Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-08-05
CENTENNIAL PAPERS.
NO. III.

world. Then ensued period of excite
ment, especially in the Eastern States,
such as no similar occasion has ever call
ed forth. The story of the discovery and
those which speedily followed, were re-
ceived at first with doubt and incredulity,
theu, as they became authenticated, the
country became wild. In the slow means
Of communication which existed between
California and the East at that period, it
was fully year before the news of the
wealth of California's mountains was re-
ceived in such shape as to command
confidence, but when its truth was es-
tablshed, the East became alive with
adventures preparing for the long jour
ney to the new El Dorado.
From the Eastern and Middle States
the adventures mostly made the journey
by water from the Western and South
ern it was made by land. Many, attract
ed by the spirit of adventure which seems
inherent in the American breast, had
started for the newly acquired country
before the official news Of peace was de-
clared and California shared with Oregon
in the overland emigration. But from
the place where the California bound
traveller left the old route of emigration,
the passage was peculiarly difficult and
dangerous. Nothing comparatively was
known of the character of the country
to be traversed it was torbidding, ster-
lie and mountainous badly watered {;
no timber and almost free from any of
the larger kinds of game. Such was the
name given to that part of our territory
now comprised within the limits of the
State of Nevada, and portions of the
Territories Of Utah and Idaho, by the
few hunters who had ventured on a boot
less journey within this forbidding sec
ton. In addition to this it was known
to have numerous tribes of Indians low
in the scale of humanity, and implacably
hostile to any who intruded upon their
domain. AT Salt Lake City the Nor
mons, after their expulsion from Illinois,
haG finally located, and they, too, could
onlv be cIassed as enemies to the West
ern men; and very doubtful friends to
any Others. With an energy springing
from religious fervor and fanaticism, this
people had determined to cut loose from
the East, so far as practicable, and in
| furtherance of this purpose had explored
two routes into California, one by the
way of San Bernardino, where they
main tained Mormon settlement for
number of years, one by the of Carson
Valley, near where the famous silver
mines of Virginia City now send forth
treasures to Zurich the world. Par
ties of Mormons were Of the first to reach
California after the gold discoveries, and
settling together at Mormon Island, on
the American River, gave tNat name to
one of the most fourishing mining camps
of early times. That they did not re-
main and become permanent resiGents
like other pioneers of those days, is ex-
planned by the belief that the Church
permitted them only brief period of b.
sence. They must have made large
sums by their labor, for as late as 1850
their coins, made from California gold
dust were in general circulation at Salt
Lake City. In the Summer after Marsh
all's discovery, the additional ones repor-
ted began to reach the towns of the lower
part of California in form to inspire be-
lief, and this knowledge at once revolu-
tionized the labor and business of the
State. Who would be content to work
for others for the pittance of one dollar
a day. when ten times that sum could be
easily earned in the mines, with the
chances before them of a fortune The
chief discoveries were at first confined to
the American river and its branches, and
by the month of August the number of
miners employed on that stream were
estimated at six thousand. This it must
be borne in mind was drawn almost
wholly from the population of California
itself, there not having been time for the
news to reach other States and countries
with such authentcation as would inspire
confidence in the minds of men to InGer
take the venture. 1t can readily be seen
from this showing that all other busin ess
interests and labor were paralyzed bv
the rush to the mines, for at this period
most of the noted gold fields had been
discovered and were being worked to
some extent. The laborers and mechan-
les left their employers and hocked to the
mines, they we're followed in turn by
those whom they had left. The soldiers |
who had been sent out to California de- |
serted in squads vessels which came in
to port were left by the seamen and the
cargoes remained unloaded, or we're
dumped on the beach and left uncaled |
for. The two newspapers were compell- |
ed for time to suspend publication tor
want of hands, and the publisher of the
Californian, now Alta California; |
took trip himself, realizing with pick,
shovel and tin pan, one hundred dollars
day for his work. Such was the con-
dition OF California in the Summer of
1913.
In the meanwhile Eastern capital was
not slow to perceive the advantages it
could hope to gain from this discovery.
With the first authentic news that reach
ed the East, preparations were put on
foot to estoblish steam communication
with the newly acquired territory by way
of the lsthmns of Panama. The first
steamer of the line, the california for
use on the Pacific side, made the voyage
around Cape Horn and arrived at San
Francisco on the 2Sth of February 1919. !
She was followed on the 3lst of March