I forgot to mention that towards spring, in consequence of the bad conditions of the roads to Sacramento City, the prices of all eatables advanced to fabulous figures: flour at one time selling at $1 per lb., molasses and vinegar $2 a bottle, potatoes $1.50 per lb., and other provisions in proportion. An Ames’ shovel was worth at this time $16, and a good pair of heavy boots from $40 to $50; but, with the opening of spring all was changed, and provisions were as cheap as in any other portion of the State.
The principal and chief article of food at this early day was the Chilean bean, and such was its value that in times of scarcity, as is related by some writer who witnessed the incident very probably, a miner seated upon a huge nugget of gold, offered the trifling sum of $25,000 for a dish of pork and beans. This fact, however, has been denied by those who ought to know.
The following bill of fare will give an idea of the cost of living in the mining region at this period:
| ELDORADO HOTEL, | |
| Hangtown, January, 1850. | |
| M. ELSTNER, | Proprietor. |
| SOUP. | |
| Bean | $1 00 |
| Ox-tail (Short) | 1 50 |
| ROAST. | |
| Beef, wild, (prime cut) | 1 50 |
| “Up along | 1 00 |
| “a la mode (plain) | 1 00 |
| “with one potato (fair size) | 1 25 |
| “Tame, from Arkansas | 1 50 |
| VEGETABLES. | |
| Baked Beans, plain | 75 |
| “Greased | 1 00 |
| Two potatoes (medium size) | 50 |
| “ “peeled | 75 |
| ENTREES. | |
| Sauer Kraut | 1 00 |
| Bacon, fried | 1 00 |
| “stuffed | 1 50 |
| Hash, Low Grade | 75 |
| “ 18 carats | 1 00 |
| GAME. | |
| Cod Fish Balls, pr. Pair | 75 |
| Grizzly Roast | 1 00 |
| “Fried | 75 |
| Jackass Rabbit (Whole) | 1 50 |
| PASTRY. | |
| Rice Pudding, Plain | 75 |
| “with Molasses | 1 00 |
| “with Brandy Peaches | 2 00 |
| Square Meal, with Dessert | 3 00 |
| Payable in Advance. | |
| Gold Scales on the end of Bar. | |
Books, papers and reading matter of any description were very scarce articles in the mines at this early day, with the exception, perhaps, of a few Bibles which were brought around Cape Horn. An acquaintance, who occupied a log cabin near, informed me that the only book he was able to find was an old Farmer’s Almanac, for which he paid $1.00, and, said he,
“I read that almanac through and through, forwards and backwards, sideways and upside down, and by spring had acquired such a knowledge of astronomical science, that I could locate the signs of the Zodiac blindfolded, stand on my head and calculate an eclipse, foretell the condition of the weather for more than ten years ahead, and prognosticate the value of the popcorn, baked peanut, and chewing gum crops for the whole time.”
Towards the spring of ’50 a little event occurred here in this
town for which it never as yet has received due credit or mention. It was nothing more nor less than the organization of a temperance society, and the first in the mining regions, at least, if not in the State. Money was contributed, and a canvas house was erected with a seating capacity for two hundred persons. Mr. Quereau, a prominent lawyer, was chosen as the President, and Mr. A. W. Bee as Vice-President. The Executive Committee consisted of G. Wheeler, F. A. Bee and three others. Meetings were held two evenings a week, upon which occasions old veterans in the business would enlighten the audience upon the evils of intemperance in general, as well as the horrors and dangers which would result from frequent use of the vile compounds sold in the mining regions for pure liquor. But all things have an ending, and temperance societies are no exception to the general rule. In the autumn of ’50, the greater portion of the active members of the society had departed for other mining camps, and it was finally abandoned for want of patronage.
For the first six months after our arrival in the mines it was hardly possible to get a letter from our friends at home, the only chance being to send to San Francisco by some person who was going down on business or for pleasure. At such times the cost of a letter ranged all the way from $1 to $2, and even in some cases as high as $3 each, for the reason that the one who was willing to do the favor was oftentimes obliged to buy a convenient position near the post-office window in San Francisco rather than take his place in line, and be compelled to remain in the city longer than was necessary. But upon the establishment of regular mail facilities into the mines, in the spring of ’50, there was a change—we received our mails regularly, and within four days after the arrival of the steamer at ’Frisco. Upon the day of the arrival of the mail, eager crowds of miners would gather in front of the office, and watch for the appearance of the stage as it came into view over the top of Hangtown Hill, and “there she comes!” would be the cry from a hundred throats, as it first made its appearance. As the boys received their letters from Molly, Polly and “Sary Anne,” they would take a seat upon some convenient old box or barrel, and eagerly devour the contents, and the nature of the news, whether good or bad, could be easily seen in their countenances.