California Gold Rush, 1848-1852

Scope and Contents This is a typed transcript of John Ferris Riker's 1852 journal about his overland trip from Cincinnati to California to participate in the Gold Rush. A copy of the publication, which is 62 pages, is located at the Beinecke Library, Yale University. On the day of their departure, April 5, 1852, John Riker was 23 years old. His relative Aaron Riker was 22 years old, and his friend David Lichliter was 21 or 22. On page 3, John lists the three messes with six men in each. In the second...