Ohio History Journal

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OHIO STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL

OHIO STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL

SOCIETY

 

REVIEWS, NOTES AND COMMENTS

BY THE EDITOR

 

OVERLAND TO CALIFORNIA

LETTER FROM AN OHIO "ARGONAUT"

We are indebted to Professor E. F. Warner of Belle-

vue, long the superintendent of schools of that city and

later with the State Department of Public Instruction,

for an interesting letter, written by his uncle, in 1853,

when the exodus to California was still at its height. It

is here published for the first time.

Professor Warner writes us that "this Ohio Argo-

naut, William Warner, was born near Navarre. As a

temporary resident of Huntington, Indiana, his journey

begins there. The mother to whom the letter was writ-

ten is buried at Massillon. General Orlando M. Poe of

Civil War fame is a nephew."

Following is the letter from William Warner:

Nevada City, Sept. 23, 1853.

DEAR MOTHER AND FRIENDS:

I presume you all have felt deeply interested in my fate since

my departure for this far off land. Well, after traveling six

months (lacking 8 days) I and my family arrived in California,

safe and in good health, but we saw many ups and downs before

we got here. I will give you a few items of our journey.

My company consisted of six persons besides my babe, four

men and two women, I. Ream, Jas. Eaton, J. Whitestine and wife,

myself and family. Our team consisted of four yoke of oxen,

three horses and one mule and two wagons. We crossed the

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