The  Shirley letters from California mines in 1851-52
Subtitle: being a series of twenty-three letters from Dame Shirley (Mrs. Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe) to her sister in Massachusetts, and now reprinted from the Pioneer magazine of 1854-55; with synopses of the letters, a foreword, and many typographical and other corrections and emendations
By: by Thomas C. Russell; together with "An appreciation" by Mrs. M.V.T. Lawrence ...
Contributors: Russell, Thomas C.
Publisher: Printed by T.C. Russell
Published: 1922
Place of publication: San Francisco
Language: eng
Number of pages: 350
Subjects: Ethnic groups -- Calfornia; Women -- Calfornia; Urbanization -- Calfornia; Real estate development -- Calfornia; Law and politics -- Calfornia; California -- Description and travel; California -- Gold discoveries
Description: Educated in Amherst, Massachusetts, Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe (1819-1906) accompanied her physician-husband to California in 1849. The couple first lived in mining camps where Dr. Clappe practiced medicine and then moved to San Francisco, where Mrs. Clappe taught in the public schools for more than twenty years. The Shirley letters (1922) is the book edition of a series of letters written by Mrs. Clappe to her sister in 1851 and 1852. They were first published under the pseudonym of "Dame Shirley" in the Pioneer magazine, 1854-55. In these letters Louise Clappe writes of life in San Francisco and the Feather River mining communities of Rich Bar and Indian Bar. She focuses on the experiences of women and children, the perils of miners' work, crime and punishment, and relations with native Hispanic residents and Native Americans. Bret Harte is said to have based two of his stories on the "Shirley" letters.
Notes: Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
No known restrictions on publication. No copyright renewal found.
"This book is one of an edition of four hundred and fifty (450) numbered  and signed copies ... In two hundred (200) copies Exeter book-paper is used.  This copy is no. 99, Exeter book-paper. (Signed) Thomas C. Russell.