(CALIFORNIA) Diary of a Yuba River gold mine operator

Sale 2444 - Lot 75

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(CALIFORNIA.) Diary of a Yuba River gold mine operator. [56] manuscript pages. Folio, unbound; minimal wear and dampstaining. [Downieville, CA?], 15 October 1857 to 15 November 1858

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The diary of a gold mine operator or foreman. The first entry, dated 15 October 1857, is most dramatic: "Drilled a wick for blasting. In casing it, the fuse was cut off, causing an instantaneous explosion, blowing Sleeper's right hand to pieces and tearing his forehead severely. He will probably lose both eyes. Sent immediately for two doctors. In about three hours they arrived from town, and immediately commenced the amputation of his hand at the wrist, dressed his face." The author made regular visits to check on the unfortunate Mr. Sleeper for the next month until he was sent to San Francisco. The entries are generally terse, but give careful measurements of the gold found on each day: "Washed up one riffle, got 2 oz 2 dwts [pennyweights] of gold" (17 October). Other entries are more technical: "Put the derrick up, and commenced fitting the sluice boxes for washing" (14 November 1857) or "All the gang sinking a hole for the pump, and washing dirt, and hoisting out rocks" (1 October 1858). We don't know the author's name, but his wounded friend was Moreau or Morean Sleeper, a Vermont native. The accident is also described in History of Napa and Lake Counties, California, page 275, placing the incident at Downieville on the Yuba River.