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This handwritten poem captured my attention while looking for treasure online . This is a gem of a poem that deserves to be read and pondered. As I read it, I couldn't help but wonder how many countless others are hidden in attics, locked away in boxes, or destroyed and lost forever. Today's technology gives me the opportunity to bring back to life, however briefly, a treasure seeker from another time who perished before their search could bear fruit.

The Dying Caliafornian (sic)

1st
Lay up nearer, Brother, nearer
For my limbs are growing cold
And thy presence seemeth dearer,
When thy arms around me fold.
I am dying, Brother, dying
Soon you’ll mifs me from your berth,
And my form will soon be lying
Neath the oceans bring surf.

2nd
Hearken to me, Brother, hearken
I have something I would say
Ere the vale my vision darken
When I go from hence away.
I am going, surely going
But my hope in god is strong
I am dying, Brother, dying
But he doeth nothing wrong.

3rd
Tell my Father when you meet him
That in death I prayed for him
Prayed that I one day may meet him
In a world that’s far from sin.
Tell my Mother God afsist her
Now that she is growing old
Now her child would glad have kifsed her
When his lips grew pale and cold.

4th
Tell her she must kifs my children
Like the kifs I last imprefsed
Hold them as when last I held them
Folded closely to my breast.
Give them early to their Maker
Putting all her trust in God
And he never will forsake her
For he says so in his word.

5th
Tell my Sister I remember
Every kindly parting word
And my heart has been kept tender
By the thoughts her memory stirred.
Tell I never reached the haven
Where I sought the precious dust
But I’ve gained a fort called heaven
Where the gold will never rust.

6th
Listen, Brother, catch each whisper
Tis my wife I’d speak of now
Tell, oh tell her how I mifsed her
When the fever burned my brow.
Tell her, Brother, closely listen
Don’t forget one single word
How my eyes in death did glisten
When the tears her memory stirred.

7th
Oh, my children, Heaven blefs them
They recall my life to me
Would I could once more carefs them
Ere I sink beneath the sea.
Twas for them I crofsed the ocean
What my hopes were I’ll not tell
But they’ve gained an orphans portion
Yet he doeth all things well.

8th
Urge them to secure an entrance
For they’ll find their Father there
Faith in Jesus and repentance
Will secure for each a share.
Hark, I hear my Saviour speaking
Tis his voice I know so well
When I’m gone Oh don’t be weeping
Brother, tis my last farewell.

Written by Your Friend,
Kate Roelkey

How this poem was dated:

The California Gold Rush (hinted at in the 5th stanza) lasted from 1848 to about 1855, and the writer's use of the long 's' (?) gives a hint that she must have been born sometime in the late 18th/early 19th century, or taught by someone who was. I used "f" to indicate the long s, as the CW script doesn't recognize the special character.