Manuscripts

Quimby H. Lovejoy letter

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Description: The letter, which is written to Lovejoy's wife, Emeline, discusses Lovejoy's experience in Columbia, California mining for gold. He gives detailed descriptions of mining techniques and equipment
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1856.
Call number: mssHM 63692
Creator: Lovejoy, Quimby H(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from W. P. Hammon, December 17, 1965.
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H. B. Lansing diaries

Manuscripts

Lansing's diaries give a detailed account of his life in California as a gold miner. He talks about his life in the mining camp, his friends and business partners, his home sickness, his desire to "sell out" and go home, as well as the specifics of mining for gold (buying and selling of claims, equipment problems, bad weather, boils on his hands, etc.). Lansing also describes in detail how he and his friends spend their leisure time: gambling, bowling, drinking and going to dances. Lansing mentions the Chinese he works with in the mines, Joaquin Murieta and the hanging of several Mexicans for murder. Lansing works in and travels to several different places in California including San Andreas, Sonora, Chinese Camp, Murphy's Camp and Yackee (Yaqui) Camp. Lansing also gives a daily tally of the gold he finds in his diggings by dollar amount. The first volume covers all of 1853 and second volume only covers January to May 1855.

mssHM 70409-70410

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Letter to "My Dear Eva,"

Manuscripts

Letter in which an unknown author gives an eyewitness account of the aftermath of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, which the writer describes as "the worst experience in the history of California." Includes an account of the writer's own experience of the actual earthquake, as well as detailed observations of subsequent damage. The letter gives descriptions of the city made from a boat in San Francisco Bay, with specific mentions of Market Street, Chinatown, Van Ness Avenue, and the residences of Mrs. Oelrichs, Claus Spreckels, and P.F. Butler. Gives a detailed account of the extent of the damage and institution of martial law. Also included are three contemporary picture postcards of earthquake damage.

mssHM 64284

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N.S. Bowen letter to H. Mills

Manuscripts

In this letter, Bowen discusses the following subjects in detail: several mines in Jamestown, California; gold, iron, copper and quartz mining in California; gold discoveries; and his plan to build a stamp mill to make the mining process easier.

mssHM 68278

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Fifty-Nine Years After, Or Recollections of My Adventures by Sea and Land While in Search of Gold in California [typescript]

Manuscripts

Cheney's reminiscence covers his voyage to California on the ship Pacific, his arrival in San Francisco August 6, 1849, and his time living in California until he left for Australia in February 1853. Cheney discusses the weather conditions during his voyage and some of the events that took place on board, including the removal of the ship's captain while in Rio de Janeiro; he also discusses his visit to Callao, Peru. Of his time in California, Cheney remembers his attempts at mining and at some other ventures such as selling lumber. He gives detailed descriptions of his time in San Francisco, Coloma, and Sacramento, California, and in the mining towns Bidwell Bar and Antoine Canyon

mssHM 63644

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Byron Whitcomb. To H. H. Whitcomb. Fosters Bar, Calif

Manuscripts

The collection contains 62 letters by 26 different authors including Milton B. Stevens, C. K. Dixon and Byron Whitcomb. The letters mention various mining camps throughout Northern California, such as Fosters Bar, Galena Hill, Murderers Bar, Pilot Hill, Salmon Falls, Weber Creek, and the Klamath River Valley Mines, as well as several California cities including Benicia, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, and Stockton. The letters illustrate several aspects of the Gold Rush experience: the journey to California through Panama and Rio de Janeiro; life in California and the gold camps; women in California; gold discoveries or the lack thereof; the techniques and equipment used in mining; loneliness and longing for home. The letters from Milton B. Stevens' mother, from Shushan, tell of the experience of the miners' families back at home in the East. Eighteen of the letters have handwritten or typed transcripts.

HM 59522

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William H. Mintzer. To "Dear Sir". Sonora, Calif

Manuscripts

HM 59511

Quimby H. Lovejoy letter

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H. B. Lansing diaries

Letter to "My Dear Eva,"

N.S. Bowen letter to H. Mills

Fifty-Nine Years After, Or Recollections of My Adventures by Sea and Land While in Search of Gold in California [typescript]

Byron Whitcomb. To H. H. Whitcomb. Fosters Bar, Calif

William H. Mintzer. To "Dear Sir". Sonora, Calif