R. J. Boylan, Gold Rush Letters, 1850-1853

Mrs R J Boylan Jackson Creek Will County Illinois [Postmark: Marysville Cal Dec 1]

Frezno [Fresno] river [River] California May 18th 1852

D [Dear] Wife & children, I am well and I hope to find my present location a profitable one. we feel quite encouraged to persue [pursue] our labour [labor] by preparing for low water, we have by a little stratagene secured six hundred and fifty feet of the river including a large bar and we have Three hundred feet of our race dug. I do not expect we will get into the bed of the river before the middle of June but we shall be able to make wages in the banks.

The river was worked verry [very] imperfectly ajoining [adjoining] us above and a piece on our claim late last fall and report says proved very good -- Two men that worked here last fall came back with their friend this spring to work again but they found Bowen's and R. J. B. in full possession, if the river proves to be rich and will pay for hiring we intend to put on help enough to not leave a stone unturned. we have our long torn -- canvas hose -- and tools all ready -- and if there is any thing [anything] to be made this summer we will try and get our share of frezno [Fresno]. I do not at present expect to leave here till next fall and then gold or no gold I shall leave California, for good and feel as though I had made every effort to secure for my family a suficient [sufficient] amount to answer their reasonable wants -- we feel quite sanguine of realizing something fair for our labour [labor] this sumer [summer], the chances are much better here than in the northern mines but mining in California has become a complete lottery. The country having been so thoroughly searched some places they are diging [digging] deep holes

in the mountains over one hundred feet deep but I dont [don't] go down in such places nothing but the hostilities of the indians [Indians] has saved frezno [Frenso] river till this time, but they are all removed to a mission and are in charge of an agent and thou [though] that would not come in to the treaty are driven off entirely out of the region of frezno [Fresno] after the gold is taken by the miners I presume they will let the indians [Indians] have the full possession -- but we are either on or near the great tract of land claimed by Col Fremont -- however that matters not the Col is not very popular in California. The miners have dug out all the places in the immediate vicinity of his ranch and only laughed at him and his agents when they wished to lease the privaledge [privilege] of mining according to his proposed U. S. Senate bill. we are quite comfortable at present we have put up a log cabin with a good fireplace and good door so we can fasten ourselves in or out at pleasure. we call it fort independance [independence] and it presents quite the appearance. we have by way of companions one rifle -- two double barrel guns two revolvers and one comon [common] pistol all in good order and always charged ready to deal out a death warrant to any marauder that would dare to molest or disturb our peaceable abode but we have never had an occasion to use them in that way and men well armed seldom do have -- we hear frequently of hored horrid murders and roberies [robberies] on the roads, men that are going down (merchants & teamsters). I hope you will not feel any uneasiness about me for I never go out without company and my business seldom calls me from home and when we came up here we were ten in company and expect to leave next fall equaly [equally] as strong all armed to the teeth -- the Mexicans are compelled to give all the road and not come within lasso distance and if they do not obey orders they are immediately enforced by a show of fire arms -- and Mr Mexican quietly -- or submissively goes round and gives the whole road to Mr American's

As it respects the management of home affairs I do not presume to give any comand [commands] in my former letters I have made many sugestions [suggestions] but I do not expect you to do as I proposed respecting the management of the farm &c but I wish you to act as you may think proper. it is impossible for me after an absence of over two years to give any advise [advice] I only say do and manage as you think best and I will be satisfied. I would propose to have from two to four acres of ground sowed with good clean rye so that we can have seed another year to sow for winter feed -- raising stock will be the drift of my business when I return. I expect you will put the money I sent by draft ($500) Jan 26 -- where it can be comanded [commanded]. I want James to have what is comeing [coming] to him the day it is due and if he can lay it out to advantage before let him have it but I wish him to Keep clear of any Althouse or Wilkison speculations. let him put up all the hay and buy as much young stock as he can Keep if he chooses to go into the stock business. I am satisfied that is the most sure road to wealth -- if he can be contented to persue [pursue] it I want when I return as many heifers and filleys [fillies] as I am able to pay for and then I intend to Keep them and make money out of the increase. The business is slow but sure and a man that has some Capital to invest can do better than run his chance in California, but above all things I do abhor runing [running] in debt unless it might be for a cheap tract of land. My affairs ever after this will be Kept within a birds eye glance -- and try and spend the remainder of my life in tranquility and in making an effort to make my home pleasant and agreeable to all my family for no man loves his home more than I do and nothing but to attain that desired object could induse [induce] me to become an exile from home and loved ones and I shall ever feel gratefull [grateful] even for the verry [very] moderate success that I have had in accomplishing the grand object of liquidating all demands against RJB

I still hope to realize something for my quartz claims. I am perfectly satisfied there is gold enough in them to place me and all my family beyond the reach of penury and want but the grand dificulty [difficulty] is the want of Suitable machinery to Save the gold I mined. The figure when I refused to sell my interest -- I have left them in the care of an agent to see to them. I expect soon to hear of the result of Mr Potters new quartz mill but I have lost confidence in the operation. it may prove a good investment for those that are willing to make California their home -- there are verry [very] many who have sent home for their families. large numbers are expected to cross the plains and companies are now fiting [fitting] out to go and meet their friends beyond the desert it will be a joyfull [joyful] meeting to the weary emigrant to meet their friends with a suply [supply] of provisions and fresh animals -- but I hope to meet my family at home enjoying the comforts of life. nothing would attempt me to drag my family across those dreary desolate wretched plains -- but I must acknowledge that California is the most lovely climate I ever enjoyed. I can scarcely realize that while I am enjoying the balmy breese [breeze] there that the howling blast of Winter is sweeping over the praries [prairies], but then this horrid rough mountains barren soil and still more wretched state of society exclude all thoughts of my wishing to make California my home. There are some parts that are fertile and in a short time will become desirable locations for those who have yet homes to make -- but I am satisfied with the stone house and some additional improvements but a young man that has no capital and dependent upon his monthly earnings can do better here than at home, but I have met with hundreds of that class here who have been ruined by the vixes [vices] of California and not one in ten will ever return to their home but drag out their brief existance [existence] here. There are some verry [very] good men here some of the most respectable class in any country, but Sunday is the great harvest for gamblers and they meet and spend the day around the card table.