Volume 036-4 - October 1982 (8 pages)

There are all kinds of mills from a grist mill down to a coffe mill; three or four canneries and now they are putting up a powder mill, which by the way everyone thinks is putting the finishing touch of the County. We havea finishing touch on the County. We have a paper mill, and oh lots of other such things.Hittie comes here to school every day and mother is quite well.All send regards to you and Hittie says she would like to see “Mr. Mush”.I rely on your good nature to forgive me and Hittie also, but you recollect how we named all the passengers don’t you? Good bye, Your Sincere Friend, Emma A. Ward Nevada City, September 18, 1863: —Dear Emma, Your welcomed letter of August 3rd. was received in due time. I was truly glad to hear from you.I had a letter from my partner today, written from the battlefield of Gettysburg. It is sad indeed the description he give of the desolate looking country. I expect him home in October and then I shall try and make my promise good to you. Iam sorry we live so far apart. If it were but a few days’ drive how pleasant it would be to come to see you. As soon as Sam gets home, I'll make it one of my pleasure trips to Santa Cruz. My brothers are both well and working for me at the mills. John, the one that is married, is homesick. I presume he would like to see his wife. Write soon and tell me how you are getting along teaching. Don’t forget those photographic cards. Yours truly, M.L. Marsh Academy of the Holy Cross, Santa Cruz, October 13, 1863: —My Dear Friend.,.This is October! Is it necessary to remind you of your visit? I hope not. My sister Maggie is home now and as she is more acquainted than I, you can enjoy it more.I am becoming greatly attached to my new mode of life, or to the inmates of our household. I can hardly tell which, maybe both. I hope so.The sun is just sinking behind the hills and my supper is ready and I must say good bye. Remember to write soon, won’t you? Your Sincere Friend, Emma Ward Perhaps M.L. felt Emily was becoming too attached to the Academy of the Holy Cross, or it may be that she was resorting to a woman’s ruse by giving a hesitant bachelor a slight push towards matrimony. Although he had the urgent desire to go to Santa Cruz, he was detained. Nevada City lay again in ruins, November 8, 1863, when a fire originating in the Red Rock Saloon spread rapidly and consumed the business section of the town. The urgent need for lumber compelled mills to work at full capacity. The procrastinating Sam Perry still vacationed in the East, requiring Marsh to remain and supervise operations. Santa Cruz, December 12, 1863: —Dear Friend,.I am woefully at a loss to know what to write you today. I was sorry to hear of such a misfortune in Nevada. It was really bad. Your papers, I did not recieve. My sisters who are both home now, tell me to tell Mr. Marsh that he must be sure to come down Christmas and New Year’s.Good night, 30 EMMA WARD MARSH write as soon as you can. Yours truly, Emma A. Ward It was not until February 1864 that M.L. was able to make his hurried trip to Santa Cruz and propose marriage. Santa Cruz, March 3, 1864: —My Dear Friend, I expect that long ere this you began to wonder what has become of “Em,” but I am still in the land of the living. I don’t know what reason I can give for not writing sooner. If you knew exactly my reasons, . think you would not blame me.I am sorry to tell you that Mother is not willing and will not consent to our marriage unless you become a Catholic first. This I do not want you to do, for I will never marry any man that will join a church for me if not for his God.There is one thing very much against us; you told the Priest you were part “Infidel.” What made you do so? You didn’t mean it I am sure.The money you sent me I return you. Many Thanks. If I were marrying anyone in my own circumstances . could be content and happy with what I could get myself, but as itis, lam happy only aman in your position would of course like a wife to appear in much better taste than my poor means will allow me.Affectionately yours, Emma A. Ward Nevada City, March 7, 1864: —Dear Emma.,.I am sorry indeed Em, to know that your mother objects to our marriage unless I become a member of the Catholic Church.but for reasons known to you I cannot become a member. I AM A MASON! I would be very loathe Emma, to do anything contrary to your parent’s wish and am rather inclined to look only on the fair side and think with a little good management all will be well yet. Emma with your free will and consent there shall be nothing to bar our union. When I asked you to marry me it was no foolish choice of mine, no, but from the heart pent up for one long year, and with you I am sure we can be happy. I do not know how Father Casanova could have understood me to say that I was part infidel, and as to the questions he asked me, there was nothing improper or that I disliked. He merely wanted to know of me what church or denomination I belonged to and I told him that I belonged to none, that I had been christened in the Lutheran or Dutch Reformed Church, but had never been confirmed. He said it was necessary to know this in order to get a dispensation from the Bishop. This was about all that passed between us on the subject. I will write to Father Casanova soon and disabuse his mind on this point and at the same time ask him for his favor in our behalf if you desire, but I will not write him until I hear from you as to what you think is best.Give my love to all, and be assured dear Em, 1 am yours truly, M.L. Marsh Santa Cruz, March 6, 1864: —My Dear Friend,.Mother told me she would never give her consent, but she would not prevent. That is fair enough. It is only saying that I must take all the responsibility of marrying a Protestant on myself. I went to see Father Casanova, and he tells me the same. He says itis their duty to try to prevent any such matches, but he will say nothing. I have not told Father myself yet, but Mag has, and he is willing and says he is sorry that he cannot help me more.If Ido come up with you, remember I don’t want to board too long, unless you think it better, but I would get too lazy, and if you should purchase a home, humor me enough to get a pretty flower garden. All the rest I leave to yourself. 7%» I wonder so much what kind of a place that is, I would like to know, and what kind of folks you have. I hope they are good ones, but it will take me a long time to get acquainted anyway.Affectionately Yours, Emma A. Ward They were married in Santa Cruz, May 16, 1864, and the following item appeared in the Nevada Transcript on May 20, of that year: “At the residence of the bride’s father, at Santa Cruz, by Rev. A. Casanova, M.L. Marsh Esq. of this city, to Miss Emma A. Ward. Gone from the circle of bachelors! We are rejoiced to record the above announcement, accompanied as it was, with a fine lot of wine. If there was a man in the community whom we regarded unsound on matrimony, it was Marsh. Now he has redeemed himself — we wish the couple such happiness as never was before experienced.” NOTES 1The site of the Nevada sawmill is now occupied by Seaman’s Lodge in Pioneer Park. The Birdseye Banking House stood below the present Ott Assay Office. 2 James R. Johnston, the stepbrother, died in 1865 at the age of 32. He served three year in the Union Army, shortly after re-enlisting, died in Sacramento.

There are all kinds of mills from a grist mill down to a coffe mill; three or four canneries and now they are putting up a powder mill, which by the way everyone thinks is putting the finishing touch of the County. We havea finishing touch on the County. We have a paper mill, and oh lots of other such things..Hittie comes here to school every day and mother is quite well..All send regards to you and Hittie says she would like to see “Mr. Mush”..I rely on your good nature to forgive me and Hittie also, but you recollect how we named all the passengers don’t you? Good bye, Your Sincere Friend, Emma A. Ward Nevada City, September 18, 1863: —Dear Emma, Your welcomed letter of August 3rd. was received in due time. I was truly glad to hear from you..I had a letter from my partner today, written from the battlefield of Gettysburg. It is sad indeed the description he give of the desolate looking country. I expect him home in October and then I shall try and make my promise good to you. Iam sorry we live so far apart. If it were but a few days’ drive how pleasant it would be to come to see you. As soon as Sam gets home, I'll make it one of my pleasure trips to Santa Cruz. My brothers are both well and working for me at the mills. John, the one that is married, is homesick. I presume he would like to see his wife. Write soon and tell me how you are getting along teaching. Don’t forget those photographic cards. Yours truly, M.L. Marsh Academy of the Holy Cross, Santa Cruz, October 13, 1863: —My Dear Friend.,..This is October! Is it necessary to remind you of your visit? I hope not. My sister Maggie is home now and as she is more acquainted than I, you can enjoy it more..I am becoming greatly attached to my new mode of life, or to the inmates of our household. I can hardly tell which, maybe both. I hope so..The sun is just sinking behind the hills and my supper is ready and I must say good bye. Remember to write soon, won’t you? Your Sincere Friend, Emma Ward Perhaps M.L. felt Emily was becoming too attached to the Academy of the Holy Cross, or it may be that she was resorting to a woman’s ruse by giving a hesitant bachelor a slight push towards matrimony. Although he had the urgent desire to go to Santa Cruz, he was detained. Nevada City lay again in ruins, November 8, 1863, when a fire originating in the Red Rock Saloon spread rapidly and consumed the business section of the town. The urgent need for lumber compelled mills to work at full capacity. The procrastinating Sam Perry still vacationed in the East, requiring Marsh to remain and supervise operations. Santa Cruz, December 12, 1863: —Dear Friend,..I am woefully at a loss to know what to write you today. I was sorry to hear of such a misfortune in Nevada. It was really bad. Your papers, I did not recieve. My sisters who are both home now, tell me to tell Mr. Marsh that he must be sure to come down Christmas and New Year’s..Good night, 30 EMMA WARD MARSH write as soon as you can. Yours truly, Emma A. Ward It was not until February 1864 that M.L. was able to make his hurried trip to Santa Cruz and propose marriage. Santa Cruz, March 3, 1864: —My Dear Friend, I expect that long ere this you began to wonder what has become of “Em,” but I am still in the land of the living. I don’t know what reason I can give for not writing sooner. If you knew exactly my reasons, . think you would not blame me..I am sorry to tell you that Mother is not willing and will not consent to our marriage unless you become a Catholic first. This I do not want you to do, for I will never marry any man that will join a church for me if not for his God..There is one thing very much against us; you told the Priest you were part “Infidel.” What made you do so? You didn’t

mean it I am sure..The money you sent me I return you. Many Thanks. If I were marrying anyone in my own circumstances . could be content and happy with what I could get myself, but as itis, lam happy only aman in your position would of course like a wife to appear in much better taste than my poor means will allow me..Affectionately yours, Emma A. Ward Nevada City, March 7, 1864: —Dear Emma.,..I am sorry indeed Em, to know that your mother objects to our marriage unless I become a member of the Catholic Church..but for reasons known to you I cannot become a member. I AM A MASON! I would be very loathe Emma, to do anything contrary to your parent’s wish and am rather inclined to look only on the fair side and think with a little good management all will be well yet. Emma with your free will and consent there shall be nothing to bar our union. When I asked you to marry me it was no foolish choice of mine, no, but from the heart pent up for one long year, and with you I am sure we can be happy. I do not know how Father Casanova could have understood me to say that I was part infidel, and as to the questions he asked me, there was nothing improper or that I disliked. He merely wanted to know of me what church or denomination I belonged to and I told him that I belonged to none, that I had been christened in the Lutheran or Dutch Reformed Church, but had never been confirmed. He said it was necessary to know this in order to get a dispensation from the Bishop. This was about all that passed between us on the subject. I will write to Father Casanova soon and disabuse his mind on this point and at the same time ask him for his favor in our behalf if you desire, but I will not write him until I hear from you as to what you think is best..Give my love to all, and be assured dear Em, 1 am yours truly, M.L. Marsh Santa Cruz, March 6, 1864: —My Dear Friend,..Mother told me she would never give her consent, but she would not prevent. That is fair enough. It is only saying that I must take all the responsibility of marrying a Protestant on myself. I went to see Father Casanova, and he tells me the same. He says itis their duty to try to prevent any such matches, but he will say nothing. I have not told Father myself yet, but Mag has, and he is willing and says he is sorry that he cannot help me more..If Ido come up with you, remember I don’t want to board too long, unless you think it better, but I would get too lazy, and if you should purchase a home, humor me enough to get a pretty flower garden. All the rest I leave to yourself. 7%» I wonder so much what kind of a place that is, I would like to know, and what kind of folks you have. I hope they are good ones, but it will take me a long time to get acquainted anyway..Affectionately Yours, Emma A. Ward They were married in Santa Cruz, May 16, 1864, and the following item appeared in the Nevada Transcript on May 20, of that year: “At the residence of the bride’s father, at Santa Cruz, by Rev. A. Casanova, M.L. Marsh Esq. of this city, to Miss Emma A. Ward. Gone from the circle of bachelors! We are rejoiced to record the above announcement, accompanied as it was, with a fine lot of wine. If there was a man in the community whom we regarded unsound on matrimony, it was Marsh. Now he has redeemed himself — we wish the couple such happiness as never was before experienced.” NOTES 1The site of the Nevada sawmill is now occupied by Seaman’s Lodge in Pioneer Park. The Birdseye Banking House stood below the present Ott Assay Office. 2 James R. Johnston, the stepbrother, died in 1865 at the age of 32. He served three year in the Union Army, shortly after re-enlisting, died in Sacramento.