Letter signed Cora G. Daniels [nee Badger], Steamer Ocean Queen (near Aspinwall), to Mother [Mrs. Alexander Badger, Sr.] and Sister [Mrs. Frank M. Cayton, nee Alice Badger, St. Louis]. We approach land after having been out of sight of land for nine days. After I left off writing my first letter home we got ready to go down to the vessel, but before we went down to the wharf, we went shopping. I bought a shawl and a brown merino dress. Alex started off before me, but we overtook him on the road in the Astor House coach. We think our two big trunks are left behind at New York. The hands of the boat are so trifling that they won’t bring in any but little ones and it is only by constant bribing that you can get anything done. If you come to California, you come by the opposition line or overland. This line is cheating all the way through. They ask two bits for a glass of lemonade, fifteen cents for a glass of ice water, eight cents for an apple. Gives account of the weather, seasickness. We have such a queer lot of people on board; mixture of Dutch, French, Irish, and Yankees, but few Americans. When we get to San Francisco I will write to all. I have a slight sore throat, but as salt water is abundant I can take a gargle, which is Aunt Nancy’s cure for the diphtheria. Whenever I get sick I am going to write you to see Dr. Helmuth for me. Get ready to come to California and don’t have a small trunk unless it is sole leather. Individuals mentioned: Charlie [Cayton], Emma [Cayton], Frank [Cayton], and Uncle Dynes [Chambers]. Places mentioned: Cuba and Acapulco., 1863 Oct 2

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

Collection contains material of the St. Louis-based Badger family, including letters of Capt. Alexander Badger, Sr. and Jr.; newsclippings; bonds; steamboat memoranda; a pilot certificate issued to William H. Cable in 1852; envelopes of Wells Fargo and Overland Mail; cards of steamboat Magnolia and a timetable of St. Louis railroads and steamships; material concerning the Badger, Cable and Cayton families; two Missouri defense bonds issued in 186-; and several letters of Alexander Badger, circa 1860, written from Fort Vancouver, Western Territory, and various places in the west, which describe everyday happenings.