June 2, 1849
My dearest family,
You will not believe the luck I have had here in Hangtown. Thomas and I were luckily enough to stake ourselves a claim just outside of town where we have struck it rich! I have pouches full of gold dust to bring back to all of you. I am ready to leave this dusty old place but I think I will miss the adventure of not knowing what each day will bring. I have made several friends here in Hangtown and maybe a few enemies as well! I will miss my friend Thomas dearly as he has to go back to his family in New Orleans. We have had such adventures together. And I just possibly might miss sow belly and beans! I can live without the bear meat!
Thomas and I leave tomorrow morning on the stagecoach back to Sacramento. I hope for safe travels. We have heard stories of the road agents taking all of the passengers before they can even make it back to Sacramento. We will have to take the river boat back to San Fransisco where I will search for a ship to bring be back to Boston to greet all of you. I am not looking forward to the long sea voyage again, but cannot wait to bring all of my riches back home.
I hope that all is well at home and I will try to send one more letter before I depart San Fransisco.
Your dearest Son,
John
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A trip to Hangtown
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
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
Monday, May 16, 2011
There's plenty of gold so I've been told . . .
April 6th, 1849
Today I have boarded a river boat to the great city of Sacramento! The fare for the boat ride was 25 dollars outrageous! I was able to work at the wharf for a couple of days helping boats load and unload passengers and cargo. I earned just a couple of dollars but it helped me to buy my first horned spoon. All the old Forty Niners say you must have one of those.
This boat is a much better ride then that of the long journey into the Pacific Ocean. I can barely stand the excitement of finally being this close to the gold mines! Once we reach Sacramento Thomas and I have decided to take the stage coach up to Hangtown (Thomas and I are gold mining partners). We hear that several miners have struck it rich here. We sure hope that we can to.
I worry at times about how tough the people in these parts are. Its much different than my small town near Boston. No one here to govern the land can create some scary situations. I just hope that I can stay out of those situations.
I must wrap this journal entry up, as I think I see the town of Sacramento in the distance. Time for me to get all my mining tools in order and prepare myself for an adventure!
Sincerely,
John Billings
Today I have boarded a river boat to the great city of Sacramento! The fare for the boat ride was 25 dollars outrageous! I was able to work at the wharf for a couple of days helping boats load and unload passengers and cargo. I earned just a couple of dollars but it helped me to buy my first horned spoon. All the old Forty Niners say you must have one of those.
This boat is a much better ride then that of the long journey into the Pacific Ocean. I can barely stand the excitement of finally being this close to the gold mines! Once we reach Sacramento Thomas and I have decided to take the stage coach up to Hangtown (Thomas and I are gold mining partners). We hear that several miners have struck it rich here. We sure hope that we can to.
I worry at times about how tough the people in these parts are. Its much different than my small town near Boston. No one here to govern the land can create some scary situations. I just hope that I can stay out of those situations.
I must wrap this journal entry up, as I think I see the town of Sacramento in the distance. Time for me to get all my mining tools in order and prepare myself for an adventure!
Sincerely,
John Billings
Friday, May 13, 2011
Ahoy San Fransisco
April 3rd, 1849
My Dearest Family,
My long sea journey has finally ended! After several months aboard a very crowded ship I have landed in the foreign town of San Francisco. As many weeks as it has taken me to gain my sea legs it seems it will take me twice as long for my land legs to return. I stumble and trip on the cobbled streets of this strange town. There are new buildings being built here on a daily basis.
At first I felt quite overwhelmed by the sight of this town. People are everywhere trying to sell you gold mining tools and forcing me to eat bear meat! Can you imagine bear meat! They say it is a California delicacy, but I have yet to find out. There are people here from far away countries that I have never even heard about. I have purchased my pick and shovel and will wait for the next river boat to Sacramento. For now I am staying at the Parker house, I guess its okay but they want to charge me 10 dollars for a bath! Guess water is in short supply out here in California. Don’t worry mother I will find a way to wash behind my ears. I took on a roommate to help with the cost of the room. His name is Thomas and guess what he comes from New Orleans! I think we may because gold mining partners. It’s important that someone has your back in these parts. It’s hard to tell who you can trust.
But that is enough about me, how is the farm at home? I hope the winter has not been too harsh on you or the animals. Is grandpa still in good spirits? I do hope that you make sure my youngest sister keeps her school work up, remind her there is a part of my gold fortune in it for her if her grades remain high.
The next time you hear from me I hope to be in the gold mines of California searching for our families fortune. Please know I think of you often and hope that all is well in Boston.
Sincerely,
Your son John