Heartbreak at Dawson City: Historical Novel Based on the Life of Nelson A. Soggs

ISBN-13: 9781501055447 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 254 str.

Betty Matteson Rhodes; Chuck L. Rhodes

Opis

This book is truly a Historical novel based on the life of Nelson A. Soggs, a New York jeweler who is lured by the call of gold in 1897. Born in Columbus, PA in 1858 during a harsh winter snow storm, Nelson aspires to be a famous jeweler. Just when he finds himself suceeding, another member of his family dies or is killed. Suffering one heartbreak after the other, he stuggles to keep his world together. Setting up several jewelry stores across New York State, he eventually decides to relocate to Scranton, Pennsylvania only to be caught up in the lure to the Yukon. Nelson gets the fever and heads to that far away land called the Klondike. He travels to Dawson City where he remains for 5 years. He sets up a Jewelry and Optical store there and does fairly well. From jeweler-optician to stampeder was a big change for this conservative businessman. His unlikely partner was an unbelieveable character from his great uncle's past. Uncle Nelson Soggs had dealt with Rogers' grandfather during the California Gold Rush the year the younger Soggs was born. How the Soggs & Rogers from both eras end up dealing with each other is quite uncanny. Ultimately Nelson A. Soggs ends up shooting his partner, James W. Rogers, and is jailed for a short time in British Columbia. He packs a lot of living in the life he leads - especially for the turn of the century. The uncanny double co-incidence that occurs is something you will have to see for yourself, hard to believe but it is very true. The book is very well researched and documented. Soggs left a legacy that has enticed the writer to do several years of in-depth research to bring his story to life. In one aspect he was a very successful jeweler, but personally he saw heartbreak after heartbreak. He spent a few ungodly winters in the Yukon, trudged through knee-high mud of the streets and built a jewelry store and house made of logs on Front Street in Dawson City. He tragically lost his wife the first winter after her arrival after traveling so far alone to be with her husband. Soggs was one of many unsung folks who helped to put a face on what made America great. Nelson, as well as his inventor father, Henry Soggs, will finally receive recognition for their enduring contributions on the pages of history. Nelson A. Soggs is related to the author and she felt it a priviledge to share his story with the world. Her husband an avid reader of fiction, coached her along the chapters. We think you will enjoy reading "Heartbreak at Dawson City."