Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-02-17

Letter from Mr. Bowman
San Francisco, Dec. 81, 1852
From all j can learn, | conclude that the over
land emigration TO California the next sumner,
will be as great as that Of any previous year,
and II so, may do you and your numerous rea-
ders IN the Western States, some service by
writing few suggestions in regard 10 journey
so long, and accompanied BY 20 many difficulties
and hardships, and yet undertaken by many
without due consideration and prudent prepara-
tion. The journey 10 California is far from be-
ing pleasure trip, care not whether the trav-
eler takes four months voyage around the
Horn, or crosses the lsthmus travels by land
through Mexico, or across the Plains. Each
route has its advantages and disadvantages; and
It is probable the sum of human happiness and
misery Is about equal in all Of them But TO
the farmer the overland route is the m ost prof.
table, because he can use in the transportation of
himself and family such stock as are valuable
here, and il he manages well, can not only clear
his expenses, but make money in the operation.
Who ought NOT TO come 10 California.
II you are n farmer, and have a good home
paid for, with reasonable prospect OF comror-
table support COR yourself and family; if you
have schools, churches and those usual appli-
ances Of good neighborhoods, where life is rem.
dered not oRly comfortable but happy, and if
with all you have contented mind, and can be
satisfied TO "let well enough alone" stay where
you are, and don't torment yourself with calcu-
lsticns and thoughts Of selling out and going to
California. To such man it won't pay. But
if you do come, don't once think of making the
journey, leaving your family behind.
You may perhaps make the trip with more
ease and less expense, but on your arrival here
l.. .,,l III II -,
ding few weeks or months will either go back
for your family, by which time ard money are
lost, or you will write for them to come on as
best they can, which no consideration but the
Sternest necessity ought ever to influence man
TO do. If you could hear the daily groans of men
in this country who were so shortest GIFTED as
10 come without their families, you would not,
am sure, try such an experiment.
If you are young man without capital and
canOt dig, by all means stay at home. It is the
poorest country for gentee' poverty in the world.
To all ministers sons who have no means or
friends 10 live on, to all young GRADUATES who
expect to employ their talents and education as
means of acquiring wealth, or even support, TO
all merchants clerks scriveners and genteel-
nice young -men-about-town, to all half-read
lawyers and prosy ministers who have no apti-
tude for hard work, or appetite for hard feed,
this is no country for you.
Who ought 10 co1le TO California.
Farmers, especially Western farmefs, s.ho
know how it goes to settle new cOuntry-far-
mers who have boys and girls 10 help carry CT
business TO all such, the country holds out the
surest prosperity and wealth. All mechanics
OF the useful kind, and all laborers, men and
women, can command enormous wages, and are
sure of constant employment and good pay
Men and women of some refinement, who wish
TO uncivilize themselves, who want TO get away
from the sound of church bells, away from sup
pers at the Tobacco Warehouse" and from
sowing societies, and the like, for the benefit Of
persons in country villages, who want to hear
thunder "as is thunder" TO play with the light
ming, TO sleep in wet blankets, to travel over
deserts, t9 ford rivers, to shoot antelopes and
chase buffaloes; TO climb mountains and learn to
eat bacon and beans with relish, let all such
come TO California by way Of the Plains; and il
they can dig in the mines, quarry stone, make
brick, cook, wash bake, iron, chop, run saw
mill, dray or a hand.cart, they are on the sure
road TO afiluence.
There is another class of persons 70 whom the
journey overland, and the country, hold Out
strong inducements: It is to all nice persons
troubled with dyspepsia, govt, ennui, laziness
or who have acquired love of romance by tOC
much novel reading; TO persons dissatisfied with
everybody and everything; eternal grumblers
who feel that they ought TO have been consulted
when the world was made-to all such ii is rec
commended that they travel to California overland
with ox-teams-and take the first steamer bach
to the States. his n certain cuEe.
III: Outfit.
l An outfit OF course, should be made will
reference to the means, habits, tastes and incli
nations of the emigrant, and the age and sex o.
his family. If unmarried men, travelling alone
or in companies, the best way is to ride null
and pack; il with family, it is necessary L
have carriage, or wagon, or both. Mules arr
altogether the best ANIMALS touse, either to pacl
or drive. They are easily managed, and can b
urged on a fast gait where the roads are good
If oxen can be made 10 perform twenty-f v,
miles in nine hours, mules will travel the sam
distance in seven hours, leaving two hours NOR
for cooking and rest. If the road is hedged ant
filled with droves Of cattle and slow teams, i
, you have mules, you can pass them and trave
on more to your liking.
The OK is a valuable animal and has grea
: power Of endurance, but the driver has to wall
> along side most of the way. amid clouds oil dus
|, and often knee deep in sand, while mules ar
q driven with reins, the driver sitting in the wdg
on. Many parsons have an idea that mules ar
7. hard 10 manage It's so If they are abused an
beaten. They are naturally tmld, and If abuse
viii ins,inctvely kick in seli-defence, but whe
thev learn TO know you and 10 feel that the
. are 10 he kindly treated, they become tractabl
a and affectionate. but they should be gooC
: able.bodied mules, in fine condition. A goo
e Judge of horse, can select good mule, as III
d points are about the same. But no one shout
d think of coming with horses alone. They ar