This collection consists of seven series: correspondence, mining records, legal papers, financial records, drawings and photographs, maps, newspapers, miscellaneous printed matter, and other records. The collection provides documentary information on the life and activities of Richard Harris and of his children, especially William Harris. The largest group of letters are between Harris and his children when they were students in Oregon. The legal, mining and financial records provide insight into Harris’ prospecting and business activities, especially for the period of 1879-1885. Among the financial records are a cash book listing expenditures for prospecting trips in 1879 and 1880, an account book covering the period 1881-1885, and receipts for shipments of gold by the Wells Fargo Company. The photographs include pictures of members of the family, of hunting trips guided by William J. Harris, and of buildings and groups in the Juneau area. There are also several caricature drawings by William J. Harris.
The Richard Tighe Harris family papers contains about 750 items dating between 1853 and 1969. Among them are papers that reflect not only on the life of Dick Harris but also on the lives of his two sons William John Harris and Richard T. Harris, Jr.
The collection contains significant though limited information on the early life of Richard Tighe Harris such as his naturalization papers and the correspondence that relates to the family in Ireland and in the United States. Several documents and letters give hint of Harris’ travels and mining activities in the West. Unfortunately, not all of the story of Harris’ life and of his family’s movement to America is contained in these papers.
There are many records concerning Harris’ involvement in prospecting for gold and other operations between 1879 and 1886. Of his activities between 1879 and 1881 there is significant documentation in the form of a cash book, locations of claims, agreements, mining laws, and similar materials. In addition, his time book, dated 1884, provides information both on the amount of gold produced and the expenses of his mines. That same book also provides information on labor costs in the mines around early Juneau. Some of the correspondence and papers from 1885 and 1886 hint at a few of the legal problems Harris faced in the suit against him by N. A. Fuller.
A few papers in the collection illustrate the activities of George Pilz over this period. Among these are a draft of an agreement between Pilz, Harris, and Juneau dated 1880. In addition, there are 12 letters mainly from Pilz or his wife to Harris. These letters document the whereabouts of Pilz and his own legal problems in California during the period. They also give indication of the support that Harris and John Olds gave to Pilz and his wife during their legal problems. A draft list of Pilz’ property is included in the collection as it is apparent Harris was empowered by Pilz to sell his property in Alaska in order to raise cash for lawyers’ fees. In addition to such mining and business records, the collection contains a fair amount of information on Harris’ family, in the form of correspondence, genealogical information from the family Bible, and a large number of photographs. There are many letters between Harris and his two sons and photographs of William John Harris and his family.
