Life History

Notes

• [Good Robinson Ritchie Lee et al.FTW]
  
  The circumstances of John Lee's death in the Yukon are described in a letter written to his brother James R. Lee in 1899 :
  
  "James R. Lee, Esq.
  Cobden, Ont.
  
  Dear Sir:
  Yours of Sept. 22nd '98 was just and replying will say your Brother John had but little money on his person when death overtook him. I believe he had 3 ozs. of gold dust valued at $48.00 and this money was recd from the sale of his outfit. He was in the hospital for something like two months before leaving Dawson for the outside and this took what little surplus money he might have. He had also on his person a fine "Howard Watch" valued here at $200.00. I believe this is about all the valuables he had. Now as to his claims (if any) I know practically nothing, but will do my utmost to become possessed of all information bearing on his case. I have never Mr. John H. Little but will make inquiry & should I learn anything to your advantage I will be pleased to advise you at my earliest. The remains of your Dear Brother was interred at Whitehorse Rapids on a side hill overlooking the Canyon and although he is buried among strangers, he is not alone on this lovely side hill as it is the resting place of several poor unfortunate gold seekers that has given up their lives in order to gain a few dollars. But such is life and so will continue for ever. Your Brother came aboard the Steamer Nellie Irving at Dawson on Sept. 1st, he was discharged from St. Marys Hospital as cured. He was weak when he came aboard but felt well at times and was not confined to his bed much. In fact the day of his death he was up and around all day and went to bed about 8:30 p.m. and fell into a sweet sleep and when found by me he was apparently asleep with a friend along side of him. I tried to arouse him to tell him to cover up as it was becoming cold and he was not undressed or under the covers. The verdict of several was heart failure - or a relapse of "Typhoid Fever".
  I will gladly do anything I can for you and there will be no charges. Ant information you may desire I will get for you & should you want a headstone over him I will see to that also as I will be running from here to the Whitehorse this summer on a steamer.
  Most Respectfully yours
  T.J. McQuade
  Dawson YT
  March 10 1899
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