Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-11-21

the MeX1canS having stolen every
thing on his plot. This somewhat
discouraged him, and he concluded to
give up farming and GO into the lum-
Der business at Coloma, Amador
county. taking as an active partner
G2n. Suffer- Work was begun to
build the mill August 1916. On the
18th of January, 1S49, Marshall
| found himself experimenting the
building of a dam and mill-race.
After shutting off the water at the
/ read of the race he walked kown the
ditch to see what sand and gravel had
been removed the previous night.
While looking at the debris his eye
caught the glitter of something that
was lodged on a rifle of soft granite.
He picked up the substance. 1t was
heavy, of a peculiar color, and very
different from anything he had ever
seen before, yet he did not for an in
stance believe it was of any value.
He reflected as to what kind of
mineral it might be, and finally con-
eluded that it was either mica, sui
phuret-of copper or gold. 1t was, he
thought, too heavy for copper, and,
remembering shat gold is malleable,
placed the nuggets on fiat stone and
began striking with another. The
| Substance did not crack or flake off,
but fattened under the stones, and
Marshall became satisfied that he had
made a great discovery. He collect
ed half pint or more OF the nuggets
and took them to Sutter, who laugh
ed at him, and it was not until chem
/ L. 81 ha
one would believe he had discovered
gold. Then came ths mad rush from
the east and west. Inc excitement
ran high, and the news spread like
wildfire. The whites of California
went in quest of gold with ardor and
energy. New finds of great nuggets
were daily reported. The rush that
followed is one never to be forgotten.
1t was furious race for wealth. In
1S49, of which so mIcn has been
written, every sailing vessel and
steamer landing at Frisco was crowd
ed with adyenturers. They knew
that gold had been found, and they
went in quest of it. Coloma was the
one great place in view. Gold was
found by some in abundance; and
ulAuN W0TC IL hNpb IL
long. Towns sprung up in the night
time. A person could go to his hut
in the lone woods at sunset, and the
morning following, when he would
awake, he would find bis place sur
rounded by a score of cabins. Among
Others that came with the influx were
schemers from the east. Gambling
houses were started, and farotables
run right in the middle of the streets
They robbed the miners as fast as
they got any wealth, and more than
one of them paid the penalty with
their lives. Some were fortunate and
soon became vastly rich. Others did
not fare as well. Some gave up good
homes IN the east, paid big money for
outfits, went to Coloma. and never
found enough to make gold dollar.
People got crazed with the gold fever,
and it was---- an uncommon thing
to find the dead body of a aiSappoint-
ed prospector, who had lost all and
put an end to mis- life, lying at the
bottom of a pit. Then the Indians
made it warm for prospectors at first,
and there were many who left camp
and never returned got my share,
as | was among the first there"
''There must have been some excit
ing scenes there"
That does not half express it. AT
ter the rush of '49 people considered it
death penalty to steal their gold,
and it was a common sight to witness
lyn ching. One very funny expert
ence which | had about two months
after the big rush. l had quite rich
claim, and they discovered it. One
night myself and partner retired to
our cabin with our rifles under our
sleeper, and our doors secured by
immense barriers. We were tired and
slept soundly. Along toward morn
ing we were aroused by loud noise,
which we easily distinguished as that
of the wildcats that infested the place,
vet we wondered at their boldness In
coming into our camp, as we thought;
but it was no place for investigation,
and we kept quiet Daybreak came,
and looking out we found ourselves
in the midst of forest, with not a
cabin in sight. How we got there was
mystery. We finally found that
some schemers had took our cabin
bodily during the night and removed
it from our claim to the woods, while
on our place there were nine cabins.
We concluded not to dispute their
title, as they had possession, but went
prospecting, and, would you believe
it. we struck it 1ich. Were they mad?
Well, you should see them"
Were there any lazy ones in
camp2"
"Yes; they came not to labor but to
steal, but they were given hot recep
tions, and renamed but, precious
short time. 1t was favorite practice
of the boys to hitch a rope to mules
bind leg and tie one end to tramp's
waist He was allowed just room
enough to get away from the mules
heels every time he kicked, and now
1t was fun to see that tramp jump as
pair of heels went whizzing by his
head"
Were the wild animals murderous
about Colonial"
''At first they were very murderous,
and you had to go armed al the time,
as the wildcats and bears were very
ferocious. We lost one of our party
in 1857. It was poor Scott He was
fond of cunning, and one night went
in search of game. He fired at cata-
mount, missed it, and the animal went
at him, clawing him to pieces"
"Were there any courts there to
deal out justicel
Not at first, but there was justice
enough, and we done away with the
sharpers. To steal horse or mule
was certain death If caught, and
things became so that you could al
most leave your gold, if you had any.
in the street, and it would not be tax
en-. Every proprietor was his own
banker, and every cabin a bank, as
you see the men could not send away
their nuggets and quartz every day,
as they can now. Some frauds were
practiced which, though cruel, were
iaughable. Schemers were early on
hand. and bought up all the land they
could. They would place quartz at
certain points, and whe1 the buyers
ca me along they would be shown the
gold lying loose about Big prices
for claims which were worthless, the
only god upon them being the splen-
didiv planted crop. Why, they would
sell your claim right under your very