cams_EliKnapp_b13_F016_001_001

Clear Lake Nappa [Napa] Co [County] Cal [California] May 27, 1855

Dear Mabel, I Left Grays valley for the purpose
of viewing on May the 8^th went on foot to Marvesville [Marysville]
at which place I Bought a Mule Saddle & Bridle & rope
Called here Lassoo [Lasso] or Lariet [Lariat] for Stakeing [staking] our animals in
this Country and Some Provisions Necessary, Thense followed down
the Struck across the valley. West to a Seaport town on the
Sacramento River (Collousa) [Colusa] Whare [Where] A Mr Stewart incited
by My Rig Enquired my whereabouts with whom a Mr Gawlens
& Mr Handy I accoumpanied [accompanied] to this place, Mr. H has Located
in Co with myself they returned on fr last for their
Stock & Some Provisions. We Intend to raise or make a Garden
and plant Corn & Potatoes suffitvent [sufficient] for Our own use this
season. the Seed for which I procured Yesterday. Theese [these] Claims
ware [were] first located last faul [fall] a cabin built on It and left
hense. It is jumpabbe [jumpable] You can See this is an Interior place
firs [for] Settlers came in last Summer A School will commense [commence]
in this neighborhood tomorrow of some 15 Schollars [scholars] also one is
in progress on Big Valley at the Mouth of the Lake by & by
another at Scott flat neer [near] the Middle of the Lake

So by & by this will be a New County. Groceries are packed
from Collousa [Colusa] & 50 miles, & Wagoned from Nappa [Napa] City
Some 75, thare [there] are 6 families in this neighbourhood & Back
farm annumerable [innumerable] My bald friend Rawbens of 64 Years
has crossed the Plains with a mule teem [team] he now owns 3 times
who with his family will be my nearest Neighbor Soon

Ask Pap Grant if he is to [too] bald to sell at a Sacrafise [sacrifice]
travel with the Show of makeing [making] $10000000 & an easy
liveing [living] for Life. Now dear Mabel I must the plain in
this. Woman here whose hustbands [husbands] have been absent