Lot
129 
[Mormon] "G.S.L.C. Cal July 11/50", manuscript postmark with matching "40" rating on folded letter to Frederickstown Missouri, datelined "Fort Hall Oregon 20th July 1849" at the fork of the Oregon and California Trails by Henry A. Cox, it was almost a year before this was posted at Great Salt Lake City, Samuel Woodson and James Brown were awarded the first mail route from Independence to Salt Lake City that was to begin on July 1, 1850 and was to run once a month, this was mailed shortly afterwards, Very Fine, A choice early California Trail letter during the first year of the Gold Rush mania. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
This letter is from one of the earliest emigrants on the California Trail during the first year of the Gold Rush mania. It was addressed to his mother and he describes the circumstances of the wagon train in which he was traveling:
"We have passed through several tribes of Indians and are now among the Foxes and flat heads and have found them perfectly peaceable - not only peaceable but they have been a very great assistance to emigration in general in selling them horses…deer skins…"
We offered another letter (sale 41 lot 466) written by William Stackpole datelined the same "Fort Hall, July 20th, 1849" and sent almost a year later with manuscript "G.S.L.C. Cal., July 11/50" postmark (Utah Territory) and matching "40" rate, and mentions the sending of the letter…"We have just arrived here and as an opportunity is now offered to send letters to the States by the Government Express.".
Realized: $8,500