MILLER AND LUX RANCH – KERN COUNTY - CALIFORNIA
MILLER AND LUX RANCH – KERN COUNTY - CALIFORNIA
(M & L Ranch. Kern County, California) An informative autographed 6 page letter written by cowboy J.G. Yager to his family back in Los Angeles, California on December 25, 1901. Yager was a cowboy on the Miller and Lux ranch with headquarters at Buttonwillow about 1885.
Henry Miller (1827-1916) was known as the “Cattle King of California”. In 1858 he and Charles Lux went into business and the Miller and Lux ranch became one of the largest landowners in the United States. Owning 1,400,000 acres and controlling 22,000 square miles of cattle and farm land in California, Nevada and Oregon.
This 6 page letter, written by cowhand J.G. Yager is a rare report of California ranch life at the turn of the 20th century.
Letter in full:
M & L Ranch. 20 miles of B (uttonwillow)
Dec. 25, 1901
Dear Family. Merry Christmas to all of you. I looked for a letter from some of you yesterday sure, but rec’d none. The mail to this place comes in such a round about way that it may take a week to get here after reaching B. Have been at work ever since the 15th and asked foreman today whether there would be work for me for a week or so. He said yes and right along if I wished. About a week ago he was bossing me around for the fourth or fifth time. I got mad and gave him hail Columbia for nearly five minutes since that he has been very pleasant to me and better to all the hands. His brother is the foreman and he is only “deputy”.
To day we quit at one and have just had a nice chicken turkey dinner. The rest of the day to ourselves with pay for the day.
We have no stove in the bunk house & the weather has been quite cold. No boiled cofe or fire at the wood ___ night & morning – stand around it and half freeze. After breakfast we walk 2 ½ miles and are at work before sun rise. Could ride but the weather is so cold. Have slept warm only the last nights since I came here.
When you write tell your ma to let me know whether she wants me to send this months wages home or to prepare myself to come home about Jan. 25. Send the money and wait a month or two till I earn more. Possibly with which to come on . The check are issued on the 15th of each month and if commenced work on the 15th of Dec. We get about $1 a day. It seems such low wages after working in the oil fields at good wages. Thus far it has been uncomfortable here, but I am becoming accustomed to it and to almost any thing and can stand it well.
I would have written Tuesday but thought sure I’d receive a letter that day. We rest Sundays – generally wash and repair clothing. When I do come to L.A, I shall make an effort to secure some position in one of those business Colleges if I fail then in some of the public school. Do wish I could be at home now with all of you.
Think of all of you many times every day – believe I want to see little Dulace more than the rest of you. But then none of you will feel jealous of her. It seems so long since I heard from any of you. May be some of my mail went to SS. I wrote to Sister a few days ago. The mail will be brought here again to morrow then I do hope to receive a letter from some of you. I am now well.
I’ll send you a clipping from the Contra Costa paper, sister sent me. You may see some of the old ____ disposition.
Tell your ma to let me know if she wants the money about Jan 29th if so I’ll remain here awhile longer unless I find something better. I presume you will have a Christmas prepared as that all may be present. Let me here from you very soon.
Are Charley & Will still busy and well?
How are you now?
I am writing in a hurry while half a dozen men are talking in the same room. Will try to write to you again Sunday.
Love to all of you.
Address JGY
Buttons Willow
Kern Co.
c/o L.D. Bell
We are 20 miles from Button Will. But the mail is taken there from B. on the McKitt train, then goes to Head quarters – then brought here by the butcher who brings meat here 3 times a week.
Excuse scribbling.
Your loving father
J.G. Yager.
M&L Ranch, near Buttonwillow, Ca. December 25, 1901. 6pp. on three sheets of lined paper, with original transmittal envelope. Minor toning and wear. Vg cond.