Name/Title
Letter June 7,1850Entry/Object ID
001734Tags
Alpheus Bull, Sarah Louisa BULLSubject
Summary of the Documents
In this detailed letter dated June 7, 1850, Alpheus Bull provides a vivid account of the hardships and adventures of the California Gold Rush. He describes a narrow escape from a mining accident where a bank of earth collapsed on him, his solitary prospecting trips into the Trinity valley, and a tense encounter with a grizzly bear. The letter takes a somber turn as he describes the escalating violence between white miners and Native Americans, noting a "war of extermination" and criticizing the lawlessness of the region. He concludes with news of his health (mentioning a struggle with scurvy), the exorbitant cost of living in the West, and reflections on the death of his sister, Louisa.
