Journal Palmetto Mining Company Voyage

told Strange Stories about people being Killed by the Indians and one man told of five white men that was Killed only four miles higher up the river. This Story finished every man agrees that they go to [too] high up the river and met these Indians after night and was Killed for the Musket and the Brass Kettle So it was agreed that to two Men Should go up to Murrys [Murray's] Ranch (this is a house or tavern Keept [kept] by an Irishman named Murray) and Make enquiry [inquiry] there

But there was nothing heard of the lost ones there. They told us of Several men been Killed on the River and they had no dought [doubt] but our comrades fell into the hands of Some Murderous Indians, they told us to notify them early in the Morning and they would turn out to a man, and they were fully determined to Sack and Burn the Indian Ranch with all they could meet about it That night was a night of doleful thoughts and Sayings amongst the Palmetto Co. and very few Slept Sound

We Kept a double guard all nights, escpecting [expecting] an attack from the Indians.But nothing occured [occurred] at daylight we had brecfast [breakfast] and was ready to call our allies, when Behola [behold] we af es two objects at a distance ovr [over] the plain and making for our camp. Some thought it was the last man and others thought it could not be possible, however time told all and Shure [sure] enough it was the Boys with the Musket and Brass Kettle. But they forgot to Bring the Water, neither would they tele [tell] what happn [happens] to them. But at all evarci

one of them complained Sadly of his back for a long time after. Our company commenced oppotations [operations] on twesday [Tuesday] 21st of Augt. [August] all Seemingly in good health with one esccept [exception]. But on 22 all went to work and in the Course of the day one amn had to return to the tent Sick on Saturday Night. 25 a Second man took Sick and two More on the following week, the first two had been Sick in [Panama] and had the Same Sickness here. The other two complaned [complained] of Stiff limbs and Swelling. The Sick increased untill [until] there was only five or Sisc [Six] able to work out of fifteen

The Scuvey [Scurvy] took a great hold of Some of Our Men and their legs Swelled and got quite black nesct [next] the [they] lost the use of their legs alltog -ather [altogether] and could not even go on Crutches. Their health otherwise was good and had a good apeti -te [appetite]. Capt. Graham and E. Cummins has been the wr [worst] cases of Scurvey [Scurvy].

Sutters [Sutter's] Mill or Coloma as it it is commonly called is not much of a place for Mining as every thing has been turned over Several times, however had we all been able to work we would have done well enough as it was