The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1907-10-24

pine tree saving ii into lift lengths
ana splitting 1t into bolts of suitable
size and with "froe' splitting out the
snakes which were good Il substitute
Tor shingles. After We supplied our
selves, some Of our neighborS wanted
shakes for their cabins which we sup
pied. One day an lrishman came
from over the mountain and wanted
shakes for his cabin, we had never
seen him before. He said he had no
gold to pay for the shakes but would
pay for them when he washed out his
dirt. There was almost no water un-
til the rains came later. We sold him
what shakes he wanted This was
about December 1st. The time passed
on, the rains came, we washed out our
pay dirt and one day near the 1st of
March our Irishman came along and
weighed out the dust and paid for
the shakes. Just before the blocking
snow storm referred to, happened to
see this same lrishman coming to Rich
Bar, his wife was with him. | OBJ
served that he had one mule with a
pack of five sacks of flour, 80 pounds
each. Our famine still continued, our
IL pounds of flour was exhausted. My
Irishman had claim near us. I could
not buy -four at the store. l knew
my friend had flour, so took my pail
and went to him explaining my case
and wanted to buy some -four feeling
sure he would accommodate me as
had favored him the fall before He
hesitated, then said I'VE don't know
how long this is going to last, cannot
sell you flour. ] was disappointed. |
turned to leave with my empty pail, he
called me and said he would lend me
some -four, | wished to pay for it, had
the gold. He could sell his -four at
$500 per pound. He refused to accept
the pay and said that if wanted more
flour he would lend me more. | came
again and wanted half a pailful and
again wanted to pay for it, he said no.
-four will be cheaper soon. | realized
in. 1t was not until the price of flour
price demanded for -four Soon the
trail was opened and provisions came
nj. 1t was not until the price of -four
dropped to 80 cents per pound that
my man would accept pay for the -four
| thought that was a pretty good sort
of an lrishman.
In July 1851 we went back to the
American river and remained there
until January '52 when we went to
San Francisco and took passage on .,e
steamer for Uicaraugua crossed to
Greytown thence took the steamer
Daniel Webster" for New York arriv-
ing about the middle of February and
proceeded to our old home in New
Sharon, Main.
or the social and political life in
California, ] had very little experience
"a my time was occupied in mining
While was in California Lynch Law
prevailed, which was terror to evil
dOers. but | never felt safer in person
or property than during the time / So
journed there. In all my wanderings
a kind Providence has protected me
for which | wish to render Him my
heartfelt thanks. In 1854 | was mar
ried, went to st. Paul where ! remain
ed three years, tnen in 1857 settled
in Eau Claire, Wisconsin which is my
present home. | have here given you
brief outline Of my overland trip, and
some of my experiences in those early
California days.
With kindest regards for my fellow
California Pioneers.
! am very truly yours,
{. A. BullPn