Letter from a gold miner to his wife

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  Reminiscences of a gold miner

  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

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  Peter Frederick Hummel letter to "Dear Wife & Children,"

  Manuscripts

  In this 3-page letter, Hummel describes his overland journey to California from Illnois. He talks about arriving in Fort Laramie and describes in detail the bad weather he encountered, the deaths of mules, cattle and horses along the way, and the physical landscape of the desert and the Sierra Nevadas. He also talks about his life in Sacramento, the gold he has found at Sutter's Mill and the difficulty of gold mining. Hummel gives prices for items and suggests that his wife and children come to California to be with him and states that they "could get rich in 2 years time." The letters is on letterhead from "J. M. Hummel Wholesale and Retail" in Sandwich, Illinois.

  mssHM 70759

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  J.H. (John Holmes) Magruder letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  This series of six letters are written by John Holmes Magruder during his journey from New York to California in hopes of finding gold. In HM 16723, dated 1849, January 1 and written to his brother Thomas and his sister Olivia, John is restless, eager to get his sailing journey underway, and is excited by the prospects of finding gold in California. HM 16724 (1849, March 9) describes John's voyage over sea to Santa Catarina Island, and reports from California continue to be encouraging. In his next letter (HM 16725, 1849, June 27), John writes while on board the whaling vessel Tahmaroo, bound for California. He describes in detail what he saw of Brazil and Santa Catarina, and says that there are still positive reports of gold being found in California, but that Sacramento and San Francisco are "infested with gamblers, robbers and black legs from every nation." HM 16726, dated 1849, September 11, and written to his brother Ogden, finds John in Sacramento, where he has begun his search for gold, despite having been stricken with fever. He does not expect to be back for a few years. In HM 16727, to Thomas, and dated 1849, September 17, John is still recovering from fever, but hopes to be back to his search in a few weeks. The next letter (HM 16728) is addressed to Thomas, and dated 1851, October 7. John believes he will settle in California permanently, and has become interested in local politics. He is in business with his brother Lloyd, but aside from reporting that things are well, he gives no further details.

  mssHM 16723-16728

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  John Groom letter to "My dier Wife and Children,"

  Manuscripts

  This letter was written by John Groom to "My dier Wife and Children," on September 22, 1850 from Georgetown, California. In this letter to his family, Groom describes his difficult journey from the Missouri River to California. He opens the letter about the hardships of his journey, which includes contracting the flu and mountain fever. He passes numerous graves while crossing the plains, which disheartens him. In California, he states that the prospects of mining for gold "looks very Gloomy." According to Groom, the chances are very slim. "I am speaking now of the late emegrtion per haps 1 in 20 makes theire half ounce a day and 1 in 50 is doing what we all expect to do that is to do well by hard work and aconemy while 1 in a 1000 is makeing there fortunes..." He reveals the harsh reality of the California Gold Rush, "...I tell you now that the dark side of callafornia has been kept hid while the good side has been mutch Exagerated there is not 1 man in 100 but wishes himself at home of this years emegration and every man almost without exepttion that can Raise the money is a going and has gone already for my part I am here without the means to get home..." He also includes details about the costly supplies in California. He concludes the letter, "...be content to stay where you are doing well or not for God forbid that I ever should be the cause of any man coming to Calafornia to get Gold..."

  mssHM 68184

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  I. Brearley letter to "my dear wife,"

  Manuscripts

  Letter from I. Brearley to his wife in Fullerton, California, written shortly after Brearley's arrival in Denver, Colorado. He writes of his ill health, describes the scenery of Denver, and alludes to the uncertainty of his finances.

  mssHM 73693

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  David Saville letters to "My beloved wife,"

  Manuscripts

  In HM 16646, dated 1861, January 31, Saville writes to his wife that he is confident he will be able to provide for them both financially. In HM 16647, dated 1861, April 30, he writes that he regrets some of his investing, and of the importance of preserving the Union "even if it should cost all the Treasure in the Country."

  mssHM 16646-16647