Manuscripts

Memorandum regarding California Bi-Centennial and Centennial

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Description: This memorandum by Frederick W. Cropp talks about the Bible being brought to California shortly after gold was discovered. He talks about Reverend Frederick Buel, the American Bible Society and the role of God and religion in California becoming part of the United States. With the memorandum is a facsimile copy of Cropp's article "Old Fine Gold in California," which he quotes in his memorandum.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1950.
Call number: mssHM 75106
Creator: Cropp, Frederick W(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Gift of Frederick W. Cropp, January 23, 1975.

W. Frederick Mayes diary

Manuscripts

This diary, kept by W. Frederick Mayes, begins on November 22, 1869 and continues to November 27, 1870. Mayes kept this diary while he was in Honduras building a railroad. He talks about the railroad, his fellow employees, the local people, the villages he comes to, the weather, the geography, etc. He specifically talks about Chamelecón, the Chamelecón River, and the villages of El Chapparo and El Espino, Honduras. Mayes drew several sketches in his diary. These sketches include scenery, villages and people.

mssHM 52253

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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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G. W. Buckmore letter to George Gaulet

Manuscripts

In this letter, Buckmore talks a lot about the climate of California, his business, gold mining, crime in San Francisco, the deaths of some of his friends, and the lumber trade in California and Oregon. He also advises his friend to urge people to not come to California unless they have the means to survive.

mssHM 75095

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Danforth H. Medbery memoir

Manuscripts

Medbery wrote this memoir of his time in California in 1919 at the age of 80. It begins with his voyage to California on the "Northern Star." He arrives in San Francisco 24 days later. He talks about his work in a mill, the machinery he uses there, looking for gold and the equipment he builds; he also talks about his other jobs selling fruit and vegetables and copper mining in Copperopolis, California. He also talks about politics, violence, attending church and teaching Sunday school, and social life in general. While in California, his wife, Mary, was often in California too, but she would eventually move back East before him.

mssHM 82465

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Lafayette Maynard letters to Duff Green

Manuscripts

In the letters to his father-in-law, Maynard talks about his experiences in the Mexican War on the U.S. Steamer Mississippi. He mentions the surrender of Alvarado and Veracruz; Commodore Matthew C. Perry; General Santa Anna; Major General Winfield Scott; and Secretary of War William L. Marcy. In the two letters dated 1850, Maynard talks about his life in San Francisco. He talks in detail about social conditions in California; gold miners; law and order in the gold camps; and the weather and climate. He also describes the following California cities: Benicia, Martinez, Sacramento and Sutter. Included with the letters are copies of three items regarding the surrender of Alvarado including the log of the Steamer Scourge.

mssHM 68443-68456

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Manuscript regarding vigilance committees

Manuscripts

In this manuscript, Fairchild tells the story of a hanging he witnessed in San Andreas, California in 1850. Fairchild remembers that a Chilean miner, named Joaquin, who had stabbed a man, was first tried and then hung by a vigilance committee. Fairchild also talks about life in the camp including crime, mining, and competition with other miners.

mssHM 68185

Memorandum regarding California Bi-Centennial and Centennial

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You might also be interested in

W. Frederick Mayes diary

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

G. W. Buckmore letter to George Gaulet

Danforth H. Medbery memoir

Lafayette Maynard letters to Duff Green

Manuscript regarding vigilance committees