In Their Own Words and Images

Excerpts of a letter by Tallman H. Rolfe to H.C. Rolfe

April 15, 1857 Civilization goes on apace and California is gradually being looked upon as a permanent institution despite the growls of the pessimists with their fear of the mines “petering out” … There are a number of swelled heads and scarred faces at Cody’s saloon and billiard rooms. The weapons were cues, balls, glass tumblers, and furniture generally and the contestants numerous. Some fifteen or twenty, only one broken nose and that was on the tea kettle. For the small sum of $5.00 one could get lots of fun there. For those who preferred faro or twenty-one, an outlet for his enthusiasm and purse could be found most anywhere at any old time on any old street. … Mrs. Lesdernier made her first appearance on Nevada boards that night in Lucretia Borgia and as the wicked Lucretia was life like. She was called before the footlights and received rapturous applause. Courtesy Searls Memorial Library

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