April 28th, 1849
Well guess what I have made it to the notorious gold city of Hangtown! I can't believe after the length and difficulty of the journey I am finally here. I traveled all the way from Sacramento in a stagecoach and boy was that an experience. I felt as though I had a foot of dust on me when we finally arrived. I hear the stagecoach's get stop a lot by road bandits, but luckily we made it safe and sound.
When we arrived Thomas and I were both so excited we could wait to get our gold pans into that stream, but first we had to find something to eat! Our options were either bear meat or sow belly and beans. I guess this is a good a time as ever to try the bear meat. And guess what its not bad!
Once we had filled our bellies we walked over to the only hotel in town and bought ourselves a bath and boy did we need it after that stagecoach trip. Once we were cleaned up we took our mining tools and set out to the stream. The area was littered with tin cans strung up to create the claims of hundreds of miners. I have to admit it was a little frightening wondering through that stream, Forty-Niners aren't the friendliest bunch of people. We were beginning to become discouraged thinking we may never find a spot to stake a claim when and old miner with a beard at least 2 feet long offered us a cup of coffee! We sat and chatted and guess what he said that we could start our mining careers right there with him on his claim! Guess maybe he was kind of lonely.
He offered us to stay for a dinner of sow belly and beans, guess this is the day to try new food! Tomorrow we will finally get our pans into that gold stream!
John Billings
John
ReplyDeleteIt was very nice of the man to let you share the claim. is the food good? Hve you found any gold yet?
Katelyn D.
Dear John,
ReplyDeleteHow was the coffee? How did it taste? I hope you and Thomas don't run into scooundrels. When you come back I hope you are RICH.$$
From Kyle
I'm so glad you didn't get stopped by the road agents.What did you have with you?I hope you didn't have anything valuable.We really miss you.Hope you get back soon.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sis P.S:Hannah
dear jonh how r u . is it grt up ther i hope is it
ReplyDeletehot up ther? r u having a grt time i hope so luv elizabeth
dear john,
ReplyDeletehey.how was the sow belly and beans? did you like the coffe?
from,
kyla
dear john,
ReplyDeletehow was the stagecoach ride?is it hot?its nice you found a nice miner in the fields!is sow belly and beans good?have you bought a gun?well have fun be sure to stake a claim and say hi to thomas.
from,
kelsey
dear john
ReplyDeletehow are you. is it a nice day? how is your partner? is he nice? do you have a gun?
from
zachary s.
hi john
ReplyDeleteI want a four shooter.Get me a gold nugget because i am doing good in school.plz get me a four shooter i already made a target for us!
from,
kolt a.k.a. grant