Mail Order Brides

In the early days of the Old El Dorado supplies were not always available when they were needed.  Many items were sent to the mines and the workers by mail order.  Orders were placed by the local merchant, or stage driver but most often by mail order.

In 1859 the California papers estimated in all the territory west of the Missouri River there was but one woman to every 200 men. This opened the path for an enterprising new business of mail order brides.

Early in the Gold Rush these hard working men lifted their heads from their labors and felt the absence of one vital element -- women!

There were no money-back guarantees but those lonely hearts thought it was worth a role of the dice to order a bride by mail, and it did work out most of the time.

There were a number of early publications that specialized in mail order brides.  The motto of the day was "Women need a man's strong arm to support her in life's struggle, and men need a woman's love".

Most communities celebrated the arrival of a new bride to their town.  Miners scattered throughout the hills would all come to town to look at this new addition -- "A woman".   Word would spread far and wide when a woman was to arrive.

Here in Old El Dorado the new bride was not always celebrated as in other towns.  Here they said it was a friend of a relative back East.  Some men were too embarrassed.

Some of the names of early Old El Dorado you will recognize but we are not going to list those brave souls who took to this much needed supply.

Despite an occasional unhappy couple mail order match, there were an unusual number of life long unions.

This was because the people were very honest in their letters of exactly what they expected.  Photos and background information was a must.  Also after they met both parties were to sign an agreement not to be a bad spouse or try to change the other person.

These poor souls were willing to sign away anything to complete the spousal arrangement.

The lack of women in the gold fields and not many good men back East especially after the war brought these two factions together.  Records tell us that in most cases this was a life made in Heaven.

EVEN the old timers said "If you are lucky enough to live in Old El Dorado with a woman, then you are lucky enough!"