Lot
29 
Auraria, K.T., Aug 2, 1859, clearly struck two line handstamp postmark on cover with manuscript "Paid" at top right to Rhode Island, interesting original contents datelined "Auraria Kansas Territory, Foot of the Rocky Mountains" with letter written by Joseph Whiting and in part…"I wrote you a long letter eleven days ago and is on way to you…I can think of better way to fill up this sheet then by giving you an insight into my style of life. So begins living in a log cabin on the out skirts of Auraria is so situated on the road to the Mountains and from the door I can see the greater portion of the Rocky Mountain Range. Sixty or seventy miles to the South West, looming up above the other portions of the range not withstanding the distance stands Pikes Peak…I can see the road that leads to Jackson's Diggings winding over a tall mountain - and yet it is 15 miles away still keeping your eye on the mountain you plainly see to the north west Long Peak… Col. Thom H. Tenton -- speaking of the exploration of his son-in-law John C. Fremont -- says, and places considerable stress on the fact in one of his expedition's he was not out of sight of snow for eight months…I shoulder a transit rods and staff and walk to the end of the paper lots of Auraria where during the rest of the day I work at driving stakes for naming angles and streets" (surveying the Auraria Townsite); both the cover and contents are water stained and otherwise damaged, but quite readable and historically significant, Fine appearance.Estimate $300 - 400.
Contract mail service to Auraria was begun on July 11, 1859 and was carried by the United States Express Company until they failed after their 26 August 1859 trip.