Across the Isthmus to California in ‘52 was written by Sarah Merriam Brooks and published in 1894 in San Francisco. This is a story of Sarah's journey from Boston to San Francisco by steamer and then across the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific and then by steamer to San Francisco. She describes in detail all the hardships she and her 3½ year old daughter encountered on their journey. (97 pages)

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Excerpts:

.....From such associations and surroundings I was suddenly summoned to California. My first thought was, "Impossible!" My next, "Can I do it?" and the next, "Yes, this is just what I want—a new land, a chance to live what I have learned, to be an actor in the world, and not a waiting soul." I had the usual experience of persons about to undertake what was then considered a difficult and hazardous journey for a man, — how much more for a woman with a little child only three and a half years old! One said I ought not to attempt such a thing; others wished they had the chance, and still others saw all sorts of dangers and disasters in my way. A dear sister clung beseechingly to me, and only gave way when she had exacted a promise from me that in case I did not like the country, or there were hardships to endure, I would come back in a year. I said "Yes," but I thought "No—most decidedly no!" I resolved to go forward, but never backward.
.....It took a long time then to arrange preliminaries. It was midwinter when I decided to go, and the 26th of April was the first date on which I could secure tickets. Alvin Adams, the king of expressmen, was a personal friend, and he undertook the selection and purchasing of tickets, and doing all else that was possible in advance for my comfort. He was anxious I should go at that time, as the steamers "Illinois" and "Golden Gate" were advertised to make a trial trip then, and anything which promised a lessening in time of the tedious journey was much to be desired.
.....But in crossing the Isthmus I was to rely upon some one else, as he would have all he could possibly do in looking after his large business. Mr. Adams gave me an order on Covy & Co., at Aspinwall, for especial transportation for myself and escort, which meant riding and baggage animals, and a muleteer for our own use. How very valuable it was to me will be seen later on.
.....After the matter of tickets was settled came the next important one of trunks and wardrobe. A friend of mine had spent nine months in California, and returned the previous fall. He gave me full instructions about my baggage, which was all right; but when it came to wardrobe, his ideas were somewhat confused. He had spent most of his time in the mountains, where it was exceedingly warm, but starting home, had come through San Francisco, and found it quite cool.
.....It seemed to me that I had only shut my eyes again when loud talking and the sound of many feet in the wide corridor put to flight all thoughts of sleep. I soon found out the cause of the commotion. The steerage passengers all walked across the Isthmus. Some took the upper (or Cruces) trail, and others the lower one—the same that we came over. Travelers over both routes had arrived nearly together, and finding all the cots taken, or not wishing to pay for one, had got permission to sleep on the balcony around the court. From the noise they made, I thought there were hundreds of them.
.....Some were so near my door that I could hear their conversation, and something caught my ear which aroused my keenest attention. They were telling some others of the men who had not been with them about a man who, they said, had been "fool enough to talk to a pretty woman" at a place where they stopped for water. He was warned against it; but having taken just enough liquor to be brave, persisted in his attention a little too long, and was stabbed to the heart by the husband, who was hiding near the house. The man's companions at first ran away, but afterwards gathered a few newcomers, and returned to see if there was any life in him. But he was "sure enough" dead. His body was thrown aside in the bushes, and the men passed on.
.....When I left Boston, I said, "No; I will never go backward!" I have kept my word, and no shadow of regret has ever found a lodgment in my heart for my venture. If days were dark, I would rather have them here than elsewhere, and if bright, they were all the brighter for being in California.