THE GOLD
RUSH DIARY OF FRANK McCREARY
This diary was transcribed and provided by
Mrs. Grace Shaw
March, 2001
Left New York on the steamer Cherokee on
Tuesday August 13th 1850 at ½ past 3 oclock, sent a
letter back by the prolit off Sandy Hook, eat my supper
and went to bed, but not to sleep the wind began to blow
strong I felt a little squarmish and soon began to tell
ware I come from, we had quite a storm all night and I
was on deck all night throwing over board all the dinner
I eat for a week.
Wednesday 14th nothing new occourd to day I are Very sick
and stay in my room.
Thursday 15th I felt a little better and went on deck but
was rather weak, we are now in the gulf Stream the ship
rolls and pitches about considerable rather to much for a
weak stomicks.
Friday 16th weather fine and sea smooth begin to feel a
little better and do not mind the motione of the vessel
so much, nothing new transpired to day, saw a few sails
at a distance have not seen land sence we started.
Saturday 17th fair weather and good sailing I can begin
to read a little and take it more comfor table past the
streamer philadelphia bound to New York we past close by
her, she had quite a number of passengers on board.
Sunday 18th a fair morning and very warm a little swallow
flew board he was so tired that a gentleman caught him in
his hand, we have no church to day I have got over the
sea sickness and begin to be quite a sailor, in the
afternoon the wind began to blow quite hard the sea was
very rough all night, so the tables and chairs went
dancing around the cabin, and had hard work to keep in
our berths, I can lay in my berth and look out of the
side light and see the waves roll on by us, first one
side of the vessel will be down in the water and then way
up above it, I am aquainted with one of the Engineers so
I have a chance to go through the Engine room as much as
I please.
Excuse the bad writeing as I have to write first with a
pencil and then with a pen.
Monday 19th the sea continues very rough a number of
passengers sea sick, up set the tables spelt the dishes
past som of the Folkland Islands about twenty miles off
very hard winds and rough sea which makes the steamer
roll and pitch very much I keep well but do not have much
appertite to eat.
Tuesday 20th very rainy and unpleasant, sea keeps quite
rough, come in sight of st. Dimingo Island, to the east
of us, past the south end this afternoon about ten miles
off, the mountains are seven thousand feet a bove the
level of the sea, it was a little foggy so we could not
sea them very clear, the wind blowes very hard against us
so we make poor head way.
Wednesday 21st we are now in the caribian sea 462 miles
at twelve oclock from Chargres, nothing of any account
recoured to day the weather is fine.
Thursday 22nd today is about the saim as yesterday warm
and pleasant the sea very smooth the evening moonlight we
stay on the upper deck untill about ten o clock we will
be at Charges at 12 o clock to morrow if nothing happens.
Friday 23rd we arrived of Charges a 10 o clock and went
on shore at 2 o clock Charges is a misirable place the
first thing you see is a rough cragy coast on the east
side of the river an old spanish fort or castle on the
west side is the american hotels and stores, back of the
fort on the east of the river is the natives habernations
the houses are mostly made out of reads and poles, the
roofs are thatched with a kind of stout grass like corn
storks there is one or two frame houses the natives are
mostly nigrous or half indian, thay are a lazy set of
poor devils, and live mostly on fruit, on the american
side of the river thars a nomber of frame buildings, but
put it all to gether chargres is a rectched hole, the
next thing on the program was to get our boats and push
up the river we hired our boats of darkey natives of new
york sixteen of wandnt to gether in three boats, with
three natives to each boat, one to staer and two to row,
at half past five oclock and put up for the night or
rather put down, we had to bunk up in our boats with a
cup of tea and a few crackers to eat. I put on my over
coat and walked about most of the night, there is a
greate number of pulicans and parrots flying about.
"The old Spanish castle at Chargres hotel on the
American side." Drawing by B.F. McCreary on his trip
to California.
Sunday 25th we started again early in the
morning it is hard to be at such work on Sunday but we
was oblidged to go a head fast as possible, so far we
have been favored with good weather only one or two light
showers, the weather is not so hot as in new york, we
next reached Pabla ten miles, these places use a few
native huts with sometimes american tent thay charg a
dime for a cup of coffey or six dimes for a meal, and
hard to get at that, we all had pleanty of provissions
with us so we got along very well, at night we reached
Galanciera, ten miles more the boats are pushed along now
by polls on account of the current runing very strong on
Saturday I shot a small allagator, you can hear the
babbooms and other beasts hallow along the river but we
have not seen any yet, this is the worst place we have
stoped at yet we couldn't get anything to eat or drink,
so we made out with some crackers or chease with a little
brandy and water, we did not get out of our boats we had
an orning over our boat to keep the rain off I slept very
good but I felt a little skittish on account of the rain
pattering quite hard in the night, it made the river run
very swift, I woke up two or three times in the night
thinking we was going down stream, we all keep up good
hearts been better sence I got over the sea sickness
which I feel very thankfull for
Monday26th we pushed off early this morning with a bright
morning in our favour, I shot a wild turkey on top of a
tree about 300 yards, he fell in the woods but we could
not stop to get him, we have seen one or two monkeys, the
woods on each side of the river look beautifull there is
every kind of tree, reads, bushes, plants, and grass, but
nothing like those which grow in the United states, we
had not proceeded far, before we found the river began to
raise, some of us got out of the boat, and walked along
the bank in order to help along, the courent runs very
rappered in some placs, so the boats can hardly get
along. We suceeded however in reaching Gorgona seven
miles from ware we started , hear we had to stop.one boat
a attemped to go up but was upset, the men in her came
near getting drownded, loosing most of there bagage, this
is the place wan thay go across in the dry from here, we
engaged our mules and sent our bagage on this afternoon,
Gorgona is a very pleasant place with good accomadations,
we put up for the night eat our supper and turned in for
a good nights reast the first night we have had a bed to
sleep in sence we left Chargres thay charge four dimes
for a bed and five for a meal
Tuesday 27th we got our brackfast and started on our
journey 13 of us in number, on mules with three natives
for guides, we soon to began to get in the mud and such
traveling I cannot begin to describe, I strapped my rifle
on my back and stuck to my mule which proved to be a good
and shure footed anamel it was sport to one see first one
and then another planted in the mud but so far I have
keept my self right side up with care ,time will not
permit nor can I begin to write how we pitched , climbed,
and wallowed through this part of our journey, it will do
for many a long winters night to relate this adventure,
if god spares us to return once more to our happy homes,
if the river had not raised we would have went to Cruses
six miles farther up the road being much better acrssed
at this season, night came on and we put up at a natives
house five miles from Pannannia (?), we traveled about 25
miles to day , and was favoured with a fair day
"a guide and Pack mule crossing the ismus"
drawing by B.F. McCreary.
Wednesday 28th after sleeping all night
on a blanket on the ground floor, we got up early and eat
a few crackers and chease and started on our way after an
hour or twos march we reached the paved road which made
better traveling , we reached panama about 10 o clock
tired enough, it was a hard looking place the old spanish
buildings are now mostly ruinens, the streets are narrow,
thire is a number of old churches that has once been
splended building but now are a heep of ruines we put up
at the American hotel, board and lodgins at two dollars
per day, the natives on the river and in the country are
mostly naiked but in the city thay whare cloths
"a small Island near panama with a few huts on
it and cultivated"
Thursday 29, we shifted our quarters this
morning to the Louisiana hotel they have much better
accomadations then the American and it is not so
expensive it coastes us about ten dimes per day for board
and lodgins, we fiend considerable excitement about the
cholera on board the steamer Panama,which they got on
board Alcapolea by the pashengers, going on shore and
eating fruite the owners of the steamer has had her well
cleaned so there will be no dainger by going with her,
she will start on Monday after noon, Thire is a chapple
oppsit us were thay have mass every morning and night,
thay have two fidlers to play when the singing goes on ,
and such another racket , the bells ring and clatters,
and makes such a noies as I never heard before I do not
know anything to compare it to but a boiler makers shop
Friday 30th
Nothing new has occurd to day we do not Go about much, it
is such a dirty filthy hole that I do not want to say
much about it I only wish to get out of it as soon as
possible
Saturday 31st I keep well but am tired of staying here,
no news of any account to day
Sunday September 1st
Today is about the same as yesterday we stay indoors most
of the time, all you ever here is the boiler makers to
work on those confounded bells we will go on board the
steamer to morrow morning I went to the market this
morning and such a mess I never seen, nor heard tell of I
am afraid it would make this book smell bad to write
about it
Monday Sept 2nd
We comenced early this morning to pack up for a start, on
board the steamer we succeeded after tumbeling about on
the waves for an hour or two in getting on board, we had
to go a mile and a half from the shore to the steamer in
a small boat we started at eight oclock in the evening I
was a little seasick again on account of the rough
weather, we fiend the ship in good order and no signes of
sickness on board, it has been about the same thing every
day pitching about and rolling on the wide ocean, morning
noon and night up to
Sunday Sept 8th we have had rain every day sence we left
Panama, we sailed in sight of land the first two or three
days, but have not made land sence, we could just see a
glimps of the coast this morning, a lot of black fish and
porpises came a long side yesterday, the blackfish is
about from 10 to 15 feet long, this morning is very
pleasant and looks a little like Sunday, by the clean
shirts and faces, my health is very good and have a good
appertite, we have plenty of good things to eat fresh
chickens, turkeys, pork and beaf, with good fresh bread
every day, thay have a baker and butcher on board, and
have much better living than on the Cherokee, our
sleeping a ppartments is not quite so good but we make
out very well
Tuesday 10th we arrived at Acapulca at seven o clock this
evening, thay fired the gun and anchored of the town, the
next morning we found our selves in a beautifull harbor
surrounded by high mountains, it is a very pleasant place
much better than those we have passed through, we take in
coal provisions and water,with plenty of fruit, bananas
oranges pine apples, thay swim the cattle out to the
steamer along side the cannoos, and hoist them on board
by the horns , Hiram and my self with 3 or 4 friends went
on shor, towards evening, and had a fine bath, we took a
small walk and went on board, the weather is very hot at
9oclock
Wednesday evening we left for San blass (?)
We arrived there at noon Saturday 14th thay fired the gun
prepared to go on shore but the wind commenced blowing a
jimy cane, a boat put out from the shore and got half way
to the streamer but had to turn about for the shore and
got half way to the steamer but had to turn about for the
shore there is no harbor for protection which made it a
little dangerous for us stay any longer so we bid
good-bye to San blass, it is a very dangerous looking
coast here high rock projecting high above the water and
the spray dashing up over them the wind continued blowing
hard untill evening died away.
Sunday 15th arrived at Mazatland, 6
oclock this morning it is a beautiful place with quite a
large town. We did not go ashore on account of the hot
weather, we will take on board 1/2 dozen bulls, 12 dozen
pair fowls, with other stores, thire is a nomber of high
rocky islands to sound us, besides plennty of sunshine,
hot enough to make the grease run out of a broom stick,
they took on board six boxes of speich (?) a bout 2 feet
long and 1 foot square, on Thursday 10th we meet the
steamer Republic for Panama we stopped for a few minutes
and exchanged the time of day the health of the ship is
very good at preasant, as for myself I believe I are
beginning to get fat, I eat anough any how, If I keep on
improving when we get to San francisco and get to work I
think I will kick up a dust, for I am tired and sick of
setting about doing nothing, we had some singing in the
afternoon, Sunday, and the day passed off as very
pleasant. We are now sailing a crosft the gulf of
California from Mazatlan to cape st. Lucas, the sea is
quite smooth the moon shines bright and the stars look as
if thay had just washed thire faces, and we are thinking
about our homes, famleys, and friends, which makes a
pleasant picture to look at, but a hard one to Realize
and perform
Monday 16th passed Cape St. Lucas about 3 oclock we saw a
small bark driven on shore by the blow on Saturday 14th
there is a small town back away from the shore the coast
is a rough barren mountanious place with not a tree or
shrub to be seen, we passed some barren Islands today
Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th boat the same once in a wile
come in sight of an Island or points of the coast, we are
getting in a cooler climet which makes it more pleasant
Thursday19th it is quite cool this
morning so we took a tramp down around the battery and up
a sound square a few times before breakfast, or around
the Capstan on the quarter deck , and so around the main
mast ,we have considerable sport a bout the democrats and
the Aristocrats, we call the ones that dines or eat at
the first table democrats, and at the second table
aristocrats, Today at noon a poor old man 70 years died
leaving a wife and family in Boston he died by old age ,
and fatigue, being a steerager passenger and not having
much attention paid him and to night a little boy that
has had a long lingering feavor died, the old man was
buried in the sea, thay sewed him up in his blankets and
sail cloth, then laid him in a board over the ships side
then read a surmon and prayer and the poor old man was
launched in the deep, never to be seen more in this
world, the little boy was 6 years old, thay put him in a
box filled with spirits and intend keeping him untill we
arrive in port, his mother takes it very hard, she will
meet her husband in San francisco, most of the passengers
are enjoying good health, the
Weather is cool and pleasant, we passed San diego this
morning at 2 oclock but did not run in on account of the
fog, we landed the mail and passenger a bout 20 miles up
the coast today Friday 20th at a small town.
Saturday 21st the weather is quite could so we have to
ware our coats , another death occouerd today a young man
30 years old died at 10 oclock be a long feaver , he
would not take any medican , we arrived at Monteray at 7
oclock this evening .
Landed some passengers and the mail, it is quite a hansom
place, we could not see much of the town, on account of
darkness, we stopped about an hour, and started for San
Francisco the long looked for a place, we seen a number
of cowfish this mourning they are a little larger then a
porpose and a light grayish in color.
Cowfish
Sunday 22nd mouring at 8 oclock we come
in sight of San Francisco harbour it is a narrow passage
with high hills on both side about a mile before you see
the city I was surprised see so many you vessals in the
harbour they lay anchored off the city thick as they can
stow in, we got in and anchored about half mile from the
shore at 10 oclock . Mr. Buckilew came on board and we
went a shore with him we went to his office in gold St
.unpacked our trunks to kill the roaches and air out our
clothes , my traps was all in good order , some of
Hiram's things ware a little mouldy but I pleased to find
the cotton needles sissors and other nick nacks that my
dear wife put up with so much pains for me ware fresh and
good as when she put then in my trunks .I could not help
my feeling a little home sick when I unpacked my trunks
and found my shirts and very thing down up so neat just
as her careful and kind hands had left them away god
bless her for her kindness , after we got through we went
to dinner, on board Mr. Buckilew store ship . whare we
got our meals , I find San Francisco a pleasanter place
than I expected, it is very hilley and rough but thay are
improving the place very much, in the lower part of the
city there is a number of very hansom buildens Mr.
Buckelew went acrossed the bay this afternoon to look at
some land , and will not be back for a day or two , after
supper I went to church the churches are all well
attended , but not many ladys are to be seen, the weather
is not so cold as it was out at sea, it is about the same
as the last of October in New York, my health is very
good and keeps improveing .
San Francisco City
March 3rd
I eat my breakfast and went looking up som folks I had
letters for I succeeded in finding some of them, I have
nothing to do yet but to look around, I weighed myself
today and found myself five pounds heaver then I was when
I left home.
Friday 27th same as yesterday nothing new of any account
sence we arrived , we bought a lot of old gron yesterday
, and I had a good job washing up my dirty clothes that I
wore sence I left home, I found washing was a very easy
job, but I will have to get used to it we, have very
pleasant weather now, the rainy season will set in next
mounth, then look out for mud, we have don nothing about
our buisness affares yet, we have first rate living I
would not wish for better, most every body appears to be
in good health , as for myself I keeping gaining everday.
Sunday 29th I went to church this mourning and heard a
good surmon after dinner I finished writing my letters
all well up to this date.
Sunday October 6th I have been painting some around the
printing offace that Mr. Bucklew has buelt, soon as the
macheriny gets here we will put it in operation, since
Tuesday I have been to work in the store ship lending a
hand ware and when I can make myself usefull, so the time
passes much easer when I have something to employ myself
at, thay keep grocerys and take goods on storage, the
ship lay at the end of the warf, with a passage way out
in her side so her lower deck is on a level with the
dock, they sell a quite a large quantity of provisions to
the shiping and boarding homes.
To morrow is election day and we are all going to the
polls to electioneer for Mr. Bucklew as he is up for
assembly man I expect we will have a great turn out , the
weather keeps clear and pleasant my health is very good ,
the fleas is the only plague I have .
Monday 7th today is election day we have been out
electioneering for Mr. Bucklew he is sun for assembly man
and if any body gets me to electionerr for them thay will
know it, it all passed off very well only some of the
fellows had a little fist fight once in a wile , the mail
arrived this morning so I expect a letter from my dear
wife.
Tuesday 8th
I received two letters one from my wife and one from my
sister Jane, How my heart jumped when I read those sweet
lines, the first that I received sence I left home and
found my wife and child brothers and sisters, and all was
well. After reading my wifes letter I seen there must be
another letter in the office. I went there twice a day
and did not get a chance, on account of the crowd untill
Wednesday afternoon I succeeded in getting the other
letter which brought six days later news, and I wase
delighted to hear how well my dear little Frank and Hanna
was getting along all well all up to Thursday 10th . the
letter was mis liad and not put in Bucklews box so I did
not get It with the others letter.
I still remane to work in the store ship. The weather
keeps pleasant but the plaeaged fleas e,e,c.s is raising
the mistchife with me I saw some of my New York
accuaintances this week, Mr.Sheldon Mr. Flanigan cousin
to Mr. Hanratha, and Mr. T. Norris called on us today
things all looked well, My wife says I must make a
drawing of crossing the isthmus I am afraid they would be
to many jackasses and other kind of acies in the pictures
for some of the natives goes quite naiked when they are
following the boats up the river .
Sunday13tyh I took a walk this morning up on Telegraph
hill it about two or three hundred feet high it is a
beautifull sight from off the hill you can see the mouth
harbor and the vessels as they come in from the sea also
the bay and mountains far as the eye can reach, I took
little sketch of the harbor, I intend to make drawing to
send home in a letter, this afternoon I made a drawing of
the boat and passengers, I came up the Chargres river in,
allso some of the Californians crossing the isthmus on
mules which I sent home in a letter, 15th I sent a letter
to my wife with a few small lumps of gold and a picture
in it and I hope it will find my dear wife and boy in
good health.
Monday 21st I received a letter from my wife , I was
grived to learn that she had been unwell , but it was
some relife to hear befor I read to the end of her letter
that she was getting well again and that my dear boy was
doing well, also that my friends and relation ware all
well with the exception of my Father in law he meeting
with a accident cutting the end of his finger off I hope
it is well again .
Before this time it must have bothered him considerable
in doing his fall work, my wife says would like to come
out to California with me, I wish she was here to keep
house for me I would feel much more contented, if I could
turn a bout and go home and bring her back with me, I
took a sail yesterday across the bay to Mr. Bucklews
ranche farm he has been buying a large pice of land some
fifty or sixty miles square, he paid fifty thousand
dollars for it, it has a steam and water power saw mill
on it besides a great number of horses and cattle, I saw
some droves of them feeding on the hills, some of them
are quite wild, when thay whant to catch the horses they
drive them in a large pen made with railes and lassoe
them. . I took a short ride on one of are coalts thay had
just been breaking, the cattle are sirved the same way,
we did not stay long on shore the tide began to run out
and we had to keep our boat a float, we waited untill 9
oclock in the evening for Mr. B he having some buisenss
to attend to on shore there is any quantity of large
snipe and ducks around the bay and plenty of foxes, deer,
grisly, bears, and others kinds off gaim in the place,
the moon shone bright and we had a fine breeze to retuen,
it was near 12 o clock at night when we reached home ,
the steamer arrived on Saturday 19th and brought the news
that California was admited in the unoun as one of the
United States, she was trimred of with flags from stem to
stern , and fired guns as she run up the habour it was a
beautiful sight and we knowing she brought the mail with
letters for us from our homes and family made it more
interesting, I still remain employed in the store my
health keeps good
Sunday 27th to day is rather cold and blustery has the
appearance of rain, I wrote part of a letter to my wife
and to my brothers and sisters finished a drawing of the
harbour with some other small noitions, to send home in
the letter
Monday 28th I made a little speculation to night by
taking some passenger out in the bay with the row boat,
charley, a clerk in the store went with me, we made nine
dollars in an hour and a half, I sold my violin I brought
with me for $15~ it cost me 5$~ and bought another one
for two dollars, with a little fixing up was equally as
good,
Tuesday 29th we had a great celabration for the ad
mishion of california in the union, as one of the United
States of America making now thirty one States, thay
kicked up a grate dust with firing cannon, fire works,
turning out in procession making speaches
Thursday 31st I finished writing my letters to send home
by the steamer tomorrow, I sold the 4 ½ bunchis of small
segars I brought out here with me fir $4 dollars they
cost me 18 cents per bunch, tonight I feel quite unwell I
took a dose of oil and went to bed, I was quite unwell
all night.
November Friday 1st I sent letter no 6 to my wife and no
2 to my brothers and sisters, I feel about two degrees be
low low water mark, rather weak with some pain in my
bowls, or California belly ache, none of our machinery
has arrived yet so I keep knocking around in the store
ship, I met James Sheldon one day this week an old crony
from New York he just came from the mines but has had
rather poor success, a great many from the mines are
returning home the cholera has made its appearance here
quite a number has died with it, I hope it will not be
any worse, it will make bad work here if the chedra
seated in the city, we had a horrible steam boat blow up
at long warf on Tuesday afternoon, the steam boat
Sagamore as she was leaveing the dock burst her boiler
killing some sixty or seventy persons, and blowed the
boat all to pieces, thay picked up a barrel or two of
parts of bodies, some heads bodies legs arms all blown to
pieces, scattered around in the water, her bell was
thrown over on a ships deck laying by the dock, it was a
horrid sight to behold, Wednesday night a fire broke out
on the upper part of the city burning down two or three
houses with the hospitall, it a bad place here for fires,
its so hard to get water in the dry season thay stoped
the fire by pulling down the houses with long hooks
having a chain and long rope attached so a number of man
could pull on them, it is now getting late in the evening
so I will swing my Hammock and go to rooust.
Sunday 10th I have been quite unwell all last week but
are quite recovered now, the cholera has been doing its
sad work a monxt us, last week but is not so bad as it
was and I hope will leave us all to geather, I was very
much disapointed by not receiving a letter by the last
mail which arrived on the 6th, but I heard by my sisters
letter that my folks were well, I suppose the letter my
wife was to send did not get down from the country in
time for the steamer, as my sister said in her letter
that it had not arrived yet when she had sent hers, I
went to the post office half a dozen times in hopes to
get it but was disappointed so I give up untill the next
mail arrives, we are to work putting up the printing
press, that was brought acrosst the Isthmus by Mr.
Oconner, it was all rusted up by getting wet with salt
water, so we have quite a job of cleaning it up, the
weather keeps dry and pleasant , the rain has not
commenced yet, I received a letter from Thom Houseworth
yesterday he is at the mines in Rich Gulch Calavaras Co,
Cal , I will send him answer to his letter tomorrow Mr.
Bucklew has been buying some more land across the bay I
think we will commence operations over there soon
Friday 15th nothing new worth writing
about this time. I have go quite well again and are to
work on the printing press, be getting wet with salt
water it is very rusty, so it takes sometime to get it
ready to get in operation, I sent letter no 7 to my wife
today.
Sunday 17th I got up this morning well
but not very early after breakfast, I sweep out my room,
put things to rights, then took a good wash and dressed
my self up a little for Sunday, then went to look after
my dinner, after dinner I took a little walk around the
city to see the improvements, and at night I fetch up
here writing. with the good fortune of bring well and in
good sprits.
Wednesday Nov20th today we are visited with a strong
south easter with hard rain I suppose we take in our
chimely and call it the commencement of the rainey
season, and the time of mud and mire, I have quite
recovered from the sick spell I had and begin to grow fat
and saucy again I are to work on the printing press yet,
and of all jobs I ever had to do this goes ahead, Hiram
is unwell so I have to get a longe with it myself, many
of the most important parts ware lost coming across the
isthmus, and a number of small screw bolts wich will cost
a grate deal of money and be a hard job to replace them
as we have no tools to work with, besides no one that
bairly under stands repairing the press, as for my self I
never had anything to do with printing press work, but I
will do the best I can and get her a going some how
Friday Nov 22nd Good New today I had the pleasure of
receiving letter No 3 and No 4 from my wife it was as I
expected, getting two this time to make up for none the
other mail that brought me no letter, I are down on the
no letter mail, I was happy to learn that all my folks
was doing well, my little boy was rather ill but I hope
he is well a gain before this, and my dear wife is
getting a long so well I are quite delighted, how I would
like to see them, I are sorry to hear that father is in
bad health may his health and life be spared, that I may
see him when I return if I are so fortunate.
Sunday Nov. 24th nothing new of any account today the
rainey season has fairley set in, with all of its
pleasurs of wet and mud, such going I never did see, it
wants a two horse power engine on each leg, to work, your
way through the mud, I keep tinkering away on the old
press, I wish they had split it in the drink, or left it
on the isthmus with the rest of it will cost a sweet
penny to get it in operation, now I must commence writing
some letters to send home, I would like to go and carrey
it my self, I think I could take them to the right place
Sunday Dec 7th today I send letter no 8 to my wife with
one enclosed to her father, also letter No 3 home to
sister Catherun, by Mr. Cowell, nothing new last week, my
health is good with the exception of a little head ache.
I have been troubled with two or three days past, the
weather is quite pleasant, I are to work on the printing
press yet, and will now commence scribling to my lady
love, to commence a new letter and then go to bed the
ship Portsmouth has arrived
Sunday Dec 8th Today I took a long walk over the hills
back of the city, it is very pleasant to walk out in the
country and look from the tops of some high hill and see
the surrounding scenery, I finished my work on the
printing press last week my health is very good at
preasant, I have been thinking about returning home next
spring. I am most tired of this country I believe I
perfer comfort and happyness before gold and misery.
Wednesday night dec. 11th I beleave old harrey has got in
the letters, the mail has arrived again and brought me no
letters, we will soon commence taking our machinery off
the old ship Portsmouth. We will put one of our small
engines up to run the printing press. I have been at work
to day drilling some casting for the saw mill, we paid
only 40cts per pound for Iron castings and rough enough
at that, the weather has been pleasant for some time but
it commenced raining to day again Friday we ware visited
with a heavy South Easter
Sunday evening Dec. 15th Last night I was writing a
letter to my wife a fire broke out at the foot of
Sacramento st at about 9 oclock I went out to see and do
what I could it was pretty underway when I arrived at the
scene of confusion, several buildings burned down before
it could be stopped. I lent a hand to No 1 and done all I
could fore a little fellow about my size No 2 was manned
by a gang of sailors thay worked like good fellows thay
kept up a singing and hallowing like thay do when halling
up the anchor on board the ships, at 11 oclock they got
it pretty well out so I Went home and went to bed, it is
an awful sight to see a fire the buildings are mostly
wood and very light so thay burn like paper and the
people appears almost thire is no insureance here against
fire so what ever burns is all loss for the owners, the
weather is rainy and the going muddy enough my health is
very good for which I feel very thankfull as thire is a
grate many sick around me. I was to work last week
drilling some Iron castings for the saw mill we got them
cast at one foundries in town and paid the small sum of
45cts per pound.
Decr 25th Christmass I was in hopes that I would have a
letter to read for my christmass preasant, but the old
steamar has not made her apperance yet, she has been due
for the last five days, thire is fearfull appreheusions
that she with our letters has gone to the bottom, it is
allmost a mounth sence I have heard from home it seems
like a long time. Hiram is quite sick yet and Mr Buckelew
is quite unwell so I have to be doctor and nurse for all
hands my health is very good so I are getting fat and
saucy but not lazey for I have not much to do, to day I
went out of town and shot my rifle at a mark, I beleave I
was doing nearly the same thing last year this time, but
I don't think I spent quite so merrey a christmass as
last year, buisness is getting very dull I begin to think
I will pack up my duds and start for home we was all
speaking about what we would be doing next year. this
time, Mr Bucklelew sayed he supposed. I would be kissing
my wife and boy. I hope I will have the chance, I are
about sick of this place, the only thing doing is
speculating and selling rum, we had a very pleasant day
today both clear and warm, I have been trying to buy som
chickens for the sick. The price is $3.00 for skin and
bones including feathers, $5.00 for a good chicken, if I
could get some fresh eggs I would go to getting myself it
would be a good spree.
Friday Decr 27th I went to work getting out lumber to
build a small house over on the ranch, Saturday we
started over with the scow sloop we run down the bay and
anchored for the next tide Sunday morning we arrived at
the place ware I will build the house after unloading the
Lumber we went back to the creek leeding up to the ranche
house, we had to anchor again for the night. Monday we
starded again, we had no wind so we had row push and pull
her a land, but finley got stuck on the flats so we took
the small boat and went up to the house and let the old
scow stick on the mud untill high tide, we got to the
house just in time for dinner, with good appetites and
plenty of room to stow in, and the way we laid the
needfull in was a caution to empty stomicks, in the
evening we made up a good log fire with eaight or ten
homebreas and the pleasant company of two ladys, besides
three or four little ones, with all these comforts we
spent a very pleasant evening. Tuesday the boat man
brought the scow up unloaded a pair of mules and some
other fraight. I went a guning a little and looked around
the place, evening came on and I was wondering what all
of the folks was doing at home I suppose most of them was
preparing for new years day. We had some hot chocolate
and set up to see the old year out and the new year in
wile we was setting by the fire a couple of wolves come
howling about the house, one of the boat man took a
boarding pik and I took a double barrel gun and went out
after them, but when they heard us coming thay varmused.
Last night a californian Lion killed a calf near by I saw
his tracks in the mad close by the house this morning his
foot prints was large as my hand it is very musical to
hear the wolves and owls singing at night, a large
grisely bear came in a house not fare from here, wile the
folks was in the back room, he turned over some barrels
of meat and eat what he wanted and then cleared out with
paying his bill or making any promises to call again,
neather did the insides detain him for his meals vitules,
he must have been a free soiler it is sport to see. The
Spainards lassoue the wild cattle thay give them a long
run sometimes to catch them but when thay get the lassoue
on them its all up for the poor bullock. theywill pitch
at the horse but the horses are well trained to it so
thay get out of the way in time, sometimes they through
the ox heels over head
January 1st 1851 I spent my New Years to day in going
over Mr. Buckelews saw mill to look after some tools and
machinery I got through a bout three o clock and returned
to the Ranche house, we brought a few tools over with the
mule team but we had to leave part on the road the hills
are so steep that the poor mules could hardly draw the
empty wagon.
"The Ranch house, on the Widdow Reeds Ranch on
the north side of San Francisco bay, California."
Drawing by B.F. McCreary on his trip to California.
Thursday 2nd I started in company with
Antersell Buckelew in a small boat, for Buckoon Straits
in a small boat, for Buckoon Straits. We had fair wind
out of the creek, but when we got in the Straits the tide
run very hard against us, and the wind a head, so we had
to pull for it besides the water was very rough so it
dashed up over the bows of our boat considererable, we
succeeded in reaching Allem tent, the man we will put the
house up for at noon we cooked some dinner and packed up
what he had in the tent, and started for the place ware
the is to be built, after we landed our traps we went to
work to build us a shanty to sleep in, Mr Allen Buckelew
and my constructed our habernation in three hours under
and old oak tree the branches spread out so it made a
good shelter from the wind, after getting our beds fixed
we cooke us some supper off fresh meat weat pancakes and
coffey and then turned in for the night but I did not
sleep much, the wolves Kieoters owels and one darn thing
another smelt our fresh meat and came to pay us a visit,
they keept up to much music for strangers to sleep by in
an old shanty
"Racoon Straits"
Friday this morning we commenced laying
the cills for the house it is 30 feet long 14 feet wide
and 15 feet to the peak we had just got to work, when one
of the Buckelews, from the ranche house came over after
Buckelew. Mr B B Bucklelew was very sick so he had to go
over to town, so Mr. Allen and myself were left alone to
build the house, in the after noon we went down to the
tent again after some lumber we made araft of it and
pulled it aloud after that boat, the tide was soo strong
around a point of rocks against us that we was oblidged
to leave untill the change of tide so we tied the lumber
fast on shore and went back with the boat we worked a
wile, prepaired our supper and put it down about right
and now I are writing this peppergram in a small book on
the bottom of a tin pan, I carrey a book in my pocket to
write down the events of each day with a lead pencil and
coppey it off in this book at a convient oppertuinty I
have my candle stuck in an empty bottle for a candle
stick, I can hear the wolves howl outdoors, I say out
doors, but our house has no doors only a place to go in
and out. I must the outsiders, I think I will sleep
better to night for, I feel a little tired and have some
what used to noises, so I will turn in and try it.
Saturday 4th we began early this morning to work on the
house after dinner we went after our raft of Lumber we
succeeded this time in getting it in the bay and landed
safe on shore, about 3 o clock it began to storm, so we
had to pack up our tools and fix our shanty for a long
rain storm, now we have got our roof laid over with
boards so it won't leak, I will set down write a short
discription of our Situation, the place is a small cove
or valley all most surrounded by high hill and thick
wooded ravins with considerable many oak trees scattered
around making a very pleasant apperance in front is a
small lake runing in through a narrow chanel from rackoon
straits only a sand bar about two or three yards high and
ten to fifteen wid the Lake is all most round and about
two hundred yards across, we have a view of Angil Island
and part of the bay ware the stream boats passes up to
Stockton and Sacramento, thire is a number of Seal in the
strait, they look very much like a bull dog and about the
size thousands of sea fowl and ducks are swimming and
flying around, the seals and covered with a coarse short
hair with short web footed Legs, a few sand crane comes
around us besids numerous other bird and beast, my
companion Mr Allen is a very cleaver gentleman he stands
about six foot high and is about thirty or thirty five
years old he has traveled through most of California and
the gold mines, we have maney a long chat to gether to
pass a way the long evernings I have not had much time to
go hunting yet, the wind blows very hard and the rain is
not slow coming down.
Sunday 5th this morning is clowedy and the wind continues
blowing very hard, we started a fire and went to work
getting our breakfast, I made some pancakes, after we got
the beafstake fride, it commenced raining so I dumped the
pancakes all in the frying all in the frying pan and
covered it over with a board and let them cook when thay
ware done thay was only half an inch thick, but thay eat
very well, after breakfast it cleared up a little so I
took Mr Allens horse and started on a tramp for the
ranche house, thire is no road to go by it is climing
over hills and down dales but I had not gone far when the
rain came down in torrents one mountain I had to skirt
was so steep and the rain made it very slipery so I had
to get off and lead my horse, for if he was to slip we
would roll a half mile down hill be fore thire was any
chance of stoping,I had to go six miles and the worst
place to travel I ever was in with the rain coming down
like gehne made it a very pleasant journey.Sometimes I
had to go half a mile to get over a gulley that washes
out between the hills,to look off some of these hills
with the rain coming down by the pails full and the wind
blowing a jimy cane makes a very romantic seen or wet man
tic after puddling on for three hours I reached the
ranche house I had two thick coats on so I did not get
wet much only about my legs but a good log fire soon made
that all right. I think california is one grate humbug,
and if persons that wants to come five or six hours it
would give them enough of california.
To be continued as transcribed