Title: Autograph Letter signed by D.M. Woods, written from Tennessee in 1849 to John Gibb in San Francisco, but waylaid by Indians along the trail Author: Woods, D.M. Place: Clarksville, TN Publisher: Date: Feb. 25, 1849 Description: 85 lines, on 3 pp. of 4-page lettersheet folded to form its own cover, addressed on 4th page. 9¾x7½. * Autograph letter of transmittal, written from Brooklyn, NY, to Woods in Tennessee, accompanying the letter which was never properly delivered in California due to an attack by Indians. 4¾x7¾. Fascinating pair of letters, of interest not so much for the content of the missive from Tennessee (though there are significant portions), but for the history of its attempted conveyance to California. The letter was written by D.M. Woods, of Clarksville, Tennessee, to his friend John Gibb in San Francisco, California. Gibb had written a letter to Woods in September, 1848, but it had not yet been sent, as there was no means of doing so. The letter from Woods to Gibb was carried overland by a gold-seeker, via the southern route: "...the bearer of this letter Mr. Benjamin Herrin is a gentleman and friend of mine and i wish you to regard him as such and give him any aid you may be able..." Also in the company were Herrin's brother and a few acquaintances, "...they have the gold fever the little of worst kind as thousands have hear at this time and you cant half but be crowded with people worse than any place in the known world if some change dont come on soon for there is millions will come there if the gold don't decrease..." Woods concludes with a note jammed in at the top of pp. 2 and 3, "John if you ever come hear you must bring me a gold ring with 1 ounce of gold in it." The letter never was delivered to Gibb in California, as related in the accompanying letter, dated June 15, 1850, "Mr. D.M. Woods, Sir, I yesterday recd. a bundle of letters and papers from California, amongst which was this letter. The other letters and papers were those belonging to my unfortunate brother who started for California in the spring of 1849 by the overland route thro' Texas & El Paso, but was massacred with six of his companions by the Apache Indians in October. The remainder of their company followed the trail of the Indians the next day and found these letters scattered along the road. Have you heard any thing of Mr. Herrin, or of the particulars of this tragic event? If you have, please write me, as I have never learned but very little in relation to it. Very Respectfully, Isaac F. Davis." Lot Amendments Condition: Woods' letter with soiling, 2nd sheet torn in places but with only slight loss; overall both in very good condition, better than might be expected considering their history. Item number: 199310
Title: Autograph Letter signed by D.M. Woods, written from Tennessee in 1849 to John Gibb in San Francisco, but waylaid by Indians along the trail Author: Woods, D.M. Place: Clarksville, TN Publisher: Date: Feb. 25, 1849 Description: 85 lines, on 3 pp. of 4-page lettersheet folded to form its own cover, addressed on 4th page. 9¾x7½. * Autograph letter of transmittal, written from Brooklyn, NY, to Woods in Tennessee, accompanying the letter which was never properly delivered in California due to an attack by Indians. 4¾x7¾. Fascinating pair of letters, of interest not so much for the content of the missive from Tennessee (though there are significant portions), but for the history of its attempted conveyance to California. The letter was written by D.M. Woods, of Clarksville, Tennessee, to his friend John Gibb in San Francisco, California. Gibb had written a letter to Woods in September, 1848, but it had not yet been sent, as there was no means of doing so. The letter from Woods to Gibb was carried overland by a gold-seeker, via the southern route: "...the bearer of this letter Mr. Benjamin Herrin is a gentleman and friend of mine and i wish you to regard him as such and give him any aid you may be able..." Also in the company were Herrin's brother and a few acquaintances, "...they have the gold fever the little of worst kind as thousands have hear at this time and you cant half but be crowded with people worse than any place in the known world if some change dont come on soon for there is millions will come there if the gold don't decrease..." Woods concludes with a note jammed in at the top of pp. 2 and 3, "John if you ever come hear you must bring me a gold ring with 1 ounce of gold in it." The letter never was delivered to Gibb in California, as related in the accompanying letter, dated June 15, 1850, "Mr. D.M. Woods, Sir, I yesterday recd. a bundle of letters and papers from California, amongst which was this letter. The other letters and papers were those belonging to my unfortunate brother who started for California in the spring of 1849 by the overland route thro' Texas & El Paso, but was massacred with six of his companions by the Apache Indians in October. The remainder of their company followed the trail of the Indians the next day and found these letters scattered along the road. Have you heard any thing of Mr. Herrin, or of the particulars of this tragic event? If you have, please write me, as I have never learned but very little in relation to it. Very Respectfully, Isaac F. Davis." Lot Amendments Condition: Woods' letter with soiling, 2nd sheet torn in places but with only slight loss; overall both in very good condition, better than might be expected considering their history. Item number: 199310
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
