Jackson County '49ers

WRIGHT, MOSS, BLANCHARD, PARKER, REYNOLDS, RICE, CHURCH, TANNER, EARL, BRIER, NEAL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/7/2008 at 07:56:05

Western Democrat, Andrew, Iowa
February 22, 1850

Letter From California
Sacramento City, California
November 22, 1849

Dear Parents-
I hasten to inform you, that we have arrived safe in the valley of the Sacramento, in good health. I have enjoyed first rate health all summer, and hope to hear from you that you have been well at home. I wrote to you last from Fort Laramie. From the Fort nearly to South Pass, we had short feed for our teams, with some good and some bad road. Mrs. Moss of Galena died July 7th, 12 miles from Ft. Laramie, of the cholera. She was sick 24 hours, left 3 children, the oldest 8 years of age. On the 12th of July set our wagon tire; on the 9th Mr. Blanchard of Maquoketa was taken with the cholera-a physician from Boston came along and stayed with us during the night-this timely aid was probably the means of saving his life. July 14th we crossed the upper ferry on the Platte river-20th, arrived at Independence Rock-4 miles from the rock is Devil’s Gate, a beautiful sight. The rocks are 400 feet high, but a short distance apart. Our course is now up the Sweetwater.
July 27. We are now at the South Pass, which is different from what we expected-the road is good with no hard hills and no timber-plenty of snow in sight. Pacific spring is very cold water.
Aug. 8. Arrived at Fort Bridger, and on the 10th came to the city of the great Salt Lake. The land here is good, but they have to irrigate it to raise crops, there being no rain here in the summer season. The water of the lake is very salty; the people here are getting along fine; the houses are mostly built of sun dried brick-population about 6000.
August 13-Left the city in company with Halsey Parker and Riley Reynolds of Maquoketa, whom we found here. From Salt Lake to Sierra Nevada mountains, the road and feed is good most of the way. Passed lots of hot and boiling springs, and had to cool the water to drink it. In one place we found a hot spring and a cold one but 15 or 20 rods apart. We traveled down Mary’s river 220 miles; here we found a road called the Cherokee cut-off, said to be 201 miles nearer than the old route; this road was made by a Cherokee living in California, who came out to meet a train of his nation. The majority of the company were against Parker and myself for taking this route. We here left Mary’s river about 60 miles from the Sink.
Sept. 1-We now enter upon the first desert of consequence on our route. From the river to Mud Lake is 75 miles, a barren waste, without grass or water. That day we counted 350 dead oxen, and 12 horses and mules, and also saw lots of cattle that had given out and were left to perish-it was a hard sight to behold. We here saw a number of men and boys packing, who had lost all their teams on the desert. From Mud Lake to the Sierra Mountains is 87 miles-good road and the feed tolerable. Crossed the mountains the 28th Sept. The ascent is steep, but we got over safe with our loads by doubling teams.
From here to Lawson’s, in the valley of the Sacramento, 267 miles, was the hardest part of our journey. On the headwaters of Pitt and Feather rivers is the handsomest pine timber I ever saw. But to give you an idea of the road I think is impossible; it was up one ridge and down another, over rocks and through pine forests; feed scarce. I am confident that all the loose rock that was not used in making them and the Rocky Mountains was thrown here. In the last 30 miles I left 2 head and Parker 2 of our teams. We here passed hundreds of dead cattle. I saw 8 wagons in one place and the tires of three more in another.
Oct. 25-We awoke this morning and found ourselves out of the mountains and in the lovely valley of the Sacramento, 9 miles from Lawson’s. We got here last night at 10 o’clock, out teams almost used up. The Washington City company started with 16 wagons and 6 mules to a wagon, and got here with but 3 or 4 wagons. Some have hard times, and none very easy. We are called some of the lucky ones-got through with our things and provisions to spare, except meat and sugar. Flour at Lawson’s is 50 cents per pound, pork 50, sugar 50, molasses $4.50 per gallon, potatoes $1 per pound. From Lawson’s to Sacramento City is 125 miles and a splendid road-reached this place Nov. 6th, six months and 17 days from home. Sacramento City is situated on that river, below the mouth of the American Fork, near Sutter’s Fort. Most of the houses are built of canvass, some of zinc and sheet iron. The streets and wharves are filled with goods, provisions and things of all kinds night and day, and yet I have heard of nothing being stolen. They administer justice in a summary manner here; if a man is found stealing he is whipped immediately, and so on for other offences.
Money is so easily obtained here that there is no excuse for a man to steal it. Flour is $45 per barrel; pork $45 to $55; sugar 25 cents, beef 40 cents; potatoes 33 cents pound;-boots $16 per pair. Clothing is not so dear. Mr. Rice of Maquoketa is now in buying provisions and is going to keep a boarding house at Weaver Town. A small cooking stove is worth from $175-$200. Alonzo Church, Riley Reynolds and Samuel Cogswell are driving team for Albert Tanner(formerly of Bolton, Warren co., N. Y.) at $8 per day and boarded. We think of remaining here until the rainy season is over and then go to the mines. Carpenters are getting from 16 to 20 dollars per day. Every other house on Main street has a bar, with from 4 to 6 gambling tables in it, from a peck to half a bushel of money on them, and none less than 200 or $300. Good musicians get $16 per day in these saloons and boarded.
I arrived here with 4 oxen and 1 cow; sold the cow for $40. Parker and myself concluded to sell our oxen and one wagon; our oxen sold for $87.50 per yoke and our wagon for $100.
I saw Frederick Earl(formerly of Maquoketa) here; he got to the mines in August, and made from one ounce to $60 per day, until the rainy season set in. Elder Brier and Neal are at Salt Lake, Myron Taylor has gone up the river with a party to Deer Creek. The election came off on the 13th inst. We had a right to vote. Sutter ran against Burnett of Oregon for Gov. Burnett is elected.
I have not yet received a letter from you. Write often, and direct your letters to this place. Give my best wishes to my acquaintances in Jackson county.
God and Liberty.
Good bye,
D. S. WRIGHT