Across the Plains in Forty-Nine (inscribed By the author)

Farmland, Indiana: W.C. West Publisher, 1896. Small Octavo. Portrait frontispiece, 200 pages. Shaw was one of 50 men of the Mount Washington Mining Company, which made their way to California where the lust for gold was accompanied by a reasoned teamwork. On their journey, they faced sickness from cholera, horse thieves, and many contacts with the Blackfeet tribe. Upon their arrival to Sacramento City they found, instead of buildings, tents, lean-to's as well as a sign on painted canvas "City Hotel" (although it was a year before there was an actual hotel building). Much on the prices in Sacramento where the exchange was not as much money as gold dust. (truncated) One meal for the four of his associates was 1 ounce of gold dust. He lists prices for beans, oats, barley, tea, and black molasses. With gold you could buy a full corner of a city lot though attempts to use other currencies were often met with rejection. One of the most interesting of early accounts of Sacramento before 1850. A nice copy bound in brown cloth lettered in gilt, spine lettering has faded, inscribed by the author on front black. light wear to corners. [Howes S-349; Graff #3744.]. (Inventory #: 029200)