The diary (about 130 pages) of George R. L. Penney, of Winsted, Connecticut, describes his journey from New York to California via Panama, his voyage up the coast to Portland, and his trip by steamer and foot eastward along the Columbia River to Placerville, Idaho. He describes mining for wages and prospecting with friends. The diary ends in October 1863, but his letters to his wife continue until June 1864. The letters, written from New York, on board ship, Portland, and Placerville, describe his trip, his life in Placerville and his work as a miner and a blacksmith.
Subject (Geographic):
Columbia River Valley--Description and travel and Idaho--Gold discoveries
Subject (Name):
Penney, G. R. L.--(George R. L.)
Subject (Topic):
Gold mines and mining--Idaho--Boise County and Voyages to the Pacific coast
The journal describes an 1849 voyage to San Francisco by way of Cape Horn, working in the bay unloading ships, and the daily routine of gold mining. Windeler, with eight others, formed a company and their account books, containing entries for various other companies, are laid in his journal. There are 107 pencil sketches illustrating the journal, some of which might be attributed to Windeler's friend Carl Christendorff.
Description:
Windeler was a native of Hamburg, Germany who sailed from New York to California as a member of the crew of the ship Probus.
