Gridley Family letters – Dry Creek, Mar 18, 1851

Mch 18, (1851)

Dear Friends,

Today Mr. Hoffman came where we were to work and told us that he is starting for “Home” on friday and would take letters and tonight your “ever” welcome letters of Nov 17th arrived, just in time; –

I have but little to write. We are well, mining but making little. Today I worked 1/2 day made $3.50. Yesterday $5.00. John today found a prospect of $1.00, three pans of dirt, but the ground is worked so much we can’t tell how soon it will run out – Most of the men are leaving, some for Feather R., some for Oregon, all going N. I think we shall stay here it cost much to travel here. besides the gold diggings are always 50 or 100 m ahead of you. Suppose many have got home from here. Clock and Childs I suppose left in Sept. I heard Mr. Kieffer was going in Oct think it a mistake, Dout (sic) but he made a 10 strike, hope he did – have not seen or heard from any of the men from our place since Sept. A. A. Howard was in Hangtown with Sanders when we left. Childs saw Rice and Caswell in the City, Said R. had been sick and C. had paid his expenses – If $170 paid it was cheap. Mr Hecox told to he was sick 10 days and fainted in getting to the water, before he went to the Dr. one of the Sutherlands said they wanted him to have a Dr before, but he consented not. I do not know White, if he worked with him he should have staid with him to the last. We were in another co. and if sick, could not expect other co.’s to take care of us that we might work, – we paid $5 or 6 funeral expenses – There was not a day is Hangtown that J was very sick. Dr Burbank did not see us on the road, at any rate we are alive and well tonight, cheerful and happy and wish you are as free from care as we are – Your kindness and sympathies brings the dew drops to our eyes and are gratefully received. Gold would not be worth the keeping if none loved is – don’t sell any property to send for us ’til we ask it – we have dust enough by us to take us home when we wish to go – We are not homesick – like the country and climate – grass growing, birds singing, frogs serenading all winter long – have had but little rain. Weather fair and fine frosts at night sometimes. Pa took the charge and said he would keep account of lumber and things that Hecox had. Clingman must be paid if Ruth won’t you must, grain must advance in price and as we have sent $300 which you I hope have recd ere this, will relieve our financial affairs.

If you have let my house to be finished I think if the farm can’t pay it I can. Pa wishes we had some of his good dinners – well we do too – We have to buy our Nickhacks and pay for this too – Provisions are 50 pr ct cheaper than last fall. I need not describe the manner of getting gold. Caswell can tell you – do with Sam as you think best. We have written to Joseph and William since we wrote to you – told Joseph to tell that we had sent money so you heard from us once a month.

Postage is 40 cts by mail, a letter here costs a 1.50, got no papers – Wonder if the fiddlers all got their pay election day. Why was you not out? 300 is worth looking to here – I suppose the girls would like to know how we Live – like cooking, making bread, beds hc. I is sorry to say that our table cannot boast tonight of as many luxuries as it could a week ago, for our jar of butter is gone; it was first rate 75 cts./lb. Our honey too is out. 5/6 lb. of apples and flour plenty Wish you had some of it to make pies of. treacle $2 gal bl, tea 12 cts, saleratus 20 cts, salt 20 cts, raisins 50 cts.

You think we would feel bad to come back poor – I have done as well as I expected – Should like to make a pile but must have enough to pay costs and show me a little of the world. if my health is spared. R. Calton is the only man that talks of coming here – he is the only man I should advise to come, with his capital, he would do well. Tell his to leave his morals at home for safe keeping. No one can do it here. Michael had better take a little woman than half of Oregon.

I is sorry to hear if Charlotte’s poor health. You must not be too anxious to get rich and work yourself and her too hard. She is not rugged.

Those locks of hair I don’t say, but can beat you rocking the cradle.

I should like to tell if I could of the whereabouts of those who came out with us, to console the weeping wife and waiting damsel – this it would be but poor consolation that could get their lords so far away – The girls must write us a letter and tell who is going to be, who wants to be &c. My love to all.

G.G. [George Gridley]

Dear Friends,

Like G have nothing of importance to write, but do not like to send waste paper so far.

An apology is due Mr. Kieffer’s folks for neglecting to write concerning him upon our first arrival. he being with Shurts boys, we supposed they would write to all their friends. It must be that letters have been written back by those who came with us, if not received, they must have been miscarried. We know nothing of J. Sutherland or of anyone from our parts, C. Clingman is with us yet – well, and dling about the same as ourselves. In next to last letter you wished to know what horses we drew, how the different horses performed, &c. Mr. K. drew Kit, Rose the black, Clingman mare, they exchanged, R. gave $10.00 .to boot.. Linebeck drew Old Kill, C. C. his sorrel mare, Behrisch Parson’s Tom, C. Hoffman took the same he put in, Geor the white faced bill horse, myself the french horse. the french horse was best. Kit next. Old Kill stood it well, but had a hard master and was about used up when he got through – The Bridge horse was very sick on the Platte, – and injured for the whole journey, but we got him through. Rose and Clingman sold theirs for $25.00 each, might have got more. Linebeck, Hoffman and Behrisch, I believe, sold for $20.00 each. K. K. for $40.00. I sold the Bridge Horse which was in the worst plight of any for $35.00 – the other we put upon a ranch for $40 per month, sold him in September for $80.00. When we got through we had 80 or 90$ in money – all of our blankets and clothing except my overcoat which I left this side of the desert and a pair of worn out pants. You asked many more questions concerning the country – the methods of mining, &c. – Those who have returned probably have informed you of all those particulars. I hope you will not sell your farm to raise money for us to get home with for I am not quite ready to go yet – we have set no time to return but think mining will be used up by another year and if do not get into some other kind of business I think we shall go home within a year.

Affectionately yours,

John T. Gridley

We have about $400.00 in dust
Have you heard from N. B. Stevens?