Two-and-a-half-page autograph letter signed to his cousin, David O'Neal
Grass Valley, California: Oct the 1, 1855. Small 4to (8" x 6½"), on integral leaves, in ink; slight fade and previous folds; very good. Rich (1809-1883) was, according to his gravestone a "Pioneer builder of the West. Major-General of the Nauvoo Legion. Alderman of the City of Nauvoo in the time of Joseph Smith. Pioneer of Utah, 1847. Chairman of the first committee to organize civil government in the Rocky Mountains. Colonizer of San Bernardino Valley, California, 1851. First Mayor of San Bernardino City. Member of the Utah Territorial Legislature for many years. Colonizer of Bear Lake Valley, 1863, where he lived and died. Husband of six wives and father of fifty children. Friend of the Indians, Humanitarian, Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." "Your letter came to hand bearing date Sept the 25, 1855 which gave mee mutch satis faction to heare frome you and to heare that you was well. I was one mile from Sacramento City for too days bee fore you left. I was in Sacramento the night after you left. I got a letter frome Cousin Sariah Jane a bout the same time ... I got a letter frome Brother James and all so from Brother Joseph ... They stated that they was all well ... they stated that father and mother was well and want to see you very mutch. They all so stated that they expected to start the first of Oct and also got a letter from Uncle John ... bearing date Sept the 15 ... I have lost about one thousand dollars in bad debts. I had a land suit (?) that lost me con siderable money ... I have an interest in some mining claims that has lost me four hundred and eighty dollars and if they fair I will come out considerable looser but California owes it all back and if I live and keepe my health I will make it pay it all back ... The wether very cold for this seasone of the year and look very mutch like rain ... Give my love to Cousin Joseph and accept the same right." Signed: "C. C. Rich." Item #63394
Price: $500.00
