Transcription
Cerro Gordo
18 May 1868
Dear Fanny,
Your kind favor dated respectively Feby. 12th, 19th, and Mar 8th has duly received by me on the 27th Apl. At that time my partner was sick, and I was just getting ready to go on a trip to Saline Valley—expecting to be gone about eight days. Before leaving I wrote to you, requesting my partners to forward it.
I have just arrived last evening, having been gone 23 days, and find that among all the letters that came for me in my absence there is none from you. Also that my partner had forgotten to forward the letter I wrote you before leaving. I am considerably disappointed as I was anxious to hear from you often and expected on my arrival to have at least two from you.
I see by yours of Feby. 12th that you have almost concluded that I am one that forget friends easily when absent. I can assure you I never forget one that that I consider a true friend under any circumstances. If it would only be after finding that they were false, when of course I would try not to think of them.
I see that you think there is pleasant surrounding about this place and envy the pretty lake scenery. Well, on this expedition I was in sight of two lakes at the same time. One, Owens Lake, the other a small lake in Saline Valley, and looking as red as blood caused by salt. There are layers of salt two feet deep, perfectly pure and for miles in extent.
Well, do you think you would have enjoyed that scenery much if you had been caught in two snow storms (lasting three days each, as we were) on the summit of the Inyo Range, having to camp on a foot of snow without a tent, blankets all wet and very cold. The fog on the mountain being so dense that we could not see to travel out of the snow til the storms were over. Or going into Saline Valley, only three men among a large number of hostile Pah Utes [Paiutes], where, about one year ago, a party of Mexicans having a large pack train went after salt had all their mules killed by Indians, and small parties have always been afraid to go there. Under these circumstance one cannot enjoy much. The mosquitos biting—and being completely tired traveling on a rough trail all day—also looking at some willows and cottonwood around a small red looking lake on the edge of a large barren valley half covered with salt. On our arrival looking for fresh water one of our party found what he thought was…
[Rest of letter missing]
P.S. Please address
Jno. L. Porter, Cerro Gordo, Inyo Co., Cal
In care Chas. Begole, Lone Pine
Via Independence
And I will be certain to receive them.
Yours always,
Porter