Lot
1191 
Oregon City, Org. Mar 19 [1853], slightly blurred black cds with matching "10" rate handstamp on folded letter to Ohio, contents datelined "Oregon Territory Jan 6, 1853" Spanish Andorra reads, in part, "…perhaps they may ask the question are the Mormons in Oregon, no no they are not there is not a mormon within a thousand miles to my knowledge…through this country it is common to have severe trouble with indians all of them will steal and many will kill if they can, we saw the graves of men women & children that were shot by these wild devils many of them as naked as they were born, they subsist on the flesh of fish, deer, antelope, elk, grizzly bear, wolves, dogs, cats and body lice, this is even so, and lick their chops for more…if they could see the graves on the plains and also the human bones uncovered bleaching of the deserts and also the bones of cattle and horses by the thousands and thousands they might see it costs more than it comes to….Geo. W. Pitkin", letter also provides detail of crossing the plains on their trip to Oregon; it is unclear why this letter was not postmarked until roughly two months after being written; very light soiling, Very Fine and a wonderful letter.Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $4,000