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David A. Shaw, California As Seen by a Pioneer
Narrative of the building of California as told through the eyes of a pioneer
Description
Before the completion of the transcontinental railroad, two avenues lay open to the traveler to California, by wagon or by ship. This first person historical narrative was written by one of these overland pioneers. On his way to the coast, he offers anecdotes of Salt Lake City, the Mormons, trappers, mountain men, Placerville and the criminal justice system. The author offers his observations with an objective and factual tone, although his stated purpose was to write "with the hope of pleasing as well as instructing." This narrative is intended to give readers a sense of the world encountered by the pioneers who traveled overland from the east to California.
Extended Description
David Augustus Shaw left Marengo, Illinois, in 1850 for the overland trail to California, where he settled in Pasadena and was an active member of the local Society of Pioneers. Eldorado (1900) records Shaw's first stay in the West, 1850-1852, when he worked as a miner and rancher; his return to Illinois and second overland journey west, 1853, this time bringing a herd of horses; and a third round trip to the East, 1856, this time crossing at Panama. In California, Woolley works as a miner and rancher. He offers anecdotes of Salt Lake City and the Mormons, trappers and mountain men, Hangtown and Placerville, and criminal justice.
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California Pioneers, 1542-1848 California inhabitants, pioneers, and a pioneer register
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Charles Stoddard, Vacation Beyond the Rockies The journey west seen through a train window
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Charles Peters, Autobiography, 1915 The autobiography of Charles Peters, in 1915 the oldest pioneer living in California
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Prentice Mulford, Life in California Collection of writings by a pioneer who came to California by clipper ship in 1856
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Henry Ellis, Trip from Maine to California, 1849 Reminiscences of a California pioneer who was a riverboat captain and San Francisco police officer
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Lee Whipple-Haslam, Life in California Narrative of the life of a female pioneer in early California
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Luzena Wilson, Life in California Narrative of the life of a pioneer who arrived in California in 1849
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Caroline Churchill, California Travel Letters, 1874-80 Collection of travel letters by a California Pioneer as she visited Nevada and Utah
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J. W. Linkins, California Book Agent, 1868-74 Narrative of the life of a California pioneer woman who sold books
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Charles Beebe Turrill , Notes Travel guide for pioneers moving to California
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