Gold Rush Era Collections

Bro [brother] Gulian lives in Belmond the Co seat of Wright Co. Iowa. Has only three children living The two sons are married and living near him, the daughter is at home. Think he has an excellent woman for his wife They both belong to the Methodist Church & take a very active part in the Church work. Bro. [brother] Brayton is now living in the Suburb of Chicago, Ill. (Address. D. B. Pond, Providence Cotton Batting Mills. Cor [Corner] of Wentworth Avenue and Maple St – Englewood Ill. His oldest son L. C – is in business with him – Brayton has 4 children two, sons and two daughters. I hear he has a very interesting smart wife and family. Aunt Sarah Fuller Savage, and only son and family, have just made them, a visit. She is seventy-three years of age, but they write me she is a smart well-preserved old lady. Her son is a minister living at Clinton Iowa. San Jose is called the Garden City of Cala. [California] and is indeed a lovely place. We are having a new Electric Rail Road to Santa Clara, new iron bridges over two Streams running through the city. (Already have a beautiful symmetrical Electric tower by which the city is lighted) a new City Hall a large fine Structure, with artistic fountain in the Surroundings – an immense Suburbon [suburban] Hotel "Vendome" – built in a park that cost $60,000 is just commenced – 'Tis to be built with all the modern improvements regardless of expense and fitted up to please the eye of even the most fastidious taste. 'Tis expressly for the wealthy people fitted up by ten of our wealthy capitalists these and many more improvements are under way, and more are Spoken of as being soon began – Real Estate has risen in value of late and much property has been sold within a few weeks past.

marvelous change from the borders of civilization to the Pacific Coast – I have had all the experience in pioneer life that I desire, and am contented to spend the remaining days allotted me, here, in San Jose – I think if I could, I would visit you and the dear sacred haunts of my childhood, but I would not wish to remain longer –

Dear Sister Alphonsine left here last Tuesday for Chicago - with the "Teacher's Excursion Party" with no bad luck will arrive in Chicago on Mon 2 o'clock P.M. June 17 – will visit brother Brayton and other friends there, before going to bro [brother] Gulian's – She would like to visit Vt [Vermont] friends but had not fully decided upon it before leaving here – Her daughter Annis does her housekeeping while she is away – She has a girl to help her, and still Keeps boarders as before Allie left – She writes me she is getting along nicely – Bro [brother] Brayton's address is D. B. Pond – Providence, Cotton Batting Mills – Cor [Corner] – Wentworth Ave, and Maple St. Inglewood Ill. (It is a suburb of Chicago) He would be pleased