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MILTON DILTZ HOLTON : 1909 ORIGINAL, MODEST, GROUP OF LETTERS AND MANUSCRIPT DIARY HAND WRITTEN BY A KENTUCKY MAN WORKING IN THE MINING TOWNS AND CAMPS OF THE NEVADA - CALIFORNIA MOUNTAINS

48mo - over 3" - 4" tall. On offer is a very unique collection of diary and papers from store keeper in the American west at the turn of the last century. The collection consists of a small diary and a collection of ephemera. The diary measures 4 inches by 2.75 inches. It is leather bound. It contains 365 pages plus memoranda and is about 60% complete. The cover is in good condition and all of the pages are intact. The handwriting is legible. The ephemera consists of 3 letters, a photograph/portrait, newspaper clippings and receipts. Milton Diltz Holton, a member of a noted Kentucky family, was born in Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, KY in 1869. He came to Murray at the end of the 19th century, was a second Mayor of Murray, and a Master Commissioner of the Calloway county in the early 1900s. He studied law, changed several jobs, but since 1905 was mainly working in the insurance business. He was married and he refers to 3 children in his letters home. He passed away in 1948 at the age of 78. His wife Juliet lived her life in Murray, KY. She was born in 1877 and passed away in 1960 at 82 years of age. Some time around the turn of the century, Holton left his home and travelled to Dawson Springs, KY. Later he became interested in a mining proposition in Sweetwater, Nevada, where it appears that he while looking after it, worked in a General Store, then he worked for a Travel Insurance Company near Chicago. His diary is dated 1909. The ephemera contains letters dated as early as 1904 (Dawson Springs) and 1908 and 1909 from Sweetwater. NV. These along with U.S. Postal Money Order receipts would suggest that he has been seeking work to support his family. The Sweetwater Range was the scene of a great deal of prospecting and mining. It was not as productive a region as nearby Brodie, Aurora or Masonic regions, the latter mentioned several times in the diary. "... not much business. Dave Leroy came down on his stage - which came down from D.O. Moodies camp and staid all night says he has a contract for 50 feet." [Feb 8]. "... Stage business is good. Not much in store." [Mar 8] "... Groves over. Buck Top Conway and Gord's partner left for Brodie this A.M. Cohn left this morning. Davis said he was going to Yenington, also Brodie and Mono Lake ..." [May 9]. The work is hard and business is fairly slow. He recounts the comings and going of men working in fairly isolated communities in the Sweetwater mountain range. Both his diary and the money order receipts show that he continually sent money east to his wife. One of the 3 letters is a beautiful note from his wife: "... You mustn't forget, Dily, a little momma who is playing the best little mother she knows how to your children and remember, she needs all the assistance i [ ] you can give her. You'll be a better, happier man to know you are doing all in your power to help your own. With Love and best wishes ... your wife, Julie Ann." [Letter dated Mar 28, 1909]. Also included is a black and white portrait of Holton taken in St Louis MO. At some point in time, Holton returned home to his family. A fourth child was born. He resumed the life insurance business and over a long career, became very successful in that industry. He is buried with his wife in Murray, KY. This is an outstanding personal collection illustrating the struggles and efforts of a man to support his family at the turn of the 20th century. His diary provides a fascinating glimpse into the way of life in the small villages and camps of Nevada that are now long gone ghost towns. This would be quite helpful to genealogists as he mentions many names in the sparsely-populated Nevada - California mountain region around Sweetwater as well as the names and descendents noted in the obituary.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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