Leather bound diary with leather clasp, inner pocket with some handwritten letters and receipts, a photograph, and other ephemera. 15.5x10 cm (6x4").
There are handwritten entries on approximately 90 pages of the diary. At the time of the writing, the author was involved in the Management of the Empress Gold Mine, Beaver Dam, Nova Scotia, the Old Provincial Gold Mining Co., and other mining companies located in and around the Halifax area during the gold rush. His focus throughout the diary is gold ore, mining, and related management., etc. There are several collateral documents in the rear pocket, including a letter from Deadwood, South Dakota, and one to his mother, stating that he was "sending a specimen of silver ore out of this mine." A wonderful and unique document from the gold rush era.
Several quotes from the handwritten diary include:
"January 1, 1892. Measured Ophir shaft found it, 44 feet below the old workings. Now sinking. Weather cold and frosty. Started for Halifax at 11:30. Took Darby home to Enfield. Got in to Halifax one hour late and put up at Halifax hotel. Met Mr. Edwards, a man who has traveled in Africa. Talked over mining matters with him, Beaver Dam and got 2 letters from Mr. Hammond about Beaver Dam Mine. Telegraphed to find out where Ella was and found she was on board the Schooner bound for Halifax from Salmon River. Stayed up at Halifax hotel at night.
Jan. 2, Got out at 8 o'clock this morning and saw Mr. Pouir of John Silver & Co. Promised payment of bill on Thursday night. Talked with Edwards again today about Beaver Dam. Dr. Burns died today in Halifax of paralysis.
Jan. 3 Got up about 9 o'clock and went up to Ophir Mine and came back. Raining. Afternoon went up and spliced in a couple of strands in transition cable. Took us till 8 o'clock.Settled with Ed Gardner for Wagon trip to Sheet Harbor. Shall go to Halifax tomorrow to see if I can get any track of Ella.
Jan. 4. Went to Halifax this morning. Ely Manning rode out to Enfield with me. R.R. fare $1.26. Saw Sam Owen and we talked Beaver Dam Mine over with him. Also met Mr. Edwards talked Beaver Dam Mines with him. Mr. McNab of Halifax was introduced to me by W.B. Reynolds. Then Mr. Edwards, Reynolds, McNab and myself went up for a good time and returned about 10 o'clock.
Jan. 5. Met Mr. Edwards had a walk around town. Went up to Woolnows and had breakfast. Also met with Mr. Sam Owen and he proposed a scheme to buy Beaver Dam Mines from Orvil (sic) to go to Boston and talk the matter over with Hammond & Higley and write him Boston P.O. Got telegram from Salmon River saying that Schooner Wilhelmina was laid up at Owls Head with Ella on board. Came home on 5 o'clock train. Met John Hardman also J.H. Whitman. Saw Jim at Enfield and he promised to go to Halifax.
Jan. 6. Pay day today. Paid off of Renfrew Pay Sheet. Pay self off amounted to $997.41. Weather fine and talked with Charles Thompson and expected to go and see woods/timber tomorrow if fair.
Jan. 7. Cleaned up mill today. Quartz milled 36 tons, yielding 12 oz. Amalgam, 7 1/2 oz gold. And 30 tons additional to Amalgam and 6 1/2 oz of gold. From 71 tons yield more gold. All in one bar 16 3/4oz. Smelted in blacksmiths shop, Abe Manning, Halifax.
Jan. 8. River here very high today - here at Renfrews water is running into Ophir mine. Men will commence work today at noon. Start for Enfield and Halifax at 11:30 road not any better. J. McDonnell down here. I left my valise at Windsor Junction until tomorrow when I expect to go to Boston via Yarmouth. Went to 39 Queen St. for Mr. Cornelius. Got my nugget pin and ring from the Black Hills.
Jan. 9. Met with Charley Aucello and agreed to telegraph him. Went to Miers to look over mine with a view of taking contract. Sent order to W.B. Reynolds. Need candles and detonators for Renfrews. Need to write to H. McLeod to send my trunk to Enfield.
Jan. 11. I am in Digby today. Expect to go to Boston on Wednesday.
Jan. 13. Started for Boston. Another rainy foggy day. 25 past three started for Yarmouth and got a nice stateroom. Skipper on board the S.S. Yarmouth. Went to bed early.
Jan. 14. On board S.S. Yarmouth. - did not get out until we were coming into Boston Harbor. Had a beautiful trip but could hear ladies who were sick in adjoining stateroom. Put up at U.S. Hotel. Room $1. Went over and was met with a hearty welcome. Went to dinner on North Market Street. Came back and J. McKay made an appointment with McKay tomorrow at 1 o'clock. I did not find Owen in Boston.
Jan. 15. Stayed at U.S. Hotel Boston today until 10 o'clock, and expecting our Sam Owen. Nice in Boston. Took a walk around Boston. Met with Mr North in which he offered me $300 a month to stay and manage Renfrews. Then Mr. North gave me a check for $200 as advance on salary. Signed an agreement to stay three months (managing Renfrew gold mines and mining.) Left Boston on the 6:45 train. I wrote George A. Orrin from North's office.
Jan. 16. Sent W. B. Hammond PO money order for Miss C. E. Hotchkiss for interest on bond. Mortgagor will insist that we pay it to C. E. Hotchkiss, of Hotchkiss and Riley, Nassau Street, New York. Interest letter to Erwin and Hammond, and A.F. Orwey. I am at Orrins. 7 o'clock. Stayed overnight.
Jan. 18. Went to Gouverneur today. Saw Eli Bacon.
Jan. 19. Went out to Lodges and saw a lot of friends. Paid my dues at Gouverneur Masonic Lodge number 217. Amount to $5.00." Entries continue and are all focused on gold and mining.
Condition:
Light wear to leather with rubbing to extremities, some toning to interior, foxing to endpapers; very good.