Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Rare Books
A letter from a gold miner : Placerville, California, October, 1850
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Rare Books
Image not available
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Rare Books
237877
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Manuscripts
This unattributed letter from a gold miner to his wife (addressed "My dear wife" and named "Julia" in the body of the letter) describes his experiences digging for gold in Sonora, California. He has succeeded in finding gold and hopes to soon be able to pay his debts. He saw an argument between two gamblers escalate into guns being drawn and shots fired, but neither was hit; rather, two unfortunate bystanders were killed. Signed "Robert." Dated 1850, May.
mssHM 4166
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Visual Materials
A collection of 7 albums chiefly containing late 19th and early 20th century studio portraits of individuals of various ages, with several group portraits, costumed scenes, and dogs and other animals, as well as some snapshots of people and animals in residential areas. A number of photographs have the imprint of photographer Geo. W. Potter (Livingston, Montana, and Placerville, California). In addition to Potter, over 70 different photography studios are represented in the albums, primarily from Northern California and Livingston, including Geo. H. Gilbert (Placerville, Calif.), G.D. Morse (San Francisco, Calif.), Bradley & Rulofson (San Francisco, Calif.), Finn (Livingston, Mont.), Al. Smith (Sacrament, Calif.), Charles Lainer (San Francisco, Calif.), J.A. Todd (Sacramento, Calif.), Saunders (Ukiah, Calif.), and Simas (Placerville, Calif.).
photCL 63
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Manuscripts
Fisk starts his reminiscences in 1850 when he left Illinois for California. He describes his overland journey in a party of 20 wagons. He mentions the Native Americans they passed (specifically the Utes and Otos), Fort Laramie, and how the group had to leave items behind to speed their pace. He also talks about Salt Lake City, buffalo herds, and the group's constant search for water. Fisk then describes arriving in Hangtown (Placerville), his experience mining on the American River and leaving California to mine in Colorado. He writes briefly about his time with the 2nd Iowa Regiment. He also discusses his decision to travel to Alaska to try his hand at gold mining one more time. Following the reminiscences are typescripts of several letters from Fisk to his sister written while on his journey to Alaska.
mssHM 68417