Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
MULLAN Jr., John (1830-1909) was an American soldier, explorer, civil servant, and road builder. After graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1852, he joined the Northern Pacific Railroad Survey, led by Isaac Stevens. He extensively explored western Montana and portions of southeastern Idaho, discovered Mullan Pass, participated in the Coeur d'Alene War, and led the construction crew which built the Mullan Road in Montana, Idaho, and Washington state between the spring of 1859 and summer of 1860. He unsuccessfully sought appointment as Territorial Governor of the new Idaho Territory, although he played a significant role in the territory's formation and the establishment of its boundaries. Leaving the United States Army in April 1863, he failed at several businesses before profiting immensely as a real estate dealer and land attorney in California. At one point, the law firm he co-founded was the largest land speculator in the state. He later became an agent and lobbyist for the states of California, Nevada, and Oregon and for the Washington Territory, securing reimbursements from the federal government. The tarnished reputation he earned as a land speculator, coupled with state politics, led the three states and the territory to deny him most of the income he expected to generate from this business. He died penniless and ill in 1909. Autograph Letter Signed by John Mullan “for Stage Company” 2pp. quarto, Camp at Dr. Juskiss, July 8, 1866, 5 am, addressed to Major Marshall, Commanding District Boise, Ruby City, and reads in most part: “...I learn here at this moment that the detachment at McWilliams has been ordered away to Camp Lyon, leaving us with no protection at this station. Indians have twice fired into the station, and we are at the mercy of the Indians. If the protection of the road and mail route is to be abandoned every time that a raid is made elsewhere, it is simply impossible for the mail line to be continued. I beg, therefore, that you will greet Capt. Hunt to give us protection at McWilliams, and this should be with a detachment of eight or ten men or five at any rate. This post is one of the most exposed on our whole route...” Fine condition.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.