EXPERIENCES OF A FORTY-NINER BY WM. G. JOHNSTON, A MEMBER OF THE WAGON TRAIN FIRST TO ENTER CALIFORNIA IN THE MEMORABLE YEAR 1849

Pittsburgh: Privately printed, 1892., 1892. First edition. First edition. 8vo. Dark green, vignette and titles stamped in gilt on the front cover and spine, decorated front and rear endpapers, 390 pp., preface, introduction, illustrated, plates, portraits, blueprint map at the rear of volume, and inked and signed presentation slip by the author affixed to the front pastedown sheet. Only a few copies have the blueprint map present, showing the route of the '49ers from Independence, Missouri to Sacramento, California, and the political subdivisions of the West in the mid-19th century. It also contains the rarely found extra portrait of the author after page 386, taken by the Taber company of San Francisco. Best of the West 209 says, "This is one of the most important and readable of all the forty-niner overland narratives, elegantly produced by the author in his retirement. Johnston went overland in 1849, leaving Independence in April and travelling through Fort Bridger and Salt Lake City, arriving in Sacramento in late July. He gives an excellent account of his life in the mines, early Sacramento and San Francisco, and of his return journey by sea." One of the most important and readable of all the '49er overland narratives, Johnston and his company left Independence in April and traveled through Fort Bridger and Salt Lake City, arriving in Sacramento in late July. "A forty-niner classic that is neither an original diary nor recollections, but a field journal doctored up with hindsight forty years after the event. It is notable not only because of Johnston's claim that his party was the first wagon train to reach California but also because of glimpses he gives of numerous other companies. Among memorable individuals mentioned are Mexican War veteran Jim Stewart, captain of Johnston's mule-wagon company" - Mattes. Near fine bright copy.