Letter 6
Empire
Ranch Feb. 10,1854
Dear Mother: I again seat myself taking advantage of this rainy
day to answer your kind and interesting letter I rec'd Jan about
the 25th dated Sept. the 11th. I do not know where it was
detoured so long but it did not come amiss; there is still a
letter that David wrote that I have not received that contained
particulars of Uncles death.
I received a letter from Cousin Lewis the same time I did
yours dated Sept. he stated that he is well and is doing very
well. He says the mines there are very much like these in Calif.
and he thought the difference would not be worth coming after. I
state this because I intended going if he gave me any
encouragement. But I shall never go for it is too long a voyage
and also a great risk. I am now working in Blacks Ranch, he is
from Mechanicsburg. We have seeded about 45 acres of barley and
wheat and intend putting out about 20 more in oats and barley. I
intended staying about a month and a half yet, then they want me
to work in a soda factory at Gold Spring which is about 12 miles
from here. They say they will give me the highest wages. I don't
think I will mine much more because it is very hard work and very
uncertain business with out I could get into such a claim as I
had. I think I told you in my other letter that I sold my claim.
I think I done very well by doing so. You state that Samuel Spees
was to see you and that he gave you a ring but did not say
whether he gave you the specimen I sent David and Mary Ellen. You
said that Uncle Issac gave David $7.50 back and that Uncle
intended taking all the interest off; I think they are very
generous that is the fruits of having good and confidential
friends, because had I not gotten it from them I might have had
to give one half of what I made for 18 months, which I would have
done before I would have staid at home. When I made up my mind to
go, you said I should prepare myself a warm bed. This winter I
have a very good bed it is composed of 2 1/2 pairs of blankets, a
thin mattress and a good solid floor for a bed cord, pantaloons,
coats, etc. For the counterpane. I have now been almost a year
and a half from home. It does not seem more than 6 months. If I
have luck till that much more time has passed I will find mgself
in old York County. You said I had better come home next summer,
I should like very well to be there, but cannot quite accomplish
my ends till that time and if time slips away as fast as it has,
it will not seem long to me. Grand Pap wants to know what I do
with my money. I have the greatest part of it at interest at 2
1/2 per cent per month which would be $30.00 on a hundred a year
and what I have not at interest I have deposited in Adams and Co.
Ex. so that I am at no loss for a place to put it. You state that
I should give ------- Book some directions. I expect this letter
not get there in time, but if it does tell him not to take many
clothes with him, not more than he can carry with him where he
goes. If I was him I would not buy my ticket till the day of
sailing. He may possibly get it cheaper. There is not much danger
that the vessel will be overloaded. When he gets to San Fransisco
not to eat too hearty. Not to eat any fruit or very little. If he
wants to come see me to go to Sonora take
the stage for Columbia inquire for the soda factory at Gold
Spring. If I am not there they will tell him where to find me.
When you write to me tell me how the neighbours are getting along
for you have never said anything about Adam Zims Dietz Hart,
Jonathan Lutes and others. Give my respects to Uncle John
Umberger and tell him I expect a long letter from him when it
comes.
Your ever true and obedient Son Joseph Barton