Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed manuscript describing the travels of the author by sea from Philadelphia to San Francisco in 1853. The account includes the author's experiences crossing Panama, traveling aboard the S. S. Lewis, and being shipwrecked and rescued twenty miles north of San Francisco.

Scope and Contents In this autographed reminiscence, Colfax describes his stagecoach trip from Missouri to California in 1865. It is likely he made the trip in his capacity as chair of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads. Account includes his detailed observations regarding trail terrain, arable lands, mining, and the people he encountered. Colfax also indirectly considered the issue of the transcontinental railroad. He spent a few days in Salt Lake City and met Brigham Young, president of the Mormon...

Scope and Contents Handwritten diary of Cone's overland journey by ox team from Waukesha, Wisconsin to California in 1849. Cone is a descriptive writer and proud to record "only facts." Diary describes traveling conditions, encounters with Indians, cholera outbreaks, fellow travelers, and government assistance at the end of the trail. Cone also spent time in Salt Lake City and wrote about his unfavorable impressions. After arriving at California, Cone made several trips to Sacramento. Life in California was...

Scope and Contents

Handwritten letter written in San Francisco, California, dated May 28, 1852, addressed to "My dear Squanquill," and signed E.R.C. The author was some sort of United States government official who had been recently sent to San Francisco to investigate government matters there. E.R.C. describes some of his work in California and his journey by ship to Panama, across the isthmus and from there to San Francisco.

Scope and Contents

Typed transcript of letters written by Engle while voyaging to California in 1853. The letters are addressed to family members and describe Engles' voyage by sea to Panama, the crossing of the isthmus there, his voyage by sea to California, and life in San Francisco and the nearby mining communities.

Scope and Contents Handwritten journal of Cauthorn's overland journey by wagon train from St. Joseph, Missouri to Virginia City, Montana and Oregon in 1865. Detailed diary entries describe much of the daily routine, weather, and labor involved in the journey. Cauthorn mentions company politics, trouble with Indians, his feelings about leaving his wife and child in Missouri, and a group of Mormons apparently leaving Utah. Upon arriving in Virginia City, Montana, he found the towns almost abandoned, but observed...