Author: dave

SUNDAY the 15th /50

We returned from the Mokelome on Monday last Much fatigued by a long ride Since our return we have Made up our Minds to go to San Francisco. We will probably Set out for that place next week. Mr Brown ‘s Express (Successer to Elwood) arived on Thursday, no letters yet.    Tod & Brion Express arived on Friday also, being the Second time this Month. I understand it is the intention of that firm to run hereafter twice a Month, Friend Green arived from the Mountains on tuesday without Success. He reports Deer very plenty. He and his party killing Six while gone. they Saw one Grizily Bear but there Being but two of the party near, thay passed without attacting the Monster.  There has been quite a change in the weather this past week, we having one or two Slight Showers and a number of days, when the Sun was obscured by dark clouds, very Cool night etc.

SUNDAY 22.  /50

On Monday last hearing of a new discovery being Made at the American Camp (where we wintered last) I was induced to take a tramp to that place. I accordingly Set out about 8 A .M and arrived at about 4 P.M. I found a very Extensive flat (Say 15 Ach) Upon which there were about 50 persons at work throwing off about 18 inches of the top Soil. On inquiry I found the dirt paid from 6 to 10 cts to the pan. We put up for the night at a large new log Cabin Erected by Some Men who inclosed Some 15 or 20 Ach of Marchy Soil upon which they have Succeeded in raising a nice crop of potatoes Corn Cabbage, Watermellons, Mushmellons etc.

The next Morning after Eating a harty Breakfast we Started for home.  at Wood’s digings I Saw a Young Grizely chaned to a post.  he was caught near the Toolomme while very young.  He is now about the Size of a Sheep, and he has become So tame & gentle that a person can pat him just like a Dog.  At 12 Oclock we was at the Mclanes fery on the Stanislaus River. We found here emence labour Spent in turning the river, by diging race­ ways of Several hundred Yards in length and about 15 ftt wide, into which they have turned the water by building a Strong dam acrost the Stream at the Upper End of the Raceway. This work has imployed from 60 to 80 Men for three or four Months, and I am Sorry to Say they are now obliged to abandon it without a cents remuneration it proving a complete failure . We did not stop long here but Set out for the Summit of an Exceeding high Mountain, that lies directly in our way.    and by the way, this Mountain is the dread of the whole traveling Community.  After geting at the top of this Mountain, I was about 12 Miles from home.  My legs and feet were already So lame by the pre­vious day’s tramp together with My journey So far back, that I could scarsley Stand.   but I continued on gradualy, and at Sunset I found Myself Safely harboured in our little Cabbin very Much fatigued, and exceedingly lame . The weather appears to indicate the approach of the wet Season.        we had quite a Shower, Yesterday.

SUNDAY 29th

We Set out the first of the week for Stockton where we axrived on the 23rd in the Evening. Stockton has grown very Much Since last fall. Some very pretty buildings have been Erected Since, which together with the regular trips of the Steamboats, gives the place the appearance of an Old business Settlement. We had a very heavy Shower of rain in the Evening. On Tuesday Morning at 10 O Clock we Set out down the river for San Francisco.  On Wednesday we passed the great New York of the Pacific (Mentioned before in this Journal)  It appears very much as it did a year ago      there are now about 5 Shanties in the place. In the Evening we arrived in Benecia. We landed and got Some Supper after which we took a walk around to See the place. We found it greatly enlarged Since last fall, Many improvements have been Made. All hours of the night the Steamboats may be heard ringing their Bells & blowing their wistle   landing as they pass to and from Stockton Sacramento & San Francisco.  On Thursday Eve we aroved at San Francisco.  This City has grown So, and is So altered in its appearance that I Scarsley knew its Streets and avenues.  Business was quite brisk Especialy in Mercantile line provisions on the rise etc      Mechanicks Wages from 5 to $12.  large numbers runing about unable to procure work.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 6th /50

To day I had the pleasure of hearing Brother Wheeler preach in the Baptist Chapple at this place the house was crowded among the rest  I saw Some 12 ladies, a Sight of whome, where actualy good for Sore Eyes.  Especialy to Miners who have been in the Mountains for a Year. In the Evening we Called on Mrs Ludlow & Daughter (Ladies who came with us around cape Horn)    We found them well etc.

SUNDAY 13th

On tuesday Morning I left Stockton on horse Back for the Mines, at 12 0 Clock Overtook the Boys with the Teams (who left on Monday Evening). On Thursday Morning left the Teams very Early 5 Miles below the Double Springs took breakfast at that place after which I persued My way for Murphys or Stoutenburgh Placer.  The teams being bound for the Mckelome Hill I arrived in the Evening about 4 O Clock, and found all right.  Tod & Brion Express had been up and left a letter for us (it was from Aunt A of Bridgehamtom L I) I had the pleasure of hearing the Missionary (Sent out by the Priest) preach at this place (his name is douglass)

SUNDAY 20th

On Wednesday, (Having put our goods and traps, in a wagon) I Set out for Mokelome Hill, by trale through St Atone. I arived at the Hill about 6 0 Clock P M where I found the Boys with the goods etc all well on Thursday George Started for Stockton.  I visited Double Springs in the Morning, etc after Shifting Our traps from one Wagon to another, bound for Mokelome Hill, I returned in the Evening. Dureing the remainder of the week, We engaged in putting up Our tent or Tent Frame. To day I had the pleasure of visiting Brother Atwood & Small, and hearing the former preach etc.

SUNDAY 27th OCT /50

Very pleasent weather the past week. Progressing with Our Store tent etc.     Mr Tod & Co Express arived on Friday    No letters yet Mailed one to day for Mrs Hal- of 11 st N Y. Prepairations are Makeing here for a very large bank. Miners are coming in from all quarters etc etc.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3 1850

It has had the appearance of rane all this week very Much and to day we experienced a Sprinkle from the South East with a cool wind.           George returned from Stockton on Wednesday with goods & returned again on Friday, to run a Schooner up and down the San Juaquin which we have bought lately. No preaching to day on account of Mr Atwoods going to Stockton, we have our tent erected and goods aranged etc.

SUNDAY 10th

The weather continues clear and pleasant. The Miners are getting quite impatient on account of the lateness of the rainey Season. To day we are reminded of by gone days by Our Fire place which we have completed, and find it the Sorce of Much comfort even in California.

SUNDAY 17th

The weather continues dry, and pleasant, Causing a consider­able of complaining among the Miners.  Many have Spent the last two Months, throwing up the dirt from the Gulches, and they are now impatiently wateing for water to wash etc      The lateness of the rainey Season has a tendency to depress trade as well as Mineing opperations, Preaching to day by Brother Atwood.      Tod & Co Express Arived Tuesday 12th  No Letters.