Archives West Finding Aid
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Photographs of George W. Carmack, 1896-1927
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Photographs of George W. Carmack
- Dates
- 1896-1927 (inclusive)18961927
- Quantity
- 13 photographic prints (2 folders)
- Collection Number
- PH0692
- Summary
- Images of George W. Carmack, Kate Carmack and others
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
After deserting the United States Marine Corps in 1882, George Washington Carmack (1860-1922) settled in the Yukon Territories among the Tagish Indians with his common-law wife Kate and their daughter Graphie. Kate's brother Skookum Jim Mason, a Tagish Indian, and Tagish Charlie, Jim's nephew, were George's mining partners and also made their fortunes mining for gold.
George Carmack and several friends, including Skookum Jim, went up the Klondike River to Rabbit Creek looking for gold in 1896. Carmack was officially credited for the discovery of gold on Rabbit (later Bonanza) Creek on August 17, 1896 although it is commonly believed that his friend Skookum Jim made the actual discovery. The claim was staked in Carmack's name possibly because they felt that a claim by an Indian might not be recognized. The news of the gold strike spread and started the Klondike Gold Rush.
George and his family later moved to Hollister, California, to live with his sister, Rose Watson (later Rose Curtis). Eventually, George left California and his wife and daughter. In 1900, George married Marguerite Laimee in Olympia, Washington. Kate, illiterate and nearly destitute, initiated a protracted legal battle to prove she was George's wife and eligible for alimony, but eventually dropped the case in favor of trying to reclaim her husband. When this failed, Kate settled in Carcross, Alaska, where she lived until her death in 1920.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains 13 images, primarily of George Carmack, his first wife Kate and daughter Graphie, second wife Marguerite, and business associates
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions might exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact the repository for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
George Carmack and FamilyReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
1 | 1 | 1902 | |
1 | 2 | undated | |
1 | 3 |
Woman with infant May be Kate Carmack with daughter Graphie.
|
undated |
1 | 4 |
Two women with dog May be Kate Carmack with daughter Graphie.
|
undated |
1 | 5 | 1910 | |
1 | 6 | 1902 | |
1 | 7 | undated | |
1 | 8 | 1920 |
George Carmack and business associatesReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
2 | 9 | undated | |
2 | 10 | undated | |
2 | 11 | undated | |
2 | 12 |
Sourdough convention George Carmack does not appear.
|
1927 |
2 | 13 | 1896 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Copper miners--Washington (State)--Snoqualmie--Photographs
- Gold miners--Washington (State)--Snoqualmie--Photographs
- Pioneers--Washington (State)--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Carmack, George W. (George Washington), 1860-1922--Photographs
- Carmack, Graphie Grace, 1893-1963--Photographs
- Carmack, Kate, d. 1920--Photographs
- Carmack, Marguerite, 1874-1942--Photographs
Geographical Names
- Snoqualmie (Wash.)--Gold discoveries--Photographs
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographic prints
- Photographs