Four letters from Joseph S. Pike in Columbia and Albany Flat, Calif. are to his father Joseph F. Pike, apparently in West Chelmsford, Mass. The letters mention health, weather, and lack of fortune. In one Pike mentions that he is boarding at R.G. Northrup's public house in Columbia. He also mentions buildings in Columbia such as the Freemasons Hall, Odd Fellows Hall, Sons of Temperance Hall, churches, hotels, and other brick buildings. Other topics including mining, the charge of $6 per day for water with which to mine, lack of work (in part due to lack of rain), being robbed, a fire in Sonora, etc. His last letter was written from Albany Flat, and indicates that mail should be directed to nearby Angels Camp.
