The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-19

Incidents OF q Late voyage 70 San vranoasoo.
pAvA0Es OF THE CHOLERA AMONG rm PASSENGERS
-LEgrER FROM LADY EkIGRANr TO HzR NO
TIER, ETC., Brc.
SAN FRANcIsCo, July Is, 1866.
MY DEAR MorHER-Thanks be to our Heavenly
Father, we are safely landed In San Francisco, and
after you have read my letter, You win know full
well why am 30 thankful. / will begin from the
time we left San Juan. We got there the week from
the Friday after We left New York; we went on
board Of comfortable river steamer, so far ~ the
accommodations for the daytime were concerned;
succeeded through the politeness Of the captain, in
getting placc for Mary and Emily to lie down,
while sat up for the night, the boys sleeping among
the baggage. We arrived at tho Niece where We
were to change boats, at what is called Castillo
Rapids We expected to 60 right on board of large
lake boat but at the Rapids heard rather appalling
news. We had already heard rumors Of the cholera
having been there amongst the soldiers stationed at
the fort but were assured it was all over them In
stead Of finding the lake boat all ready to convey
us, shortly after VIC came to the wharf the captain
came and told us that the captain Of the lake boat
had refused TO go over again to Virgin Bay, (the
place where we leave the boats and take the car
ragcs), accoun. Of the cholera prevailing there
So we were obliged to remain at Castillo Rapids till
the next morning about three o'clock, when we were
aroused by the news that the California passengers
had arrived, and we were to exchange boats imme-
diately. We went on board Of fne steamer for Uay
travelling, aLcut day light on Sunday morning. The
day passed of tolerably well, but when night came
every one seemed miserable.
There was quite nice little ladies' cabin, where
some could have been riade comfortable, but just
before night Irish girl, of good appearance, was
taken sick and brought into this cabin. Every lady
deserted it and rushed to the upper deck except two
ladies, with large families, and myself 4 put the
children and Mary upon the floor, and prepared to
sit up all night myself. As ] was sitting there
lady was brought down to the lower deck; she was
seized with cramps. l was the only one up, and
was called upon to use my brandy to rub her with;
her feet were put into hot mustard water, and mus
tard applied to her chest; after while she got into
profuse perspirat.on, and was laid down in the
outer cabin. She got well, but the Irish girl died
with cholera before daylight.
AT daybreak we all left the steamer, went ashore,
and took the carriages to San Juan, on the other
side, where arrived before dinner but they did not
admit us on board till dark. We found far better
commodations than the Northern Light aud every
thing seemed to promise tavorably for the voyage.
Everybody seemed to feel SO happy that we had LETT
that fatal place, Virgin Bay, behind US, The
weather from the first was very stormy indeed. On
Wednesday we were all startled with the news that
Mr.. Lord, gentleman from Boston, was down with
the cholera. In less than six hours he was dead.
He was very unassuming, prudent man; but such
seemed to be the victims amongst the first cabin
passengers. Twice he had been to San Francisco
and settled up his affairs, but became DISCONTINUED
and made the third trial, but it proved his last Be-
tween Wednesday and the Sunday following, Sc
veral cases occurred in the stecrage, all proving
fatal but it all kept secret from the cabin pas
sengers. On Sunday afternoon Mr.. West, Bap-
list missionary to Oregon. was taken, and died be.
ore midnight. lie lett q sickly wife and five small
children, with but eleven dollars in the world to
lolp herself with She bore up like Christian
Inder her Affections. a purse OF $3.50 was raised
or her, end no doubt her denomination will help
lcr to her home in Oregon. Her husband had been
out and taken up q government grant, and had
erected house on bis claim and she has brother,
there who will see TO her. The same night Mr. West
died, baby OF Mr.. and Mrs. Brown, from Virginia,
died. Its mother had caught cold from washing in
the damp. The baby narsed from her; it had the
d, sentery, too, from teething The father was
worn out with watchipg his wife and babe, and on
Monday morning, at nne clock he died with the
choleIa. His vic was able to sit up, but she was
taken down next morning, and at hight was seized
with cholera. Not soul wa there t. help her, eX-
Ccpt Captain Collins and myself. stood over her
all night till four o'clock in the morning The doc
tor insisted that should call up an Irish lady by the
name of Marty. She got up, while l slept about
halt an hour; bxt there was such noise on deck
two O'Clock ia the afternoon. The whole family
were then gone. She az only child. Her parents
live near Sacramento Her husband was lawyer,
and nice people they were.
While was sitting up with Mrs. Brown, a German
girl died in the lower saloon Not woman was
about her. Some men tired all they could to save
her. but Of no avail were their efforts. gentleman
also died that night Day before yesterday the
In ell thrty-oIc have died, and fifteen more are not
expected to live. Added TO all the horrors Of sick
ness and death, We had a constant succession of
gales. Our mattresses and sheets were drencned,
the floors swimming In water, the ship rolling, and
tho winds bowling. Most all of my clothes that
had in my room got wet. Altogether il was horri.
ble The captain says he has made thrty-two voya.
ges, but never one like this For seven days he was
not able to get ia observation.
We arrived here this morning. and am now at
the Oriental Hotel, kept BY Captain Wafsta.f At
the Castillo Rapids heard that A. A. was running
the steamer America; and when got here heard
gone up 10 Crescent City, and fifteen minutes after
they Lad got TO the wharf she was found to be on
fire. II was caused by TIE spontaneous combustion
OF the coal. She vas burned TO the waters edge.
They attempted 70 tow her down. but about sixty
miles from here gale came on, parted the ropes,
and she sunk. He left here again last night to try
to aise her, and is expected back again tonight.
This is all have been able to learn, and | write
now all know, for fear shall have no other oppor
tupity, az the mail closes tomorrow.
hope YOU got my letter by Ike Northern Light.
The captain did everything he could for my com
fort, aid when we lett the ship had large box Of
provisions put up for q party of ~. You do not
know how thankful felt that I had laid in my pro-
visions. No brandy to be had but mine--my
bay rum and cologne was all used for the sick: my
tea, also, and the alcohol had every bit used to
dissolve camphor fer not drop was to be had
elsewhere. The cake was all eaten up, for we had
to depend upon our own supplies for two days, and
our party Wis large. No one seemed 10 have Ibid
in anything. and was continually called upon for
old ktfn FAHk &c. r.fEy
was borrow I'd TO make tea in for others, and
was only too glad that had such things Tor the use
of my fellow passengers. Almost every lady. except
two or three, were attacked with diarrhoea and
cramps. and but few have been able to sit up. l
have been remarkably WE'LL and so have the chill
dren Robby had touch of tho chiils and fever, bu,
the doctor soon broke il up. He got wet, and thai
caused il. ] used the utmost precautions about
upon the deck. They thought it hard Mt first, bat
they saw no mreh sickness and death around, That