USA > California > California gold book : first nugget, its discovery and discoverers, and some of the results proceeding therefrom > Part 3
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to be an expert tobacconist, thoroughly acquainted with its cultivation and cure, by improved processes, with which the Virginia planters were unacquainted. Besides he claimed to be expert in the management of labor. He sounded his own praises until he convinced Martin Cloud that he would be a valuable man to be connected with, and that his assurance that he could double the income of the plantation was more than probable. Having created this impression, so neces- sary to the success of his swindling schemes, Risley announced the only terms upon which he would give Cloud the benefit of his invaluable services. He must be an equal partner in the land and slaves, and for this half interest he must be allowed credit. The sale was made, and the management of land and servants was surrendered to the practical control of a man who was naturally cruel and tyrannical, and always a scamp. This was a sad day for the slaves, who had never experienced any of the cruelties which made the lives of some slaves unendurable. Risley selected a negro called big Dave to do the whipping, and for the slightest fault the negroes were subjected to merciless inflictions of the lash. A center post in the tobacco barn was where the slaves were tied and the lash applied until Dave and his barbarous master were satis- fied. This unnecessary cruelty was as painful to Mar- tin Cloud and his pious wife as to the colored victims, but they were powerless to prevent the whippings. One day Jennie's maid, Betsy, had displeased Risley, and he ordered her to the whipping post. Little Jennie reached there before the punishment com- menced, and falling on her knees, she begged Dave to spare Betsy and punish her. Dave answered :
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" Fore God, Missey, I'd rudder be beat myself dan strike a lick atter de little angel had told me not to. Massa Risley is welcome to whip me for not whippin' Betsy, but I won't do it."
Little Jennie was shrewd beyond her years. She told Dave to make the lash crack around the center post, and she and Betsy would scream at every blow, until Mr. Risley would think that Betsy was getting far more than he pretended she deserved. The plan was carried out, and it is certain that Jennie and Betsy - performed their part in fine style, making more noise than would have been called for if the lash had been applied to Betsy instead of the post.
But other evils followed the new management. The flush times on the lower Mississippi, when the most careful went wild in senseless speculations, had been followed by the inevitable reaction and the depressing influences extended farther than had the previous expansions in business. Every interest in Virginia was affected, and the planters suffered equally with merchants and traders. The times were undeniably "hard." Money was scarce, and individual credit a thing almost unknown along in the year 1837. To render the conditions worse, crops were - short, and the price of tobacco low. The large indebtedness contracted by Risley, and against the protests of Mar- tin Cloud, could not be met without sacrificing the plantation and most of the slaves. Martin Cloud made no contest. He had acted unwisely in putting so much authority into the hands of an unknown man, but he recognized and accepted his responsibility, by selling all he had and paying every obligation. When this had been accomplished, pride or hope inclined him to
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seek a new home, where he could build afresh, and possibly accumulate competency for old age, which was stealing on apace. We do not know that Martin Cloud claimed to belong to the " F. F. Vs."; but it is certain that no man was held in higher esteem by his neighbors, and no family commanded a sincerer sym- pathy from all who knew them than the family of Martin Cloud in their undeserved change of circum- stances.
At that time, all the gold produced in the United States was found in northeastern Virginia, in North Carolina and in northern Georgia. A mint was established at Dahlonega, Ga., about this date, as the mines of Georgia were producing more abundantly than those of Virginia and North Carolina, and because there was no mint nearer than Philadelphia, and it was more dangerous to carry gold nuggets and dust across the mountains of East Tennessee and Virginia than it has ever been to transport gold anywhere on the Pacific Coast. There were no responsible express companies, and stage lines were few and far between. The Georgia output was nearly all from placer mines and the beds of creeks and rivers.
Procuring a wagon and two yoke of oxen, Martin Cloud loaded up with such things as he had preserved from the wreck of his fortune, and in June, 1837, left with his family for Lumpkin county, Georgia, where he determined to try to retrieve his losses in a search for gold. The trip was tedious, and it was August before he arrived at his destination. Jennie was then in her seventeenth year, a healthy and blooming brunette, with lovely blue eyes, a peculiar combination always said to be charming. She was fairly educated for the time
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and was as hopeful as the young ever should be. The fact that she would have to work, which had not been required of her in the Virginia home, gave her no con- cern. She was ready to share the family fortunes, and make home as happy as she possibly could. The feeling was shared by her father, mother and two brothers, and their advent into the mining camp was hailed with delight by all who were engaged in fortune hunting. The father and boys found employment at once, and Mrs. Cloud and Jennie added materially to the family income by conducting a miner's restaurant and boarding-house. The new life soon became as pleasant and cheerful as that to which all had been accustomed. Thus was spent the fall of 1837, and Jennie Cloud was being pre- pared by experience for the important part she was destined to play later in the canyons of California.
. We have said that we have no knowledge that Martin Cloud claimed to be a genuine "F. F. V." He used to re- peat a tradition which was given as the true origin of that term. In the early days of the Virginia colony female emigrants were a rarity. The sexes were a long way from equality in numbers. The males had to depend for a wife on the supply of females sent out from England by speculations. These were held at high prices-500 pounds of tobacco a head. They were taken at that price very readily. Later new dealers came into the market, and the supply became much larger. The price fell. A buxom wife could be bought for one hundred pounds of tobacco-the legal tender of the common- wealth. Then classes in rank were established. The descendants of the women costing 500 pounds of tobacco each were the F. F. V's-members of the exclusive "400," as it were-and those who brought only
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100 pounds of tobacco were always known among the colored folks as "poor white trash." We do not vouch for the correctness of this legend. We do know that whole communities in the South held families in great contempt who had never owned a slave.
CHAPTER VI.
"LO! THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH."
The two years spent in the mines of Northern Geor- gia were generally improving to the family of Martin Cloud. Gold was found in the soil, and in all the rivu- lets and streams entering the Chatahooche river from the North Carolina line to Marietta, in Cobb county. The quantity found was very small, and generally fine gold, but there were traditions of large nuggets, worth a small fortune, having been picked up by Indians, or some person who was not seeking gold. The possi- bility of more of these desirable nuggets being still in the sand and gravel kept the interest alive, and made the mining business intensely exciting. Jennie Cloud was the acknowledged belle of the camp, entering heartily into all the innocent amusements; but she developed a wonderful instinct for discovering rich dirt, and soon became a star "prospector." All the time not required to assist her mother, or in visiting and nursing the sick in the families of the miners, was spent in the gullies and hills looking for pay dirt. The returns in gold were not large, but the explora- tions gave great satisfaction and paid abundantly in experience.
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The mania for gold has no counterpart. Of any- thing else known one may obtain "enough." Of gold, the more one has the more one wants. The names of those who have acknowledged themselves satisfied, and acted up to the acknowledgment, from the begin- ning of the world until now, could be told off on one's fingers. Retired gold hunters are scarcer than hen's teeth. Miners may abandon the mines because the labor has got beyond their strength, but they persis- tently continue the chase for gold in some other ave- nue. Every intelligent human wants gold. "The love of it," as the well-paid preacher declares, may be "the root of all evil," but the one who loves it not is beyond the capacity of caring for anything. Those who have no hope of possessing gold themselves, delight most in hearing and reading about it. It has been so always, and will remain so until all humanity has reached that heaven whose chief attraction is its streets paved with "shining gold."
Jennie Cloud was one of those hopeful, contented souls who are never despondent. If the find was small to-day, to-morrow would be more generous. Her buoyant spirits encouraged every one who came under her influence. She could have had her pick and choice of the stalwart young miners. Not one of them could claim that he was preferred to others. To all her presence proved a blessing.
The winter of 1839-40 was a severe one for the miners of Northern Georgia. It was not alone that "hard times" prevailed throughout the whole country, but the winter was an unusually wet and disagreeable one. In all the gulches there was almost continually too much water for profitable mining, and colds were prev-
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alent, and of a specially virulent type. In nearly every family some member was seriously ill, and in some families there were not enough well ones to give the others proper attention. Under such circumstances the noble characteristics of Jennie found ample scope. She would visit, cheer and nurse the sick, and was nearly always supplied with delicacies for her patients which she had prepared with her own hands. Her constitution was splendid, but the unfortunate result which might have been expected, followed her untiring efforts in behalf of her neighbors. In January, after continuous exposure to the inclement weather, she was stricken down, and her grief at being denied the priv- ilege of ministering to her sick friends, made her case more serious than it would otherwise have been. She wassoon delirious, and spent hours in repeating consol- ing and encouraging words to those she had been in the habit of nursing. Now she required constant care and attention, and all the young folks, male and female, were ready to contest for the privilege of watching with her. Obadiah Baiz, a young man but a few years her senior, and who had long viewed her with feelings of earnest love, would not be denied the sad pleasure of constant and never-wearied watching. Young Baiz had no superior in the mining districts for moral rectitude, manly honor and good looks. In her heart, Jennie had long harbored the hope that Obadiah would declare the love which his respectful attentions to her indicated that he really felt. He had been a welcome visitor at her father's house, for even his jealous solici- tude for her welfare could find no objection to the marked attentions of a young man so thoroughly worthy as young Baiz. During her delirium, and
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while convalescing, Obadiah established himself beyond question as her devoted and willing servant. As health returned, many opportunities were utilized in making each other acquainted with all the hopes and aspira- tions of two loving hearts, and it was found that for many months these had beat almost as one. When Jennie was able to welcome her many friends, they readily surmised what she as readily admitted-that she and Obadiah Baiz were betrothed, and would unite in marriage sometime during the year.
About this time Mrs. Cloud received a letter from her brother, Deacon William Smith, who had been do- ing missionary work in Northern Missouri. He was enthusiastic in his descriptions of that promising country, and named the " Harlan Settlement " as the most desirable section he had found in all his travels. His descriptions of the rich and boundless prairies, watered by many streams and rivers, and the endless pastures for herds of cattle and droves of horses and mules, and which could be had without money, and at no other expense the year round than changing the stock from one free pasture to another, were decidedly en- chanting. The Cloud family began to discuss the pro- priety of making another and longer move than the one from Virginia to Georgia. The gold mines did not give more than a hardly earned sufficiency for the ordinary requirements of the miners. There was no immediate prospect of work in the mines becoming any morere- munerative. As a matter of fact, the provision for old age was not " in sight " by a long ways, and the mining claims seemed a very doubtful reliance for any such provision.
Jennie did her best to encourage the hope that there
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was a brighter day coming, but even her hopeful dis- position could not fix an early date for its arrival. The ways and means were still being discussed by the fam- ily when a second letter from Uncle Deacon Smith, far more highly colored than the first, about decided Mar- tin Cloud to become a pioneer. Obadiah Baiz, as was his right, had been cognizant of all the discussions held by the Clouds. He was clear headed and con- servative, and was slow about advising a move which was so important, and might be attended with dissap- pointment and even disaster. After the arrival of the second letter, written by a man of the high character of Deacon Smith, all hesitation disappeared from the mind of Baiz, all the dangers being resolved into the mere difficulties which would attend breaking up housekeeping in Georgia, and living for a few months in ox wagons on the road to Missouri. He became urgent for an immediate marriage with Jennie, so that he could join in the emigration as her special pro- tector, and take away the monotony and weariness of the journey by making of it a honeymoon outdoor pic-nic. The conversion of Baiz from his non-committal position to an energetic advocate for removal settled it, and preparations for the wedding began. The day was set, and the circuit rider was notified that his services would be required on the 25th day of April, 1840. In the meantime everything was being prepared for the comfort of the emigrants.
Weddings were not every-day occurrences in Geor. gia, and not more than once in a generation were two as popular young people as Obadiah and Jennie joined in holy wedlock. Besides, the fact that the honey- moon was to be spent on a journey which all felt was
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extremely perilous, added greatly to the interest and romance of this particular wedding. After the con- gratulations, and before these had been well digested, must come the parting which the most hopeful ac- knowledged would be for aye.
Old Aunt Sally Stevens was an autocratic authority in that section on barbecues, pic-nics and wedding feasts. With efficient and obedient aids the old col- ored cook could provide a feast for a county. Aunt Sally was installed as chief of the kitchen, and was promised fat shoats, a lamb or two, and all the chick- ens, butter, eggs and sweet potatoes which she might require. As it was getting late in the spring Aunt Sally was a little doubtful of obtaining the principal ingredient for the delicious and satisfying potato cus- tard, but several volunteered to furnish the potatoes they had reserved for seed, and Aunt Sally was satis- fied. Never before was there such preparation for any event in Northern Georgia. If a Fourth of July and Christmas, supplemented by a circus, could all have been promised " under one tent," there could not have been more anxious expectations. There was no mail- ing of special invitations. Everybody was expected, and they knew their welcome would be as honest as it was earnest.
The morning of the great day came. It is a tradi- dition in the South that May day is bound to be rainy and Fourth of July always fair. The twenty-fifth of April was a Fourth of July in clearness and a May day in temperature. Very early the crowds began to assemble, and they included old and young, and servants as well as masters and mistresses. That was a custom usual in slave times. Betimes the bride and
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groom appeared arrayed for the occasion. Neither wore "store clothes." Every article was home made except the ribbons and high comb with which the mag- nificent abundance of Jennie's auburn hair was held in place. The richly colored pressed flannel dress from a country loom, was as becoming as any trousseau ever prepared by Worth, and the hand-made lace with which her white scarf was trimmed would rival in value and beauty any from the looms of Lyons. A bouquet of fragrant flowers gave employment to her hands. Obadiah Baiz, in his closely fitting suit of home made jeans, resplendent with brass buttons, was the proudest man in Georgia, and took his seat beside Jennie with the dignity and courtesy of a prince.
Promptly at 11 o'clock the minister arrived. He was dressed in a swallow-tailed coat, high standing collar held in place by an old-fashioned stiff stock which kept his chin well up, and made him appear many times more dignified than the occasion demanded. He walked immediately in front of the blushing couple and ordered them to stand up and clasp hands, and the interesting ceremony from the Methodist ritual was quickly said, and Obadiah Baiz and Elizabeth Jane Cloud were pronounced man and wife, with "what God has joined together, let no man put asunder." Then followed caressing and congratulations without cessation until the dinner horn sounded. Parson, bride and groom, and all the guests proceeded to a little grove a few yards from the kitchen, where Aunt Sally and her assistants had spread a feast that was creditable to her skill, and equal to the importance of the occasion. Before being seated, the minister asked an eloquent blessing upon the feast, upon every guest,
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and especially upon the lovely couple who had just put up vows to " love, honor and cherish," and who were so soon to depart to a distant land in obedience to the command "to increase, multiply and replenish the earth." Then the feast began, and when the multitude were satisfied there were more than five basketsful remaining for the use of the servants, and to be sent to those in the neighborhood who were unable to come.
On the 10th day of May, 1840, Martin Cloud, his wife and two sons, and Obadiah Baiz and Jennie bid a final adieu to their friends in northern Georgia. Since the wedding they had sold out their mining claims, implements and such goods as could not be packed in two large covered wagons, and still leave room for sleeping quarters in case of rain. A few rules had been decided upon for the prosecution of the journey, the most important of which was that the travelers should remain in camp from Saturday night until Monday morning. Not a wheel should be moved on any Sun- day during the trip. On Sunday the oxen as well as themselves should devote the time to rest and recupe- ration. Bearing with them the good wishes and sincere prayers of all their old neighbors, they started for the distant West hopeful and happy.
CHAPTER VII.
ACROSS FIFTEEN HUNDRED MILES OF WILDERNESS BEHIND OXEN.
In 1840 it was more than fifteen hundred miles from Lumpkin county, Georgia, to the " Harlan Settlement," now Lexington, Missouri, by any route that could be
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traveled with a wagon. The Cloud party selected a longer route than needful, so as to cross the Mississippi river at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and make the trip up the west side of the Missouri river. It is a long ride to-day by rail, and across the States of Tennessee, Ken- tucky, Illinois, and almost the entire length of the State of Missouri. Let those possessing the most fer- tile imagination attempt to measure the courage and energy required to enable one to make this journey in an ox wagon when the whole length of road was through an almost unbroken wilderness, or across trackless plains. There was scarcely a traveler to be met on the long route, and no knowledge of ferries, divergence of trails, or difficulties and dangers in the way, could be obtained by other than actual experi- ence. These facts taken into consideration, and the reader is better prepared to estimate the endless resources with which every member of a pioneer party had to be equipped to overcome obstacles and avoid disaster.
The Cloud party met with no remarkable incidents until the Mississippi river, opposite Cape Girardeau, was reached. They had taken up the march at the season when the woods and plains were carpeted with vernal green, and the oxen could satisfy hunger in a few hours on the rich grasses. The nights were not cold, and the days were generally pleasant. There was nothing really disagreeable in camping out, and every scene was new and interesting to these life-time residents of the older sections of the Union.
When the Clouds reached the Mississippi river, near the end of June, the melted snows of the Rocky mount- ains, assisted by heavy spring rains, flooded the river,
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and its current was filled with driftwood-whole trees and giant logs. The only means of crossing at Cape Girardeau was in a plank boat, propelled by man power, using a heavy oar on each side to give the boat head- way, and an oar at the rear which answered the pur- poses of a rudder. It was ten days before the river had commenced to fall, upon which event the islands of driftwood would begin to disappear from the current. Until then the experienced ferrymen knew it would be next to impossible to make a crossing, and absolutely impossible to make a crossing devoid of danger, and they refused to attempt to put the Cloud party across the river at any price. Patiently as they could they awaited the subsidence of the flood. Finally they were notified that the ferrymen would undertake to land them and their possessions in Missouri, but that two days would be required to convey everything across. The first day was spent in crossing the wagons, yokes and chains and other goods, with Martin Cloud, his wife and two sons. Obadiah Baiz, Jennie and the eight oxen had to wait until the morrow. Only four oxen could be taken in the boat at one trip, and Obadiah accompanied the first load, leaving Jennie to watch the remaining four oxen, and make the final trip in the afternoon in company with them. As there had so far been not a suspicion of danger or accident, no fear of any trouble was apprehended. The last four oxen were in the boat, and two-thirds of the distance between the banks had been accomplished, when the three boatmen were startled by a shrill scream from Jennie-" Look out for the log." To make the crossing the bow of the boat was turned slightly up the stream, so that the cur- rent should not carry it below the landing. The huge
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log and the boat had been nearing each other, the one impelled by the current, and the other by the strong arms of the ferrymen, who had not noticed the threat- ened collision until their attention was called to it by the frightened shriek of Jennie. Then it was too late to avoid the shock. The blow was disastrous. The oxen were all thrown to the upper side of the boat, which immediately filled and sank, and Jennie, the ferrymen and the oxen were in the river together. The mishap was witnessed from the bank by Obadiah and the Clouds with such agonizing terror as cannot be described. To afford help was beyond the power of any but God.
In this terrible moment Jennie was supplied with an inspiration which saved her life. She grabbed the tail of one of the oxen with a grasp as tenacious as life, and the faithful beast struck out for the distant shore. The ox swam low in the water and frequently Jennie would be submerged, and would think she was certain to drown. Before she was completely strangled she would get her head above water and would hear the screams of her mother and the encouraging shouts of her husband and father. And every moment the power- ful brute was getting nearer and nearer to the loved ones and safety. These facts induced her to hang on with the energy and strength of despair. Persons resuscitated from drowning tell about vivid pictures of every inci- dent of a whole life passing before their mental vision in the few seconds between being submerged and loss of consciousness. Jennie has frequently asserted that all the incidents of three lives-past, present and future-seemed to well up and become a part of her- self. Finally the brave old ox, with his precious
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