Robert Wyman Butterfield letter to his brother

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  Robert Wyman Butterfield letters to Elsie Wyman Butterfield

  Manuscripts

  Robert Wyman Butterfield writes five letters to his mother, Elsie Wyman Butterfield, describing his journey to California aboard the ship "North American" and his experiences upon arrival. HM 47858, dated August 23-September 5, 1852, contains details of Butterfield's ocean journey to California around Cape Horn, including lengthy and detailed descriptions of Cape Horn and Valparaíso. At the end of the letter, he has reached San Francisco, and plans to go to the mines. In his next letter (HM 47859, written 1852, September 26), Butterfield is in Sonora, searching for gold, and he writes of his journey to that place from San Francisco. The third letter, dated 1852, October 10, is HM 47860, and Butterfield and his companions have built themselves a cabin they call "The Gold Hunter's Mansion," and the bulk of the letter consists of its description. He is excited about his prospects for mining, though he understands that "the time has passed for acquiring great wealth." HM 47861 (dated 1853, May 30) contains Butterfield's description of California bachelors, and how he and his companions bake bread. The final letter in this series, HM 47862, written 1853, September 17, finds Butterfield still in Sonora, and his experiences attending church. He worries that letters written by and meant for him have been lost in transit. Also included with this letter is a one-page typescript obituary of Caroline A. Butterfield Brown.

  mssHM 47858-47862

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  Robert E. Temple letter to Kimball H. Dimmick

  Manuscripts

  In this letter to General Dimmick, R.E. Temple reports that he has inserted a notice requesting Army volunteers in an Albany newspaper. He hopes to quickly have enough recruits to equip several regiments.

  mssHM 4117

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  D. Townsend letter to Elizabeth Owens

  Manuscripts

  In this letter addressed to "Sister Elizabeth", D. Townsend writes of his life in Sonora. There have been so many shootings as of late that the townspeople have taken the law into their own hands and lynched several of those responsible, often without trials. Townsend has recently done very well as part of a gold mining company. He writes that many miners go home to fetch their families and relocate to California permanently. Signed "your well wishing Brother." Includes lithograph titled "A View of the Elephant," depicting the various experiences of a typical California miner.

  mssHM 16902

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  Robert Newell letter to Medorem Crawford

  Manuscripts

  Writing from Lewiston, Idaho, Newell writes of his duties as "Indian Agent," including the building of a mill, widespread repairs to existing buildings, and the construction of a school for the Indian children. He also reports of difficulties he has had with Washington (D. C.) concerning the Indian affairs.

  mssHM 31275

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  Zachariah Heywood letter to "Dear Brother"

  Manuscripts

  Heywood writes of his year-long trip "to the New Mines" and how it was not as profitable as he had hoped. Since his return, he has been working at a ranch, but many are leaving the farms because prices are so low. He reports that a group of "Chinamen" has taken over his brother's former claim. Printed image and poem titled "Stand by the Union" on first page of letter.

  mssHM 4256

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  James S. McMurphy letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  This is a series of six letters written by James S. McMurphy to his family documenting his journey from New England via Panama to California to seek his fortune as part of the Gold Rush of 1849-1850. The first letter in the series (HM 52732, dated before 1849, April 8) is the last page only, and written from Panama. McMurphy writes that he has been in Panama for a good time, and is thinking of working on a railroad while hoping for passage to California. He is discouraged by the dishonesty, and wishes he had chosen to travel around Cape Horn. HM 52733 is written between April 8-25, 1849, and is addressed "To the household of Robt. McMurphy." There is a marginal note which reads "Father in this letter you will find five watermelon seeds I want you to plant." James McMurphy is still in Panama. Many of his company are sick, but he has not yet fallen ill himself. He describes a native religious ceremony in which an elaborately decorated statue of the Virgin Mary was paraded through a village. This may have been in observation of Easter. He has found passage on a ship bound for San Francisco, and writes that his next letter will come from California, so if anyone plans to send him a letter, it should be addressed there. He estimates there are currently three thousand Americans in Panama, but that number will soon drop by half as they board ships for California. James' next letter, dated 1849, December 9 (HM 52734), is written from California, and addressed to "Capt. Robert McMurphy." He has purchased provisions, including potatoes to ward off scurvy. The weather has been very rainy. HM 52735, written 1850, March 15, is also incomplete, as it contains only the final page of the letter. He has been searching for gold, and discusses his supplies. HM 52736 (1850, April 3), finds James still working in California, retaining good health despite the poor weather, which has caused an interruption in his work. He considers scurvy to be the most dangerous disease in his environment, but unlike others, he has kept himself mostly free by eating potatoes daily. The warm weather has caused snow to melt, and the rise in water levels has impacted the progress of their drilling and blasting. He has heard that the government is planning a new route in Panama to help make the journey to California easier. He writes that there all types of miners from all over the country, and that many find gold, but "where you show me one man who saves his gold I will show you ten that squanders away his time and money at the Rum Shop & the Gambling Table." He has not, he writes, succumbed to such temptations. The last letter is this series is HM 52737, and dated 1850, May 11; one year to the day since James left Panama. The water level of the Sacramento River is still high from the melting snow. He is tiring of the disposition of the region, and looks forward to leaving. He writes of California becoming part of the United States, and of various details regarding other miners.

  mssHM 52732-52737