A terse but informative, historically significant journal belonging to C.C. Darling, a Sierra county pioneer who operated a stage line between Downieville, Sierra City, Truckee, and elsewhere. There is an entry for almost every day of the year, with the majority of them being brief and to-the-point.

Beginning in 1869, Darling ran tri-weekly coaches back and forth between Downvieville, his residence until 1875, and Sierra City. He later ran trips between Downieville and Loyalton. In September of 1875, Darling purchased a stageline from Randolph (now part of Sierraville) to Truckee, and immediately began servicing passengers there as well.

Typical entries read “left for Marysville,” “went to Virginia City,” staid in Truckee,” etc. Many of the entries record expenses and note the weather. Major events are recounted with the same concision as the typical ones. Virginia City’s Great Fire, for example, which raged for nine hours and destroyed more than 2000 structures, is described herein as, “Big fire in Virginia City,” Another entry reads, “Went to Loyalton and back Chinaman killed,” with no further explanation. In a November entry, Darling notes that he was thrown from his horse. (His injuries were apparently severe enough for the accident to be mentioned in the Marysville Appeal.)

Taken as a whole, it is a vivid account of an iconic occupation of the west.

From the estate of Ron Lerch.