2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
Lot of 2 letters from a Pennsylvanian off to seek his fortune in California. Autograph Letter Signed “G W Woodburn”, 3 1/2 pages with address panel, quarto, March 21, 1849, Sterling, Illinois to Agnes Woodburn, Newville, Pennsylvania. The letter reads in small part: “ Dear Mother...I have concluded to leave, as I intend in a few days for California. I go in company with 8 others of my neighbors and acquaintances. we expect to join a larger company from an adjoining county...nearly all who go are men who have seen the roughness of a frontier life and are capable of living where most of the eastern men would starve...we have 2250 miles to the 1st settlement in California and about 1900 after we leave the settlement at the Missouri river...”...Plus; Autograph Letter Signed “Geo. W. Woodburn”, 3 1/2 pages with address panel, quarto, September 1, 1849, camp in California to Col. Wiliam H. Woodburn, Newville, Pennsylvania. Written to Woodburn’s brother, this letter reads in part: “...I have arrived safe in the gold regions having been on the road 161 days...We are about 80 miles from Sacramento City a new place laid out near Sutters where there is a Post Office and a mail from San Francisco once a month...prospects of mining are not flattering some make much gold others do not or say so to deter emigrants from stopping but we will try for ourselves and if it does not pay we will go elsewhere, but must be where we can get grass enohg for our cattle or ell them...”. Staing with small splits of some folds, else VG condition.
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