the doctor stated that he came in time to save himself from a bad fever. He arrested a drunken man while on guard duty. | 1882 June 24-25 |
| 3/13 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Gen. Hazen sent word that he might leave Wednesday, but he is still waiting. Describes visit to town and two incidents concerning alcohol. He is going to Alaska with a light heart, believing she will be true to him. | 1882 July 15 |
| 3/13 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. No orders yet; he is instructing others in drill and telegraphy; several men are on sick leave to avoid drill. Discusses food. He will send her ring before he leaves. | 1882 July 22 |
| 3/14 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Ft. Myer, Virginia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. He is the Corporal of the Guard and is in charge of guard duty. He will be sent as soon as he can be spared from drilling new recruits. Discusses guard duty and prisoners; the one arrested for drunkenness can expect two years of hard labor and a dishonorable discharge. He nearly got in trouble for allowing the man, against regulations, to leave his cell and wash. | 1882 August 4 |
| 3/14 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (San Francisco, California) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Arrived yesterday; was ill most of the trip but took quinine which helped. He has his printed orders; the man in charge at Sitka is to turn over government property there and report to San Francisco. She won’t hear from him for four weeks since he’ll get mail only once a month. | 1882 August 20-27 |
| 3/15 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Nanaimo, British Columbia) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Steamer arrived in morning and is taking on coal . He has been taking medicine and is well. Traveled on the George W. Elder from San Francisco to Port Townsend where he transferred to the steamer, Idaho. Met three lady missionaries who are going to Alaska to establish industrial schools for Indians. The missionary preacher from Sitka spoke well of the place. One lady missionary who is to be stationed 200 miles away told him to tell Nellie that she’d keep a motherly eye on him. | 1882 September 6 |
| 3/15 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Arrived in Sitka; received her letter. He’s been sick since he left Washington except while in San Francisco. Sitka appears to be a pleasant place. His office is in the old Russian Governor’s palace where he has two large rooms. | 1882 September 12 |
| 3/15 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Blanchard, Maine), 8 pages. Note: in order to include as much information as possible, the author wrote across and perpendicular to the first writing on some pages. Some people thought he was dying of consumption, but he’s well; Sgt. McLean was angry, hates to leave, and will try to get back; he got over his anger and told him to remember that he is now the Chief Signal Officer in Southeastern Alaska. Discusses their future; various personal matters, and her ring; wishes she could taste some of the blueberry pie. Sitka consists primarily of Russians and Indians; the missionary, revenue officer, and the Northwest Trading Company agent and their families, and a few others are the only Americans. It rains a lot. | 1882 September 24-26 |
| 3/16 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Blanchard, Maine), 12 pages. Describes his office; he must wait a month before he can get more mail. Expects to stay two years. McLean said he was going to try to get back even as Fickett’s assistant and might bring his fiancée. It’s not as cold as Maine because of the ocean. The warship’s officers invited him to go on a hunt. He met five drunken Russian women “hard-looking specimens;” doesn’t have a very high opinion of the ordinary Russian character, though they are very social and polite. [He is going to begin regular study. Describes Sitka and the church. The warship is there to keep the Indians in their place. Two physicians are on the warship and the Merchant Marine has one in town. Almost all food comes from below; wild meat is used, especially deer. The Indians do the hauling and other work. Mentions Lt. Thomas’ wife. He’s been sewing. A young physician stationed there spends much time in his office; they go hunting together. Since her ring is too large, he’ll try to get another when he leaves. Asks her about school; discusses personal matters. | 1882 October 15-22 |
| 3/16 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Note: the author, after writing in one direction, has turned the letter upside down and written between the lines. The revenue cutter did not leave as expected because of trouble with the Indians; tells her about his trips to the mines at Silver Bay. Shot a duck with his rifle. Describes visit to the Russian church and its ceremonies. Wants her to write about her plans; discusses his feelings for her. | 1882 October 30-November 19 |
| 3/17 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. He’s improved much since arriving; he gets lots of exercise in boating and hunting, but he misses her and the sunshine. Discusses various people in Maine. Discusses death of a baby and its funeral. Asks her about school. Received her letter and Christmas gift. | 1882 December 7-26 |
| 3/17 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, 4 pages. Mentions his feelings for her. Lt. Thomas showed him a document stating that he had been ordered to St. Michael; believes it’s a mistake. Discusses his stay in Alaska which should be three years. Describes the Russians’ New Year, visit to the Indian village, and dance. Asks about her studies. He shot an eagle that measured nearly eight feet. Mrs. Thomas sends her love. | 1882 December 27-January 15 |
| 3/18 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, 4 copied pages. 2 pages with 2-page enclosed letter from Ella F. Thomas to N. Lord. Happy to receive her letter; had another masked ball in his office last night. Mrs. Thomas was ill, but still wrote a letter to her. Thanks her for the collars and cuffs. Enclosure from Ella F. Thomas: Thanks her for the apron. Would like to send her something but she must get material from below. Copy in collection is a print from the microfilm edition. The original of this letter is not in the collection, apparently having gone missing during microfilming or thereafter. The family transcripts do not include this letter. | 1883 January 16 |
| 3/18 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Steamer arrived with her letter and silk handkerchief; believes the published orders to St. Michael are an error, though he can probably save more money there. Discusses her ring. | 1883 January 25 |
| 3/18 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Bucksport, Maine), 4 pages. Discusses weather and military service earnings. Mentions Andrew Kashevarov. Realizes he would have to travel 6,000 miles to reach her. Spent evening with Father Mitropolski, his family, and Andrew Kashevarov. Discusses missionaries, especially Mr. Austin; mentions Miss Matthews and Mrs. Willard. | 1883 February 25-March 7 |
| 3/19 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Discusses his feelings for her, people in Maine, Mrs. Thomas, pictures, and the shooting of his dog. The Pacific Steamship Co. will send excursions in the summer; discusses the possibility of her coming and describes the trip. Over eight feet of rain fell in 1882. | 1883 March 9-10 |
| 3/19 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Waiting for steamer. Went fishing; visited Indian village and saw a cremation. Describes double wedding in the Greek Church. He discusses religion, liquor, friends, the young officers of the U.S.S. Adams, temperance. Steamer arrived today with the news that he probably will not go to Ft. St. Michael. Discusses Maj. Morris, Collector of Customs. Received letters from Professor Fernald and others. Describes enclosed pictures, which show government buildings, the Russian Church, and the building where he boards. | 1883 March 17-22 |
| 3/20 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, 4 pages. Received her letters. Discusses his pay and expenses and her school problems. He burned his face in an accident with gunpowder. He will send her the 1881 report of the Chief Signal Office to give her some idea of the work they do; they report on everything. Discusses her ring. | 1883 April 1-10 |
| 3/20 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, 4 pages. Discusses their separation and his feelings for her. Describes hunting trip. Maj. Morris wrote from Washington that he will remain in Sitka. | 1883 April 15 |
| 3/20 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (U.S.S. Adams – Killisnoo, Alaska) to N. Lord (Bucksport, Maine), 4 pages. He is on the U.S.S. Adams which is going to visit several places and punish some Indians who committed a murder. The Captain has allowed him to travel to inspect his stations. He eats with the officers; it’s his first trip on a warship. Discusses the trip scenery, Killisnoo, and the Indian incident of the previous year. | 1883 April 23 |
| 3/21 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Describes his trip to Killisnoo, Taku, Harrisburg. Discusses the wreck of the steamship Eureka. Talks of Andrew Kashevarov and Lt. Gilman. Not feeling well. Describes hunting trip. Sick for two days but is better; talks about her studies; received a letter from Maj. Morris about his orders. Mrs. Thomas sends her regards; in his spare time he is keeping books for the firm of Whitford and Brady. Steamer arrived; officially notified that he won’t have to go to Ft. St. Michael. He is happy she likes the silver bracelets he sent. | 1883 May 13-17 |
| 3/21 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Happy to receive her long letter. Mentions Mrs. Thomas and officers of the U.S.S. Adams. Happy that he is not going to St. Michael. He’s sending this letter through Mr. Brady. | 1883 May 18 |
| 3/21 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Received her letters and is disappointed that her picture didn’t come. He’s lonesome and homesick. He’s happy she likes her presents. | 1883 June 21 |
| 3/22 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, 4 pages. Suggests she consider marrying him in Alaska; discusses possible future postings plans. Believes there are fortunes in Alaska for those who are willing to work. | 1883 July 9 |
| 3/22 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Received her letter. He is hesitating about having her come up there; discusses entering the fishing business with Will Fernald. Mrs. Thomas sends her love. Asks her to send some collars and cuffs. | 1883 July 16 |
| 3/22 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Describes sleeping quarters of the U.S.S. Adams. The excursion party on the last steamer was a failure. The summer was cold and dismal. | 1883 July 22 |
| 3/23 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Misses her. Describes picnic, storm, and trip with Dr. Lemans. This is the anniversary of his leaving Washington for Sitka; it’s been a pleasant year and he is in good health. Expects to go duck hunting soon. His illness last May and June was from malaria which he had acquired in Washington. Received her letter. The steamer had about 30 excursionists who had a party at Maj. Morris’ home. Lt. Harrison in Washington indicated that if he stays one more year, he can probably get a good station near home. | 1883 August 9-11 |
| 3/23 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 16 pages. He would like to try to dissuade her from going to work. Wishes he could have been at the commencement exercise. Discusses people in Maine. It’s his birthday. Lt. Harrison in Washington informed him that he will be promoted and that he can probably get a first class station in the spring. Discusses possible business venture in Alaska and other courses of action. Steamer arrived. He’s going to send her a couple of wall baskets and bracelets or and her mother, and a pair of slippers. | 1883 August 29-September 14 |
| 3/23 | 3 | F . W. Fickett to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. He’s lonely; she can depend on him in 1884; he may apply for discharge if he doesn’t get the right post. Mentions two trips to the gold fields. | 1883 September 29 |
| 3/24 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Writes about home, friends, their plans and future, and Lt. Gilman. | 1883 October 7 |
| 3/24 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 12 pages. Writes about Lt. Gilman, the Marine Commanding Officer in Sitka. Describes visit to the Indian village and the Russian town. Discusses her activities and his future actions. Waiting for the steamer. Describes Mrs. Thomas and several pictures of people and Sitka. Mentions the Proteus. Steamer arrived. Received letter from Will Fernald and discusses possible business venture. Describes photograph of a group of Indians. He’s sending some pressed flowers. | 1883 October 14-23 |
| 3/24 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. He will have to visit several sub-stations; the trip will be by small steamboat and by canoe. | 1883 October 30 |
| 3/25 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 3 pages. Steamer arrived in the evening. Expects to get home next summer. Expresses his love for her. A man was killed on the wharf today. | 1883 November 19 |
| 3/25 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Mentions short days. Discusses malaria and his illness. Describes his inspection trip. Addition of November 29: Mentions Lt. Gilman’s visit. Describes his Thanksgiving meal at Mrs. Thomas’ and his successful hunting trip. | 1883 November 28-29 |
| 3/26 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Describes book that he was reading. Mentions playing whist at the Morris’ and mentions the death of an officer from the U.S.S. Adams. Describes marriage in the Russian Church, the reception, and a visit to his office by Andrew Kashevarof. | 1883 December 2-5 |
| 3/26 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. The steamer came in the morning. Discusses religion. Describes Customs House fire. | 1883 December 18 |
| 3/26 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. He will spend Christmas with the Morrises. It will be lonely; he worries about her illness. Mentions writing reports and testing instruments. Had a pleasant time at the Morris’s home. Mentions presents. | 1883 December 24-25 |
| 3/27 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Talked with Maj. Morris; read a book on Sir John and Lady Franklin. Discussed book with Lt. Gilman. Describes Russian New Year. Describes masquerade ball in his office last night; several people came including Andrew, his sister, and Lt. Gilman. | 1884 January 7-13 |
| 3/27 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, 4 pages. 2 pages with 2-page enclosed letter from Ella F. Thomas to N. Lord. Happy to receive her letter; had another masked ball in his office last night. Mrs. Thomas was ill, but still wrote a letter to her. Thanks her for the collars and cuffs. Enclosure from Ella. F. Thomas: Thanks her for the apron. Would like to send her something but she must get material from below. | 1884 January 16 |
| 3/28 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Writes about Mrs. Thomas and her illness, masquerade ball, Russian New Year activities, and various individuals. | 1884 February 5 |
| 3/28 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. He is studying law and is happy. He wants to become a lawyer and believes he can practice law and stay in the Signal Corps at the same time. There is a bill in Congress to increase salaries. Writes about Comdr. Coghlan, Hattie and Gussie Cohen, Andrew Kashevarov, and the death of Maj. Morris, who had been the highest civil officer in Alaska. Mentions book he has been reading. | 1884 February 10-18 |
| 3/28 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. They had a dance in his office on Washington’s birthday. Describes the arrival of the steamer. | 1884 February 23 |
| 3/29 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. The steamer arrived with her letter. Describes a five-day prospecting expedition, building a boat, and the search for a lost officer. He discusses social drinking. Received a communication from Lt. Harrison advising him not to resign that year or ask to be moved. Wishes she were there. | 1884 March 19 |
| 3/29 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 3 pages. He’s having his rooms repaired. Will send her some books and a picture of John McLean, who has relieved him. He recollects that he told her about applying to go to the interior in charge of an exploration party, but he has not received an answer. | 1884 April 16 |
| 3/29 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, (Levant, Maine), 10 pages. He turned the station and the government property over to McLean, who has been a lawyer and archaeologist. Discusses his application concerning an expedition and a communication from Lt. Harrison. Discussed philosophy of life with Lt. Gilman and Sgt. McLean as well as their future plans. Writes about an argument with McLean which ended in a fencing match. | 1884 April 21-29 |
| 3/30 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Discusses her health and education and their engagement. | 1884 May 18 |
| 3/30 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Discusses a dream that he had the previous night. Received a letter from Will Fernald. Mentions the forthcoming marriage of a classmate. | 1884 May 31 |
| 3/30 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Discusses his errors in writing. States he is the agent for the express company. Wishes she could come. Note: on the reverse is a letter to the Wells, Fargo & Co.’s office in San Francisco. | 1884 June 9 |
| 3/30 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Writes about visit to Mrs. Thomas’s home with several others. | 1884 June 10 |
| 3/31 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 10 pages. Discusses Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Mrs. Thomas is sending a present to Nellie. Received news of the civil government. He and McLean are thinking of setting up a law practice. The prospects of leading an expedition are good. Writes about Coghlan, Col. French, and Sgt. McLean. He and Coghlan spent the evening at the Cohen’s. He compares Nellie to other women. The Thomases visited his office; they expect to go to Washington soon. Steamer arrived. Mrs. Thomas’ present will be sent soon. Mentions Miss Linnie Austin’s marriage. A hunter and naturalist arrived to get bird specimens. Describes his efforts to climb a mountain near the town and a trip with the naturalist. | 1884 July 13-20 |
| 3/31 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Mail steamer arrived. Writes about Miss Matthews and Mrs. Thomas. | 1884 August 10 |
| 3/31 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant. Maine), 8 pages. He’s happy she passed her exams. Discusses their relationship. Describes two picnics. | 1884 August 12 |
| 3/31 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Mrs. Thomas left on the last steamer and he is lonesome. He expects to go prospecting soon. Doesn’t know when he will come home. He’d like her to visit. Lt. Gilman made a park of the woods surrounding Sitka. | 1884 August 18 |
| 3/31 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. He is going prospecting for a copper mine. The U.S.S. Adams sailed and he will miss the officers. The U.S.S. Pinta has arrived. | 1884 August 24 |
| 3/32 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 1 page. Steamer came in last night. He returned from his expedition three days ago and is very tired. They worked hard and think they found a rich copper mine. The governor and new officers came on the boat. | 1884 September 11 |
| 3/32 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. They are going to Glacier Bay tomorrow where they may have found a rich copper mine. Writes of previous trip on which he kept a journal. | 1884 September 17 |
| 3/32 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Harrisburg, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 14 pages. Returned from Glacier Bay. Includes unofficial copy of his journal of his prospecting trip of August 25 to September 9. Describes sites and problems. Also encloses abstract of his journal to Glacier Bay for September 18 through October 1. | 1884 October 5 |
| 3/32 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. He arrived in the steamer and received orders to go to Portland. He encloses some sections of his notebook about the Glacier Bay trip. | 1884 October 17 |
| 3/33 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. He arrived in Portland and found her letters. He is well. Briefly discusses the trip down. | 1884 December 1 |
| 3/33 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Describes loss of money through speculation. States he is attending law school at the University of Oregon. Won’t get promotion because of list. Discusses their relationship and friends in Sitka. | 1884 December 9 |
| 3/33 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Describes snowstorm, law studies, and a play. | 1884 December 16 |
| 3/33 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Discusses his feelings for her. Discusses his prospects and the possibility of a raise in pay. Lt. Allen asked him to go on the expedition to explore the Copper River rather than go on his own party. He’s not sure Gen. Hazen will agree. Mentions the Greeley party. | 1884 December 25-27 |
| 3/34 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine). 4 pages. Discusses his prospects and financial situation. Met with Allen and agreed to accompany him if Gen. Hazen agrees. Allen telegraphed Miles. Discusses expedition plans. The duty is an honor. | 1885 January 6 |
| 3/34 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. The snow blockade is now over so he expects the mail to be regular. Discusses photographs. Received a letter from his father, who indicated that he liked Nellie. He is getting ready for the trip though he hasn’t received orders. Allen received a telegram from Gen. Miles directing him to proceed. Spent Christmas day in his office. | 1885 January 11-12 |
| 3/34 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Sent her a box. He is sorry that she is opposed to his going into the interior, but he cannot back out now. Received approval from Gen. Hazen. Discusses orders and plans and Allen. Writes about Allen. Will write again. | 1885 January 18 |
| 3/34 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 1 page. Leaves for Sitka on January 27. They are making preparations. | 1885 January 21 |
| 3/34 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (Vancouver, Washington Territory) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Making preparations. He received its orders. Mentions telegraph exchange between Allen and Gen. Sheridan. Went to church. | 1885 January 25 |
| 3/34 | 6 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Arrived in Portland. Starts for Alaska in two hours. He must write an official letter to Gen. Hazen. | 1885 January 28 |
| 3/35 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Nanaimo, British Columbia; Steamer Idaho) to N. Lord, (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. He is on his way to Alaska. Discusses his activities before leaving. He expects to go straight home after returning. Andrew will meet his love in San Francisco. | 1885 February 1 |
| 3/35 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Steamship Idaho, Pacific Ocean) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Expects to reach Wrangell tomorrow. Describes weather. He and Allen are studying. He has a photographic outfit amongst his instruments. Describes public reaction at their leaving. Arrived in Sitka. Discusses feelings for her. Discusses talk with Allen. | 1885 February 3-7 |
| 3/35 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. The Leo isn’t there and the Idaho can’t take them. The U.S.S. Pinta couldn’t go without orders. He was warmly greeted on the wharf in Sitka and is staying with McLean. Describes shooting trip. | 1885 February 10-21 |
| 3/35 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Discusses his feelings for her. Went to the mission church in the evening where he heard Indian boys and girls pray in their own language. | 1885 February 22 |
| 3/35 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 3 pages (incomplete.) He was on the U.S.S. Pinta yesterday. Took measurements of the sun, moon, and stars. | 1885 February 28 |
| 3/36 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Sitka, Alaska) to N. Lord, 4 pages. Happy to hear that the U.S.S. Pinta had been ordered to take them into the Copper River. Allen was very relieved to hear the news. Describes their equipment and clothing. | 1885 March 11 |
| 3/36 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (U.S.S. Pinta, Pacific Ocean) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 7 pages. Describes stormy weather on the trip and navigation problems. Visited the Mitropolskis in Sitka and met the governor. The U.S.S Pinta is near where they are going to anchor. Asks her to write him at Ft. St. Michael in care of the Alaska Commercial Company. | 1885 March 19 |
| 3/36 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Nuchek, Alaska) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Landed that afternoon. Most of the ship’s company came ashore with them and cheered them. Will leave in the morning and hopefully send a message back from a village 150 miles up river. The natives are hard looking. Success is expected. | 1885 March 19 |
| 3/36 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Copper River) to N. Lord ( Levant, Maine), 3 pages. Describes progress and food. They work hard and live on food they wouldn’t eat in civilization. Asks her not to worry. They hope to return in the fall, but if not they will winter at a trading post. | 1885 May 15 |
| 3/37 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (San Francisco, California) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. He is well. They reached the coast 75 miles north of St. Michael three days before the revenue cutter came. It was a hard summer. Allen doesn’t want him to write a report to Hazen until after their report is finished. | 1885 October 10 |
| 3/37 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Vancouver, Wash. Ter.) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Describes expedition hardships and background. They went with the intention of abandoning everything, even one of the party. They took provisions for two years, but because of the slush and weather they abandoned half their supplies. Later they abandoned almost everything else except two weeks’ provisions, half their ammunition, guns and instruments, clothes, and blankets. It stormed a lot for a while and they lived on rotten food. | 1885 October 23 |
| 3/38 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. It’s pleasant to be in civilization again and receive her letters. They sent some pictures and snowshoes, but they have not arrived. Describes Nicholai. Their success was complete. He used the handkerchief which she sent him on the Tanana. He has been refused permission to accompany Allen to Washington. If he isn’t ordered to Washington, he will probably stay on the coast for a year. If so, he will study law at the university. | 1885 November 17 |
| 3/38 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. He is lonesome. Wrote to President Fernald. Describes his office in Portland; mentions Mr. and Mrs. Hearne and Dr. Yeamans. Describes dream. Received a long letter from Lt. and Mrs. Thomas and from Mr. Curtis of Corinna, Maine. He hasn’t been paid; discusses presents. He’s in the only branch of the government service that does not have holidays. | 1885 November 22-25 |
| 3/38 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Describes his disappointment at not receiving letters. | 1885 November 27 |
| 3/39 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord, (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. He has been ill since his return, the doctor stated it was caused by the bad food and the exposure. He has been studying hard. Describes the people in the house. Describes his activities. | 1885 December 8 |
| 3/39 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Received her letter; glad to hear from her. Looks forward to their marriage. Discusses relatives and friends, and another expedition. | 1885 December 10 |
| 3/39 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord, (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Asks her forgiveness for writing letter of Dec. 8. | 1885 December 15 |
| 3/39 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. He is sending her some furs and some money. | 1885 December 17 |
| 3/39 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Happy to receive her letter and again asks for forgiveness. Describes a discussion about a “woman’s constancy.” Mentions friends in Maine. Received a letter from the Chief Signal Officer about going to Washington. He likes Allen, but the latter has done things of which he does not approve. Hazen has requested that Fickett make up a full report accompanied by a map to be published by the Signal Corps. He promised Allen he would write the meteorological part of the report. He received more medicine from the doctor. Hopes she enjoys school. Writes about Hearne and some letters that they exchanged. Sends her sheet music and a book on music. Received a long letter from his father. | 1885 December 21-22 |
| 3/39 | 6 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. He’s read all her letters; again asks her to forgive him. He says he wrote while undergoing one of his worst days of malarial fever. It has been raining. He’s been sick and lonesome. Dreamed of spending Christmas with her and her family. Wishes they were together. Discusses Christmas, Hearne and others in the Signal Corps. Mentions the loss of some money. Describes conversation with a businessman about military men in business. Discusses temperance. | 1885 December 23-25 |
| 3/39 | 7 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 10 pages. Discusses Christmas presents, the handkerchief which he carried on the expedition, an engagement ring, his feelings for her, Robertson, his mother, Dr. Yeamans, and real estate. | 1885 December 27 |
| 3/39 | 8 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Just finished working on the month’s report. Received a letter from Allen who still hopes to get him ordered to Washington. Discusses the old and new years and their relationship. | 1885 December 31 |
| 3/40 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 10 page original, 9 page transcript. January 1 letter in transcript form only. Spent the day in the office working off reports. Writes about Hearne, New Year’s resolution, their marriage, and land. Describes two married couples at Mrs. Rash’s boarding house. Dr. Wyman married Hattie Cohen from Sitka. He was very surprised because of their differences. Discusses their relationship. He was disappointed at not receiving a letter from her. Received a letter from Chief Signal Officer. He received a letter from the Chief Signal Officer directing him to write his report. He will remain at this station for the next six months. If he had stayed last year he would have graduated in June. Discusses report. He feels he is not a good writer, although he has good notes and observations. Gives her a synopsis of his daily work. Happy to receive her letter of December 29. He doesn’t want her to doubt him. | 1886 January 1-5 |
| 3/40 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 3 pages. Transcript only. Spent the evening with his classmates. Several people visited his office including a newspaper reporter who interviewed him and asked him to write articles on Alaska. Col. French visited him and told him the gossip from Sitka. | 1886 January 10 |
| 3/40 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 5 pages. Transcript only. Discusses the weather, sleigh riding. Discusses their relationship and her affect on him. Sorry she didn’t get her presents before Christmas. Says that when he bought the skins he had given one to Allen and one to Robinson. The materials that he had sent by Chief Nicholai arrived in San Francisco. Allen is bitterly disappointed about Fickett working on his report. He is following Gen. Hazen’s orders. Wishes he could help her study. His health is improving but Hearn’s has been poor. | 1886 January 15-17 |
| 3/40 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Received several letters from her, Allie, and J. P. Curtis. They had seven or eight inches of snow; describes various makeshift vehicles used for sleighs. Discusses various photographs. Returned from lecture. Discusses problems in school teaching; mentions a conversation with the President of Northern Pacific Railroad Land Office, and terrible storms in the northern and middle states. Trains are still snowbound. Discusses teaching, his relationship with his mother, and receiving a letter asking him to volunteer to go to Ft. St. Michael for three years. He intends to decline. Expects the mail train tomorrow. Studies are going fine. Allen has a plate taken after their arrival at Ft. St. Michael. He will send her a copy. | 1886 January 23-28 |
| 3/41 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages plus small attachment. Discusses relatives, a fire in town, and a large meeting. Discusses White’s relationship with his wife. The Chinese are having their annual celebration; he refers to the persecution of the Chinese on the coast and the seizure of opium on the Idaho. | 1886 February 7 |
| 3/41 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. He’s working on his report. Suggests numbering their letters. He keeps a record book of his correspondence. Discusses Mrs. Rash and Mrs. White. Discusses their impending marriage and her working. Discusses their interest in music which he appreciates, though he cannot sing or play an instrument. Discusses manners, clothing, his report. Discusses religion. | 1886 February 12 |
| 3/41 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 7 pages including enclosure. He has been sick and couldn’t work or study. He is enclosing Lt. Allen’s letter and asks her not to put much dependence upon it. Discusses a party and people in Maine. Went to church because of her. Discusses marriage and religion. He is sending her some papers and warns her against false hopes. Writes about various people, marriage, their relationship, and his health. Sends information about the possibility of being ordered to Washington. Writes about law school. | 1886 February 21 |
| 3/41 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. He is waiting for their wedding. Writes about his activities, studying, his lodge, theater, his next station, and his salary. Describes Methodist service. Discusses her music and their love. | 1886 February 28 |
| 3/42 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Disappointed at not receiving any letter from her. Allen stated that his orders were made out. Mentions San Francisco business matter. He believes pressure was brought to bear on Gen. Hazen who would like to keep him out of Washington. He received her letter and one from a friend who heard he’s been ordered to Washington. Returned from what he believes will be his last lecture in Oregon. Mentions seeing a woman who was her image. He’s been reading her letters again. Writes about Maine, friends, and weather. Promises to try to make up for the years she has waited for him. Discusses Miss Matthews and missionaries in Alaska. Returned from church. Expects to be on his way to Washington soon. | 1886 March 10-14 |
| 3/42 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. He’s still in Portland. Received his orders but is waiting for a replacement for Hearne. Describes itinerary. Congratulates her on her school report. | 1886 March 21 |
| 3/42 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 10 pages. Writes about family, her work, and friends in Maine. Asks if she kept any newspaper articles; discusses a scrapbook. He has been bothered by an insurance own. Describes his health problems from the expedition. Writes about a “quack” who swindled many. Writes about church and the weather. Discusses their marriage, various people, alcohol, and a visit by the U.S.S. Corwin. Hoped to write more but could not do so. | 1886 March 24-29 |
| 3/42 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 1 page. Received orders to go to Washington. Hearne’s replacement hasn’t arrived. | 1886 March 29 |
| 4/1 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Council Bluffs, IA) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Discusses trip and scenery. | 1886 April 3 |
| 4/1 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Fairmont, WV) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Delayed by train wreck. Writes about his train and the town. | 1886 April 6 |
| 4/1 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Arrived in Washington and is looking for a boarding house. Reported to the Signal Office and called on Allen. He has a room at the Harrison House. Thinks he’ll be retained there after the report is completed. Discusses Washington, the Harrisons, friends, law school, and the expedition. | 1886 April 7-9 |
| 4/1 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Discusses their relationship and refers to an unpleasant affair which involved the loss of funds. Compares the Washington weather with that of Portland. | 1886 April 10 |
| 4/1 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Describes visit to art gallery. Received a message from Allen. Refers to his journal entries of April 13, 1885. Mentions Mrs. Harrison selling Alaskan Indian baskets. He is sorry about being indefinite about his plans. There is a bill in Congress to fund another exploration of Alaska; they are hurrying their report. Discusses salary, law school, promotions, their report, and marriage. | 1886 April 13-15 | |
| 4/1 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. He is feeling better and asks her not to worry about his health. Discusses their relationship. Discusses acts of charity. Writes about an incident of marital infidelity. Mentions Miss Matthews. Spent the evening with the Harrisons. Received her letter. Writes about marriage. Feeling well. Met a man from Sitka. | 1886 April 16-21 |
| 4/1 | 6 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 7 pages. Writes about cameras and his father’s lawsuit. Asks her about her school students. Describes a panorama of the battle of Manassas and the audience reaction. Discusses the weather, visits to government buildings and museums. Mentions various friends including the Thomases. Discusses law school. | 1886 April 29-May 5 |
| 4/2 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Allen named a river after him; he didn’t object much. Discusses trip and quotes from his journal. Discusses the expedition. Discusses her school, Mrs. Thomas, salary, and a bill concerning the Signal Corps in Congress. Mentions various people in Maine. He will enjoy going to the commencement at Orono if she’s with him. | 1886 May 8-12 |
| 4/2 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Went to the races, Barnum’s Circus, and to the theater. Discusses promotion. Discusses the weather. Discusses a marital case in Maine and divorces. Discusses labor and union problems, West Coast labor attitudes toward the Chinese. Discusses possible new stations. He submitted his report two weeks ago. Writes about going to Orono. Their separation is almost over. Mentions Allen and Alaska. | 1886 May 15-19 |
| 4/2 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. He may be delayed until August. Discusses plans and hopes to go to New England. Mentions that many want to form a bureau to include the Signal Corps, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Geological Survey, and so forth. Discusses school, students, her studies, and Allen’s plans. Discusses his plans and possible post. | 1886 May 23-26 |
| 4/2 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Discusses their long separation and their relationship. Wishes he could have participated in the memorial services with her. Stay in Washington will soon end. Mentions Lt. Gilman, the Thomases, and others. Can’t write much because he is busy. Will soon know where he will be assigned. He prizes her letters. The commander at Ft. Myer will try to get him assigned to Portsmouth. | 1886 May 30-June 2 |
| 4/3 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Heard from Allen that Fickett will go to Eastport, Maine. His prospects of getting posted to Maine are good. He found her box of plums she sent and he has already started eating them. | 1886 June 3 |
| 4/3 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. Discusses Mr. Hill and Mr. Randy, former classmates. Talked with Gov. Swineford of Alaska about the prospects of the Territory. Mentions the Morgan bill, Gen. Hazen, and Lt. Allen. Suggests making his birthday their wedding day. Has learned that Gen. Hazen has ordered his promotion. Discusses transportation plans. Discusses other people’s opinions of him, love, and presents. He had expected to start that evening. Mentions Morgan bill. | 1886 June 6-9 |
| 4/3 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Washington, DC) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Discusses the Thomases. Discusses the President’s marriage. His orders haven’t arrived. | 1885 June 10 |
| 4/3 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 1 page. Arrived that morning and is pleasantly situated. | 1886 June 15 |
| 4/3 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Discusses his situation; he expects to stay five to eight months. | 1886 June 16 |
| 4/4 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Discusses their visit. Regrets that he had to leave her again. Writes of marriage. Discusses their visit. Mentions clothes and wedding ring. Discusses his trip to see her and going to Oregon. Asks her to decide on wedding cards. He is looking forward to their wedding day. | 1886 July 7-10 |
| 4/4 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 8 pages. Refers to their meeting. He went to church. Comments on the various couples. Wishes she were with him. Discusses their relationship, a bill before Congress, and income. They are busy completing their work because they expect an inspection officer. Discusses work backlog and their marriage. Discusses telegraph communications problems. Looking forward to their marriage. He will prepare a list of his friends to receive cards. | 1886 July 10-16 |
| 4/4 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. It’s been a month since they met in Bangor. He wrote his father to have their names published. He has been thinking of her. Discusses church and baptism. He received a letter addressed to Mrs. F. W. Fickett. Discusses his time of arrival. He has done little work on his lecture. | 1886 July 31-August 5 |
| 4/5 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Describes Murphy, who is in charge, as slack; awaiting the inspecting officer. Mentions various people, church, and a picnic. He expects to receive leave soon. | 1886 August 8-9 |
| 4/5 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 1 page. He doesn’t think he can come home on Saturday; will telegraph. | 1886 August 11 |
| 4/5 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. The inspector arrived and they have been very busy. Discusses travel plans and marriage. | 1886 August 12 |
| 4/5 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. The inspector did not find things there as they should be. He did not do well on an examination. He has not received his leave yet. | 1886 August 13 |
| 4/5 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Discusses his telegram and his situation after the inspection. He had expected to be left in charge of Eastport. Discusses his leave, the inspector and Murphy. He went to church and thought of her. Discusses an accident. | 1886 August 14-15 |
| 4/5 | 6 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Discusses the sermon at a Baptist church. He has not received answers to his leave request. He was reading his journal and discusses his activities between 1880 and 1885 on that date. He believes his wanderings are nearly over. Discusses problems in the Signal Office in Washington. Describes a picnic. They are working on the station’s annual report. | 1886 August 29-31 |
| 4/6 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 3 pages. His application for leave was rejected because of the inspector’s report. He did not realize that he would get a bad report too. His promotion has also been delayed. Discusses their marriage. He asks her to think about coming to get married in Eastport. He asks her to talk it over with her mother. Apologizes for the letter being a muddle, but “I am disappointed, angry, and nearly everything else.” | 1886 September 2 |
| 4/6 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 2 pages. Suggests locations for their marriage. Discusses expenses, his future, and the status of the Signal Corps. | 1886 September 4 |
| 4/6 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Discusses marriage plans, minister, and place to board. | 1886 September 8 |
| 4/6 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Eastport, Maine) to N. Lord (Levant, Maine), 1 page. Discusses marriage plans and looks forward to seeing her on Tuesday. | 1886 September 9 |
| 4/7 | F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) to Mrs. F. W. Fickett (Levant, Maine), 6 pages. He has been sick. Discusses possible transfer of the service and changes of station. He was criticized in General Orders and has asked Allen about it. Discusses their long separation and the weather. He is feeling better, but is still weak. Mentions debts and the weather; discusses their relationship. Feels much better. States he is saving money. | 1887 February 5-6 | |
| 4/8 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas) to A. T. Lord (Herman, Maine), 1 page telegram. Reports home stock and library are safe and asks A. T. Lord to tell Nellie. Note: This is after the storm that all but destroyed Galveston in 1900 and in which F.W.F. was reported as a casualty. | 1900 September 13 |
| 4/8 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Tucson Springs, California) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Thanks him for letter; sorry Mary is ill and wants him to take care of her. | 1902 August 15 |
| 4/8 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Chicago, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Sends nickel so he can buy peanuts or candy at pony show. | 1903 October 12 |
| 4/8 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Chicago, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Galveston, Texas), 2 pages. Compliments him on nice report and sends him some money; wishes they could go fishing. | 1903 November 22 |
| 4/8 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (St. Louis, Missouri) to F. W. Fickett, Jr., 2 pages. Compliments him on birthday gift to sister. | 1903 November 28 |
| 4/8 | 6 | F. W. Fickett (Chicago, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr., 2 pages. He is in a depot waiting for the train to Riverside to see Mr. Brinker; it is wet and cold. | 1904 July 6 |
| 4/8 | 7 | F. W. Fickett (Tucson, Arizona) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. States he killed a “Healey Monster” (Gila?) and asks him to look it up in the encyclopedia. | 1905 June 12 |
| 4/8 | 8 | F. W. Fickett (Tucson, Arizona) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Can’t get book for Webster; hopes he had a pleasant Fourth of July. | 1905 July 8 |
| 4/8 | 9 | F. W. Fickett (Evanston, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Sends two copies of Chicago Tribune of Aug. 30, which tells of peace treaty between Japan and Russia on August 29 (his birthday); wants their mother to save copies for children. Sends copy of Record Herald of Sept. 3 for his mother and asks that she read about Los Angeles and ministers preaching there. | 1905 September 4 |
| 4/8 | 10 | F. W. Fickett (Freeport, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr., 1 page. Hopes he is well after fall; relates his own mishaps. | 1905 September 16 |
| 4/8 | 11 | F. W. Fickett (Evanston, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr., 1 page. Hopes son will be well enough to join family on picnic on island; he wants to teach Harold to use shotgun; wants son to coax mother to let him and Webster join the G.Y.M. | 1905 September 18 |
| 4/8 | 12 | F. W. Fickett (Evanston, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr., 1 page. Wishes he was with him; never experienced chloroform. He wants Fred’s mother to learn stenography from Harold. | 1905 September 21 |
| 4/8 | 13 | F. W. Fickett (Evanston, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Happy to hear he is better. Describes accident. | 1905 September 28 |
| 4/9 | 1 | F. W. Fickett (Chicago, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Tucson, Arizona), 1 page. Asks him to be good and promises a picnic. | 1906 July 3 |
| 4/9 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Chicago, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Tucson, Arizona), 1 page. Discusses the Chicago Cubs and the White Stockings. Mentions Harold. Note: this letter is written on the letterhead of the Lincoln Consolidated Mining Company of Lincoln, Pima County, Arizona. It lists Charles W. Wrightman of Evanston, Illinois, as President; F. W. Fickett of Tucson, Arizona, as Vice President; and George E. Fernald of Wilmette, Illinois, as Secretary and Treasurer. | 1906 August 2 |
| 4/9 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Chicago, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Tucson, Arizona), 1 page. Writes about squirrels in Evanston and pets. Mentions Harold. | 1906 August 5 |
| 4/9 | 4 | F. W. Fickett (Chicago, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr., 1 page. Discusses children. | 1906 August 10 |
| 4/9 | 5 | F. W. Fickett (Chicago, Illinois) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Tucson, Arizona), 1 page. Happy that he passed his examination. Mentions Mary’s broken arm. | 1906 October 16 |
| 4/10 | 1 | F. W. Fickett, Gen. Mgr. Tucson Consolidated Copper Co. (Tucson, Arizona) to Board of Directors, T.C.C. Co. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), 4 pages. Discusses report by W. W. Wishon, M.E., on company’s properties. | 1906 May 14 |
| 4/10 | 2 | F. W. Fickett (Tucson, Arizona) to F. W. Fickett, 2 pages. They received his letter and he can have wheel fixed after his mother gets home. They will visit the mission. Addition: discusses election. | 1908 November 14 |
| 4/10 | 3 | F. W. Fickett (Tucson, Arizona) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Galveston, Texas), 2 pages. Thanks him for letter; discusses hunting, guns, and rifle match. | 1911 December 21 |
| 4/11 | F. W. Fickett to N. T. Lord, 3 pages. These are fragments of two letters probably from 1886. In one, he asks for her aunt’s address, states he is coming, and mentions Bishop Healy. In the second, he asks for the name of a reporter for the Bangor Whig and Courier. | undated | |
| 4/12 | Stamps, 3 items. | undated | |
| 4/13 | Transcripts. | 1882 | |
| 4/14 | Transcripts. | 1982 December-1983 December | |
| 4/15 | Transcripts. | 1883 December-1885 January | |
| 4/16 | Transcripts. | 1885 January-December | |
| 4/17 | Transcripts. | 1886 January-September |
Series 6: Correspondence. Subseries 6b: Letters from Nellie Tibbetts Lord Fickett; 1884-1887. 0.115 cubic feet. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 4/18 | Envelopes. | 1882-1883 | |
| 4/19 | 1 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon), 8 pages. Writes about teaching a private school in Will Fernald’s home. Discusses his becoming a Christian. Writes about acquaintances, her birthday, Miss Matthews’s letter, and Alaskan scenery. | 1884 December 14 |
| 4/19 | 2 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 6 pages. Regrets his not receiving her letter at St. Michael. Appreciates the presents. Discusses his father; relatives and friends, their separation, and their relationship. She is sorrowed by his suffering. | 1885 October 31-November 6 |
| 4/19 | 3 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 7 pages. Writes of his parents’s visit. Discusses their engagement and future, photographs, and various relatives and friends. | 1885 November 8-19 |
| 4/19 | 4 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Writes about various friends, relatives, and local developments. Discusses music and religion. Writes about relatives, his becoming a Christian, her handkerchief which he used as a flag on the trip, and Gen. Hazen. | 1885 November 25-30 |
| 4/20 | 1 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Discusses the letter she sent him at Ft. St. Michael. Writes about a trip, school, her birthday, and a religious meeting. | 1885 December 5-8 |
| 4/20 | 2 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. 14. Fickett, 2 pages. Writes about school. | 1885 December 7 |
| 4/20 | 3 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Writes about school and friends and a Sunday meeting. Discusses their relationship and relatives; describes an encounter with a young man in July. | 1885 December 12 |
| 4/20 | 4 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. Discusses their relationship, her activities, his term in the service, and Christianity. Wishes him a Merry Christmas. | 1885 December 17 |
| 4/20 | 5 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Mentions school course and letters. Discusses the weather, relatives, pictures, various people, letters, his health, and their future. | 1885 December 18 |
| 4/20 | 6 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Wishes him a Merry Christmas. Describes her activities and presents, and asks about his plans. Discusses their relationship and her courses. She doesn’t want him to go on another expedition. Wishes him a Happy New Year. | 1885 December 25-29 |
| 4/20 | 7 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 12 pages. Discusses their relationship, Lt. Allen, and his report. Writes about school and studies, his presents, friends and relatives. Describes a church service and discusses religion and various people. Received a paper from him. | 1885 December 30-1886 January 4 |
| 4/21 | 1 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 12 pages. Discusses relatives, his re-enlistment and report, school, religion, various people, and their separation. | 1886 January 16 |
| 4/21 | 2 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. Writes about her activities, his next station, school, and various people. | 1886 January 24 |
| 4/21 | 3 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 12 pages. Describes an aunt’s visit and the death of a school girl. Writes about school, a funeral, work missed, and the weather. | 1886 January 30-February 2 |
| 4/21 | 4 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. Mentions candy pull, the weather, illness. Discusses letter writing. | 1886 February 4 |
| 4/21 | 5 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. Writes about weather, meetings, school, marriage, and his government service. | 1886 February 8 |
| 5/1 | 1 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 6 pages. Mentions a meeting, sending a newspaper to him, and a candy pull. Describes town meeting. Discusses school and marriage. | 1886 March 7-9 |
| 5/1 | 2 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Writes about her activities and his studies, school, and relatives. | 1886 March 13-16 |
| 5/1 | 3 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Writes about a visit from his parents, the flag (handkerchief) used on the expedition, and their separation. Discusses Miss Matthews, religious matters, and various people. | 1886 March 26-31 |
| 5/1 | 4 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Writes about church and Sabbath School and sleighing. Discusses the weather, her teeth, various people, religion, and a scrapbook. | 1886 April 5-6 |
| 5/1 | 5 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. Received his letter written at Council Bluff. Hopes he will enjoy Washington. Discusses the weather and her activities. | 1886 April 8 |
| 5/1 | 6 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 6 pages. Discusses school, singing, his military service, and reenlistment. Mentions various friends. | 1886 April 9-12 |
| 5/1 | 7 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 12 pages. Discusses correspondence and mentions a meeting. Discusses their future location, his legal studies, and their marriage. | 1886 April 13-17 |
| 5/1 | 8 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 12 pages. Describes various people and the weather. Discusses school, his studies, and Sabbath School. | 1886 April 26 |
| 5/2 | 1 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Discusses her teaching and her activities. Awaits their meeting. Discusses country and city life, his college’s commencement, and various people. | 1886 May 4 |
| 5/2 | 2 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Discusses school and teaching. She doesn’t want him to go to Alaska again. Discusses city and country living, his going to Orono, his parents’ visit, and Gen. Hazen. | 1886 May 13 |
| 5/2 | 3 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 6 pages. Discusses school, the weather, a meeting in Bangor, and her preferences as to his future station. | 1886 May 20 |
| 5/2 | 4 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Writes about weather, their, separation, church, various people, and a visit by his parents. | 1886 May 26-31 |
| 5/2 | 5 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 6 pages. Thanks him for a present. Sent him a box of plums. Writes about school. Discusses his future location. | 1886 June 1 |
| 5/2 | 6 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Discusses their separation, friends, and his location. Mentions the President’s marriage. | 1886 June 10 |
| 5/2 | 7 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Writes about her activities. Happy he is in Maine. Discusses their separation and awaits his visit. Mentions various people. | 1886 June 16 |
| 5/2 | 8 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. Looks forward to seeing him. Discusses school. | 1886 June 23 |
| 5/3 | 1 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Enjoyed his visit. Discusses her feelings, the weather, and various relatives and friends. | 1886 July 2 |
| 5/3 | 2 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Discusses her feelings, the weather, a death, and wedding plans. | 1886 July 6 |
| 5/3 | 3 | N. Lord (Brewer, Me) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. She is having her wedding dress made. Describes reactions to their plans. Discusses their wedding date, cards, and plans. | 1886 July 13 |
| 5/3 | 4 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 10 pages. Describes her activities and feelings and her mother’s view of their marriage. Discusses his travel and various people. | 1886 July 18 |
| 5/3 | 5 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Writes about her activities, a trip, her new clothes, and his travel. | 1886 July 28 |
| 5/3 | 6 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Discusses their relationship, various friends and relatives, her activities, and his forthcoming visit. | 1886 August 7 |
| 5/3 | 7 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. She’s disappointed at his not coming. Discusses plans and rumors; doesn’t want to be married in a hurry. | 1886 August 18 |
| 5/3 | 8 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 8 pages. Writes about her feelings, friends and relatives, and their plans. | 1886 August 20 |
| 5/3 | 9 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. She is happy about his news. Discusses his leave and their plans. | 1886 August 26 |
| 5/4 | 1 | N. Lord (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 4 pages. Disappointed at not receiving a letter and at still being separated. Mentions deaths in the Fernald family. | 1886 September 2 |
| 5/4 | 2 | N. Lord Fickett (Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 2 pages. Writes about visits and presents. | 1886 October 21 |
Series 6: Correspondence. Subseries 6c: Incoming correspondence; 1877-1930. 0.01 cubic feet. This series contains letters written to Nellie Lord Fickett or to Fred Fickett from various friends and associates; included among these are two original letters from Henry Allen. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 5/5 | 1 | C. F. Allen (Maine State College, Orono, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 1 page. He can be admitted to the freshman class if he passes the exam. Discusses expenses and raising additional money by working on the farm in summer and by teaching in the winter. He’s sending a catalog. | 1877 December 7 |
| 5/5 | 2 | Ivory M. Knowles (Corinna, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 2 pages plus enclosures. Acknowledges payment of lodge dues and lists officers. Includes a receipt for dues for 1881 (dated December 1882) and two cards for Nellie and Elsie Knowles. The second receipt is for lodge dues for 1881 to 1884 and is dated August 2, 1884. Note: the envelope (probably from 1885) indicates the contents are lodge receipts for 1884. | 1882 January 22 |
| 5/5 | 3 | Henry T. Allen (Vancouver Barracks, Wash. Ter.) to F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon), 1 page. Telegram copy. Directs Fickett to meet him at the Holton House. | 1885 January 3 |
| 5/5 | 4 | J. P. Curtis (Corinna, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 3 pages. He is happy that Fickett returned safely. Discusses health and friends. | 1885 November 18 |
| 5/5 | 5 | F. A. Mansfield (Camden, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, M.S. (Portland, Oregon), 3 pages. Received Fickett’s letter recounting adventures. Discusses M.S.C. classmates, his trip to California and the return, and post-graduate study. | 1885 November 24 |
| 5/5 | 6 | Merritt C. Fernald (Orono, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 1 page, copy. (Original at University of Maine at Orono.) Congratulates him on the success of the expedition. He is pleased that he and the school had something to do with his preparation. | 1885 December 9 |
| 5/5 | 7 | Henry T. Allen (Washington, DC) to F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon), 4 pages. Received his letter of Jan. 1. Gen. Hazen promised to move Fickett to Washington if cost would not come from department funds. Discusses Fickett’s promotion, meteorological report, equipment problems on expedition, and the photographer. | 1886 January 16 |
| 5/5 | 8 | Henry T. Allen (Washington, DC) to F. W. Fickett (Portland, Oregon), 4 pages. Hopes Fickett has made progress on his meteorological report because there will be little time after he arrives. Received letter from Capt. Healy mess bill. The palms of his hands have not healed. | 1886 March 2 |
| 5/5 | 9 | Willis E. Everett, M.D. (Willamena, Oregon) to F. W. Fickett, A.M. (Eastport, Maine), 1 page. He has been hunting butterflies. He has been invited to lecture in the summer and has received another thousand dollars to his next Alaskan expedition. | 1886 August 12 |
| 5/5 | 10 | William A. Rurington (Chicago, Illinois) to N. T. Lord, 1 page. Received her marriage card and sends his congratulations. Signs himself as friend and schoolmate. | 1886 October 4 |
| 5/5 | 11 | Richard A. Thornton (Portland, Oregon) to F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 2 pages. Discusses law school. Suggests several law books for him to read. | 1886 December 17 |
| 5/5 | 12 | Henry T. Allen (St. Petersburg, Russia) to F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 7 pages. Congratulates Fickett on his success as a lawyer and on his degree. He is studying German and Russian. Thanks him for the news from Alaska. Discusses his activities and mentions their report. Wants Fickett to write often. | 1888 January 17 |
| 5/6 | 1 | M. A. Purinton (Levant, Maine) to Mrs. F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 8 pages. Pleased with the baby picture. Discusses illness, births, and various people. | 1890 March 5 |
| 5/6 | 2 | Ambrose C. Flint (Bangor, Maine) to F. W. Fickett and Wife (Galveston, Texas), postcard. This is a “Notice of Second Meeting of Creditors in Insolvency” to the creditors of Charles W. Fernald. It calls for a meeting on Aug. 14, 1890. | 1890 July 29 |
| 5/6 | 3 | Charles W. Fernald (South Levant, Maine) to F. W. Fickett, 1 page. States that a meeting has been called for Aug. 14, to declare a dividend. Fickett will receive a check for his claim. | 1890 August 6 |
| 5/6 | 4 | O. W. Greely, Office of the Chief Signal Officer (Washington, DC) to F. W. Fickett (Galveston, Texas), 1 page. Congratulates him on appointment as City Recorder. | 1892 April 6 |
| 5/6 | 5 | Henry T. Allen (Washington, DC) to F. W. Fickett, Jr. (Tucson, Arizona), 2 pages. States that their family has a claim on him. Sen. Hayden can call on him any time. | 1930 May 10 |
| 5/6 | 6 | Mrs. M. L. Hearne to F. W. Fickett, 2 pages. This is a small card. She wishes him a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. | undated |
Series 6: Correspondence. Subseries 6d: Third party correspondence; 1870-1926. 0.015 cubic feet. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 5/7 | 1 | M. S. Brackett (Harmon, Maine) to Dear Abscent, 4 pages. “Abscent” is a relative (niece ?) named Vinnie. She discusses Vinnie’s health, work, and deaths in the area. | 1870 April 3 |
| 5/7 | 2 | Bradford Lord (Lynn, MA) to Mother, Mary L. Brackett, 1 page. Bradford Lord was the father of Nellie Tibbetts Lord; Mary L. Brackett was her grandmother. | ? March 25 |
| 5/7 | 3 | May Carver (Auburn, Maine) to N. T. Lord (Levant, Maine), 4 pages. Discusses health and friends; she is grateful for Nellie’s help. | 1883 February 25 |
| 5/7 | 4 | N. T. L. Fickett (Lincoln, Arizona) to F. W. Fickett, Jr., 2 pages. Hopes Fred and his brother are doing well in school; describes burros and Tucson. Note from F. W. Fickett asking him to write. | undated |
| 5/7 | 5 | Henry T. Allen (Washington, DC) to Gen. A. W. Greely, 3 pages. This electrostatic copy was a gift to the archives. Discusses Alaskan trip and urges recognition of that effort by our geographic society. |
1926 December 21 |
Series 7: Printed materials; 1883-1967. 0.05 cubic feet. This series contains a variety of printed items including clippings, two maps, a handbill, and a journal containing an article written by Fickett. They are arranged in chronological order by the first date in each item.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 5/8 | 1 | Scrapbook, 10 loose pages including 3 blank pages. These unbound pages contain 24 clippings concerning Alaskan exploration and F. W. Fickett. | 1883-1886 |
| 5/9 | 1 | “Lecture Delivered by Fred W. Fickett.” Galveston Daily News article, 5 pages. This is a typescript copy of newspaper article on lecture. It includes sections from Fickett’s thesis, his journal, and comments from General Miles. | 1887 November 6 |
| 5/9 | 2 | Congress, A Monthly Journal Devoted to the Arts of Civilization; (Washington, DC), 3 pages. An article written by Fred W. Fickett, M.S., is on pages 49-51. Entitled, “The Copper River Country of Alaska.” (2 copies). | 1888 April |
| 5/10 | 1 | Handbill, 1 page. Announces a lecture on Alaska by Judge Fickett. 2 copies. | 1893 July 25 |
| Oversize folder | U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey General Chart of Alaska, 1 page. Marking on map shows location of the Fickett River. | 1897 | |
| 5/10 | 2 | Clippings, 16 pages. The first of the three is a set of pages copied from F. C. Schrader’s A Reconnaissance in Northern Alaska (1904). Throughout these copies the name “Fickett” has been noted. The second item is an obituary of F. W. Fickett printed in the Arizona Daily Star of Feb. 8, 1928 (copy obtained from the Arizona Historical Society). The third item is a clipping from the Arizona Daily Star of July 13, 1930, which announces the government pension for Fickett’s widow. The last item consists of extracts from the Dictionary of Alaska Place Names (1967) on the sites named after Fred W. Fickett. | 1904, 1928, 1930, 1967 |
| Oversize folder | U.S. Geological Survey map: Cordova (C-3) Quadrangle, 1 page. Map shows the Fickett Glacier near the Copper River. | 1951 |
Series 8: Photographs; 1858-1925. 0.4 cubic feet. This series consists of photographs related to the Fickett and Lord families, the Allen expedition, Sitka residents and locations, and other Alaska locations. Some prints are originals, some are copies. Most images are accompanied by copy negatives.
Series 8: Photographs. Subseries 8a: Fickett family photographs; circa 1850-1925. 0.15 cubic feet. This subseries is comprised of photographs of the Fickett family or individual members of the family. Several of the photographs in this subseries are copied from items owned by the Fickett family or the University of Maine at Orono.Links are provided for those images available on the Alaska’s Digital Archives site. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 5/11 | 1 | Family picture, 3.5 inches wide by 5.75 inches high. Copy obtained from the F. W. Fickett family. Shows Perez and Rebecca Bean Fickett and F. W. Fickett as a baby. | Circa 1858 |
| 5/11 | 2-3 | F. W. Fickett, 1 inches wide by 1.375 inches high. Original and copy. F. W. Fickett as a child. | Circa 1850s |
| 5/11 | 4-5 | Graduation picture of F. W. Fickett, 2 copies, one 4.5 inches wide by 5.75 inches high, one 4.25 inches wide by 5.5 inches high. One copy obtained from the F. W. Fickett family, one copy obtained from the University of Maine at Orono. | 1880 |
| 5/11 | 6 | Maine State College class picture, 10 inches wide by 7.25 inches high. Copy obtained from the University of Maine at Orono. | 1880 |
| 5/11 | 7 | F. W. Fickett in dress uniform, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. Picture was taken while at Ft. Myer, Virginia. | 1882 |
| 5/11 | 8 | F. W. Fickett by Boat near Sitka, 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. He is carrying a shotgun and has a beard. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/11 | 9 | F. W. Fickett, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. He has a moustache and is holding a sextant. Fickett is in uniform and is wearing a pistol and ammunition belt. Note: The family has assigned the photograph an 1881 date. However it was printed in Portland, Oregon where he was situated during 1884, 1885, and 1886. One of the latter dates is more appropriate since it does not appear that he had a moustache between 1880 and 1882. | Circa 1884-1886 |
| 5/11 | 10 | F. W. Fickett, 8 inches wide by 10 inches high. Copy obtained from the F. W. Fickett family. This picture was taken in Galveston, Texas. | Circa 1900 |
| 5/11 | 11 | Fred and Nellie Fickett, 3.5 inches wide by 5.75 inches high. Copy obtained from the F. W. Fickett family. | Circa 1925 |
| 5/12 | 1 | F. W. Fickett family in Galveston, Texas, 5 inches by 7 inches, black and white copy. Depicts Fred and Nellie Fickett and children – Wildon, Harold, Webster, and Mary. | ? pre-1912 |
| 5/12 | 2 | Fred W. and Nellie Lord Fickett in front of home at 62 Franklin Street in Tucson, Arizona, 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches, black and white original. | Circa 1914 |
| 5/12 | 3 | F. W. Fickett family in front of home at 62 Franklin Street in Tucson, Arizona, 3.25 inches by 5.5 inches, black and white original. Depicts Fred and Nellie Fickett, Wildon, Harold, Webster, Mary, and Gertrude. | Circa 1914 |
| 5/12 | 4 | Nellie Fickett and relatives in Dumont, Maine, 5 inches by 7 inches, black and white copy. Depicts Emma Fickett (aunt – wife of Uncle Will – half-brother of F.W.F.), Stella Bean, Lizzie and Fred Bean (aunt and uncle), Nellie Fickett, Freeman Fickett (Uncle Freem). | Circa 1917 |
| 5/12 | 5 | F. W. Fickett and Freeman Fickett (brother) in front of house at 62 Franklin Street in Tucson, Arizona, 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches, black and white copy. | Circa 1914 |
| 5/12 | 6-7 | Nellie Tibbits Lord Fickett, 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches, black and white original and copy. | Circa 1948 |
| 5/13 | 1-2 | Fred Wildon Fickett in his father’s Athabascan jacket, 5 inches by 7 inches, 2 black and white copies. | Undated |
| 5/13 | 3-4 | Timothy Mark Fickett (8 yrs. old) in F.W.F.’s Athabascan jacket, 5 inches by 7 inches, 2 black and white copies. | Undated |
| 5/13 | 5-6 | Fred Wildon Fickett, Jr., as U.S. Senate candidate, 5 inches by 7 inches, black and white copies. | 1944 |
| 5/13 | 7-8 | The three Fickett brothers: Harold, Wildon and Webster, 5 inches by 7 inches, black and white copies. | Circa 1970 |
| 5/13 | 9-10 | Harold Lord Fickett with Judy Rees (his second wife) of Dallas, 5 inches by 7 inches, 2 black and white copies. | 1987 |
| 5/13 | 11-12 | Family group portrait, 5 inches by 7 inches, black and white copies. Back row: Bill Goodman (Dorothy’s husband), Anna Tacquard (mother of Ruth, Dorothy, and Carol), Ruth Fickett, and Fred Fickett. Front row: Robert C. Fickett (son of Ruth and F. W. Fickett, Jr.), Dorothy Goodman (wife of Bill Goodman), Mother Fickett (Nellie), August Carol Tacquard (brother of Ruth and Dorothy T.). | Circa 1955 |
| 5/13 | 13 | Mary Fickett Howes and husband, Roger W. Howes with two friends, 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches, color original. | 1970 March |
| 5/13 | 14 | Mary and Roger Howes on their 45th anniversary at the First Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona, with Flora Nell and Mary Ruth, 3.5 inches by 5 inches, color original. | 1974 August |
| 5/13 | 15 | Fred W. and Ruth Fickett at the Lion’s Farm in Florida. | 1978 |
| 5/13 | 16-19 | College graduation photographs of Harold Lord Fickett, Webster L. Fickett, Fred Wildon Fickett, and Mary Fickett Howes. Four copy negatives. | |
| Box 6 | College graduation photographs of Harold Lord Fickett, Webster L. Fickett, Fred Wildon Fickett, and Mary Fickett Howes, framed. 4 prints, 4 negatives. | Undated |
Series 8: Photographs. Subseries 8b: Allen expedition photographs; 1885-1886. 0.05 cubic feet. This subseries consists of five photographs of expedition members including two copies of a photo taken at Fort St. Michael when the expedition members came out of the interior of Alaska and two photos of expedition members wearing jackets obtained in Alaska.Links are provided for those images available on the Alaska’s Digital Archives site. Arranged chronologically.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 5/14 | 1 | Expedition Members, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. This picture was taken at Fort. St. Michael. This copy is damaged in the upper right-hand corner; notations have been made on both the front and back of the picture. | 1885 |
| 5/14 | 2 | Expedition Members, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. This picture was taken at Fort St. Michael. This copy is a slightly different print of the above photograph. It is cracked across the middle and has a water stain in the middle and upper right side. | 1885 |
| 5/14 | 3-5 | F. W. Fickett, 3.5 inches wide by 5.75 inches high. Copy obtained from the F. W. Fickett Family. 3 items. The photograph shows Fickett wearing an Athabascan jacket and mukluks. It was taken in San Francisco in Sept. 1885 after the return of the expedition. Family copy (brown tone, 5 x 7) and copy (5 x 7) added in 1989. | 1885 September |
| 5/14 | 6 | Henry T. Allen, 5.25 inches wide by 8.5 inches high. The photograph shows Lt. H. T. Allen seated and wearing an Athabascan beaded jacket. It was taken at the same time and place as the previous picture. | 1885 September |
| 5/14 | 7 | Henry T. Allen, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. This is a picture of Allen in civilian clothing. It is signed and dated in Allen’s handwriting. | 1886 June 2 |
| 5/14 | 8 | John Watts McGarland (formerly unidentified and then misidentified as John Garland), 5.25 inches wide by 8.5 inches high. This is a view of John Watts McGarland, an English tourist who was in St. Michael, Alaska, in 1885. He and his servant travelled on the Corwin in 1885 along with Allen, Fickett, and Robinson but was not a member of the expedition. | Undated |
Series 8: Photographs. Subseries 8c: Residents of Sitka, Alaska photographs; undated, circa 1883-1886. 0.05 cubic feet. Photographs in this subseries are of Fickett’s friends and acquaintances. Links are provided for those images available on the Alaska’s Digital Archives site. Arranged alphabetically by name of individual.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 5/15 | 1 | Commander J. B. Coghlan, U. S. Navy, 5.25 inches wide by 8.25 inches high. Coghlan is shown seated in a chair and holding a banjo. | Circa 1884 February |
| 5/15 | 2 | Willis E. Everette, M.D., 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. Note on back gives date. | 1886 June 3 |
| 5/15 | 3 | Andrew Kashevarov, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. Kashevarov was Fickett’s assistant in the Signal Office, Sitka, Alaska. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/15 | 4 | Natalia Kashevarov and Mrs. Mitropolski, 6.5 inches wide by 4.25 inches high. The women are sisters. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/15 | 5 | Sgt. John J. McLean, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. The picture is signed on the reverse side. | undated |
| 5/15 | 6 | John J. McLean and Paymaster Webster, 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. The men are carrying guns and are standing on a bridge. The picture is mentioned in Fickett’s letter of Jan. 11, 1885. | Circa 1884 |
| 5/15 | 7 | Miss Matthews, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. Miss Matthews was a missionary in Alaska. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/15 | 8 | Mr. and Mrs. Mitropolski and children, 6.5 inches wide by 4.25 inches high. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/15 | 9 | Dr. and Mrs. Thomas, 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. This picture is somewhat faded; Dr. Thomas is in uniform and holds a pipe and Mrs. Thomas is seated by a piano. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/15 | 10 | Dr. Yeamans, 4.25 inches wide by 6.5 inches high. The date is obtained from an inscription on the back. Dr. Yeamans was surgeon on the U.S.S. Corwin. | 1884 March 3 |
Series 8: Photographs. Subseries 8d: Sitka buildings and views photographs; circa 1883. 0.05 cubic feet. This subseries consists of images of government buildings and religious structures. The assumed date is based on the fact that some images were taken by Fickett and 1883 was the only year he was in Alaska for a full twelve month period. Links are provided for those images available on the Alaska’s Digital Archives site.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 5/16 | 1 | Government buildings, 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. Picture shows Customs House, Castle, and Barracks in Sitka. Fickett’s office was in the Castle. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 2 | Government buildings, 4.5 inches wide by 6 inches high. Picture shows the Customs House, Castle, and Barracks. It bears the inscription “Taken from edge of Indian Valley; Sitka, Alaska.” | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 3 | “Guard House and Indian working party,” 8.25 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. Picture shows large party of men with a military officer standing by a cannon in front of the barracks/ guard house building. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 4 | “Barracks at Sitka, Alaska,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. Picture shows the barracks/guard house building decorated with flags and bunting probably for a Fourth of July celebration. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 5 | Government building area, 8.25 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. Picture shows the government and neighboring buildings in Sitka; it was apparently taken from a hill a short distance away. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 6 | Warship in Sitka Harbor, 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. Picture shows a U.S. ship anchored in the harbor. There is a mountain in the background and the government buildings are on the far right. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 7 | Sitka waterfront, 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. Picture bears the inscription “Sitka from island in harbor.” It shows the government buildings. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 8 | “Sitka Harbor from the Castle,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 9 | “Sitka from Castle,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. Picture bears the hand-written title. In the far right is the Mission House. On the left, the upper part of the Cathedral is visible. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 10 | “Sitka from top of Castle,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. The Cathedral is shown in the center and in the far right is the Mission House. The picture is spotted and damaged. | Circa 1883 |
| 5/16 | 11 | Mission House [Presbyterian Industrial Training School], Picture shows two buildings, one finished [the Boys’ Home] and one apparently under construction [the Girls’ Home]. | Circa 1880s |
| 5/16 | 12 | “Indian Valley and Graves, Sitka,” 7 inches wide by 4.5 inches high. This is a stereoview from a set entitled “Scenes in Alaska;” it is No. 6 and was photographed by H. H. Brodeck for the Northwest Trading Co. | Circa 1881-1883 |
| 5/16 | 13 | “Main Street, Sitka,” 7 inches wide by 4.5 inches high. This is a stereoview from a set entitled, “Scenes in Alaska;” it is No. 30 and was photographed by H. H. Brodeck for the Northwest Trading Co. | Circa 1881-1883 |
| 5/16 | 14 | “Sitka Indians dressed for a witch dance,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. This picture is of a number of dancers dressed in costume. The original picture is very faded and nearly indiscernable. | Circa 1883 |
Series 8: Photographs. Subseries 8e: Arctic region photographs; circa 1885. 0.1 cubic feet. This series contains copies of a set of photographs produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. The date is uncertain. Links are provided for those images available on the Alaska’s Digital Archives site.
| Box/ Folder |
Item | Description | Date |
| 5/17 | 1 | “Town of St. Paul Island,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 17 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 2 | “St. Michaels,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 21 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 3 | “Esquimo House, St. Michaels,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 24 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 4 | “Group of women at Port Clarence,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 45 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 5 | “Drying fish at Grantley Harbor,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 46 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 6 | “Bidara, Port Clarence,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 50 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 7 | “Houses and Natives of East Cape, Siberia,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high No. 53 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 8 | “Native men, East Cape, Siberia,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 55 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 9 | “Natives of Point Barrow,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 65 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 10 | “Esquimo boots and shoes and snow shoes,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 70 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 11 | “Esquimo dogs and sledge,” 8.5 inches wide by 5.25 inches high. No. 71 of set produced by Taber Photographic Parlors of San Francisco. This is probably a view of Fort St. Michael. | Circa 1885 |
| 5/17 | 12 | Group of six men standing in front of house, 6.5 inches wide by 4.25 inches high. This was probably taken at Fort St. Michael. | Circa 1885 |
Series 9: Artifacts; 1883, 1885. 2.6 cubic feet. The four artifacts in this collection are related to Fred Fickett’s stay in Alaska and to the Allen Expedition. All of the items are dated from the manuscripts. They are arranged in chronological order.
| Box/Item | Description | Date |
| Box 6 | Pipe, 3 inch high bowl, 17 inch L curve stem. This pipe is made of wood and has a raised metal bowl; it is wrapped in a strip of leather. It bears the following inscription: “Alaska. Old Woman’s Pipe. Purchase price one sewing needle. Pvt. Fred W. Fickett, U.S.S.C., 1883. Small bag, tobacco, large bag-native weed.” | 1883 |
| Box 6 | Silk handkerchief, 20 inches by 20 inches. This handkerchief was given to F. W. Fickett by Nellie Lord. He carried it with him on the Allen Expedition in 1885. It was used as a flag on part of the journey. A note about the handkerchief, written by Nellie Fickett and dated Feb. 27, 1948, is included. | 1883 |
| Box 7 | Jar of matches, 5 inches high by 2.25 inches diameter. This is a jar apparently sealed with wax which contains several packets of matches wrapped in oiled paper. It was carried by Fred W. Fickett on the Allen Expedition in 1885. | 1885 |
| Box 6 | Athabascan jacket, 25 inches long by 23 inches wide through the shoulders. This jacket is apparently made from moose hide and is trimmed with leather strips and extensive bead work. This is the jacket the expedition members are wearing in many of the expedition photographs. | 1885 |
| Box 6 | Pressed and mounted botanical specimens, 5.75 inches high by 7.75 inches wide. | 1885 |
| 5/18 | Photograph prints and negatives of some artifacts. | Undated |
Series 10: Fickett and Lord families genealogy papers; 1875-1989. 0.2 cubic feet. Includes notes, letters and written family genealogy information.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Date |
| 8/1 | Fickett family genealogy, 4 copied items. Includes 2 letters from Harold to Wildon and Mary and one note. These papers and letters trace the Fickett family to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in New England. | 1973 |
| 8/2 | Harold and Judy Fickett to “My Dear Mary,” 2 copied pages. Contains family history. Discusses his fathers interests in oil, stocks, copper mining, and a mining journal. | 1976 May 4 |
| 8/3 | Ruth T. Fickett to “Loved Ones and Friends,” 5 pages. Contains family history and notes of trip, “Our Trip to Maine” and encloses an excerpt from F.W.Fickett’s diary. | 1977 October 5 |
| 8/4 | Ruth T. Fickett.: “A short sketch of the later life of Fred W. Fickett, Sr.,” 7 pages. Discusses Fred Fickett’ activities, the children and family activities. | 1989 |
| 8/5 | Biographical sketch of Judge Fred W. Fickett, 1 page. Incomplete sketch with photograph identifying Fickett as Recorder. Possibly from “Men of Achievement.” | Undated |
| 8/6 | “Dad Fickett in Alaska” by F. W. Fickett, Jr., 5 pages with enclosures. Primarily discusses his father’s release by his father, Perez Fickett; Fred Fickett’s activities in Alaska; and Henry Allen. Attached are a copy of the release and the title page of Allen’s report. | Undated |
| 8/7 | “Aloha from the Ficketts Dad and Mom,” note card with photograph on cover. Includes note by Ruth Fickett on Harold Fickett. | Undated |
| 8/8 | Bradford H. Lord obituary, copy. He died on March 14, 1875, in Levant, Maine. | 1875 |
| 8/9 | Excerpts from the diary of Nellie Tibbits Lord Fickett, 2 copied pages. | 1895-1904 |
| 8/10 | Correspondence of Nellie Tibbetts Lord Fickett. Four letters are Mrs. Louise Lord Howe, one letter is from a Mr. S. C. Webster (?) of the New York Genealogical and Bibliographical Society. | Undated, 1939, 1944 |
| 8/11 | The Lord family addresses of living members, 4 pages. | 1982 |
| 8/12 | Tibbetts family genealogy and obituaries, 5 pages. These papers trace the family to the early 1800s. Also there are newspaper clippings relating to the deaths of Stephen W. Tibbetts (1895), Lucy M. Tibbetts (1908), and Bertha Tibbetts (1908). | Circa 1800-1908 |
| 8/13 | Charles Lord (Miami, FL) to the Ficketts and Howes, plus children and grandchildren, 2 pages. This summary primarily deals with the Lord family. | 1979 September 1 |
| 8/14 | Addresses of family members, 5 pages. The list includes both Fickett and Lord family members. | 1989 |