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Anvik Alaska, June 1, 1890.

Mrs. Viola and Katie Patterson, New Orleans, Louisiana.

It is my sad duty to inform you of the death of your father,

Mr. Robert Patterson, which took place at Christ Church Mission

and Vic Alaska on the morning of April 8, 1899, at about 8 o'clock.

I will give you a brief outline of the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

The party of which your father was a member, besides himself, was composed of Mr. Charles

Schaeffler, Mr. Hans Hurlin, Mr. Homer Bird, and a woman who goes by the name of Norma Strong, who lived

with Bird as his wife. The party got up from Yukon, some 85 miles above Anvik, when further

progress up the river became impossible on account of the lateness of the season. It was agreed that all hands would help build a cabin for Bird and the Strong Woman.

That done, your father, Hurlin, and Sheffler were going to build one for themselves,

their intention being to take their share of the provisions and tools

and put in the winter cutting steamer wood.

The division that had been talked over among all the members of this ill-starred party,

and the arrangements had been agreed to by those concerned.

On the morning that the shooting occurred, Mr. Hurl and Mr Patterson, and Mr. Sheffler were seated at a bench

at the breakfast table on board the boat, when Bird, who was not more than eight feet behind

them, and without any warning whatever, fires a shot of Buckshot into Hurland's neck.

His head simply fell forward, and he was dead. Bird neck shot at Mr. Patterson,

whose back was toward him, the charge entering his shoulder. Mr. Patterson jumped from the table

and sprang overboard. Bird shot at him again while he was in the water, but did not hit him the last time.

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