Literary Collections | Diaries & Journals

Buckeye Rovers in the Gold Rush
An Edition of Two Diaries
By H. Lee Scamehorn
· Edited by Edwin P. Banks and Jamie Lytle-Webb

When “California Fever” raced through southeastern Ohio in the spring of 1849, a number of residents of Athens County organized a cooperative venture for traveling overland to the mines. Known as the “Buckeye Rovers,” the company began its trip westward in early April. The Buckeye Rovers, along with thousands who traveled the overland route to California, endured numerous hardships and the seemingly constant threat of attacks from hostile Indians.

Survival On a Westward Trek, 1858–1859
The John Jones Overlanders
By Dwight L. Smith

When gold was discovered in the Fraser River country of British Columbia in the 1850s, St. Paul, Minnesota became the departure point for the plunge westward, as was St. Louis for the American gold rushes. Minnesotans soon caught the fever. Nine young men set out in July of 1858 for the goldfields of British Columbia.

Breaking With Burr
Harman Blennerhassett’s Journal, 1807
By Harman Blennerhassett
· Edited by Raymond E. Fitch

First complete publication, newly transcribed from the manuscript, of Harman Blennerhassett’s private diary of his detention pending his trial for treason.

Life, Journals and Correspondence of Rev. Manasseh Cutler, L L. D.
By Julia P. Cutler and William P. Cutler

A fascinating description of the processes that laid the foundations for civilization in the Ohio Valley.