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#MB11
1866
Octavo ca. 20x12,9 cm (5 x 7 ¾ in). 1 p. Brown ink on bluish laid paper. Stamped and docketed on the verso. Some soiling and foxing, but overall a very good letter.
Historically interesting autograph manuscript letter, documenting early business correspondence between Nevada pioneers.
The author, “C. Gilman,” appears to have been an early agriculturist and one of the first Registry Agents in Ruby Valley (est. 1862). At the time, Ruby Valley, was a modest center for grain production and an important stop along the Pony Express route, connecting Salt Lake City to the west.
As follows from the letter, dated 22 May 1866, Gilman was likely a business partner or supplier of grains for the Jno. M. Duncan & Hardware Co (see more at https://archive.library.unr.edu/public/repositories/2/resources/3197) in Austin (inc. 1862). In the 1860s, Austin thrived amid a silver boom, with the city and the nearby Reese River Mining District boasting a population of ca. 10,000. Austin was disincorporated in 1882 soon after the silver boom was over.
In the text, the author alerts Jno. M. Duncan & Co. to an imminent drop in grain prices in Austin, caused by incoming barley shipments from Salt Lake City. He stresses the urgency of selling the oats immediately, warning that any delay could result in severe financial loss.
Overall, historically interesting manuscript letter documenting early business correspondence between Nevada pioneers.
The text of the letter: Several teams from Salt Lake loaded with Barley passed here two days ago, for Austin, which will probably reduce the price of grain. If you have not already sold my oats, I think it would be advisable to dispose of them before the arrival of these teams. Use your own judgement, however. I thought it best to advise you of the fact. Let me hear from you.
