Conradt, August

August W. Conradt (1878-1967) came to Alaska as a prospector and miner. In 1902, when he was mining on Eureka Creek in Alaska's Manley Hot Springs District, news came of a gold strike on Pedro Creek. He joined the rush to the Chena River region, arriving on Christmas day at the small settlement surrounding Barnette's trading post. That settlement, given the name "Fairbanks" in 1903, became Conradt's home for more than fifty years. In that time, Conradt was involved in many mining ventures, either actively or, in later years, as a financial partner. After his retirement from active mining, he long served as Fairbanks agent for the New York Life Insurance Company. In the mid 1950s, he moved with his wife Gladys to Ontario, Oregon, where he died in 1967.

From the description of August W. Conradt papers, 1900-1956. (University of Alaska, Fairbanks). WorldCat record id: 166244774

Long-time Fairbanks residents Charles L. and Louise V. Thompson moved to California late in 1930 and disappeared while on a trip to Mexico in December 1932. To protect the Thompsons' Fairbanks-area real and personal property from loss due to tax delinquency or other causes, in July 1933 the local court appointed August W. Conradt estate guardian. The Thompsons were officially declared dead in December 1938, six years after their disappearance. Conradt was then appointed administrator of the Alaska portion of their estate, which was to be liquidated and distributed to the heirs.

Charles L. Thompson (1878-1932) was born and raised in Michigan. He came to Alaska around 1904 and arrived in Fairbanks no later than October 1905. There he operated a saloon, but was also extensively involved in various goldmining enterprises in the region. He left Fairbanks for San Diego, California, in November 1930, accompanied by Gabrielle (Louise Vassiaux) Mitchell, whom he married in 1931. Thompson reportedly invested heavily in a brewery or distillery near Tijuana, Mexico. While on an inspection trip to that facility in December 1932, he and his wife disappeared without a trace. After six years as missing persons, they were legally declared dead.

Louise Vassiaux was born in Lyon, France. She eventually settled in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she was known as Mrs. Gabrielle Mitchell and also as Mignon. She had a serious relationship with saloon keeper and miner Charles L. Thompson, who bequeathed his entire estate to her in a will dated January 1926. In November 1930 the couple left Alaska together, bound for California, and married the following spring. In December 1932 they traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, where Charles Thompson had invested in a brewery or distillery. They disappeared without a trace and after six years as missing persons were legally declared dead.

From the description of Charles L. and Louise V. Thompson estate, 1904-1956. (University of Alaska, Fairbanks). WorldCat record id: 166244925