WCP1293

[1]

22. Letter from Columbia Sept. 17th, 1856. (John Wallace¹ to Fanny²)

I herewith send you a view of our house which will give you some idea of our abode, and also a specimen of the photoghaphic [sic] art in this part of the country. The style is here callod [sic] ambrotype, but I believe it is the same as your collodian process. I should like Thomas³ to make a copy at his leisure, and make some paper photographs of it and send one to me in a letter, and let some of our friends have one, also send one to Alfred. The man had to carry the prepared glass about a quarter of a mile from his rooms to where the camera was placed, so that he had to work fast to prevent the glass from drying.

NOTE. By J, H, Wallace⁴, son of John Wallace.

In 1855-56 Columbia was at it’s [sic] height as a boom town, with about 15,000 inhabitants, and the richest mining camp in California. Over $75,000,000 in gold was produced. However the mines were shallow, and in a few years were exhausted, the miners left for other camps and the town was on its way to what it is now, a "Ghost Town".

About 1859 Mr. Wallace severed his connection with the water company. He located and supervised the construction of a road from Sonora across the mountains to Mono Coonty [sic], now known as the Mono road. He secured several contracts from the Government for locating township and section lines and, for several years was engaged in this work in various points in California.

In the fall of 1865 he moved his family to Stoskton [Stockton], where he established himself as an Engineer and Surveyor. He was elected County Surveyor of San Joaquin County in 1868. This office he held for eight years. He died in 1895, at the age of seventy seven⁵.