Readers will recall our articles in Issue 189, pp. 1, 3 and Breaking news, 2.12.10 concerning the origins of the mounted caribou head in East Claremont Street's Hepburn House, and the man who despatched it. At the time, we lacked a decent photograph of the huntsman. Yesterday evening, we received the following letter.
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Dear Spurtle
Further to your article entitled 'So Long, Blitzen ...' which appeared in the December 2010 edition of the Broughton Spurtle, I feel compelled to advise you that I am currently reading Yukon Yesterdays by Major A.D. Armstrong (right).
I came across this book when clearing possessions from the home of a late aunt.
I recall hearing the story of an aunt of hers travelling to Canada as a bit of a pioneer between the wars and she being arrested in the Yukon for stealing telegraph poles when attempting to build a log cabin.
You will see from the photographs here that Armstrong’s book is the property of Whitehorse Public Library, and was indeed presented to it by the author who personalised it with a note.
I can only presume my distant relation borrowed the book from the library, but never quite got round to returning it. You may already have access to this publication. If not, however, and on noting your request for a photograph of Major Armstrong in his younger years, I thought the picture of him on the inside cover might be of interest as it was he who shot the caribou displayed on the wall of the Sergeants' and Officers' Mess in East Claremont Sreet's Hepburn House.
I will return the book to the library when I finish reading it, and am fully braced for the fine!
I trust this will be of interest and look forward to enjoying future editions of the Spurtle.
Sincerely
Christopher Nelson
(Oxted, Surrey)
