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WY - Encampment,Carbon County - April 24th, 1912 - Copper Mining ~ Poetic Letter from Mine Superinte

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
WY - Encampment,Carbon County - April 24th, 1912 - Copper Mining ~ Poetic Letter from Mine Superinte
Session D is a Mail-Bid Only Auction. Absentee bids will be accepted only. No live bidding will be allowed. All winners will be contacted after the auction. BIDDING ENDS MONDAY JUNE 27 AT 5PM PACIFIC TIME!!!
Encampment Mining District. Remarkable 4 page handwritten letter written by Oliver S. Alers of the "What Cheer Copper Mining Company" from his residence at the "What Cheer Cabin" at "Little Rhody Gulch." This company was probably discovered in the late 1890's and operated sporadically from 1901-1913 approximately, although it was closed for a time during that period, most likely while the principals raised funds to re-start operation. In 1910 they dropped a 65' double compartment shaft, according to the Copper Mining Handbook, and had 4 claims near Etna Mine and Dunkards Creek. At that time Alers was listed as the Secretary. However, there is a printed black and white photograph of him on horseback included with his letter, which is labeled "Major O. S. Alers Superintendent What Cheer Mining Co. Encampment, WYO" The back of the card is signed "Compliments of O.S. Alers" and dated 1913. Alers was a Civil War soldier in Company 1 out of Rhode Island. After the war he worked as a bookkeeper and clerk in Providence until he left for Wyoming. This letter is remarkable in both content and appearance and is a wonderful period example of both "cowboy poetry" and "cowboy artwork". Each page is illustrated with exceptionally creative drawings of pioneer folk, wildlife and mining scenes. The content is about daily life and mining, but written in a prose poetic form. This form was not used in the U. S. until the 1930s, so this is a very early example of an unique use of a different poetry style. Alers begins the letter talking about tobacco rations and the remoteness of their camp. He goes on to give vivid poetic descriptions of the scenery and wildlife. He was obviously not only educated and literate, but also very creative. One paragraph reads, "Up where the white cliffs fringe the plains, they sing their songs as demon’s might. Howl forth a chorus to the night. Grim gaunt wolves with dripping fangs and eyes aflame with hunger pangs. With lips drawn back in snarls of hate they wail a curse against their fate." This letter is a very collectible example of original cowboy poetry and artwork.