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Sacramento City, Sept 13th 1850 

Dearest Father

I wrote two or three tiresome sheets to Mother the other day but after I closed them and deposited them with the office, I found that the mail would not go out until today at 12 o'clock and as it goes so seldom I thought I would improve the last movement and give you the latest news in general.

Mining I am sorry to say is not so profitable as it was last year, and a great many emigrants are going home utterly discouraged. I myself saw a boat leave the wharf for San Francisco yesterday literally crowded with passengers. Many of them appeared in poor health and all of them wore saddened countenances indication of misfortune or disappointment. An industrious young man from [Monroe?] told
me yesterday that he had just come in from the mining district, had worked nine days and dug out in that time nearly 75 cents worth of gold. And a good many similar cases have come under my observation. But this is not the fortune of all. Some have been as successful as they were last year, though these constitute a very small proportion to the mass. I saw John Glover (brother of Sam'l) last night. His health is good, but though he arrived in June via New Orleans and the Rio Grande, he has as yet made nothing. He had been 60 or 70 miles below in search of a school -- found one with a salary of $250.00 per month, but was advised by some friend not to take it lest he should get into difficulty with some of the older scholars. They must be awful bad if Homer 



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couldn't manage them. Don't let him think though that I am hinting at the propriety of his coming out here. I shall give no advice to any one, -- I shall only state facts as they occur until I know something more of the country. Glover -- he is now unsettled, -- does not know whether to try again at the mines, hunt up another school or go to practicing. He is just in my fix -- out of Capital to start upon. Dr John L Taylor came in a day or two ago on foot. I commenced suit against the proprietors of his train, McPike & Strother, for throwing away part of his baggage. All the passenger trains will lose several thousand dollars each on this enterprise. Their provisions gave out and they had to buy flour for their passengers at 1.50 per lb & bacon at 1.00 per lb. Their mules gave out and their carriages broke down, and nearly every one of their passengers abandoned them hundreds of miles back.

Sacramento is very healthy at present; that is, with the exception of some cases of diarrhea among those who have just come into the valley from the mines or mountains. Out of a population of from 10,000 to 15,000 there are not more than six or eight deaths weekly. Rumors of cholera etc, etc, you will discredit as utterly untrue.
 
I am writing in the office of my old friend and office mate, Dr Heitz of Paris. The window opens upon J Street, the "Broadway" of Sacramento, which presents a very busy and to me, greenhorn that I am, quite a novel appearance. Drays, carts and waggons constantly moving in either direction, cram the street and almost render it impossible to cross. Auctioneer’s cries etc etc swell the confusion & deafen the ear. The sound of innumerable hammers reaches you from every direction, and gives notice 



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of the improvements which are constantly going on. Over the tops of the buildings you can see the masts of the shipping and the smoke of the steam boats in the river, and were it not for the dirty looking Indians and the slovenly Mexicans that stroll or furiously gallop through the streets you might think that you were near the waters of the Atlantic. Occasionally too a load of gold washings, picks, pans and shovels goes by packed on the back of mules. This reminds you of the mines.

But I cannot tell you much of California at present. I must speak of my acquaintances, numbers of whom have asked me to mention them when I write home. I did not get the situation that I mentioned and am glad of it. I am confident that I can make more at most anything else. I think now of going into practice. That is my favorite pursuit. As soon as I settle I will let you know it. A.C. Campbell (brother of John J.) is located at the capitol, San Jose, in practice doing very well. Sunderland of Hannibal in Sacramento, in partnership with Judge Ralston of Quincy, doing ditto. Radcliffe of Shelbyville & Kenny Anderson at Collonia, making 400 dollr per month in [tear in manuscript] Ed. Murphy "Non est inventus". He made 800 dollr in the mines [tear in manuscript] it is supposed spent it all again while taking his leisure.

Saw Wm Anderson, James Poor, Aubrey Anderson, Sam'l Culbertson, Volney Mann, Robert Tilley the other day, all well but Mann -- chills. Wm, Jas & Aub had been mining - making $5.00 per day. Were not discouraged and went back to it again next day. Dr Taylor told me to request Homer to inform his wife, who boards at Mrs. Adams' that he was well and wishes H. whenever he writes to speak with regard to her welfare.

And I wish him and all the rest who write to mention all the neighbors briefly and every body expects me to hear from home being as I am the son of the Post Master. John Clinch, Tom Anderson, Edward Coe & bro. got in safely and are now mining. Frisby & James McCullough at Nevada City, 80 miles from Sacramento, mining. Don't know with what success.

I hear with regard to H that a "change is to come over the spirit of his dream". I sincerely hope it will be a brilliant & happy one.

My Friend Bryant is severely sick with dysentery; I must go and see him.
 
Do not think I am discouraged. I can make money here and am going to do it, with the continued blessings of God.   Yours very affy 

E.C. Winchell 



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P.S. Yonder go two pretty Mexican girls dressed in their native costumes. I wish Rens could see them. Love to mother & all. Write, write, write!!!

[Postmarked:] Sacramento 14 Sept

[Addressed:] Col. Elias Winchell Post Master
West Springfield
Shelby County
Missouri