Creator
P. B. Van Trump
Recipient
John Muir
Transcription
Yelm, Wash, Jul 8th - 10John Muir,Martinez, Cal.Dear Friend:I enclose this printed slip to show you that I am still harping on that old but genial theme, the mountain, and, seemly, by way of introducing the subject or motive of this letter. When you were, at various times in the past, in the Puget Sound Country, you doubtless learned of the wordy warfare that existed in relation to the mountain name. The rivalry that otherwise obtained between Seattle and Tacoma added to the intensity of this warfare, and it continued down thro' the years since the founding of Tacoma.At a joint meeting of the048302Rotary Clubs of the two cities, held in Tacoma a couple of months ago, it was suggested by the president of the Seattle Club that both organizations adopt Tahoma as the permanent name of the mountain and that they should work for its general adoption as, in part, a means of restoring harmony between the rival cities. Being myself an old-time advocate of the name Tahoma [diacritic], I wrote congratuting the president of the Seattle Club on his suggestion and its adoption, and a portion of the letter was published in the Post-Intelligencer and one or two other papers. The work of bringing about the general adoption of Tahoma in place of Rainier04830
3will be uphill work and will require time and individual influence. I can not help thinking that you and I have a common sentiment in regard to a proper mountain nomenclature. To name sublime mountain peaks after individuals is, in my opinion, in very bad taste, however great those individuals may have been. it certainly is contrary to the example set us by the ancients. Now, Mr. Muir, if consistent with your views on the subject, will you not write me, in your happy [illegible], something in approval of "Tahoma" that may be used for publication in the campaign for this expressive and048304euphonious native name? Your voiced sentiment - should it prove to be what I believe it will - would have great effect, especially when the clubs come (as I suppose they will) to petition the government to make the change to Tahoma official. Your name is already inseparably connected with the mountain in its [illegible]ature and ascents. Let me urge you to further emphasize that connection by aiding to restore to this "royalist of all the peaks of the Cascades" its original, rightful and euphonious native name.Yours sincerely and with happy memories of "Auld lang Syne".P. B. Van Trump04830
Location
Yelm, Washington
Date Original
1910 Jul 8
Source
Original letter dimensions: 20.5 x 12.5 cm.
Recommended Citation
Van Trump, P. B., "Letter from P. B. Van Trump to John Muir, 1910 Jul 8." (1910). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 5078.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/5078
Resource Identifier
muir19_0619-let.tif
File Identifier
Reel 19, Image 0619
Collection Identifier
Online finding aid for the microform version of the John Muir Correspondence http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0w1031nc
Copyright Status
Copyright status unknown
Copyright Statement
Some letters written to John Muir may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Owning Institution
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Pages
2 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
