Manuscripts
Reminiscences of a gold miner
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Reminiscences on Ute Indians and the cattle industry in White River Valley, Colorado
Manuscripts
Arthur Burtis Critchlow's reminiscences of his time at the Uintah Valley Indian Agency, the interactions of Ute Indians in Colorado, and the cattle industry. Includes references to the Meeker Massacre of 1879 (which refers to the death of Indian Agent N.C. Meeker and his men during fighting between Uintah Utes and White River Utes), the subsequent relocation of the White River Utes to the Uintah Reservation, the Uncompohgre Indians, the "White Outbreak," and cattle herding and sales. Typed and with commentary probably by James W. Sheridan. Also includes a letter about the typescript sent from Homer C. Crotty to Leslie Bliss in 1942.
mssHM 73069
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Experiences and reminiscences of Raymond William Milnor
Manuscripts
In this manuscript, Milnor reminiscences about his life. He talks about his childhood in Iowa where he played around railroad tracks and attended a school with a graduating class of 14 students. He talks about his work with the railroads and trips he took. He talks briefly about his time in the war and time spent at Yellowstone Park on his journey to California. Milnor ends his reminiscences with several pages covering his life in southern California - his varying jobs, the many times his family moved around, his daughters' education, family vacations, his retirement, etc.
mssHM 73895
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William Hickman Dolman reminiscences
Manuscripts
In his reminiscences, William Hickman Dolman recounts his childhood in Roseville, Ohio (he also spends several pages on the history of his family). Dolman describes years of moving around looking for full-time work and his decision to go to California to mine for gold. Dolman details his overland journey to California including the bad weather, deaths along the way, and a group from his wagon train deciding to turn around and go back east. While in California and Nevada, Dolman talks about his constant struggle to make money from the mines. Dolman moves around a lot, but spends most of his time in Carson City and Gold Hill, Nevada. Dolman also discusses his disappointment with his loss of money in the Comstock Lode, vigilance activity in Carson City, as well as the Battle of Pyramid Lake where Major William M. Ormsby was killed by Paiute Indians. Part of Dolman's reminiscences have been published: New Mexico historical review, July 1947, and Before the Comstock, 1857-1858: memoirs of William Hickman Dolman, also in 1947. This version of his reminiscences is not the same as the two published versions.
mssHM 66494
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Letter from a gold miner to his wife
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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August Wilhelm Wern reminiscences
Manuscripts
Wern's manuscript covers his entire life form his birth and childhood in Prussia to his life in Los Angeles in 1914. In it Wern describes in detail his move to the United States, training as a shoemaker, his decision to move to California and his journey there, the miners he served in his store, his financial struggles, his yearlong trip to Europe, and life in San Francisco and the mining camp of Susanville. After the description of his move to Los Angeles, Wern talks about the 1885 real estate boom and other ventures such as growing walnuts in Orange County.
mssHM 68166
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Memoirs and reminiscences
Manuscripts
Crosby writes of events in his life, beginning with his birth in New York on July 18, 1818. After spending his early days on his parents' farm, he studied law and became an attorney in 1841. In 1843, he became "Attorney of the Supreme Court of the State of New York." In this capacity, Crosby began to become aware of the tension between California and Mexico, and upon learning of the opportunities for lawyers in California, he decided to relocate there in 1849. The discovery of gold in California urged his decision. He traveled by steamship, and writes of his journey, including a stop in Cuba. He landed in Panama and traveled up the Chagres River, then across to the Pacific Ocean, where he took another steamship to San Francisco, arriving in late February, 1849. Many of the passengers had traveled to search for gold; as Crosby writes, "There was a general disposition to get away from the city, to the gold mines." Crosby prospects himself at several locations. He describes the events leading up to the California constitutional convention in Monterey, as well as details of the convention itself. He describes the convention as "a very harmonious body and I think the members only had the interest of the people at heart." Crosby also relates his experiences as part of the "Land Commission," the function of which was "to Settle Private Land Claims in California," as well as his experiences serving as an ambassador to Guatemala. Crosby claims to have been given "secret instructions" by the President to see if Guatemala might be suitable for the relocation of the recently freed American slaves, but is skeptical that this plan would work. He describes the country and its inhabitants at length, for he feels "there is a great misapprehension among our people with regard to those tropical countries." Crosby relates of the social order of San Francisco, especially events connected to "a very noted cortezan" known as "the Countess." This manuscript appears to be a copy, for it is written in several different hands, and appears to be incomplete, as it ends abruptly.
mssHM 284