PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 27, 2011 - Camp Hill, PA - Sunbury Press, Inc. has released the third edition of "A Pennsylvania Mennonite and the California Gold Rush: The Journal and Letters of David Baer Hackman" containing additional period illustrations, higher grade paper and a new cover.
About the Book:
David Baer Hackman (1827-1896) a Mennonite from Millport, Lancaster County, PA, traveled west to California in 1850, seeking his fortune during the great Gold Rush. David wrote many letters home concerning his crossing of the plains by wagon and his many detailed experiences in and around the gold fields of California. A vivid writer for such a young man, David captures images of the mining communities, the boom towns of Sacramento, Ringgold, Hangtown (Placerville), Mokelumne Hill, Columbia, Yankee Hill and Sonora and the lawlessness found there, including hangings and barfights. He writes of early San Francisco, the Lick Estate near Alveso, the local Indians, trouble with bears, and the great trees of Calaveras County. His journal then captures his return trip in 1854 by steam ship to Panama, across the Isthmus and then to New York City. He describes Acapulco divers, early Panama City, Gorgona and Aspinwall (Colon). He describes in deta audi il life aboard steamships including the Pacific mail ship SS Golden Gate and the Atlantic steamer North Star. Lawrence Knorr presents the journal and letters in sequence along with their historical context, providing corroborating accounts where available. In all, an excellent primary source and piece of social history from one of the most exciting times in American history.
List Price: $14.95
5.5" x 8.5" (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
Black & White on Cream paper
196 pages
Sunbury Press, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1934597644
ISBN-10: 1934597643
BISAC: History / United States / Civil War Period
Excerpts:
"In the midst of the matchless energy and enterprise by which I have been surrounded during my sojourn of four years in California, I have sometimes imagined that the scenes in which I was moving were not enacted in the world in which I was born and reared, but that by some unfathomable transmigration I had become the subject of a new existence. Here virtue shines out to dimly in contrast with the dark deformity of over-shadowing, stalwart vice, faces, complexions, customs, habits, and business intercourse, manners, trade, laws, skies, air, earth, and all things so strange, so peculiar and unlike my old associations, that the doctrine of the ancient philosopher seemed at times plausible..."
"...they commenced to demolish everything inside, wine and whiskey bottles, glasses, lamps, tables, and chairs, and everything that could be broken. When that was finished some procured ropes and tied them to the corners of the house it being only a one and a half-story frame. They commenced to pull when they soon had it on the ground. They carried the whole thing on a vacant lot and set fire to it..."
"...I was very much surprised to see so large a number of massive buildings which adorn many of the streets of t rc helicopter and car market place his city, and in architectural beauty, many of them will compare favorably with those devoted to similar purposes at any of the Eastern cities. Nor does it lack in business, if I may infer from the crowds on the sidewalks, the rattle of drays, the display of hacks, the roll of omnibuses, the ringing of bells, the fruit stand on the corners, the various peddlers of small wares, the long wharves loaded with merchandise, and the spacious harbor dotted all over and alive wit acura h the shipping of every clime..."
"...Now you will just imagine yourself to be down town, then turn around, and look up and upon your right, you will perceive a large building, upon the front of which is inscribed the name of the house, in large square gild letters ' dodge The Ureka Hotel'. Finding yourself in front of its lofty doorway, you hear some very sweet music issuing therefrom. You will be desirous of knowing what is going on in the interior, a view of which cannot be had from the outside, on account of a larges screen being placed a few feet within the door. Entering therefore and passing behind the screen, you behold a spacious and oblong "hall", about sixty-five by eighty-five feet in size, the walls of which are richly furnished with magnificent mirrors and pictures of various shades and sizes..."
Review by Floyd D. P. Oydegaard of Columbia, California:
The letters and journal entries of David Baer Hackman assembled by Lawrence Knorr (Author), in A Pennsylvania Mennonite and the California Gold Rush is one of those books that I found was very difficult to set aside.
The history of the era is always better told in the personal accounts of the actual individuals. David Baer Hackman begins his experience with little writing ability and soon becomes a typical 19th century writer with flowery prose. His accounts are new and fresh information that opens whole new avenues of discovery. His personal views are in some ways very different than some of the other journals and letters already available.
I was excited to read these letters of a young man who actually traveled through what is today my place of business; Columbia State Historic Park. I run a small specialty shop, which sells books on 19th century California and especially Gold Rush Columbia. This book adds much to our town's already rich history. It was well received by many of the local historians and Gold Rush enthusiasts.
I always recommend this book to my customers.
Floyd D. P. Oydegaard, proprietor,
Columbia Booksellers & Stationers
at the Franklin & Wolfe Variety Store.
About the Author:
Lawrence Knorr, born 1964, is an amateur genealogist with deep roots in the Pennsylvania Dutch Region. Lawrence's "real" jobs are as Director of Strategic Integration for Ahold USA (the grocery chain) based in Carlisle, PA, the co-owner of Sunbury Press, Inc. and West Shore Gallery, Inc. of Camp Hill and an adjunct professor at Harrisburg University, Harrisburg, PA. Lawrence holds a Bachelor's degree in Business/Economics (History Minor) from Wilson College and a Masters of Business Administration from Penn State. He is also a Certified Computer Professional and Project Management Professional. Lawrence lives with his wife Tammi and has two daughters a stepson and a stepdaughter.
For more information about the book, please see:
http://www.sunburypress.com/mennonite.html
For more information about Columbia Booksellers and Stationers, please see:
http://www.columbiagazette.com/
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