Isaac Sparks letter to Abel Stearns

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  J.D. (James Donald) Cameron letter to Henry J. Gensler

  Manuscripts

  In this letter Cameron discusses a bill that he was supposed to have received from Gensler. He also asks Gensler to pay two bills for him. The letter is written on letterhead of the Sierra Madre Villa Hotel.

  mssHM 68331

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  Chauncey Edgar Stearns letters to friends and family

  Manuscripts

  This is a series of letters written by Chauncey Edgar Stearns, describing his experiences during his journey from Illinois to California. The letters are written to friends and family at his home in Vermont, but many are written to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Stearns. The first letter, HM 21283, is dated 1855, October 19, and Chauncey Stearns writes that he has traveled by boat up the St. Lawrence River to Lake Ontario. He became seasick during the voyage, particularly upon reaching the lake. He has gotten work as a clerk at a local store in Lockport, Illinois, but does not know how long he will stay. Of the town, he writes: "although it is a good country it is to sickly I say sickly it is not so with folks that live hear." He urges his brother Henry to stay at home. In HM 21285, dated 1855, December 6, he writes of homesickness: "If I had thirty Dollars and was back to Vermont I would never say any thing more about the West." He begs his parents "do not tell anyone that I want to come home for they would laugh at me when I get home." Stearns was in Iowa in early 1856, and stayed with various friends and relatives in Wisconsin during the spring and summer of 1856, where he worked at farms to save money to finance his travels to California. He writes that he prefers Wisconsin to Illinois (HM 21294, 1856, June 1), and says "I could make up my mind to go home but I shall not at present for the reason I can do better out here than in old Vermont & for that reason I shall stay." By 1858, Stearns has earned enough to buy his own land (HM 21295, dated 1858, November), and by early 1859, he is on his way to Pike's Peak in Colorado (HM 21296, dated 1859, March) before finally heading for California. Stearns seems almost resigned of going to what he calls "the new El Dorado", for as he writes, "there is Gold there without a doubt but not of a sufficient quantity to pay a man for going." By late 1859, he is in Sacramento (HM 21298, written 1859, September 30), and writes that wages are fine, when work can be found. He is very impressed with the bounty of California and its "fertile vallies." However, as he writes in April, 1860, "the society I am mingling with does not harmonize with my feelings" as "gambling and rowdyisms are the principal productions of the mining towns in California & thus it is why so many young men are ruined for life from character as well as health." Of the money made from mining, Stearns remarks, "it is very easy to spend it as fast as it is dug out," but he has not succumbed to the temptations offered in Sacramento. By late 1861 (HM 21303) Stearns declares that California will be his home for the rest of his life, and relocates to San Francisco, where he enlists for three years as a soldier because he believes "it would be better for my health" (HM 21302, dated 1864, August 23). He has had a change of heart, as he writes "should I be fortunate enough to out live the term of my enlistment I shall come home never to leave the Atlantic States again while I live." Regarding his enlistment, he tells his mother not to worry, as "Soldiers here have no fighting to do." In 1866 (HM 21306, written April 17), Stearns writes to his brother "exsposure & hard work has made an old man of me in some respects." The final letter is dated 1867, October 7, and Stearns writes from San Francisco that "I think my health will never be very good again California has been a very hard country with me at times." He laments, one last time, the separation from his family.

  mssHM 21282-21308

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  W.P.C. Whiting letter to Joseph Lancaster Brent

  Manuscripts

  Writing from Los Angeles, Whiting asks for another week to pay back the money he owes to Brent.

  mssHM 47983

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  A. J. Markley letter to Charles Stearns

  Manuscripts

  Markley expresses his condolences for the death of Chancey E. Stearns, who was Charles' brother. He writes of Chancey's recent visit to Somersville in Contra Costa County, where he met his death due to illness. He was a cook at a local hotel. Chancey's possessions will be forwarded to Charles. With photocopy of front side of envelope.

  mssHM 21309

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  William H. Taft, Hot Springs, Virginia, letter to Hamilton Holt, New York :

  Manuscripts

  Taft writes to the managing editor of The Independent magazine that he would like to assist Holt but is not able to do anything until August, asks him to write again later in the month. Taft states that "The Independent has been very good to me and has supported me, especially with respect to the colored disaffection, and I am anxious to respond if I can, but you know human energy has its limitations."

  mssHM 23528

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  Joseph Smith, Jr. letter to Oliver Granger

  Manuscripts

  Letter from Joseph Smith to Oliver Granger written from Nauvoo, Illinois. Smith writes of not receiving Granger's previous letters and that their content may have changed the "proceeding of [the] last Conference." He writes that they thought it "advisable to appoint someone to preside in Kirtland," and asks Granger to join Brother Babbit in the work. Smith asserts his hopes for Granger's welfare and "prosperity for the Saints in Kirtland." He also writes of Granger's securing of the "keys of the Lords House" and that he might pay a visit after the "New York debt is settled." The attribution of the signature to Joseph Smith is questionable, and the letter may have been written by Smith's secretary Robert B. Thompson.

  mssHM 28168