USA > California > California gold book : first nugget, its discovery and discoverers, and some of the results proceeding therefrom > Part 1
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LIFORNIA COLD BOOK
FIRST NUGGET
500 100463
Cornell University Library Ithaca, Nem Bork
BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE JACOB H. SCHIFF ENDOWMENT FOR THE PROMOTION OF STUDIES IN HUMAN CIVILIZATION 1918
Date Due
DEC 1 41946
JAN 2 5 1947
OCT 2 7 1949 J
30 YEARS
huh
BAK 2 '79 E
TTO
Cornell University Library F 865 A43 California gold book : first nugget, its
olin 3 1924 028 920 961
F 865 A43
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$981
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UN
A.D
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Cornell University Library
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028920961
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VANDERCOOK ENG. & POB: COMPANY
J. W. Marshall and Mrs. Wimmer Testing Gold in Boiling Soap,
4 3
California Gold Book
FIRST
NUGGET
ITS DISCOVERY AND DISCOVERERS
AND
SOME OF THE RESULTS PROCEEDING THEREFROM
BY
.m W. W. ALLEN AND R. B. AVERY
SAN FRANCISCO AND CHICAGO : DONOHUE & HENNEBERRY PRINTERS AND BINDERS ₹893
KG
A7702.58
Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1893, by W. W. ALLEN AND R. B. AVERY, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington D. C.
INDEX.
PAGE.
Origin of Peter L. Wimmer
11
Boyhood of Peter L. Wimmer
15
Adventure with Indians
20
Early Pioneer Customs
26
Youth of Elizabeth Jane Wimmer
32
Marriage of Jennie Wimmer
37
Wedding Trip to Missouri
44
Starting Across the Plains
50
Trials of Immigrants -
-
61
James W. Marshall Discovers Gold
69
Discovery of Gold in Australia
76
Large Chunks of Gold
84
Del Norte County
103
Siskiyou County
103
Modoc County
104
Humboldt County
104a
Trinity County
105
Shasta County
108
Lassen County
110
Tehama County
113
Plumas County
114
Mendocino County
118
Lake County
-
118
Glenn County
-
119
Butte County
-
119
Yuba County
-
-
121
Sierra County
125
Colusa County
-
-
128
Sutter County
-
130
-
-
1
INDEX.
Nevada County
132
Placer County
135
El Dorado County
-
-
-
138
Sonoma County
141
Napa County -
149
Yolo County -
151
Sacramento County
152
Amador County
-
159
Marin County -
160
Solano County
164
Contra Costa County
167
Calaveras County
171
Alpine County
173
San Mateo County
176
Alameda County -
178
San Francisco County
183
" California Hundred "
190
David Fitzgibbon
191
San Joaquin County
198
Mono County
202
Santa Clara County
204
Stanislaus County
207
Tuolumne County
-
209
Mariposa County
216
Santa Cruz County
216
Merced County
217
Monterey County
218
San Benito County
224
Fresno County
225
Inyo County
-
-
227
Tulare County
-
-
228
San Luis Obispo County
233
Kern County
238
Santa Barbara County
241
-
1
-
INDEX.
iii
Ventura County
-
246
Los Angeles County
249
San Bernardino County
256
Orange County
261
San Diego County
264
Railroads
275
Theodore D. Judah
278
Central Pacific R. R. Company
279
North Pacific Coast R. R.
- 292
San Francisco and North Pacific R. R.
293
Collis P. Huntington
294
Mark Hopkins
297
Charles Crocker
299
Alban N. Towne -
301
Senator Leland Stanford
304
Leland Stanford Junior University
309
Senator George Hearst -
326
Phoebe Apperson Hearst
337
Senator James G. Fair
346
Hon. G. Wiley Wells
C
353
Hon. A. T. Hatch
356
Claus Spreckels
359
Jolin D. Spreckels
370
Adolph B. Spreckels
370
Hotel del Coronado
374
Henry Miller
380
Woman in Fruit Growing
386
Elise P. Buckingham
387
T. Hugh Buckingham
391
Sarah A. Bates
391
Harriet Barrows
392
Irrigation
394
Crocker-Huffman Land and Water Co.
397
E. J. Baldwin's Irrigating System
1 401
-
-
-
-
-
-
,
-
-
INDEX.
iv
H. A. Unruh
405
Sweetwater Dam
406
Redlands
408
Bear Valley Irrigation Co. -
410
Irrigation in Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties
411
Lake Hemet Water Co.
414
Asphaltum
416
Standard Asphalt Co.
421
Press of California
424
First Newspaper
424
First Daily Paper
425
Morning Call
426
San Francisco Chronicle.
427
Daily Examiner
429
Daily Demokrat
430
Abend-Post
430
Evening Bulletin
430
Evening Post
430
Evening Report
431
Journal of Commerce
431
Mining and Scientific Press
-
431
Oakland Newspapers -
433
Pacific Coast Women's Press Association
434
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company -
435
W. J. Dutton -
436
D. J. Staples - -
-
-
437
I
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CONTENTS OF CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK.
INTRODUCTORY.
CHAPTER
I-Revolutionary Origin of a Pioneer.
II-A Natural Adventurer.
III-A Bloodless Victory.
IV-Pining for the Indian War-whoop. V-Origin of the "F. F. Vs."
VI-" Lo ! the Bridegroom Cometh."
VII-Across Fifteen Hundred Miles Behind Oxen. VIII-To the Setting Sun.
IX-Road Building in the Mountains.
X-James W. Marshall.
XI-" The Woman Whom Thou Gavest." XII-Gold.
XIII-Wonderful Progress in Forty-two Years XIV-Railroads.
XV-Remarkable Men -- What they have Accom plished.
XVI-Woman in Fruit Growing. XVII-Irrigation.
XVIII-Asphaltum. XIX-The Press.
XX-Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. -
3
To the Marvelous Progress of California and the Brave and Industrious Citizens whose bandi- work is shown therein, is the California Gold Book TReverentially Dedicated by
The Authors.
4
INTRODUCTORY.
T HE CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK claims the atten- tion of the public for several reasons peculiarly its own. Up to date there has been no anthorita- tive history of the discovery of gold in California, nor of those directly identified with that important event. Even in California different dates are given as the day when the first gold was picked up by James W. Marshall. Sev- eral years ago the first lump of gold picked up by a white person in California, and to which all the suc- ceeding excitement and wonderful results must be credited, came into the possession of W. W. Allen, one of the authors of the California Gold Book. He spent time and money in proving the genuineness of the historical nugget, and the exact date upon which it was discovered. It had never been out of the possession of Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Wimmer since it was given her a few days after its discovery by Marshall and tested by her. She and her husband made oath to its gennineness, and they were hon- est and reputable persons. It was twice shown to James W. Marshall by Mr. Allen, who indorsed its identity, the date of its discovery, and the other facts in regard to it detailed in this history. There were several other per- sons, now prominent business men of San Francisco, who had been shown the nugget when visiting Mrs. Wimmer and her husband at their home at Coloma, soon after the discovery was made, and while a wonderful intercst attached to the " first find." Its peculiarities are indelli- bly impressed upon their minds. The identity of the famous lump of gold is therefore easily established without the aid of the following depositions:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO:
Elizabeth Jane Wimmer, being duly sworn, deposes and says : I am the wife of Peter L. Wimmer. My hus- band and I went to Coloma, on the American river, Cali- fornia, in the year 1847. James W. Marshall lived with us. We went there to build a saw-mill for Gen. John A. Sutter.
5
6
INTRODUCTORY.
In Jannary, 1848, Messrs. Wimmer and Marshall picked up a nugget of metal and Mr. Wimmer sent it to the house to me by our son, and I boiled it in a kettle of soap all day to test it and see if it was gold. It proved to be a nugget of gold.
From that mining began. The nugget of gold now in the possession of W. W. Allen, of San Francisco, is the identical nugget thus tested by me in January, 1848, and I have preserved it ever since.
ELIZABETH JANE WIMMER.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23d day of March, 1885.
J. M. DODGE,
SEAL
CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT, SAN DIEGO, CAL.
By A. J. BEARD, DEPUTY CLERK. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY:
Peter L. Wimmer, being duly sworn, on oath says: That he is the husband of Elizabeth Jane Wimmer; that they were employed in the year 1847 by James W. Marshall and General Sutter to work at building a saw-mill at Coloma, on the American river, in the State of California ; that they, in company with James W. Marshall, discovered the gold afterwards mined out at that place as follows, to-wit: Marshall and Wimmer were together and picked up the first nugget. Wimmer sent it to the house by his little boy with instructions to Mrs. Wimmer to test it, and she boiled it in a kettle of soap and tested it. Marshall afterward took it to Fort Sutter and had it tested with acids, and it proved to be gold. That the nugget now in the possession of W. W. Allen is the identical nugget thus discovered and tested by us, and has been preserved by Mrs. E. J. Wimmer as a relic of the great discovery, and is still her property. PETER L. WIMMER.
Subscribed and sworn to, before mc, this 18th day of April, 1885.
A. J. BEARD.
Justice of the Peace of said county and State."
The California Gold Book asserts that January 19, 1848, was the date upon which the great discovery of gold
7
INTRODUCTORY.
in California was made, because : First, for the reason that that was the date given by Peter L. and Elizabeth Jane Wimmer; and was the only date mentioned by James W. Marshall in the conversations W. W. Allen had with him in regard to this matter. If more testimony is needed it is supplied by the following autograph card which Mar- shall distributed among his friends and the curious:
AUTOGRAPH OF
OLD SUTTER MILL.
Jas, W, Marshall
THE DISCOVERER OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA
January 19th. 1848
The date upon which any past event occurred is not more clearly and reliably fixed.
The sketches of James W. Marshall, Peter L. and Eliza- beth Jane Wimmer, are largely autobiographies, being compiled from statements made by these persons, and written down at the time, and the correctness of which, so far as the Wimmers are concerned, was verified by frequent repetitions. They deserve to be received as the biographies of honest and earnest pioneers.
California contains more than one hundred and one million acres of land. Of this more than half is still owned by the United States. The greater part of that is hilly and much mountainous, but very much is adapted to the production of the finest qualities of fruits, grapes and nuts. Hence the pen photographs of all the counties in the State, which will be found essentially correct, and which will give homeseekers afair estimate of every part of California. The assertion is made, with anxiety to be absolutely correct, that " no mistake can be made whatever part of California is selected for a home." The "citrus belt" used to be
8
INTRODUCTORY.
located exclusively in southern California. Practical experiment has proved that it extends to the "snow line," on the mountains, and that many kinds of fruits do best where snow is not unknown.
The mountains are yet rich in opportunities for the searcher after precious metals. Many promising fields are still unexplored. Silver mines are not deemed the most desirable property at this time, though more or less gold is generally found in combination with silver. When American law makers determine that the producer shall be given the same influence in fixing the value of the prod- uct of his courage and industry as the foreign broker; when the same rule is applied which took gold out of the list of speculative commodities, then will silver mining be again profitable, and coast prosperity will be unob- structed by the behests of foreign stock dealers. Resump- tion of specie payments was as easily accomplished in this country as was ever any human act when the Government decided that every public obligation could be satisfied with any description of national money. Silver will be enno- bled, and its value fixed in this country-which is as far as an American statesman need look-whenever the Govern- ment acts for the best interests of its own people without consulting the wishes of foreign purchasers of bullion.
The authors of the California Gold Book believe the railroad as much of an educator as the public school, and as great a civilizer as any other instrumentality in usc among' men. It has given railroad enterprises only their appropriate prominence and only their proper credit. Less could not have been done and a claim upon the respect of its readers retained. The evidence is in its pages, empha- sized by the wonderful growth which has followed the introduction of railroad facilities in sections possessing no greater natural advantages than others that have retro- graded because lacking this convenience. The railroad will remain man's chief helper until some speedier means of transit and intercommunication has been discovered.
It was the original intention of the authors of the Cali- fornia Gold Book to more extensively illustrate it. For this purpose a large number of photographs were obtained from the wonderful collection of coast scenes held by
9
INTRODUCTORY.
Tabor, of San Francisco. Only a few of these could be used, but for them we give proper credit here.
California is first in climatic and health and comfort giv- ing advantages; third in wealth; fourth as an importer of merchandise, and fifth in exportations. This among States that were aged before the first American settlement had been established within her bounds. She was given number "31 "in the roll of States only forty-two years ago. Situated beyond the mountains, and outside of lines of travel, she has overtaken and passed all but five of her prosperons sisters in every line distinguishing advance- ment, and in ten years more will be at the head of the class in everything but population and importations, and she will retain the place to which God has assigned her as the one State to which all eyes are turned in admiration and wonder.
THE AUTHORS.
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SEP 12 1893
6 6.16%
THE PROPERTY OF
CHICAGO THE
WORKING LICO] & WOSIEN'S FREE LIOPAR
CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK ·E
FIFTH A
Can CHAPTER I.
REVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF A PIONEER.
The Wimmers were originally a noted family in the north of Ireland, and so close to the Scotch border that they may well be termed "Scotch-Irish." From various causes large numbers of the brave and indepen- dent natives of that section were among the earliest emigrants to the New World. From the beginning of the eighteenth century until the Declaration of Inde- pendence the departures from Irish ports of natives of the north of Ireland and Scotland frequently reached the enormous number of more than ten thousand in a month. Comparatively, this was a larger number than now disembark at American ports from all the rest of the habitable globe. No wonder that the British authorities viewed with alarm the disappearance of such vast numbers of the men from among whom she had been in the habit of recruiting her armies. No wonder that every argument was used to stay the steady and increasing departure of emigrants. But the sturdy natives continued to land on these shores, and spread out to every part of the unexplored country. The careful and conscientious student will readily per- ceive the vital influence which these brave and indepen- dent pioneers have exercised upon the destinies of this country at every stage of its history. It might almost
11
12
CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK.
be said that they and their descendants made its glory and greatness ; for, from the beginning until now, men of Scotch-Irish blood have been foremost leaders in every creditable achievement.
It is now several years since Horace Greeley advised the young man to " go west." Ages before that the Creator had implanted in the hearts of the best and bravest of the human race a disposition to " move on " and "spy out the land"-to carry civilization and Christianity to the uttermost parts of the earth. It was this God-inspired disposition which compelled Columbus to turn the prow of his small vessel toward the center of an unknown and illimitable sea, in the hope that he might find races of men to civilize, or new worlds to explore. It is this God implanted craving for adventure and danger which has subdued the vast wilderness in America with startling celerity, and created churches and school-houses on almost every section of land of the entire continent. It is the universal disposition to " go west " which has made this, less than four hun- dred years after its discovery, the wealthiest, most enlightened and most powerful nation in the world- an educating example to all peoples who are ambitious to become respected, prosperous and happy.
John Wimmer was born in Virginia about the year 1750. When war was declared against Great Britain, it took him no time to select sides. He was a born patriot, and joined the ranks of the revolutionists, as did ninety-nine per cent of those of Scotch-Irish parent- age. John Wimmer possessed a fine constitution, great courage, an unassuming disposition, splendid intellectual qualities and coolness and self-possession which never deserted him under the most dangerous
13
CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK.
and trying circumstances. These characteristics ren- dered him invaluable as a scout and Indian fighter, and his services were in constant demand until victory was achieved by the patriot army.
Some years after the close of the revolutionary war, John Wimmer removed to Ohio, finally settling at Cincinnati. Previous to this Marietta, on the Ohio river, had become an important trading post, having been settled by a colony from New England. The country away from the river was still subject to incur- sions from roving bands of depredating Indians. The experience obtained during the war of independence stood Wimmer in good stead during these times. One incident is related which shows the coolness and rare resources possessed by this man. Returning from the trading post in 1808 Wimmer was captured by a band of marauding Indians, and hurried off to their tempo- rary camp on the Ohio river, where he was kept an unwilling prisoner. He at once commenced to gain the confidence of the chief and his tribe by meeting them with smiles, and engaging cheerfully in any amusement or duty in which others were employed. His course seemed to impress the leading men with a sense of his great superiority, and they began to look upon his skill with arms, and his apparent contentment and undeviating good humor, as connecting him in some degree with the Great Spirit. The culmination came soon. One day, when sitting in front of the wig- wam of the chief, a large bald eagle made its appear- ance over the camp, circled about for awhile, and then sailed away. Next day, about the same hour, the huge bird again appeared, and commenced circling above the heads of the watching Indians. Wimmer knew
14
CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK.
that it had espied something of which it intended to make a meal, and that it would return again and again, until it succeeded in making the intended capture or was wounded and driven away. Providence had sup- plied him with the opportunity for which he had been praying. Wimmer arose, and with upturned eyes, and finger pointing to the circling eagle, in his usual calm, firm and impressive tones, thus addressed the awed Indians :
" Does the mighty Chief and his proud braves see the Messenger from the Great Spirit ? Should he come again it would be to guide an enemy, and the Chief and all his braves would be . destroyed. But the Great Spirit has provided you with a guardian. When I was brought here I realized that it was for your salvation. You have been uniformly kind to me, and I declare that that treacherous bird shall never pilot an enemy to this camp. The great Spirit has given me power to divine his intentions, and he has also given me power to prevent his executing them. The Great Chief and his valiant braves, who have treated me so like a brother, shall have as a memento of that kindness, and as evidence that their conduct has saved them, the head of that cruel bird who would compass their destruction."
The Indians were silent with superstitious fear. Wimmer seized his rifle, and with nerves of iron and unerring aim, fired at the slowly circling eagle. At the crack of the rifle, the huge bird began to whirl over and over in its rapid descent to the earth, and in a few moments fell lifeless almost at the feet of Wim- mer. The first effect was a glow of relief on the scared faces of the superstitious braves, to be instantly
15
CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK.
followed by a frenzy of excitement as they realized that the messenger of the waiting enemy was forever powerless for evil. So great was the effect upon the Indians, that John Wimmer was loaded with presents, and escorted in safety and honor to the post at Mari- etta. He never lost his influence with this powerful tribe, and was the successful arbitrator in all disputes arising between the Indians and settlers as long as he remained on the Ohio river.
When this country became engaged in war with England in 1812, John Wimmer again enlisted and served until the troops were disbanded at its close. His services were specially valuable in repelling the merciless hordes on the frontiers of Ohio and Indiana. Incursions by these savage allies of Christian England were very frequent, and the destruction they wrought terrible, until after the defeat of Tecumseh at Tippe- canoe by General Harrison in 1813.
In 1824 John Wimmer removed to Henry county, Indiana, where the last years of his life were spent among neighbors who loved and respected him for the nobleness of his character, and honored him for the service he had rendered his country.
CHAPTER II.
A NATURAL ADVENTURER.
Peter L. Wimmer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 5th day of April, 1810, eight years after that State had been added to the sisterhood, and when Cincin- nati was comparatively a village outpost. He remained there until 1824, when his father removed to Henry
16
CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK.
county, Indiana, less than eight years after that State had been admitted into the Union. Peter L. Wimmer was not distinguished as a boy for love of books. He inherited the calm, self-possessed disposition of his father, and was an enthusiastic lover of nature. He never was excitable, and always hopeful of the future. The limited population, outside the village boundaries, made all the country appear like a wilderness, and young Wimmer would have played "truant" if there had been schools for him to attend, and would have spent most of his days on the banks of the musical brooks, dreaming of whence their sparkling waters came and whither they were tending ; or in the dense forest, studying woodcraft, and watching the gambols of the squirrels, or listening to the songs of birds. It was thus that most of his days were spent, after attend- ing to such duties about the cabin as were required of him. He was small of stature, but possessed of great strength for one of his weight, and always enjoyed perfect health. Under such management his mind matured faster than his body and the experience was fitting him for the future which destiny had prepared for him. When he was fourteen years old life in Cincinnati seemed too confined for his father, who was an involuntary pioneer, and it is not surprising that young Wimmer heartily seconded the proposition to invade the wilderness. Then the move was made to Indiana. More room was promised them. For four years the family remained united, respected and especi- ally happy and prosperous. Among their neighbors was the family of Capt. George W. Harlan, who was among the very first to cross the plains in 1846. The families were very intimate, and doubtless mainly
17
CALIFORNIA GOLD BOOK.
because Capt. Harlan had a daughter Polly who was more beautiful in the eyes of Peter Wimmer than any- thing else which had come from the hand of the Creator. He was not slow in making Miss Polly under- stand the condition of his heart, and was made happy by learning that the feeling was heartily reciprocated. As his life was without reproach and his disposition most kind and affectionate, the betrothal received the sanction of both families, and in the fall of 1828 Peter L. Wimmer and Polly Harlan were married, receiving the congratulations of every acquaintance in Henry county.
Now, at this time, Peter L. Wimmer had just passed his eighteenth year. He was the head of a family, however, and considered it his duty to hew out his own destiny. To that end he immediately emigrated to Michigan, still a territory, and then more unsettled than either Indiana or Ohio. He retained his residence in Michigan less than three years, when he removed to Illinois and settled on the Illinois river, near where the Kankakee empties into it. The "Prairie State" was then almost a boundless, uninhabited plain. A fringe of timber bordered all the water courses, and nearly the entire balance of the State was treeless. A few adven- turous families from Virginia and Kentucky had even then settled along the water courses of the lower half of the State, but the prairie solitudes were broken only by the whirr of the wings of the startled quail or prairie chicken, or the howl of the wolf. Black hawk and his fierce and merciless braves still claimed the prairie country for a hunting ground, and the shelter of the beautiful groves as their own rightful camping place. They were frequently out on the war path, their hands
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