Gold Rush Era Letters

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 allowance 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

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