Aged 37 years
∼On 7 Dec 1853 Leroy P. Daingerfield and R. N. Slack were granted a license for a ferry opposite the Daingerfield and Slack ranch, about 5 miles below the Emigrant Ferry at the mouth of Bear Creek. This was renewed in May 1855; by G. W. McMurty from 1856-1857; by Haycraft and Lafferty from 1858-60 and by Adams and Bragg in 1861-62. A notation in a dictionary of Shasta Co says "at the mouth of Bear Creek to the present Blue Jay Lane on the west side of the river". There is also a notation elswhere that the Daingerfield ranch was AKA Aloha.

Per old cemetery records, R. N. Slack is buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Shasta, an old town a few miles west of Redding. There may have been a marker there at one time when these records were catalogued in the 1970's.

This cemetery is under the jurisdiction of Shasta State Park and they might have more information.

There is a probate record that might have a record of funeral expenses, gravestone, property owned etc. There might be old deed records also at the courthouse.

Death of Dr. R. N. Slack - we are pained to announce the demise of Dr. Slack, who has been a resident of California since the year 1849, and nearly all the time of this County. He died at Judge McMurtry's Ferry, on the Sacramento River, on the morning of Wednesday last at about 7 o'clock. Dr. Slack was a thoroughly educated physician, and in his profession enjoyed the confidence of all. He was an amiable man, a true friend, and an upright and much esteemed citizen. His decease will be keenly mourned by all who have been favored with his acquaintance. His remains were brought to this town and interred in the Catholic burying ground on Thursday last.

Weekly Shasta Republican paper for October 24, 1857:
Died - at McMurtry's Ferry, Shasta Co., Cal., on Wednesday, Oct 21st, Dr. Robert N. Slack of congestion of the brain. The deceased was born in Washington CO., KY, where he has numberous relatives still residing. Graduated in his profession at the Louisville Medical Institute about year 1843, and emigrated to Texas in 1844, and from thence to California in 1849. He was about 36 years of age. Kentucky and Texas papers please copy.

The probate index number you need is:
Slack, R. V. 35-EE Estate of

It was Leroy P. Daingerfield [Jr.] who was Dr. Slack's partner - not Judge William Parker Daingerfield, but his brother.

Apparently the Daingerfields were having financial difficulties, so William P. and his brother Leroy came to California hoping to strike it rich, send money home, and gather enough to go home and set themselves up with farms. They arrived in San Francisco after a voyage around Tierra del Fuego in August 1850. After a few weeks of digging for gold, William found he could make more money practicing law in Sacramento, so he went there to board in a hotel while Leroy kept mining. William was able to accumulate $500 when his hotel burned to the ground and he had to buy new clothing, law books, etc. which consumed all his money.

By 1852 the brothers had gone north and Leroy was mining along the Trinity River while William practiced law in Shasta, which had been designated the county seat of the new county, Shasta County, and which was a jumping-off point for the mines in the Trinity Alps and the Marble Mountains.

Then there was one letter from Leroy. William and two other men from Virginia had bought a ranch 13 miles south of Shasta and had sent for Leroy to run it, so he came down from the mountains and did. The ranch was equipped with a tavern and liquor which Leroy could sell, and which apparently distressed their pro-temperance mother back in Virginia.

There was one letter, the last one, in which Dr. Slack was definitely mentioned, and an earlier one which I think referred to him but not by name. Smallpox visited the valley in 1852 and Leroy came down with it, but "his physician" did not notify William until Leroy was over it, because he feared William would go to Leroy and catch smallpox himself. William assured their mother that Leroy had not suffered any disfigurement and it was a light case.

The last letter described an incident in which six men went out searching for one of Leroy's ranch hands who was missing. About 3 miles from the ranch they found the man's mangled corpse, and while examining it they were surprised by a "she grissly bear" who chased them and caught two. She was working over the second man when Leroy risked his life to save him, running up and putting a shotgun to her ear and pulled the trigger. The cap only snapped, failed to fire, but the noise scared her and she ran away, so they were able to get the wounded men back to the ranch, and William noted that they were being tended by "L---'s partner, Dr. S--- a skillful surgeon."

The typed transcript of the letters had all the names like that, L--- and J--- etc., which is probably how William wrote them, but someone had added (both typed and handwritten) notes about who the initials were for, and Dr. S--- was clearly identified as Dr. Slack.

Dr. Slack died of "congestion of the brain." It meant a number of different kinds of deaths a hundred and fifty years ago.

One idea is sunstroke, and sure enough that is given as one of the 19th century definitions of "congestion of the brain." Dr. Slack died in late October, which can be at the end of a very long dry spell. He might have been up for long hours with a patient. Truthfully, though, I don't think we will ever really know why he died.

Dr. Slacke was a part owner of the Slack & Daingerfield Ferry that was established in 1853. His partner was Leroy P. Daingerfield. The ferry operated across the Sacramento at the mouth of Bear Creek to the present Blue Jay Lane on the west side of the river. They sold to Judge George W. McMurtry in 1855.

It had numerous other owners in the forthcoming years and in 1890 it was completely destroyed in a flood. In Dr. Slack's letter he commented about the number of immigrants who were arriving in Shasta County over a new trail. That would probably have been Nobles Trail that was established in 1852 which was located very near his ferry.

Reading between the lines of his letter, it sounds like he gambled away a lot of money that he had saved up. The description of the place he was ranching sounds like it was in the vicinity of what is now Cottonwood. Shasta (now a state historic park) is 7 miles northwest of Redding, which is about 10 to 13 miles north of Cottonwood.

Dr. Slack is not listed in the 1852 census for Shasta County but that doesn't mean he wasn't here. He is in our Cemetery Index:

Slack, D. N. Dr. died 10/21/1857 age 37 yr. The notation says scattered graves so I would have to research exactly where he is buried but that information should be available.

Dr. Slack is in a binder of cemetery records. He was buried in the "Shasta Catholic Cemetery." Does this make any sense? Was he Catholic? I had no idea there were any Catholics in rural Kentucky in those days.

Daingerfield was a lawyer from Virginia, and would have been in his mid-20s in the 1850s. Slack and Daingerfield had a license for a ferry across the Sacramento River at Bear Creek. Assessor's records show Slack & Daingerfield had a ranch there of 320 acres, valued at $640.

There exists an old 24 page court document dated Feb. 1852 involving R.N. Slack in a gunfight in the streets of Shasta, CA. His foe was named McArdle. They were both arrested as McArdle had a minor wound. It was a lengthy court case.

...Its an original document form of about 24 pages. About 10 years ago... Apparently the night before these two subjects had some bad feelings towards one another as McArdle {or could be McAndle as the handwriting is crude on the documents} threatened R.N. Slack inside a saloon. The next day as Slack was sitting on a chair outside a building next to the street, McArdle was walking with a friend of his towards Slack. Slack who was still steaming from the night before told McArdle to defend himself as Slack was going to shoot him. Slack started shooting with his Colt revolver as McArdle was running backwards and at the same time drew a pistol out of his pocket and started firing back. Witnesses describe in the documents of bullets flying into the two hotels across the street from one another which were the Old Dominion and the El Dorado. One bullet is described as going thru a window in to the ceiling and hitting a light fixture. In the documents which include the warrants, testimony etc. It refers to Dr. R.N. Slack. There is much to read on this incident. There are signatures of the justice of the peace Josiah Roop and by the sheriff Dave Corsant. A lot of witness testimony. As from what I've read, McArdle was slightly wounded in the affray. A lot to read.

The original handwriting can at times be challenging to read. On a couple of the docs the writing is halfway ledgible because fading of the ink on the paper it was written on. I can make out about 90 percent of the writing as it was seemingly written at a fast pace with ink and quill.

There is a photo taken of his gravestone in the town of Shasta dated 1857 as the year of his death. A walk up the steep hill takes you to the brush where the old cemetary was. R.N. Slacks gravestone is there.

Slack's defense attorney was William Daingerfield who eventually became district judge in 1854 to 1862. After Slack was acquitted he went into the ferry business with Daingerfield's brother Leroy the following year on the Sacramento river near Shasta. They also did some farming. The long court trial cost Slack a few thousand dollars. Slack wrote a letter to his brother dated Sept. 15, 1852 eight months after this incident explaining some of the details. [Past Voices: Letters Home-Robert N. Slack 1845-1852.] Again some details explaining how the whole thing started with McAndle the night before then escalating into the fray the next day. He was born in Kentucky in 1818. So he was only 39 years old when he died.

Robert N. Slack letters to James Brown Slack in 1849 and 1852

Bob Slack has the originals of the letters, which consist of ten letters written by Robert N. S. to his brother James Brown Slack from 1846 to 1852. James Brown Slack was Bob's great grandfather [as well as Mary Jean Slack Sullivan's] and Robert N. was his great uncle.

There are letters written from Louisville, Kentucky, Galveston, Texas, Fort Bend County, Texas, Wharton, Texas, Houston, Texas, San Francisco, California and finally from Shasta, California by Robert N. Slack to his brother James Brown Slack, which are dated between 1845 and 1852.

Robert N. Slack left Louisville because he was disappointed in love. His last letter from Louisville is rather sad, speaking of not hearing from anyone in his family for a year and concern for whether his "father and Ma" are still living. In the letter from Fort Bend County he speaks of their brother Joseph living near Richmond, Texas, his brother John who was in Bastrop, Texas and his sister Margaret. In Fort Bend County, Texas there is a marriage certificate issued to John Slack and Teresa Lee on October 5, 1870.

LETTER DATED JANUARY 9, 1845 FROM ROBERT N. SLACK IN LOUISVILLE TO HIS BROTHER JAMES:

Dear Brother,

I begin this letter by telling you that it is the second one I have written you since I came here - I wrote to you I believe about the last of November by mail. I do not know whether you received it or not. It may be possible that the letter still remains in the Post Office. If so you need not take it out.

I have nothing particular to communicate to you. We expected to see you here during Christmas but were disappointed-I would like for you to let me know the cause of your not coming-

Write me in reply. Tell me when you were at MACK's and what was going on when you were there.

I am becoming very tired of Louisville - The confinement is more than I have been accustomed too - It seems as if I had been jugged up here for twelve months. When in reality it has only been a little more than three. When I wrote you my health was very much impared, I suppose caused principally by my own imprudence. I had some two or three chills after I came here. It has however improved much recently. I therefore feel much better contented than I did at first. Not so well however as I ought to be to receive instruction fast.

The cause of this discontent is very apparent to me. It always was my intention to become a well qualified physician and when I look forward and see my scanty resourses for doing so, it invariably casts a gloom over my better feelings. It is a fact that I might say that I am now as well qualified as many who go forth imposing themselves upon the world. But this does not satisfy me. I desire to be superior to many and inferior too but a few. And how this is to be done God in his omniscience only knows for I do not.

Such thoughts and feelings as these are very well calculated to retard ones progress in searching for scientific thruths of any kind-although I am well aware of the ill effects arising therefrom-such glooms are irresistable with me.

I could write page upon page on this subject but I think it will be better to discontinue it for the present as my sheet is fast winding to a close -- I have stoped and read over what I have written and have a mind not to send it. But as it is to you [ ] not your criticisms upon my despondency-knowing that they will be confined to your own bosom-I hope by the next time I write to feel in a better mood and give a more lively turn to my letter.

I shall be through Bardstown about the 23rd of Feb. on my way home. I want you to make it convenient to go on with me. I will let you know precisely when I will come that you may be ready.

John and any-one will also the children their best respects and well wishes for your prosperity - in life. I now close, hoping you peace and contentment, prosperity and happiness -

Sincerely

Your Brother

Robert N. Slack

P.S. Answer this if you only write three lines R.N.S.


LETTER DATED JANUARY 21, 1845 FROM ROBERT N. SLACK IN LOUISVILLE TO HIS BROTHER JAMES:

Dear Brother,

I received yours with pleasure and gratification. ---- I beg to be excused for not noticing it's contents earlier, but for a number of reasons too tedious to mention I did not do it -- I have been quite unwell for several days with a bad cold, which has given me a severe cough and sore throat, which has just reached its acme.

You advised me in your kind letter not to grieve and sorrow of my unhappy condition never to give up the ship. I do not know what time the unraveler of all mysteries may unfold to my view, but this much I do know that I will from this time be able to maintain myself -- independent of assistance provided I can once establish myself -- and provided I have my health. That though I am fearful will fail me.

I doubt exceedingly whether my constitution will admit of practicing in this country -- cold it seems does not suit my health. I have not yet fully determined where I shall settle.

You said something about your situation. I suppose that it is not very agreeable to you. At least I know very well that it would not be so with me - yet - however James yours is comparatively speaking a better condition than mine for several reasons, namely, I began a pursuit in life which requires some capital to get along with and I had none. Nor no resources whatever left me save what I made by gambling for which I would be ashamed now to acknowledge to any one save yourself - Thus far have I advanced with my professional learning without incurring any new debts. I have paid off a good many old debts without scarcely knowing how I have done. You are young yet and stout and have nearly acquired an excellent trade by which you can maintain yourself - gentely at least. I advise you to go on and acquire all you can. Also borrow some good Literary Books and read then attentively. I know when you have finished reading a Book what you have read and not through a work just to have to say you have read so and so. I feel the effects of that kind of reading too much myself -- now that I can not help reminding you of it.

I hope the times will not be long before I shall be able to see you when I can say more to you on your condition and mine also. I have forbourne saying but very little to any of my friends in regard to this subject knowing that they were not able to better my situation therefore I bear it in silent melancholly. I think though with health to be able at no distant day to alleviate both of our conditions.

I named something about the time when I should return I do not know exactly but will let you know that you can go on [Gree McC] with me when I come thru. I should like to see you very much. I am quite unwell and shall close. Excuse my hasty and desultory way of writing for I cannot write tonight no how. Adieu

Your
Kind Brother
Robert N. Slack

P.S. Reply to this early.
R.N.S.

Jany 12 / [18]46
Richmond Fort Bend Co Texas -

Dear Brother

I have an apology to offer you for not writing earlier.

I left Louisville on the 15 Dec. for New Orleans where I arrived after an agreeable trip of eight days. I remained in N.O. 5 or 6 days - visiting most places of interest. On Monday about half past one o'clock, we raised steam and moved down the Mississippi for its mouth -- the Balye which we cleared about one o'clock at night. When I arose next morning I found myself entirely out of sight of land, surrounded by a waste of waters. We were out only 4 hours before we have in sight of Galveston which was about 30 minutes past nine o'clock. Our vesel passed the bar & made port half past 12 o'clock. I then went up in town in company with several others to the Customs House where I got an admit.

The town of Galveston is situated on the Eastern border of an island of the same name. The island is detached from the main land by a distance of 7 miles in the nearest point.

The island is made up entirely of sea shell and sand. It is a beautiful healthy & flourishing place, with a population of five thousand. I left Gavelston on the 4th Jany. for Houston on board a Steam Boat. I reach Houston on the 5th in the morning. There I bought a horse and saddle & bridle, for which I paid only twenty five dollars. Houston is situated at the head of navigation on Buffalo Bayou one hundred and twenty miles north of Galveston. It is a town of more trade than any other in Texas. I left Houston on Tuesday morning for Richmond in the neighborhood of which place our brother Joseph lives. I arrived at his house the same day I left Houston. He was much delighted at seeing me in Texas. He is living on a portion of his father-in-law's farm. His wife is an excellent woman. They have no children. Neither of them have good health. Brother John left here two years ago. He had bad health for some time before leaving here. He is now living at Bastrop on the Colorado, about 120 miles north west of this place. He is doing very well and has his health entirely restored. I shall leave here in a few days to see him.

The general aspect of the country is very good. The Brapos bottoms are the best lands I have yet seen.

The soil yields abundantly when well cultivated. The farmer raises 500 pounds of cotton per acre & from fifty to sixty Bushels of corn with two plowings. I shall return home in April. I want you to write me immediately. Let me know where Father is & what he is doing & what his intentions are. I do not think that it would do for him to come here & if he has not started here prevent him from coming if you can. Be sure and reply soon and direct to Richmond, Fort Bend Co., Texas. Brother and sister Margaret have made many enquiries about you, as to how you look & act. Nothing more.

I am your friend and Brother

Respectfully

R. N. Slack


To
J. B. Slack
Bardstown
Kentucky

LETTER FROM GALVESTON, TEXAS JANY 1ST, 1846 FROM ROBERT N. SLACK TO COUSIN WILLIAM C. McDONALD, BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY - MAIL:

Dear Mack

After leaving New Orleans on Monday 9th we passed down the Mississippi without any incident of interest taken place. On Tuesday morning about day break we entered the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday about 15 minutes after eight we have in sight of Galveston harbour to arrive in port about 12 oclock. I am much pleased with the town, decidely better than I expect. I have formed great acquaintences among whom with Dr. Dickerson formerly of Virginia, who has been here for the last twelve months. I find him a very clever gentleman. he advises me to locate here & is of opinion that I would do well here. I shall leave here tomorrow for Houston from whence I shall strike off for my brothers from there I do not know where I shall go. I wish you to write to me at Galveston where I shall be again in 3 or 4 weeks. I wish I had more time to write. I am in a great hurry to conclude as the boat upon the beane leaves is about starting - my health is exceedingly good and I have enjoyed finally indeed in fact I could not have had it more pleasant than I have had.

I remain your sincere friend and well wisher in a hurry.

LETTER FROM WHARTON, TEXAS MAY 15, 1848 TO MR. JAMES B. SLACK, BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY - MAIL: J.B. Slack

My Dear Bro -

I received yours duly and have deferred answering it for the want of matter.

I have settled here on the Colorado River some sixty five miles from the coast. I have been here only two weeks and have had three or four patients which I am about to treat succesfully and satisfactorilly.

There are two other physicians in town both very able and talented young men - I believe I shall do well if I keep my own health which is extremely doubtful as there is much cause for disease that cannot be avoided by the practicioner of Medicine here.

I am not very well contented in myself yet though some improvement has taken place. I have my horse Brisca yet; he is as fine as silk and as gay as a friendship. Society very bad; damn bad indeed.

Write me in regard to father. Give him my love, also all my relations - I write to "Doctors Ruskin and Overton," both a few days ago.

Yours in great haste

R.N. Slack

LETTER FROM WHARTON, TEXAS SEPT 12, 1848 TO MR. J. B. SLACK, ESQ. - BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY:

Dear bro

I have deferred answering your letter which came to hand some three weeks since partly through neglect and partly for the want of time.

I was very pleased to hear of the birth of your son and sister's well being but more to hear that it bears its uncle's name showing that I yet live in the hearts of my dear relations. The duties devolving on yourself and wife are now increased four fold. And requires of you both a rigid and strict observance of those laws and rules best calculated by example and instructions to infuse into the mind of a son habits and principles which will in after years enable him so to steer the "boat of life as to bring it to a peaceful and tranquil anchorage, I had hoped to be able before this to speak with some decision as to my own calculations for the future; but cannot as I do not know whether I am settled here for any great length of time. My prospects are as flattering as the most sanguine could wish. I have done the best practice that has been done in this county in which I live. And have not as yet lost a single patient - But notwithstanding all this I am not satisfied. I have no engagements, no sources of amusement or pleasure. I am the little, I receive in flattering my vanity at my success.

I have been reading every day for the last three weeks untill today, although the old citizens say the season has been quite heathy. There is much labour confined to the practice. My rides are usually from eight to twelve and fifteen miles; and you would scarcely believe it when I tell you that since I commenced I have not slept away from home but twice. Then I was called to a lady which detained me three days. I have made it a fixed rule, that whenever I get through prescribing to start home. Consequently, I have rode much in the night, through probably one of the darkest countrys I ever saw, I have purchased a Mexican pony that lopes me eight miles an hour, over any sort of road, and I rarely ride in a slower pace than a lope night or day - There is an enchantment or charm connection with my nocturnal rides that I could not feel in an older settled community. There the woods are infested by wolves, bear, wild cats, and panthers creating just danger enough to give a charm to the ride. But I don't think this kind of feeling will be very durable - - You may think that I am endangering or risking my health, but it improves under it. I have built me a bath house on the bank of the river where I bathe almost every day. And I do assure you it is quite a luxury - I want health while I do live, but I can not how soon, nor in what shapes the green eyed monster, death may come. I shall not however foolishly run myself into danger. But if I die in the discharges of my duties, or in vindicating my name or honor, I can not, nor have not, one fear.

You ask about our brothers. I went to see brothers Jas. and remained at his house two weeks himself and family are well. I live about forty miles west of him. I wrote and received a letter from John. He is leading a soldiers life on the northwestern frontier. He belongs to a company of rangers - He was quite well.

I want to know if my birds are living and if Sis renders them sufficient attention, as I rather suspect she divides it between her son and them, giving much the larger portion her son. Tell her, by no means to neglect them, as I wish to see them and have them sing for me if I should ever return.

I must chide you about your manner of directing your letters. You must do better indeed and direct to Dr. R. N. Slack instead of Mr. This you will take gently from yours.

best and sincere
brother
R.N. Slack

PS Give my love to sister E. Kiss her and my nephew both a half-dozen times over and over again for me. Give my respects to all my friends - especially. Mr. Payne and Lady -

R.N. Slack

Friday, Sept 15, this has been the warmest day ever know in the county. Two deaths have occured in the county from heat today.

RNS

LETTER FROM GALVESTON, TEXAS FEB. 16, 1848 TO MR. JAMES B. SLACK, BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY - MAIL:

Dr. Brothers &
Sisters "

I arrived here on the 14th instr from NO which place I left on the 12th, without much of interest transpiring only our safe and agreeable trip to this point, where I shall tarry a few days longer in for the purpose of restoring myself and horse to perfect health as we are both rather way worn with our travel.

I find this place much altered since last I was here; that is in a business point of view. There has been some little improvement made by building, but it is not as populous quite as then was.

It is quite pleasant and agreeable, with a soft and balmy breeze constantly blowing. My inclination is to move forward with more than ususal haste. I have eaten green peas, cabbage and Irish Potatoes, with a great variety of other vegetables belonging to this climate.

I have rode out on the sea beach twice a day morning and evening, which is one of the most delightful rides or drives on earth as admtted by all strangers and travellers who have visited this place, and at once to be brief - and concise I do think it one of the pleasantest and most delightful spots on gods earth. Society, I suppose from appearances to be tolerably good above mediocrity.

I have just returned from the wharf, where I parted with three Kentucky friends. They took shipping here for the western part of Texas. And the parting with them brings me to a sense of my great loneliness - I feel while writing this if I could only see one friend find a familiar face from old Wash[ington] Co. that I could love it, dote on it and cherish it with more affection than is common after so short an absence. But it can not be, at least soon, and I must abide my fate, tho a very lonely and unhappy one.

The sounds of sweet in the crarcy just falling on my ear from an adjoining charishes accompianied by the soft and plaintive tones of the frsinace was is where I must hasten to drive away this growing melancholy.

I shall enclose in this a note too Mrs. Payne which you will hand her immediately. When I arrive in Houston I will write again expecting to hear from you soon direct to Houston Texas. I forwarded a pair of canary birds on to T.A Webb from N. Orleans to sister Elli. Keep them with good care in memory of me.

Do not neglect writing immediately upon the reception of this - Give me all, everything in which you know I take an interest, care not for your manner of writing, for you know to whom you write, as it will palliate and sooth some of my cares.

I am your sincere
and affectionate
brother ever


R. N. Slack
To

J.B. Slack
Kentucky

LETTER FROM HOUSTON TEXAS MARCH 11, 1849 TO MR. JAMES B. SLACK, BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY - MAIL:

Dear Bro -

As I am about leaving here for the new and distant west, I feel it a duty which I owe you and others of my Kentuckians to apprise them of my route, prospects, intentions and rest view hi Ky.

I left Wharton on the 8th with for this place for the purpose of furnishing myself such articles as could not be obtained in my town.

I leave here on Tuesday next for my county. On the 20th of the month I leave there for San Antonio in route for California.

Then will be an emmigration of two thousand inhabitants from this state to Cal the ensuing Spring. We have a company of 12 or fifteen from my county numbering some of the worthiest, wealthiest and most reliable men in the county. We expect to rendezvous at San Antonio. Then we elect officers and companies. From San Anton, we travel with Major Gen. Worth's division to the Passo dels Norte, a distance of 500 miles. Worth then stops to establish a military post. We will then take almost a due west course to the head of the Gila which empty's into the Colorado of Cali. Thence to San Diego. Thence to the "Gold Diggins."

Our company will be fitted out with pack mules, Wagons, provisions, arms and the civilians are not confident that the route will admit of carriage travel further than the Passo. We will go prepared with pack mules in the event of our having to leave the carriages on the way. It is supposed by Col. Jack Hays (who was less a few days since) that the caravans leaving San Anton will be on a larger and grander scale then any that has ever traveled the western plains, riveling in grandeur and magnificance the cavalcades of the east. There will be between one and two thousand wagons with the same number of persons and three or four thousand horses and mules. We expect it will take us 15 weeks to reach the Pacific Coast.

I will take with me a small stock of drugs, clothing enough to serve me two years and a few books. The most of my books I shall be compelled to leave behind. I have three mules and my saddle horse. One of the mules I shall ride mostly either leading or allowing my horse to follow. Take my horse to ride in emergencies as we may expect to encounter some trouble on the way - He's one of the (over)

most noble and gallant horses I ever saw, six years old, 11 1/2 hands high, active and remarkably spirited, of a deep iron grey. He was bred in Missouri and is worth __$300, I shall necessarily sustain a considerable loss by leaving as I cannot succeed in collecting many of my accounts in the short time left me and hurry and confusion of preparation. I will have enough, quuite as much as I have use for.

I cannot at present say anything definately about my return to Kent. [Kentucky]. But I think it possible that by next summer two years, if nothing of great importance forbids. I will be once more among you. There is not a day or scarcely an hour passes by but I think of my relations and many warm friends in Kent. But for me to think of returning with my existing feelings might cause me more shame and lasting misery there than all the suffering I bear in the separation. For I do know that I have been made the dupe of one of the blackest hearted villains on earth! He has lied openly to me: when i knew his statements were false. Still would I lend an attentive ear to his falsehood!

Give my love to my sister Ell and kiss my nephew for me. Also to all my relations and friends, especially Mr. and Mrs. Payne.

Your sincere friend and Bro.

R.R. Slack


See my dear old mother and tell her though I write in a style of much trouble, not to fear for I know none ever were blest with warmer friends than I have been. I may write her a few lines from San Antinio.

R.N.S.

Write to me and direct to San Francisco, California. Your letters will arrive by the time I get there. Tell my friends to write me there.

RN.S.

To his mother:
San Francisco, Cali.
January 30, 1850

Mrs. Henrietta Slack
Frederickstown, Kentucky

My Dear Mother:

I arrived in this city on the13th of last month after a land travel of nearly three thousand miles.

I expected on reaching here tohear from Laura [probably "home" rather than "Laura"] but was pretty disappointed. This I did hear through Doct.Bascom, who I accidentally met in the street a few days back. He is living inSan Loss, the site of government. He looks badly --- I have nothing of muchinterest to write about as you hear everything of a public nature through thenews papers of the day--

This place has a population of 20,000 inhabitants and increasing fast. Business brisk and real estate veryhigh -- The whole country is crowded with immigrants some of them in quite adestitute condition!

The gold continues abundant andwill no doubt be sufficient to compensate every one coming to this country insearch of it.

Living is very high, my expenses being about $400.00 per month - I have to pay $30 per week for board and $40 for a small room besides other necessary expenses.

I intend leaving here for themines as soon as rainy season is over, where I expect to spend the Summer ineither selling goods or the practice of Medicine - the practice however isquite overdone for nearly every tenth man is or pretends to be a physician --

I will venture to say somethingas to when I will return to Ky. If I am able to realize only one half of what Ihave been led to believe you may look for me back during the spring of /57.Though should I be disappointed in ___ fail in making what I expect I shall gofrom here then to the Sandwich Islands or South America. I can't tell which.

I would like to hear from myrelations and friends in Ky. for this is one of the most unfeeling unfriendlyand selfish communities on earth and to hear from one's friends does a greatdeal towards compensating the loss.

When I leave here I will make arrangements to have my letters sent to me in the mines. So you can direct them here.

Give love to my Father and write me what his situation is. Also to Mack and Sister Fanny, Bro James & wife –John Webb and Sister Anathesia besides to all of my friends especially to those who you know like me best--

I have written to no one else nor shall I untill I hear from them--

I continue to be your devoted & affectionate Son

R.N. Slack

P.S. My heath is tolerable. Ihave been quite ill since here with a cough & pain the side.

R.N.S.

LETTER FROM ROBERT N. SLACK TO HIS BROTHER JAMES FROM SHASTA CALIFORNIA DATED SEPTEMBER 15, 1852:

My Dear Brother,

Either you or myself are much to be blamed in failing to correspond with each other// I do not know but it has been more from my neglect than anything else.

However, be it as it may I now feel a welling up, heartfelt and true, for the first time since I left home to correspond regularly with my near relations and friends.

You have been informed I suppose sometime since of my bad luck and misfortune in money matters. I had made every arrangement to return to Ky - last Dec. with the exception of some collections, with about $15,000.00 in cash when I sustained a small loss of about eight hundred dollars and in attempting to regain the amount I failed in each attempt, until, I became enraged, maddened and furious with the world, and finally wound up by spending the last dollar.

Among my troubles the one that came nearest resulting most seriously grew out of a personal difficulty between a merchant by name of McArdle of this place and myself about a settlement, when he used insulting language and likewise made hostile demonstrations, towards me, I was unarmed at the time. He came soon after into the Hotel that I was boarding at (and the same that I had sold a short time previous) during my absence and abused me much, saying that he was then armed, and should continue to be prepared for either me or my friends.

I prepared myself on the next morning determined to bring the affair to a close the first time we met on the street. During the evening he came walking up the st with two of his friends when he was passing and about opposite, I spoke to him, telling him that he was the man that wished to fight now draw and defend himself. He ran as soon as I spoke when a friend of mine caught my arm and prevented my shooting untill he had stoped and drawn his pistol. We then commenced firing at each other he running backwards all the while. I discharged four shots and him three one of mine wounding him slightly on the side. For this I of course was arrested and the matter had to go through several courts, and as a matter of course cost me much money and trouble -- I was at last being honorably acquitted --

I have also had considerable trouble with the damned abolitionist of this country on account of my southern partialliaties - I am however at present getting along very quietly with them as they have not interferred with me of late - And they had better not.

As for myself, I am now engaged in the practice of my proffefsion in the valley below the town of Shasta about 15 miles. Myself and a young man by the name of Dainperfield from benperia are likewise keeping a Ranch, or rather as we say at home farming.

I am doing very well at the practice making from $300 to 400 per month. This income with what we can make farming, raising claves, pigs and chickens, will I think in the course of a few months enable me to get out of debt and have me a small surplus --

In some of my letters home I spoke of going to Mexico this winter-- This I shall not do at least for one year for my engagements are now such as forbids such a move --

To speak candid and true I yet believe that I may return to Ky - in the course of one or two years at most.

I am very desirous to be back once more in old Washington and spend some time with my relations/ and friends if I have any there/ And see what time can effect in the space of half a day in years --

I know you all have a dull time enough counting your "picayunes and bits" - It certainly must be tiresome to live and get on in that old "one horse" country, where one sees nothing, does nothing, and almost knows nothing.

But however I should not write thus, for I love Kentucky, yes god bless her and her institutions, her fathers and mothers - her sons and her daughters. They are so much superior to any other portion of our union in all that is generous, good and true that I can scarcely look back without having a thousand regrets at ever having left it --

But so it is, I have left, and if not to make myself happy, I hope I rendered some others so.

James I still entertain the attachment that caused me to leave, Nor do I believe that, time that is said, to effect so much in extinguishing our affections, will, ever accomplish her end with me. I know that not a day has passed with me since I last beheld her too enchanting form, that I have not thought and loved. Do not call this weakness, though it may be so.

R.N. Slack

In my next letter I hope to be able to send some money home for the benefit of Father and Ma. I can't tell how much but some at least.

I have not received a line from Kentucky for one year nor do I know that our parents are alive. I hope they are, that I may yet medum one of the most sacred duties we owe on earth in supplying their wants and contributing to their happiness while they live. Our family has been peculiarly unfortunate in many ways but this should not cause us to neglect or fail to fulfill our parts in contributing to our parents comfort. When you write give me a full and particular account of their situation and condition - as well as all the balance of those in whom I am mostly interested.

See all the different members of our family and tell them where I am, and what I am doing, also remember to them my sincere and heartfelt love for them, hoping that no new cause of strife and dissention may ever arise but that harmony and love may ever reighn supreme before the final separation day arrives - There is something revolting to our natures to allow one single feeling or sentiment of dislike or hatred to exist in the breast of those who are allied by blood and strong ties of affinity, that he who harbours them, adds not to his own happiness, but mars the sweetest pleasures on earth -

I could write much more at length on this subject but will not at present.

The emigration is arriving daily from the plains. There has been a new route opened this season leading directly into this part of the state - There's been about one hundred waggons arrived here, and there are quite a large number behind expected in soon. They all seem in good health and spirits - Their stock looks much better than any I have seen arriving before - Quite a large number of ladys have come - some single, but generally married with families of children.

The mining populations are doing tolerable well, that is those who have been at it sometime, and understand the manner of laboring advantageously with machinery. Farming is I think the safest and best business we have - Everything a man makes here commands from three to five hundred percent more than is docs in the old states. Barley 8 cts per lb wheat 12 - potatoes 12, cabage 15, turnips 15, carrots beets & corn the same, Beef 25 to 30 cents per lb pork fresh 50, mutton 30, chickens $3/1.00, per doz - eggs $3.00.

You must excuse this writing for I have been interrupted several times -

I now close with best wish for your health and prosperity. I am your devoted Bro- R N Slack

My love to sister E. and the children

R.N.S.

FAMILY TREE NOTES FROM THE SULLIVAN-SLACK ANDREWS FAMILY TREE ON ANCESTRY.COM:
There is no information concerning whether Robert N. Slack ever married. According to Dottie Smith, history instructor at Shasta College [historydottie@@yahoo.com], Robert N. Slack was a part owner of the Slack & Daingerfield Ferry that was established in 1853. His partner was Leroy P. Daingerfield. The ferry operated across the Sacramento at the mouth of Bear Creek to the present Blue Jay Lane on the west side of the river. They sold the ferry to Judge George W. McMurtry in 1855. It had numerous other owners in the forthcoming years and in 1890 it was completely destroyed in a flood. In his letter he commented about the number of immigrants who were arriving in Shasta County over a new trail, probably the Nobles Trail that was established in 1852 and located very near his ferry.

There is a Leroy P. Daingerfield who was, during the Civil War, assigned to the 11th Virginia Cavalry, originally known as the Bath Cavalry Company, organized on May 14, 1861, at Warm Springs by Captain A.T. Richards. The Bath Cavalry in late May 1861 was in the disastrous affair on June 3, where it suffered its first battle related casualty, Leroy P. Daingerfield, who was shot in the knee so severely that his leg had to be amputated. Is said that he was the first man to be wounded and to have a limb amputated during the war. [Emmanuel Chapel Cemetery, Verona, VA, now Shenandoah Baptist Church, located on the West side of Route 11 and South of Verona-Daingerfield, Margaret V., 9 Oct 1894, 57 yr of her age "Mother", w/o Leroy P. Daingerfield; Daingerfield, L.P. b 14 Dec 1825 - d 8 Oct 1904]

Barbara Hill has the following info:

Dr. Robert N. Slack, age 36, died on October 21, 1857, at "McMurtry's Ferry". A death notice was published in the Shasta Republican on October 24, 1857 and apparently noted that he was born in Washington County, Kentucky.

"Shasta County, California 1852-1880: Births, Deaths, Divorces and Marriages Recorded Elsewhere," by Corinne Graves Hoffpauir, self-published in 1986-only 100 copies printed, Library of Congress catalog card number 86-198225, but the marriages included in it are only the ones which were NOT published in a different book, "Early Marriages of Shasta County".

Reading between the lines of his letter, it sounds like he gambled away a lot of money that he had saved up. The description of the place he was ranching sounds like it was in the vicinity of what is now Cottonwood. Shasta (now a state historic park) is 7 miles northwest of Redding, which is about 10 to 13 miles north of Cottonwood. He is found in a binder of cemetery records, buried in the "Shasta Catholic Cemetery." His partner's name appears to have been Daingerfield. There was a Judge in Shasta County named William P. Daingerfield. William P. Daingerfield and his wife (first name Eliza) had a baby boy on December 31, 1859 in Shasta and named it Leroy. Leroy, 7 months, died on July 31, 1860. They also had a daughter, born on December 7, 1864 in Shasta. Judge Wm.P. Daingerfield, 56, died May 5, 1880 in San Francisco; he was from Virginia. By subtracting his age from his death date, we get an approximate birthdate of 1824 (which turns out to be 3 years off), so he was of approximately the same age as Dr. Slack. Also published in the Shasta Republican newspaper was the death notice of a "Juliet O. Daingerfield, 68, in Warm Springs, VA" on May 27, 1856 and the abstract says she was the wife of Leroy P. Daingerfield. This is an older generation; these could be the parents of the Hon. William P. Daingerfield. Only one William Daingerfield was born during the right time period - William P., born 17 May 1821 in Virginia, and his parents are listed as Leroy Parker Daingerfield, born about 1786, and Juliet Octavia Parker. Bingo! It can then be surmised that William's middle name was Parker since he had a double dose of the name in his ancestry.

Karen Taylor "SGS Shasta Genealogical Society" states that Dr. Slack is not listed in the 1852 census for Shasta County but that doesn't mean he wasn't here. He is found in our Cemetery Index: Slack, D. N. Dr. died 10/21/1857 age 37 yr. The notation says scattered graves, which means he is not buried in a cemetery. He is not listed in Early Marriages for that time period. There is an old probate record for a R. V. Slack, but this might not even be the right person.

This file contains a list of those who came to California via RanchoSanta Ana del CHINO, California from 1849-1856.

CHINO RECORD BOOK - Alphabetical Listing (1849-1856) Compiled from Linda Bynum's translation in So. Cal. Hist. Soc.'s 1934 Annual Publication, and Edwin Rhode's book, THE BREAK OF DAY IN CHINO. The letter "C" and the "Number" refer to page number in the original book where the person is mentioned:

SLACK, R.N. (KY) C 23

It has been confirned that it was Leroy P. Daingerfield [Jr.] who was Dr. Slack's partner - not Judge William Parker Daingerfield, but his brother. They were also found in the 1880 census along with the other two Daingerfields who are buried at Emmanuel Chapel, Leroy's unmarried sisters. His wife's maiden name was apparently Margaret Virginia BEARD. The Bancroft Library at UC, Berkeley, has a typed transcript of some of Judge Daingerfield's letters that he wrote home during the gold rush, covering August 1850-February 1853. Apparently the Daingerfields were having financial difficulties, so William P. and his brother Leroy came to California hoping to strike it rich, send money home, and gather enough to go home and set themselves up with farms. They arrived in San Francisco after a voyage around Tierra del Fuego in August 1850. After a few weeks of digging for gold, William found he could make more money practicing law in Sacramento, so he went there to board in a hotel while Leroy kept mining. William was able to accumulate $500 when his hotel burned to the ground and he had to buy new clothing, law books, etc. which consumed all his money. By 1852 the brothers had gone north and Leroy was mining along the Trinity River while William practiced law in Shasta, which had been designated the county seat of the new county, Shasta County, and which was a jumping-off point for the mines in the Trinity Alps and the Marble Mountains. Then there was one letter from Leroy. William and two other men from Virginia had bought a ranch 13 miles south of Shasta and had sent for Leroy to run it, so he came down from the mountains and did. The ranch was equipped with a tavern and liquor which Leroy could sell, and which apparently distressed their pro-temperance mother back in Virginia. There was one letter, the last one, in which Dr. Slack was definitely mentioned, and an earlier one which I think referred to him but not by name. Smallpox visited the valley in 1852 and Leroy came down with it, but "his physician" did not notify William until Leroy was over it, because he feared William would go to Leroy and catch smallpox himself. William assured their mother that Leroy had not suffered any disfigurement and it was a light case. The last letter described an incident in which six men went out searching for one of Leroy's ranch hands who was missing. About 3 miles from the ranch they found the man's mangled corpse, and while examining it they were surprised by a "she grissly bear" who chased them and caught two. She was working over the second man when Leroy risked his life to save him, running up and putting a shotgun to her ear and pulling the trigger. The cap only snapped, failed to fire, but the noise scared her and she ran away, so they were able to get the wounded men back to the ranch. William noted that they were being tended by "L---'s partner, Dr. S--- a skillful surgeon." The typed transcript of the letters had all the names like that, L--- and J--- etc., which is probably how William wrote them, but someone had added (both typed and handwritten) notes about who the initials were for, and Dr. S--- was clearly identified as Dr. Slack. It is not known why the letters ended in 1853. There was only one reference to the father, Leroy P. Daingerfield Sr., as "Pa." The letters to brother John Daingerfield were the frankest; the ones to the mother and (unidentified) sisters were meant to reassure them. William and Leroy were able to send $900 home to help the family by late 1852. It can be inferred from the available evidence that when their mother died, Leroy went home to Bath County, VA (Warm Springs) to help his elderly father with the farm and to support his maiden sisters (there is a reference to the two men listed as farmers in the 1860 census), married, started a family, lost a leg in the Civil War, etc. Meanwhile his youngest brother and sister, Foxhall Alexander Daingerfield and Sarah Jay Daingerfield went to Calif. to live with William, who had also married by then and started a family. Leroy Jr. left virtually no trace of himself in Shasta County. William ran for judge but it is unknown whether he won on his first attempt, though we know he eventually did become a judge there. Some time after the 1860 census, William and his wife Eliza moved to San Francisco, probably along with his sister Sarah and brother-in-law James R. Keene. William's widow is found in San Francisco in the 1880 census with her two children, William, an attorney, and Eliza, age 17, both born in Calif. There is a history book of San Francisco which includes information about the family in Calif. Sarah Jay (Daingerfield) Keene and her husband is found in Newport, Rhode Island in 1880; his occupation was listed as "speculator" and they had 7 servants, including a ladies' maid, parlor maid, chamber maid, cook, cook's assistant, butler, and laundress. They had two children, Jesse [i.e. Jessie, or Jessica], a daughter, and Foxhall, a son, both born in California.

Another record "Between the Lines/The Catholic Church in Shasta Co., CA 1853-1977", Death of Dr. R. N. Slack - we are pained to announce the demise of Dr. Slack, who has been a resident of California since the year 1849, and nearly all the time of this County. He died at Judge McMurtry's Ferry, on the Sacramento River, on the morning of Wednesday last at about 7 o'clock. Dr. Slack was a thoroughly educated physician, and in his profession enjoyed the confidence of all. He was an amiable man, a true friend, and an upright and much esteemed citizen. His decease will be keenly mourned by all who have been favored with his acquiantance. His remains were brought to this town and interred in the Catholic burying ground on Thursday last."

Dr. Slack died of "congestion of the brain." This meant a number of different kinds of deaths a hundred and fifty years ago. One definition was "hydrocephalus." For Dr. Slack, this is nonsense, because you don't "get" hydrocephalus, you are born with it, and it killed babies in a matter of days if they weren't born dead. Edgar Allan Poe died of "congestion of the brain." For years people thought he drank himself to death, but modern doctors think he died of rabies. A person can be bitten in their sleep by a rabid bat and not even know it. Other definitions include stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, perhaps meningitis.

I'd rule out stroke because of his young age; I don't know enough about the symptoms of meningitis. One idea I had on my own, before consulting Google, was sunstroke, and sure enough that is given as one of the 19th century definitions of "congestion of the brain." Dr. Slack died in late October, which can be at the end of a very long dry spell. It does not rain in California, except on rare occasions, from mid-May until late September at the earliest; and in dry years it may not rain before November. Late in October it is not as hot as usual, and a person might get dehydrated without realizing it. He might have been up for long hours with a patient. Truthfully, though, I don't think we will ever really know why he died.

Here is the wording from the newspaper: Died. At McMurtry's Ferry, Shasta Co., Cal., on Wednesday, Oct. 21st, Dr. Robert N. Slack, of Congestion of the Brain. The deceased was born in Washington Co. Ky., where he has numerous relatives still residing. Graduated in his profession at the Louisville Medical Institute about the year 1843, and emigrated to Texas in 1844, and from thence to California in 1849. He was about 36 years of age. Kentucky and Texas papers please copy.

P.S. I wonder if his disappointment in love had anything to do with his being Catholic. There was such prejudice against that in those days.

William P. Daingerfield's little baby who died in 1860 is also buried in the same cemetery, but it isn't clear to me whether that cemetery was always a Catholic one. There is no mention of going to church in any of the Daingerfield letters, as far as I noticed, although there are comments on preachers who preached in public among the gold fields.

Daingerfield was a lawyer from Virginia, and would have been in his mid-20s in the 1850s. Slack and Daingerfield had a license for a ferry across the Sacramento River at Bear Creek.

Assessor's records show Slack & Daingerfield had a ranch there of 320 acres, valued at $640.

On 7 Dec 1853 Leroy P. Daingerfield and R. N. Slack were granted license for a ferry opposite the Daingerfield and Slack ranch, about 5 miles below the Emigrant Ferry at the mouth of Bear Creek. This was renewed in May 1855 by G. W. McMurty, from 1856-1857 by Haycraft and Lafferty from 1858-60 and by Adams and Bragg in 1861-62. A notation in a dictionary of Shasta Co says "at the mouth of Bear Creek to the present Blue Jay Lane on the west side of the river". There is also a notation elswhere that the Daingerfield ranch was AKA Aloha.

Per old cemetery records R. N. Slack is buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Shasta, an old town a few miles west of Redding. There may have been a marker there at one time when these records were catalogued in the 1970's. This cemetery is under the jurisdiction of Shasta State Park and they might have more information. There is a probate record as I told you but if you were really interested it might be better to contact the courthouse directly about copies. The probate record might have a record of funeral expenses, gravestone, property owned etc. There might be old deed records also at the courthouse and these I could look through without much trouble. Another record "Between the Lines/The Catholic Church in Shasta Co., CA 1853-1977",

Death of Dr. R. N. Slack - we are pained to announce the demise of Dr. Slack, who has been a resident of California since the year 1849, and nearly all the time of this County. He died at Judge McMurtry's Ferry, on the Sacramento River, on the morning of Wednesday last at about 7 o'clock. Dr. Slack was a thoroughly educated physician, and in his profession enjoyed the confidence of all. He was an amiable man, a true friend, and an upright and much esteemed citizen. His decease will be keenly mourned by all who have been favored with his acquiantance. His remains were brought to this town and interred in the Catholic burying ground on Thursday last." weekly Shasta Republican paper for October 24, 1857: Died - at McMurtry's Ferry, Shasta Co., Cal., on Wednesday, Oct 21st, Dr. Robert N. Slack of congestion of the brain. The deceased was born in Washington CO., KY, where he has numberous relatives still residing. Graduated in his profession at the Louisville Medical Institute about year 1843, and emigrated to Texas in 1844, and from thence to California in 1849. He was about 36 years of age. Kentucky and Texas papers please copy.

Shasta State Historical park

ask for Fred Welcome?

PO Box 2430

Shasta, CA 90687 (530) 225-2065 museum (530) 243-8194

Shasta County Courthouse (530) 225-5671

ask for Superior Court Clerk (I think that's right) Rick Golden. He is the one who handlles the archives and very old records. Copies are $.50 The probate index number you need is:

Slack, R. V. 35-EE Estate of

Karen Taylor, corresponding secretary, Shasta Genealogical

Society, PO Box 994652, Redding, CA 96099-4652

________

Daingerfield was a lawyer from Virginia, and would have been in his mid-20s in the 1850s. Slack and Daingerfield had a license for a ferry across the Sacramento River at Bear Creek. Assessor's records show Slack & Daingerfield had a ranch there of 320 acres, valued at $640.

The following information on Leroy P. Daingerfield [Junior] presumably was contributed by one of his daughters who was living in San Francisco in 1924 when the book was written. The sketch tells about the smallpox incident and mentions a "partner" (but not by name) and relates it entirely differently than Judge Wm. P. Daingerfield's letter. Frankly, William's account, and not the daughter's related 20 years after Leroy's death, is more believable. She didn't even have the right location:

"Leroy Parker Daingerfield in 1852 kept a hotel near the town of

Sacramento. [try 200 miles north!] Believing that the true wealth of California lay in agriculture rather than in mining, he began the growing of fruit, vegetables and hay as well as live stock. While he was proprietor of the hotel a man very ill applied for lodging. His partner refused him admittance, but Leroy Daingerfield insisted that the man should not be turned away and he nursed the stranger through smallpox, contracting the disease himself after the man had gone his way. He had to nurse his own case. Fortunately he was not very ill, so that he could taken [sic] an amount of gold to a stump some fifty feet away, indicate in writing what he wanted and a man would then come and get the gold and bring the supplies..." It appears that nothing could be farther from the truth. Leroy certainly would not have remained in partnership with a DOCTOR who refused to nurse him! And we know that they did stay partners, from the grizzly bear incident, which was several months after the smallpox.

_____________

January 3, 1976 Letter from Robert S. Slack:

...Enclosed are the Robert N. Slack letters which I once mentioned to you. I heartily recommend use of a magnifying glass if you are to get the most out of them. My grandfather was named Robert for him, and that name goes on down through me to my only grandson. I believe you will agree that Robert N. was a romantic and venturesome figure. You will note that he left home because of unrequited love; that he was something of a gambler; he had at least one duel; and in general led a colorful life.

There is a little mix up in the copying of the letters. Page 4B shows the address section to Wm. C. McDonald, but this obviously refers to letter 3A, addressed to "Dear Mack", who would be his brother-in-law.

I have no information on Robert N. Slack beyond his letter of September 15, 1852, However, this is one lead I will follow when I become a little more proficient in procuring genealogical data.

____________

LETTER FROM Robert Slack Riley TO Mary Jean Slack Sullivan:

January 3, 1976

...You asked me once if I knew Aunt Net very well, and the fact is that I knew her very well . At one time we lived just a few blocks apart in Louiville, and I made many visits to her home with my mother. I last saw her when she was 99. She awakened slowly, but once awake, her mind was clear as a bell, and she laughed and joked as of old.

...You asked me once about Elvina Winfield, and I do have some data. I can go back two generations. She came from the Clark family, allegedly of George Rogers Clark fame. However, I hasten to add that I have not pinned this down yet. I am working on it.

...Enclosed are the Robert N. Slack letters which I once mentioned to you. I heartily recommend use of a magnifying glass if you are to get the most out of them. My grandfather was named Robert for him, and that name goes on down through me to my only grandson. I believe you will agree that Robert N. was a romantic and venturesome figure.

You will note that he left home because of unrequited love; that he was something of a gambler; he had at least one duel; and in general led a colorful life.

There is a little mix up in the copying of the letters. Page 4B shows the address section to Wm. C. McDonald, but this obviously refers to letter 3A, addressed to "Dear Mack", who would be his brother-in-law. I have no information on Robert N. Slack beyond his letter of September 15, 1852. However, this is one lead I will follow when I become a little more proficient in procuring genealogical data.

____________

There exists an old 24 page court document dated Feb. 1852 involving R.N. Slack in a gunfight in the streets of Shasta, CA. His foe was named McArdle. They were both arrested as McArdle had a minor wound. It was a lengthy court case.

Pat Gavigan

...Its an original document form of about 24 pages. About 10 years ago... I got these documents about this whole incident. Apparently the night before these two subjects had some bad feelings towards one another as McArdle or could be McAndle as the handwriting is crude on the documents threatened R.N. Slack inside a saloon. The next day as Slack was sitting on a chair outside a building next to the street, McArdle was walking with a friend of his towards Slack. Slack who was still steaming from the night before told McArdle to defend himself as Slack was going to shoot him. Slack started shooting with his Colt revolver as McArdle was running backwards and at the same time drew a pistol out of his pocket and started firing back. Witnesses describe in the documents of bullets flying into the two hotels across the street from one another which were the Old Dominion and the El Dorado. One bullet is described as going thru a window in to the ceiling and hitting a light fixture. In the documents which include the warrants, testimony etc. It refers to Dr. R.N. Slack. There is much to read on this incident. There are signatures of the justice of the peace Josiah Roop and by the sheriff Dave Corsant. A lot of witness testimony. As from what I've read, McArdle was slightly wounded in the affray. A lot to read.

Pat

_____

The original handwriting can at times be challenging to read. On a couple of the docs the writing is halfway ledgible because fading of the ink on the paper it was written on. I can make out about 90 percent of the writing as it was seemingly written at a fast pace with ink and quill. I am not at all related to Dr. R.N.Slack. I do have a photo taken of me next to his gravestone in the town of Shasta dated 1857 as the year of his death. It was a hot summer day about 4 years ago when my uncle was visiting from Michigan and I took him out to the the old gold rush town of Shasta to the museum. He wanted to know if I wanted to walk up the steep hill to the brush where the old cemetary was. I reluctantly agreed as it was hot as hell that day. We started walking thru the cemetary when I happened across R.N. Slacks gravestone. Blew me away! I then thanked my uncle for wanting to go there. Slacks defense attorney was William Daingerfield who eventually became district judge in 1854 to 1862. After Slack was acquitted he went into the ferry business with Daingerfield's brother Leroy the following year on the Sacramento river near Shasta. They also did some farming. The long court trial cost Slack a few thousand dollars.Slack wrote a letter to his brother dated Sept.15, 1852 eight months after this incident explaining some of the details.I got this info in 2003 off the internet Past Voices: Letters Home-Robert N. Slack 1845-1852. Again some details explaining how the whole thing started with McAndle the night before then escalating into the fray the next day. He was born in Kentucky in 1818. So he was only 39 years old when he died.

Pat

__________________

Robert N. Slack letters to James Brown Slack in 1849 and 1852

From: "Bob Slack"

Sent: Wed, Jul 28, 2010 06:04

I know the location of the originals [Bob Slack has the originals], which consist of ten letters written by Robert N. S. to his brother James B. S. from 1846 to 1852. James Brown Slack was my great grandfather and Robert N. was my great-great uncle.

Bob