Typescript of a book draft, photographs, and miscellaneous material.

With the discovery of rich gold deposits in the Canadian Klondike River Valley (Yukon Territory) in 1895, Johns was sent by The Chicago Record to file reports on the ensuing gold rush. Much later, Johns wrote a draft for a book which contains chapters on the early history of Alaska, description of Seattle, Sitka, Nome and Fairbanks, details on working a claim, life in the mining camps and the many characters he met, plus descriptions of his own explorations and the hardships he endured until he left the area. Other subject matter includes Dawson City, Circle City, Chilkoot Pass, mining operations, dogsled travel, weather conditions and social life. Accompanying the manuscript are 49 photographs apparently intended to illustrate the text. Many of these are mounted and almost all are identified and dated by Johns. Photographers include H.C. Barley, Eric A. Hegg, Arthur C. Pillsbury, and E.A. Sather. Also, 3 miscellaneous items: a small watercolor, a 1899 letter to Johns from the Canadian Bank of Commerce, and 2 clippings relating to Johns.