Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-18
For the Journal.
SAcnAsESTo CRY, Gail, I
Srniemher OOH. 1859.

September Z3lh, 1907.
After toilsomc and tedious journey of five
months, we are through the providence of the
Omnipotent One permitted TO rest our weared
selves in the golden land Of promise. To be
candid, must confess that like many others
who have come 10 see the elephant was a
little disappointed: that California is not quite
the thing il was cracked up 10 be-
This is the Gullest season of the year Owing
to scarcity of water, the mines, generally
speaking, are paying but poorly. Wages are
reduced; provisions, groceries, clothing &c.,
though cheap enough, are on the advance, and
generally speaking, times pretty hard.
The city is thronged with emigrants just ar
rived. Vast numbers OF them are without mo-.
ney, out of employment, worn and sick Of the
trip; the bright star Of their hopes is sunk be-
hind 4 cloud-darkened horizon; the GOLDEN
prospects which led them 10 rorsake the land Of
their nativity, the cradle of their childhood and
the home Of their youth; to leave father, mother,
brother, sister; TO quit all that was and dear
10 them, and brave the thousand perils and pri-
vations Of journey Of over two thousand miles,
through a mountainous, desert, and bowling will
the rainbow before dark cloud, and they arc
almost overwhelmed with grief and disappoint-
ment, and are upon the point OF sinking in des-
pair. Hence We may easily account for so many
persons leaving this country as soon as they can
get off, They look upon it as one of the worst
of places and the most accurscd Of countries
Do not think that too am disheartened, or that
dislike the country--far from it--so much as
have seen of it | am well pleased with. am
of the opinion that almost any man who lives
twelve months in this country will be satisfied
10 make this his home. ] found 10 difficulty in
getting into business, nor will any one else who
will try. II is true that a man cannot make
money in this country 80 fast as he once could
but what the country has lost in that respect, it
has gained in others. 1t does not cost one-frth
Of what it once did TO live in this country. A
person can live and dress just as well here as
any occasion for in the States, and il will cost
him but a trile over what it will there. Here
man, at almost anything he chooses to follow,
will save Eve dollars where he would save one
in the States.
So soon as the season commences, times are
bound to be better. A large portion of the rich
est of the mines, which cannot now be worked
will pay handsome profit; business of every
kind will be enlivened; prospects will brighten
and everything will seem changed for the bet
ter. Then it is, that those who are so bitter
against California will be apt TO become recon-
ciled to the country and changed in opinion.
For week before we arrived, every one VIC
met told us frghtful stories about what awful
ravages the cholera was making in Sacramento
but on our arrival we found it TO be a hoax tc
induce people to stop about Hangtown and Da-
mond Springs. There has been but little chol
era, and comparatively few deaths in the city
this season. The city is pretty healthy at thi,
time. The principal part of the sickness is d.
arrhea among the emigrants just off the plains
occasioned by eating too freely of fresh meats
vegetables, fruits, SC.
The number of families that have crossed The
plains this year would seem almost incredible
yet | dare say that more than one-hall
the emigration was women and children. And
still the demand for women is not half supplied
Women are worth Just their weight in gold
here, and the demand is as great as ever. ]
know OF quite q number of men who will start
for home within a short time, with the intention
of bringing out wives next season; some of them
are single men, too. Any man who may here
after oomo to California &c make fortune should
bring good wife with him, or any man who
has wife, and wishes 10 get rid of her, can c-
Their become rcconciled to her or get rid of her
by bringing her 10 California. California is the
greatest place out for ladies'.
Hoping that next time write l shall be
enabled to furnish you with something of more
general interest, l will for the present bid you
Farewell
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