The Newtown bee., 1880-03-10
How Gold was Discovered in California.

How Gold was Discovered in California.
 Albert N. Hatch writes from Edge mont, Pa.. to the Philadelphia Times as follows: In looking over my notebook the other day I came across something relating to the discovery of gold in Cali fornia which I thought might interest your readers, and therefore send it for your consideration. I was upon the ground shortly after the discovery, and was acquainted with the principal actors. The discovery took place exactly thirty two years before the date of this paper, and occurred in the following manner: Captain Suter was building a saw mill, and had employed two or three white men as well as a number of Indians. They had dug race to the river and built the frame work of the mill. In the evening they Lad turned the water into the race so as to sluice out the tail-race. In the morning one of the white men by the name of Jim Marshall went down into the tail-race in order to find out how much dirt had been washed out. His attention was attracted to some shining Jumps. Not knowing what they were he gathered up several of them and took them to his fellow-workmen for their inspection. One of these men had some knowledge of metals, and at once pro- ceeded to test the nuggets. He pro- cured some aquafortis, and after apply ing it pronouncedi it gold and no mistake. It was agreed to keep the discovery a secret, but Marshall was to inform Cap tain Suter, who was then at his fort, some twenty miles distant. Marshall took several of the nuggets in bag and started on foot to the fort. Of the in- terview Captain Suter gives the follow ing account: "Marshan reached my place about three o'clock in the after noon. He seemed greatly agitated. He asked me to go into private room, as he had something to communicate. After we were in the room he asked me to lock the door. felt uneasy, for the man looked wild. After I had locked the door he desired me to place some thing over the hole. Now, cap- tain,' says he, do you think any one can hear us?' He then pulled out his bag of precious metal, and emptying it upon the table desired me to examine it, which l did, and pronounced it gold. Marshall immediately prepared to return. I told him to remain all night, and that I would go up with him. I could not persuade him to remain. The next morning l started on horseback, and several miles on my way met Marshall coming out of the bushes, all wet, it having rained hard in the night. We travelled along together until we reached the saw-mill, where we found all hands ing"
 It is singular fact that the same man who discovered gold in California was the cause ot its being found in Australia, in which country it was discovered by James Hargrave. England, for the benefit derived therefrom, by act of par lament gave to Hargrave the sum of S75,0O0, while Marshall has never re- ceived a cent from the United States, not even a pension, showing the differ ence between the two governments Hargrave and Marshall were old ac- quaintances, and Hargrave had just re- turned from Australia when Marshall met him and induced him to return to Australia and seek for gold. This he did, and the result was the finding of richer deposits than in California.