Description: 1852 *SIGNED* California Gold Mining Letter by 'Judge' MINER WALDEN 2 pages, written on all 4 sides. Return Address Irving House Aug, 1852. Miner Walden was from Schoharie NY ...It is over one year since I left my dear wife and native home....I make more each month then I could in New York State each year....my present employer was a partner of Abram....how long I shall remain in this region of gold and devils. but I think of going home next spring if I return again to California. I have the desire to make money...and no desire to spend it....... ...I speculated in horses, hunting XXX until the first of last January when I bought your brother Abrams interest and was a partner to my employer until the first of March when I sold out to him for $1200....and then I hired out to him for $100 a month....I earn about $200 dollars a month...do you think I can live poor in New York State.when I can make money so fast here. I long to be with you and grasp you by the hand knowing that the heart feels what the smile on your countenance designates........Enclosed I send you a few small specimens of the precious metal which is the root of all evil you will except (accept) it as a token of my respect to you....I have the Schoharie Republican, Nw York Herald and New York Tribune sent me every mail. ...I am ready to bet 500 Dollars that General Franklin Pierce will be elected President of the United States. There is then a list of people in California that were from home - how well they were doing and how much they were making..... From Miner Walden's 25 May, 1916 obituary in the Oakland Tribune:One of the sturdiest of the sturdy pioneers of Stanislaus County, 'Judge' Miner Walton age 93 years died at his home in Modesto of apoplexy with which he was stricken yesterday afternoon while visiting his friends. 'Judge' Walden came to California by way of the isthmus in 1850, engaged in business in Colombia and Springfield, Calaveras county, until 1857, then came to Stanislaus settling land near old Tolumne City, east of Modesto which he increased to a ranch of 1200 acres where he lived until coming to Modesto eight years ago to make his home. This ranch is still in his name.'Judge' Walden was a familiar figure in politics in the early days. He served as assemblyman from Stanislaus County in 1861 and 1868. While a member of the legislature he engineered the deal by which Stanislaus County 'stole' a slice of San Joaquin County north of Oakdale. At Tolumne City he was at one time Coroner, Justice of the Peace and Constable and at the triple capacity he handled cases with swift justice.In 1855 Walden showed his determination by eloping with Miss Lucinda Hildebrand, whose parents, pioneers on the Stanislaus River near Knights Ferry, objected to their being married. The elopement was far from tame, for the elopers were compelled to row across the river and on horseback outdistance their pursuers to San Francisco for the ceremony. The widow still survives him.Walden was one of four old cronies of the pioneer days living in Modesto. When Tom Farrell died last December, Walden was confined to his bed with grief.The two remaining grizzled veterans of the gold days are Jeff Bentley a Mexican War freighter and Sam Mitchell. From another source:When Miner Walden was born on 23 May 1826, in Schoharie, New York, United States, his father, Hiram Johnson Walden, was 25 and his mother, Sophia Dominick, was 22. He married Wilhelmina Shell in 1850, in Schoharie, New York, United States. He lived in California, United States in 1870 and Empire, Stanislaus, California, United States in 1880. He died on 22 May 1916, in Modesto, Stanislaus, California, United States, at the age of 89.His first wife Wilhelmina, was mentioned in the letter. He had not received a letter from her...maybe lost in the mail... See photos for condition details. Due to high loss in shipping to certain countries, insurance is required for shipping to a location that does not provide tracking PLEASE READ THE RETURN POLICY BELOW: RETURNS are seldom made, I have been on for many years and Buyers satisfaction is important to me. This is why I provide good description, detailed photos and request questions from you to help you make the right choice to eliminate returns. Please read the description and view detailed photos. Please ask questions if you have particular needs or need clarification. Communication is important, this helps eliminate returns and any confusion or buyers with particular needs, so please do not assume I know what you are looking for unless you tell me. NOTE: If purchasing multiple items, please do so by using the Ebay Shopping Cart, then select "Request Total for Seller" for the corrected shipping on a new invoice. Do not pay for the items before receiving this corrected invoice.
Price: 499.99 USD
Location: Albany, New York
End Time: 2024-08-23T20:00:51.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Industry: Historical
Signed: Yes
