Box 8

Volume

1

H.C. Frick Letterpress Copybook, January 28, 1889-April 24, 1890

The letterpress copybooks comprises copies of outgoing correspondence from H.C. Frick to numerous individuals. Due to the significance of Frick's correspondence with Andrew Carnegie in particular, abstracts were created for these specific letters by History undergraduate students interning at the Archives Service Center. The numbering besides each item below refers to the page number in the copybook where the letter can be found.

23. Frick wires Carnegie about his conversation with Mr. Pitcairn. Pitcairn states he showed a letter to Mr. Roberts and returned it to Frick. Frick understands Carnegie's course of action, but is regretful about it. April 6, 1889

25. Frick writes that he gave Mr. Oliver the letter to Measrs. E. D. Morgan to authorize purchase of stock [for Pittsburgh & Western Railway Co.]. April 9, 1889

26. Frick confirms their recent stock purchase and writes that he is going to see Mr. Quay about some legislation. April 10, 1889

28. Frick writes on the [Pennsylvania & Western Railway Co.] stock. April 11, 1889

29. Frick writes on the Pennsylvania & Western Railway Co. stock, Mr. Phipps having returned, and his trip to Philadelphia and New York. April 12, 1889

30. Frick writes that he has already paid for 7,645 shares and Mr. Oliver is in New York, [N.Y.] and will call on Carnegie today. April 13, 1889

35. Frick writes that it seems necessary for Carnegie Bros. & Co. to purchase half of the Callery Estate at once. April 17, 1889

37. Frick writes on arranging the purchase of 100,000 tons of Norrie Ore at $4.25. April 19, 1889

40. Frick wires Carnegie about Mr. Oliver being confident in his election. April 19, 1889

41. Frick includes a previous telegram message in his letter, and writes on the progress of the Callery stock purchase. April 19, 1889

42. Frick wires Carnegie on the Cleveland party being in Hot Springs, opening negotiations with Cochran of Brown & Cochran, and asking Carnegie to meet him in Philadelphia on Tuesday. April 20, 1889

44. Frick wires Carnegie on Abbott informing him that a line has been located and that he will look into in it next week. April 20, 1889

45. Frick wires Carnegie telling him that he'll meet Carnegie in Philadelphia on May 3rd and that Mr. Potter sent Frick a letter about Norrie Ore. April 25, 1889

47. Frick writes on his proposition to Mr. Leisenring and Mr. Potter's refusal to sell ore at their requested amount. April 25, 1889

55. Frick addresses Carnegie's concerns about stock purchasing, that individuals can issue bonds to any amount, while corporations are limited. May 13, 1889

62. Frick writes to Carnegie on E.D. Morgan's telegram message that asked Frick if he wanted to purchase additional stock, and Frick includes his telegram response that confirms the purchase of the additional stock. May 21, 1889

102. Frick wires Carnegie on the price of ore mixture and that Warrant has full information, including ore cost. July 12, 1889

127. Frick writes on growing worker agitation in coke region and possible strike on August 1st. July 31, 1889

130. Frick wires Carnegie a coded message. August 1, 1889

133. Frick wires Carnegie a coded message that is on negotiations. August 6, 1889

146. Frick wires Carnegie a coded message that mentions contracts for a furnace. August 16, 1889

162. Frick writes that George Oliver is offering $300,000 for Beaver [Falls works]. August 31, 1889

163. Frick asks Carnegie if they should accept George Oliver's offer and sell Beaver Falls works. August 31, 1889

165. Frick writes to Carnegie on the Eland matter and the Long Branch meeting with names being coded. August 31, 1889

167. Frick alerts Carnegie of an important letter sent to Orange, [N.J]. August 31, 1889

169. Frick asks Carnegie if his mailed letter will reach him at Orange, [N.J.]. September 2, 1889

170. Frick includes Carnegie's own telegrams in letter, and Frick states that he isn't committed to George Oliver's purchase. September 2, 1889

174. Frick wires Carnegie telling him that he isn't committed to George Oliver. September 3, 1889

178. Frick wires Carnegie on pig [iron] costs, rail practice being worse this year, and the estimate for August. September 6, 1889

215. Frick wires Carnegie on introducing the new General Superintendent[Mr. Schwab], who was well received. October 10, 1889

230. Frick writes Carnegie about his conversation with Mr. Oliver and Frick's refusal to sell Beaver [Falls Works] for less than $500,000. October 17, 1889

241. Frick tells Carnegie that they are ready to make billets, Mr. Leishman will see Carnegie in New York soon, and that Frick hasn't heard from Drexel [and Co.] yet. Beneath Frick wires Carnegie on Drexel [and Co.] accepting. October 19, 1889

254. Frick will be on lookout for letter and is leaving for Philadelphia tomorrow. Beneath Frick wires Carnegie on morning dispatch of interviews, specifically William Stewart's, stating that ore rates will not be raised until at least May. October 30, 1889

255. Frick states that he gives no credence to newspaper articles on ore rates, and has recently seen Oliver. October 30, 1889

255. Frick wires Carnegie on Elands operations confirmation and George Oliver's expected acceptance of their proposition. [Attached to previous correspondence.] October 31, 1889

272. Frick wires Carnegie on his conversation with Abbott about Stroble and on Curry being in Cleveland, [O.H]. November 16, 1889

277. Frick wires Carnegie on sending Hurst to San Francisco with Vandevort accompanying him. November 21, 1889

278. Frick wires Carnegie on his interview with [William] Park, and how Park would like to meet with Carnegie on Saturday in New York, [N.Y.]. November 21, 1889

279. Frick writes to Carnegie on his conversation with [William] Park to purchase his company [Allegheny Steel] for $600,000. November 21, 1889

280. Frick wires Carnegie telling him that he is closing with Pickands for 175 and [Alfred] Chandler for 150 more of Minnesota [Iron Company]. November 22, 1889

281. Frick writes Carnegie, telling him that he doesn't have much faith in [John] Potter. November 22, 1889

283. Frick writes on his meeting with the Board of Managers to discuss the Eland matter and also on a conversation with [William] Park. November 25, 1889

287. Frick writes Mr. [John] Vandevort's telegram to Carnegie and includes his response. November 25, 1889

288. Frick wires Carnegie about a serious explosion involving Eland, and now Frick's travel plans to Chicago will be delayed. November 26, 1889

291. Frick writes about a conflict involving Mr. Potter. November 26, 1889

296. Frick asks if a letter should be mailed to either New York or Washington. November 30, 1889

297. Frick tells Carnegie that he's wrong on the phosphorus. November 30, 1889

298. Frick asks for Carnegie's approval to telegram Mr. Morse about purchasing Norrie ore, writes about his upcoming trip to Chicago, and responds to Carnegie's note about "Pig." November 30, 1889

301. Frick tells Carnegie that a paper was mailed to Washington [D.C.], that there are no recent rail orders, and mentions November production rates for the Bessemer and Lucy's. December 2, 1889

307. Frick wires Carnegie about a "pig firm", and he will mail a detailed statement later on. December 7, 1889

307. Frick wires Carnegie and tells him that Mr. Morse would like Frick to be in Chicago tomorrow for the Norrie matter. [Attached to previous correspondence.] December 9, 1889

308. Frick writes to Carnegie about his conversation with Mr. [John] Munhall in Homestead about purchasing property. Also, Frick comments on the status of the Homestead Works and his visit to see Mr. Morse in Chicago. December 9, 1889

320. Frick asks Carnegie for a "yes or no" answer on Norrie. December 20, 1889

322. Frick writes to Carnegie on Mr. Lauder wanting to withdraw some of his interest. December 23, 1889

395. Frick writes about buying Semple's stock. February 14, 1890

397. Frick tells Carnegie that he wishes Humphrey could be kept East until option is secured on Semple stock. February 15, 1890

400. Frick relays a message from J.T. Odall of Baltimore & Ohio Road Baltimore to Carnegie that asks if the President will go to Pittsburgh next Wednesday. February 17, 1890

420. Frick writes that he saw Sheppard and that the Wednesday meeting is postponed. He also asks Carnegie if he can meet him in Philadelphia for the Messemer Steel Co. meeting. March 3, 1890

422. Frick writes that he will not be visiting the Ore Mines, would like to see Carnegie in Philadelphia for the Bessemer Steel Co., Ltd. annual meeting, responds to Carnegie's letter on the Pittsburgh central Railroad, and mentions the possibility of getting a contract with Mr. Westinghouse. March 3, 1890

425. Frick writes that Carnegie hasn't responded to Frick's suggested meeting, and he would like him to do so. March 4, 1890

484. Frick writes that Mr. Oliver settled with Mr. McCullough to setting ore rates at $1.05, and Frick was disappointed that he couldn't drop the rate to $1.00. May 20, 1889

486. Frick writes about his conversation with Mr. Vance of the Carnegie Co-operative Store Co. and how the store is doing poorly, and suggests some ideas to Carnegie on it. May 1, 1889

488. Frick writes that they have settled with the Callery & Downing Estate, but they did some editing to the paperwork. April 30, 1889

490. Frick writes to Carnegie about the editing changes to the paperwork for the closing of the Callery & Downing Estate. Frick asks if Carnegie has further suggestions on it. April 29, 1889

492. Frick writes on Mr. Oliver closing the Callery & Downing Estate and mentions Mr. Moore selling his option. April 27, 1889

494. Frick writes on wanting to set ore rates at $1.00 and on Mr. Moore selling his property. April 27, 1889

497. Frick writes on business in the Connellsville Coke Region, and mentions that Mr. Morse would be a good person to work with Mr. Rainey. April 20, 1889