[ Autograph ] (Gold Rush) A.L.S. lp. small folio, St. Joseph, Mo., May 16,1849 Amos Gale, a true "Forty-Niner", writes his brother before setting off West. In part: '...Enclosed you will find a key ofa trunk which I have chosen not to take with me as I find it necessary to lighten my load in every way possible some of the clothing and also the trunk belongs to my German which he may come back to claim if anything should happen to me have concluded to wait till tomorrow morning and make an early start the emigrants have pretty much all started from this place my man Reed whom you thought I would not take across the plains deserted me as soon as the boat landed expecting to go with Doc White who was a few miles above with his company Mr. Mendon has not come up yet, shall start without him as I dare not wait...' An interesting letter from one of the first ofthose to set out West in search of a better life. Very good.