[California Gold Rush]

[Manuscript Letter from a Gold Miner to His Brother Back Home in New York State]

Live Oak City, Ca. January 27, 1855. [4]pp., on a bifolium. Previously folded, with manuscript docketing on lower half of second leaf verso. Minor wear along old folds, with a couple of short separations. Minor soiling and dampstaining, somewhat heavier to addressed area. Still very good. Item #5504

A detailed, mid-1850s California Gold Rush letter from Elias Hunt Jr. to his brother in the tiny of Poolville, New York, southeast of Hamilton. Hunt was camped in Live Oak, north of Yuba City, when he wrote this letter home on January 27th, 1855. He tells his brother that he has good claims, but that a lack of rain has not allowed him to work them:

"It is hard for a man to get along. I am stopping here in hopes there will be some rain soon so that I can work my claims. I have some very good ones, 2 only 200 feet square each. I could make some money if I had water. I have been offered $500 dollars for them but I refused it -- I think I can make an ounce p[e]r day; I know that I can make ten dollars for I have done that before...."

There is talk of irrigating the area, but Hunt is not sure that it will be finished before he wants to return east:

"There is a ditch coming in here to suply [sic] the place with water but it will not be completed until Spring some time in April & I should like to come home in June... I shall stay until there is water in the ditch, then I can wash a part of my claims & sell the rest to a good advantage for they are situated immediately on the line of the ditch."

Continuing upon his plans to return, he writes:

"I have had a very good offer to come home across the plains by a man in Sacramento. He is from Utica; his name is Hamilton. He is going to cross with four hundred Spanish horses or mares. He has offered me good money to come with him as I have been over to Carson Valley this last season. It will take some sixty days to do it if I should get through with my claims by the time time that he gets ready to start. I think I shall come with him if the Indians are not to hosstille [sic]. They were very bad this last season; they got possession of one [of] Uncle Sam's forts...."

Hunt continues, writing about local hunting prospects and family in New York, before delivering a Crockett-esque farewell -- "Please give my respects to all may inquire for me & let the rest go to Hell for all that I care." A good letter, from one of the less trafficked areas of the California Gold Rush.

Price: $750.00