The History of the Telegraph in California......Alice L. Bates....181 The Rise and Fall of the City of Gladstone..... Charles C. Baker. .188 TO CALIFORNIA VIA PANAMA IN 1852. BY MRS. CORNELIUS COLE. In giving the simple narrative of my first sea-voyage to California should it prove decidedly personal, I trust it will be pardoned on the score of my advanced age, for you know that old people are somewhat given to romancing about the exploits of their youth. If in the softening shadows of declining years we see mainly the romantic side of our pioneer life, in reality it was decidedly practical. Men and women came to California to seek their fortunes, to better their conditions and not to dream. If some few in their financial disappointment fell into a melancholy or romantic strain and wrote poetry either for pay or for pleasure, it was not their original intention to do so. As for my own part in this peculiar drama I came to California to help another found a home. Mr. Cole had crossed the Plains in '49 and was one of a party of six first to reach Sutter's Fort that year. In the course of two years business took him back to New York, his native place. He was also the bearer of messages to my older sister, Mrs. Whiting, whose husband was then living in San Francisco. This event led to our acquaintance and you already know the result. Being earnestly and affectionately urged to come to this golden land, my feelings would not allow me to decline. In company with my own and two of Mr. Cole's brothers, I sailed from New York on the sixth day of December, 1852, and reached San Francisco just thirty days afterward. This was considered a quick voyage. Our ship on the Atlantic was an old side-wheeler, named "Georgia"-the worst roller at sea, I am sure. This day of partings from home, parents and dear childhood friends was a sad one, but the day was bright and auspicious for a voyage. All was smooth sailing until we approached the dreaded Cape Hatteras. Coming into turbulent waters it is safe to say that of the 1000 passengers on board, 900 took to their berths. As I had been late in securing my own berth, I had to take the only one left. It was the top one in the state-room between the |