The following letter was written by John L. Koons who we learn had just arrived in Marysville, Yuba county, California, after passage from the east coast to San Francisco by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He apparently had friends of relatives in Marysville that he stayed with before securing a job. He wrote the letter to his father and though I cannot say with certainty where his father lived, my hunch is that he was from Pennsylvania.

In his letter, John informs his father that there are many Chinese emigrants working in Marysville. It is reported that by 1860, 30 percent of the miners in California were Chinese. By 1870, this number had risen to half the miners. [Source: Introduction to Marysville’s Chinatown.]

Transcription

Marysville, [California]
April 12, 1863

Dear Father,

I take the pleasure to write you a few lines. I am well at present and hope you are the same. I wrote to you from the Isthmus [of Panama]. I suppose you got the letter. We had a very nice trip all the way. We only had a few days that it was rough. I stood the trip very well. I did not miss one meal on the steamer. I was always ready for my grub. We got into San Francisco on the 6th of April about 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

We stayed there two days and then started up the river and got to Sacramento on the morning of the 9th of April and I started the same day for Marysville and got there the same day. I went to Mr. Myers. He did not know who I was till I told him. Then you ought to have seen him jump around. They are all well and send their best respects to you all. I seen old Mr. Hunter. He is well and doing well, I suppose.

George left me at Sacramento as we came up the river. He was going to Placerville. He did not know what to do—whether he would stay there or not. I have no job yet. The season for work has not begun yet. It will begin next month. I think I can get work then. If I don’t get work here in a few days, I will go to the mining country but I think I can get a job down here. It would be better for me to stay down here a while and to learn the ways of the country. I like the country as far as I have seen very well. The trees and grass is very green and nice. At the market there is potatoes, cabbage, and all kind of garden stuff of this year’s growth. The weather is so nice, I know you would like it here Father. The weather is not so changeable as it is in the states.

We can look from Marysville to the mountains and the tops are covered with snow but it is very nice in the valley. I am getting along very well. The country seems to agree with me. I weigh about ten lbs. more than I did when I started from home. I see a good many different kinds of people here but the chiney [Chinese] men is the funniest looking things I ever seen. They have great long hair braided and hanging down their backs. Some of them touch the ground.

Well, I guess I must close my letter for this time. The next time I can give you more of the particulars as I will be better posted. Give my love to all enquiring friends, if there be any. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate son, — John L. Koons

When you write to me, direct your letter in care of C. Myers, Marysville, California

Write as soon as you get my letter as I am very anxious to hear from you. — J. L. Koons