Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Room

Title: Guide to the George Riley Moore Letter

Identifier/Call Number: MC 93

Physical Description: .1 Linear Feet 1 Archival Folder

Date: 1855

Abstract: This collection contains a hand-written letter. Penned by attorney George Riley Moore, it contains details about Moore's experience in the Sacramento area. The letter was written to his sister in Ohio.

George Riley Moore was born in Montville, Waldo County, Maine, in 1829. He and his family eventually moved to Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, where, by 1850, Moore set up a law practice. He soon after left for California where he settled in Sacramento in 1850/51. He soon went on to practice law in partnership with D.W. Welty at Sixth and J streets. In May 1855, he married Sarah M. Herring, a native of Troy, Rensselaer, New York. Together they had four children (Frank, May, Frederick and George) and settled at Thirteenth and F streets. Over his career, Moore became City Attorney, served on the Sacramento Board of Education, and ran twice for the California State Senate. Moore died on June 22, 1868, from tuberculosis and was buried at the Sacramento City Cemetery. Sarah died on May 20, 1908. Notable historical mention is the bank panic of 1854, the result of the enormous wealth created by the California Gold Rush and the overinvestment in numerous capital endeavors, including the westward expansion of rail transport. After a bank collapse, a massive run then followed, interest rates increased, and construction was hobbled for years to come.

Three-page letter, scribed on October 19, 1855, covers Moore's passionate views on what is very likely the bank panic of 1854 and the its impact – what he calls a "cloud of adversity" – on the fortunes of those mining for gold ("those who brought forth gold from the very bowels of the earth") in the Sacramento region. Also covered is the status of his business partnership with attorney D.W. Welty. He finally mentions the enclosure of a daguerreotype of he and his wife and a 10-dollar bill, neither of which are part of this collection. He also asks for his parents to have a daguerreotype taken and sent to him, recommending galleries in Mansfield, Bellville or Fredericktown, Ohio – all north of, and close to, Mount Vernon. Stationery is power blue, lined and embossed with emblem with the word "London" in upper, left-hand corner. Slight damage from cigar or cigarette. Trace sealing wax.

[Identification of item], George Riley Moore Letter, MC 93, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento, California.