USA > California > California gold book : first nugget, its discovery and discoverers, and some of the results proceeding therefrom > Part 5
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V
&P COMPY:
Hoisting a Team Up the Mountain.
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lifting the wagons almost bodily. The banks were very steep, and covered by loose stones, so that a mountain sheep would have been troubled to keep its feet, much more an ox-team drawing a heavily loaded wagon. On the 11th of August, while hoisting a yoke of oxen and a wagon up Webber mountain, the rope broke near the windlass. As many men as could surround the wagon were helping all they could by lifting at the wheels and sides. The footing was untenable, and before the rope could be tied to anything, the men found they must abandon the wagon and oxen to destruction, or be dragged to death themselves. The faithful beasts seemed to comprehend the danger, and held their ground for a few seconds, and were then hurled over a preci- pice at least 75 feet high, and crushed in a mangled mass with the wagon on the rocks at the bottom of the canyon. The loss of the wagon was serious, but it was not felt as was that of the oxen, whose faithful service for so many weeks had endeared them to every member of the band.
Finally the mountain was crossed, and the band entered Salt Lake valley. So slow and toilsome, to say nothing of its dangers, had the latter part of the journey been, that members of the party compared the universal joy and rejoicing to what they supposed would be felt when the gates of heaven were opened for their entrance into the realms of eternal bliss. Even the cattle seemed to share in the general cheer. A camp was established in the edge of the valley, near the Jordan river, and all felt sure that the worst was passed. These were the pioneers, as the reader must remember, who were actually blazing out a route for the use of many thousands in the future. Their
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information as to proper routes was meager, and in most cases lacked definiteness, and at every foot they were attacking the absolutely unknown. It is not strange that after the mountain mysteries, the luxuri- antly clothed valley welcomed them as a paradise. For the first time in many weeks, there was music and dancing in the camp. Mrs. Jacob Harlan and her sister Minerva were expert violinists, and the character of music furnished the dancers was superb.
But the rejoicing was tempered by hard and careful work. The rough usage the wagons had received in the mountains had racked the wagon boxes until they were as worthless for ferry boats as a sieve would be. They all had to be carefully caulked, because the Jor- dan and other rivers were to be crossed. In due time all were again in perfect repair, and the Jordan river was crossed. Now came the saddest incident of the trip. John Hargrave had taken cold after a day of extra trying labor in the mountains, and it had fas- tened upon his system and developed into typhoid pneumonia. His sickness affected every member of the band, and the affection among whom could be measured by the serious dangers they had shared together. He was too sick to travel, and no one thought of moving a rod until he was well again. Tlie delay troubled them not a little bit, but sorrow at the serious illness of Hargrave grieved every one of his comrades. From day to day he became worse, until at last he died, and a fearful gloom settled upon the camp. His grave was made on a knoll near the river Jordan, and no one ever had a more sincere band of mourners to lay him away. His last resting place was a bower of flowers placed by loving hands, and every
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flower and particle of earth that formed his covering was wet with the tears of the mourners. A prayer was said and a hymn sung, and his sympathizing friends left him to the quiet of the desert, until he shall be awakened on the resurrection morn.
Near the crossing of the Jordan river, Peter Wim- mer and John Spence, while hunting, discovered a couple of petrified Indians. They were in solid stone, as natural as life, and would have formed a most valuable addition to any collection of natural curiosities. The hair of each was as firmly fixed in the solid rock or petrified head, as ever was hair on a living person. But the policy of this band had been to preserve peaceful relations with the Indians who might be met, and to treat all with the sincerest kindness. The policy was effective. The band was undisturbed by Indians on the whole route. They seem to have been advised of the friendly character of the band with the vermilion- colored wagons, and the Indians gave them courteous treatment. Wimmer and Spence felt sure the Indians would look unkindly on any disturbance of their curi- ously preserved dead, and the everlasting mummies were left where they were found. The route of the band was on the south side of Salt Lake, and skirting the mountain so as to be sure of water. When the edge of the real desert was reached, which was readily recognized from the chart and descriptions received, preparations were made for crossing the desolate wastes. Provided with an ample supply of water, and thoroughly rested, the train started across, and was two days and nights almost uninterruptedly moving on before safety for the stock from thirst and starvation was reached. Then there was another rest. Soon after starting a mountain was
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reached, which the members of the band called Back- bone mountain, and skirting which brought them to the Thousand Springs valley, and from thence across to the little Humboldt, and down this to Mary's river, now the Humboldt. They passed down that to the Basin and Sinks, and across the desert to the Truckee ยท river, which takes its rise in the Sierra Nevada moun- tains. Reaching the head waters of the Truckee, the windlass and ropes were again necessary to lift the wagons and oxen over the rocks. Here the party were treated to a general snow-storm, which gave them the impression that there was a mistake somewhere in styling this the land of perpetual summer.
Crossing the divide, the party was on the Yuba river, and soon after the divide was crossed to Bear river. Before starting down the mountain, it happened that Mrs. Wimmer was alone in camp, when she had an unexpected and decidedly unwelcome caller. A huge grizzly made the camp a visit of inspection, pro- bably induced thereto by the scent of the cooking which was new and specially pleasant to his olfactories. Mrs. Wimmer was frightened, and undecided whether to seek safety in flight, or hide in one of the wagons. Finally she thought of bombarding a wagon-box with stones, and accompanying that with all the noise she could make. This mode of attack proved eminently successful, and the bear moved leisurely off to the mountains. None of the band, when told of the visit, could remember that he had lost a bear, and so spent no time in looking up this grizzly.
On the Bear river another of the band was laid to rest. The grief at the loss was not so great as when John Hargrave was stricken down, but the funeral
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rites were performed in sorrow, not unmixed with thankfulness, because it is improbable that so large a company ever made the long journey across the plains with only two calls to perform the burial service. There was great cause for thankfulness that the band had so well escaped loss from accident or disease.
From this point the Harlan band went down to Steep hollow, and from thence across to Johnson's rancho, on the edge of the Sacramento valley. Here they were received with such an expressive welcome as made them almost forget their trials and the dan- gers through which they had passed. The owner of the rancho was formerly an English sailor, but several years previously had left the ship and married a squaw, and was now living most contentedly. Nothing he possessed was considered too good with which to welcome and regale the wearied emigrants, and here they stopped for ten days, recruiting the strength of themselves and cattle. Their objective point was Sutter's Fort, but having met with one who was glad to tell all he knew about that point, and the ease with which it could be reached, they fully realized that their long journey was practically ended, though many miles were yet to be traveled.
The grass was luxuriant and the air warm, and the emigrants and stock recuperated rapidly. About the 20th of October, 1846, the Harlan band left the hos- pitalities so generously tendered by Mr. Johnson, and started on the last lap of the long journey. Only one incident of any importance occured before they reached Sutter's Fort. A recruiting officer met the band and sought to enlist all the able-bodied men for service in the Mexican war, which was then raging furiously ;
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but the men had started for a given point, and declined to be side-tracked until the women and children were in safety. The band arrived at Fort Sutter about the 15th of November, 1846, and were heartily welcomed by the owner, Capt. John A. Sutter.
After a short time spent in looking over the condi- tion of things, and getting Jennie and the children in comfortable quarters, Peter. L. Wimmer joined Captain Aram's company and started out in defense of the country. His service was brief, as he was shortly afterwards disabled by being thrown from a wagon, the team he was driving having become unmanageable and run away. Before he was fit for active duty, the war was practically ended, and he was employed about the Fort. In this way nearly a year passed, and then Captain Sutter determined to build a flour mill on Sutter creek, and Peter Wimmer, Peter Quivey, John Starks, and an old man named Gengery, were sent out in search of the timber required. After Wimmer and Starks had cut the first timber, and hewed out two mill shafts, the enterprise was abandoned, and a point was selected in Coloma valley, on the American river upon which to construct a saw-mill, and Mr. Wimmer and his family left the Fort August 25, 1847, and took up residence in the vicinity of the mill site, where Peter Wimmer was employed, and Elizabeth Jane Wimmer thus became the first white woman to set foot in a section of the country whose fame very soon after became as wide as the world. During the first nine months of her residence in Coloma valley, not another white woman ventured there.
VANDERCOOK E & P. COMPY .
Sutter's Mill and Marshall Monument.
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`CHAPTER X.
JAMES W. MARSHALL.
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James W. Marshall was born in Hope township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, May 10, 1812. Lit- tle is known of his early boyhood, but he was appren- ticed to learn the wagon and coach-making trade when very young and became a careful and expert work- man. When out of his apprenticeship he caught the " Western fever" and went to Indiana to " grow up with the country." Soon afterwards he went to Illi- nois, and in 1840 made another move, this time beyond the Missouri river, and bought a farm in the Platte purchase, near what is now Leavenworth, Kansas. Here he remained till 1843, and was obtaining finan- cial success. He was specially subject to malarial influences, and was so severely afflicted with chills and fever during the fall of that year that his physician advised him that he must leave the country or die. His face was turned westward and he refused to go back toward the place of his nativity.
In May, 1844, his was one of about one hundred wagons that set out for the Pacific. The intention of these emigrants was to reach California, and there was no division of the train until Fort Hall was reached. There Marshall and about forty others determined to branch off and proceed to Oregon, and from thence go to California if their interests should so incline them. The Indians were then very troublesome, but so watch- ful was the company to which Marshall was attached that no attack was made upon it during the entire trip.
,
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Marshall was dissatisfied with his prospects in Ore- gon and only remained there during the winter. The climate was too wet, and the probability of another attack of chills and fever decided him on making his way to California, which he did overland, arriving at Cache creek, about forty miles from New Helvetia, now Sacramento, in June, 1845. Very soon after- wards Marshall made the acquaintance of Captain Sut- ter, and about the same time bought two leagues of land on Butte creek, in what is now Butte county. This he stocked with cattle to the extent of his means and credit, and improved the place so that he could live there in comfort.
In the summer of 1846, a considerable portion of the Mexican population, led by ambitious men, began to anticipate a date at which the American residents would be in the ascendant if emigration were not stopped, and organized to prevent any more Americans from enter- ing California. Force was threatened. Fremont was then at Sutter Buttes with an insignificant command, and Sutter, Marshall, and all the other Americans within reach, organized to join Fremont in defense of their countrymen. The " Bear Flag " episode was inaugurated. Marshall made a good and efficient soldier, until the surrender of General Andres Pico in March, 1847, closed the war, and he was mustered out. He returned to Fort Sutter to find his ranch devastated, and his stock all gone. No one would tell who was responsible for his losses, and he became wholly despondent.
Nothing better offering, Marshall accepted the posi- tion of overseeing some Indians employed by Captain Sutter in burning charcoal. His health was bad, and was not improved by the almost hopeless prospects
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ahead of him. He was camping out near the burning pits, and for want of proper food and care, became almost helpless. In this condition he was found by Mrs. Wimmer, who prepared and carried to him food, and encouraged him with hope until he was placed in their cabin by Peter Wimmer, where he could receive proper attention. He was soon restored to compara- tive health, and with it a return to hope.
At this time Captain Sutter was the largest producer of grain in the Sacramento valley, and probably in California. Large numbers of emigrants reached the Coast every fall and the prospects were that the num- bers would greatly increase in the future. All of them had to have flour, and would like to have lumber. Both articles were scarce and high in price.
Marshall recommended the building of a saw and grist-mill. An agreement was entered into with Cap- tain Sutter, by which Marshall would perform the labor, and Sutter furnish the money required.
The articles of agreement were drawn by John Bid- well, prohibition candidate for President in 1892. Under this agreement Marshall hunted up a location, finally selecting the place where gold was found, because it was convenient to timber, and it was possible to transport lumber thence to Fort Sutter by wagon.
August 19, 1847, Peter L. Wimmer, Jennie Wimmer and ten Indians, set out for Coloma, and work com- menced on the mill as soon as they arrived. Wimmer was engaged as overseer, and Mrs. Wimmer as house- keeper, and all were under the directions of Marshall.
The mill building progressed slowly, and during the month of December the dam and headgate had been completed, and water was turned on at night, so as to
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wash out the sand and gravel which would be dug up by the men during the day. This was considered by Marshall a more certain way of getting rid of it than by shovelling, as by the latter method considerable would fall back from the bank into the race.
The date is very uncertain when the first gold was noticed. Marshall had frequently seen shining specks in the bottom, when noting the effects in the morning which had been produced by the flowing waters during the night previous.
On the morning of the 19th day of January, 1848, after the water had been turned off by shutting down the headgate, Marshall and Peter Wimmer were walking leisurely along the tail race of the mill, where the water had run all night, and washed away all the loose dirt dug up by the men the day before. Marshall observed a shining specimen lying on a flat rock close to the side of the race. Picking it up, turning it over in his hands, it required no great stretch of imagination to consider it a very remarkable representation of the " Bear" which had adorned the flag he had lately helped to raise as an emblem of California independence. The specimen at the time attracted his attention more because of its peculiar shape and queer likeness to a bear, than for its probable value. Handing it to Wim- mer, he said, " What do you think of that ?" Peter took it in his hand and felt its weight, and said, " That must be gold, I would take my pay in that metal." He became convinced that what his wife had so often said must be true ; that the specks of bright metal that they had so often seen were gold.
Jennie had prepared to make a kettle of soap that day, and the two men had fixed her kettle of lye on
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the fire before they left the cabin. Marshall says, " Well Peter, we will send that to Jennie, and let her boil it in her soap kettle all day, and see if it will tarnish it." Thus agreed they sent it to Jennie by Wimmer's boy. She threw it in the soap kettle after declaring positively "that it was gold," and there it remained for the day.
Her positiveness did not impress any of the men present with a belief that gold existed there. What could a woman know about such matters ? Even her husband believed with the others that it was "fool's gold " or possibly copper. No inquiry was made about the specimen until next morning at breakfast. Then several jokes were sprung upon her. She was asked what kind of soap her gold made ? Would it do away with the necessity of grease in soap making ? If so, there was plenty more out there in the sand and gravel.
Then Jennie went for her kettle, and pouring the soap into a trough, made by hollowing out the stump of a tree, at the bottom of the kettle she found this beautiful nugget, polished bright by the action of the lye. Seizing it, she sprang into the cabin, threw it on the table before her husband and Marshall, shouting aloud, as she had from the first, "there is your nugget, and it is pure gold. "
Peter Wimmer was now fully converted to his wife's belief that gold was there. The others admitted that it might be gold. Marshall was reticent in expression, but seemed deeply impressed with the possibility that it might, indeed, be gold. Other small nuggets were collected, and four or five days after, James W. Mar- shall took them all with him to Fort Sutter, where other matters called him.
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Tests at the fort proved that it was really gold, and Capt. Sutter accompanied him to Coloma on his return. Upon their arrival at the cabin, the news of the test brought great joy to the little band and especially to Jennie, who felt that she was thus thoroughly vindi- cated in her convictions, and many hearty eulogies were passed upon her that evening. As she spread the table and loaded it with the best of everything in camp to eat, Marshall handed her the nugget she had thus tested in her kettle of soap, and says, "here Jennie ; this will make you a nice ring, and it shall be yours." Jennie kept it with a woman's care, and always took great pride in showing the first nugget of gold found in California.
The number of whites engaged in the mill when gold was discovered was thirteen, including Mrs. Wimmer. None of those who were first in the field, were ever very wealthy, and not one had the ability to retain a sufficiency of what he did make, to render his old age comfortable. Only two are left, Henry W. Bigler and Azariah Smith, Mormons, and they are residing in Utah. Here is a fact for those who credit the super- stition in regard to the number "13." The mill was completed and furnished the lumber for making the rockers to mine with, and cabins for the miners, as they arrived and located claims or engaged in trading.
James W. Marshall was not a success as a miner. In fact, he was not a success at anything. He tried to be independent, and was no doubt governed to an ex- tent by pride, and a feeling that he had not been ap- preciated by the men who had become immensely rich through the means he had discovered. He had real grievances, due almost entirely to some quality want-
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ing in himself. He was never prosperous. In 1877, the legislature of California voted him a pension of $1,200 per year to continue for four years. In 1887 $5,000 was appropriated for a monument, and this was erected on Marshall Hill, overlooking the point where the first nugget was discovered, and was unveiled May 3, 1890.
James W. Marshall died alone in his cabin at Kelsey's Diggings, Eldorado county, in 1885, with not enough wealth to defray the expenses of his simple burial. We have no desire to detract anything from the credit due him. He picked up the first nugget of gold in Cali- fornia. It is certain that this find would have amounted to nothing at the time, and possibly not for years, had it not been supplemented and rendered effective by Mrs. Wimmer.
We intend to make no apology for the niggardliness of the State and National governments, which gave no appropriate recognition of the actors who were the means of bringing the most unparalleled prosperity known since the world began , nor has there been an- other instance where the Nation has so utterly ignored persons through whom such great services to humanity have been rendered. The service and the neglect are alike phenomenal. Such honor as has been accorded to James W. Marshall came after it could not gratify him, and the California Gold Book is the first to give the true story of Jennie Wimmer's connection with the great discovery. Indeed, most of the pretended histo- rians fail to spell her name correctly, and some would deny her any credit upon the strength of statements made by a couple of Mormons, who did not attempt to veil their feelings of animosity against this true Ameri- can woman.
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CHAPTER XI.
"THE WOMAN WHOM THOU GAVEST."
We have asserted that Mrs. Jennie Wimmer was the direct instrument in giving to the world the mil- lions of gold recovered from the gravels and rocks of California, and for all that has been mined in the Australasian colonies as well. This we have proved as to California, and it now behooves us to make proof of the rest of our claim.
In 1788 a convict in New South Wales reported that he had picked up a nugget of gold, and the vast quan- tities found more than fifty years later renders his claim more than probably true. A guard was sent with him to verify his story and he failed to find any more. As an example and warning to other convicts who might be inclined to seek favor by such means, the unfortunate man was given one hundred and fifty lashes on the bare back. At other times, as convicts were opening roadways, pieces of gold were picked up. For some reason, wholly incomprehensible, no use was made of these constantly occurring finds, and no effort to learn whether gold existed in the country in paying quantities; but, on the contrary, as stated by Mr. Har- graves, every convict road maker who was so unfor- tunate as to "find a lump of the precious metal was instantly punished." The mystery of the existence of such vast quantities of gold in a country examined by geologists, and cultivated by civilized people, with- out any one suspecting its plentifulness, is no longer a mystery. Since the first nugget was picked up by the convict near Port Jackson in 1788, the excuse of "dis-
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ciplining the convicts" made a severe whipping the certain and only reward for finding gold.
In 1827 Mr. E. H. Hargraves was in New South Wales, and resided there almost continuously for the next twenty-two years. He was not an educated geol- ogist or mineralogist, but he was a close observer of nature. In his journeying through the unsettled por- tions of the colony he took particular note of the char- acter of soil and rock, but without any view to the dis- covery of minerals.
In 1830 a piece of gold, several ounces in weight, was found near the Fish river, by a man in the employ of a Mr. Low. It does not appear that he was flogged for finding it, neither is there any record that any sys- tematic effort was made to discover its origin.
In 1835, a shepherd named Macgregor found quartz containing mineral, and which he sold in Sydney, find- ing it to be gold. After that once in each year, on his visit to Sydney, he would take with him specimens of gold-bearing quartz which he had found in the Well- ington district. He sold the small quantities he found to a man named Cohen, who transferred it to a jeweler to make up in goods ordered by his customers.
In 1839, Count Streleczki, an eminent geologist, made a careful geological examination of the identical territory which afterwards became the richest gold fields in Australia. He collected a large number of samples of rock and quartz, and these were submitted to Sir R. Murchison, who compared them with the gold-bearing rocks of the Ural mountains, and in 1844 the latter published his opinion that " gold must exist in Australia," and in 1846 before the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, he urged the superabundant corn-
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