cams_rjboylan_b012_f003_010_1

Sherlock Creek Cal Sept 4th 1852

D [Dear] Wife & children -- I write a short letter to you inclosed [enclosed]
in the same invelope [envelope] with James first of all we are all
well. I never in my life saw a person flesh up so fast as
James his and face looks as though his skin was stuffed
and varnised [varnished] he is nearly as big a Frank Goodspeed.
I fear a reaction in his health and intend to allow-
ance him in his bread, pork, potatoes beef &c, however
he and all the rest of us work hard and sleep sound

Dr Oatman's [J. C. Oatman] health is quite good he endures labour [labor]
much better than I expected -- as usual our luck still
continues quite discouraging. We are doing but little
more than clearing our expences [expenses] yet -- you I presume
think verry [very] strange that we do not succeed better but
mining for gold is nothing more or less than a lottery
the ground we ocupy [occupy] has been verry [very] rich and was worked
all that part that was considered accessible on account
of large rocks we have toiled faithful diging [digging] -- blasting
rolling and tumbling rocks of the size of tons weight
and find we cannot make wages as yet but shall try
another place thoroughly before we give up. I suppose you
will say I'd quit. Well there is a company of four
men the first at work below about as far as from your
door to the stable that are getting from $100 to 400 per
day coarse heavy gold. They value their claim at $1000
per share and they say all they can to encourage us to
not give up or dispair [despair] -- If it was not for hope the heart
of a Cal. gold miner would often break, but Thank God
I am enjoying good health and still hope for the
long lane to turn and if not I shall turn my steps towards
as home as soon as the sickly season on the rout [route] is over
and bid adieu a last adieu to this land of visionary
golden dreams -- to again bask in the sunshine of home
Sweet home

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We have a good log cabin and live very comfortable birth [berth] with canvass [canvas] bottoms &c