Historically Interesting Original Letter by Nevada City’s (California) Pioneer, Writing to His Sister Back Home and Talking about Limited Job Opportunities, Striking Disparity in Earnings, and the Widespread Practices of Gambling & Drinking. Nevada City: 12 June 1854.

Octavo (ca. 22x16 cm or 8x6.5 in). 3 pp. of text. Brown ink on yellowish laid paper. Fold marks, but overall a very good letter, written in a legible hand.

An original autograph manuscript letter revealing economic and social struggles in the pioneer days of Nevada City (incorporated in 1856), California.

Established in 1849, Nevada City swiftly rose to prominence during the gold rush era as thousands of fortune seekers flocked to the town in search of precious stones. However, as the gold reserves depleted over time, Nevada City faced a challenging job market with limited opportunities for newcomers.

Written on 12 June 1854, the letter was written by a Nevada City pioneer, addressed to his sister, "Mrs. S. of K. Nelson. " In the text, the author candidly describes his impressions of the city, highlighting "a great deal of gambling and drinking " and the scarcity of job opportunities. He also talks about the striking disparity in earnings, with some individuals enjoying substantial wealth ( "say, 20, 64, a day ") "while others are straped and out of work ". Interestingly, the letter mentions the prestigious $100 compensation offered to school nurses during that time, influencing the author's contemplation of potential career paths for his sister. In the other parts of the letter, John shares positive aspects of his life, including his robust health, local weather conditions, good boarding place, ongoing employment, prospects for the upcoming summer, etc. Overall, a historically interesting original letter shedding light on the economic struggles during the pioneer days of Nevada City.

The text of the letter:

“Dear Sister, This morning being stormy so we don’t go to work, I will improve the opportunity of penning a few lines to you. I am enjoying good health got a good boarding place, and if I knew how you were getting along at home should feel quite contended. I am boarding with Mr. Graves from home, they are very fine folks I think. Since I have been here I have been at work for Mr. Curtace, he will have work about a month longer perhaps all summer. I like the climate here, it is not so warm as at home the air is clear and bracing. I never felt so tough and harty in my life if I can get into a steady job I have no fears but that I shall get along, if they finde a fellow is bound to work they’l give him a gob, as for society there is all sorts, there is a great deal of gambling and drinking caried on but as in the staits a man has the power to refuse if he has a mind to there is many a fellow that has the reputation of being steady at home when he gets here finds that was the assosiations that that kept him so, when other companions of a differant stamp – his he soon falls into there ways, there is some taking out there pile say, 20, 64, a day while others are straped and out of work. – is at Eureka yet got a good gob I believe. I wrote a letter to Alonco yesterday and one to Austin, there is some  - or so talking so that I can’t write, how do you get along. I want you to write how you get along and all the news. Lydia and Mary should have the next letter I believe I want to hear from you very much, I saw the death of Mr. Timothy in the Boston Journal, was very sorry to read it pleas write what ailed him. I suppose Mother you have as much as you can see to making butter and chees, don’t work to hard you must remember you are getting older than you was and cant endure as much get along as easy as you can till I get back, when I’ll be your waiter, by the way I hope that letter is on the way I wayting as easy as possible write good long ones.

Give my best respects to aunt S. tell her if she will write me a letter I’ll answer it, what is Unkle Craigie up to and all the good folks, I can imagine a new house up the road, and various other improvements. Betsey what are you doing, a very syrios question you will think but about that school I had the pleasure of working on the school house one day and saw the schoolnurse n she gets $100, a month, one of the Mishigan girls if you could get such a chance as that I suppose you would be for starting, but just stop till I send for you. I feel ashamed to send such a disconnected mess but when I get some word from home I think I can write better give my respects to L. and M. and pull out the children’s hair for me. Frances and Herbert must write me a good long letter don’t pass this in – before webster but kindle the fire as soon as you have read it and sit me down as your brother John. "