New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-10-29
GOLD IN CALIFORNIA.

GOLD IN CALIFORNIA.
The Story Of James wilson lGarshall,
Who First Found Gold I'm CaliSss-
mia. and IL Now Poor Man.
To James Wilson Marshall the world
s indebted for discovery which start
ed the astonishing prosperity Of Cali
fornia, and made an epoch in history.
His name will live in history, and his
poverty is reproach which the citi-
zens of the great and fourishing state
in which he resides ought promptly to
remove. The foundation of California's
wealth was laid by his intelligence and
sagacity. In less than three years At
ter the time at which he discovered
gold, what had been previously to his
finding the precious metal wilderness
country, was received into the sister
hood of the states. Sacramento has
been commemorating the admission
day" of 1850 with pomp and enthusi-
asm, and the presence Of the governor
and other eminent persons. What was
said on that occasion of the value of
Marshall's discovery, and the honor
given his name, will, we trust, be sup,
plemented by the substantial recogni-
ton of the claims Of q public benefac-
tor, now in old age and poverty after q
worthy life, not only from freedom to
anxiety, but to plenty.
James Wilson Marshall was born in
Hope township, New Jersey, in 1912.
After receiving plain education he
learned the trade of q coach and wagon
builder. He was smitten with the
western fever" when about 81 years
old, and having travelled in Indiana
and Illinois, bought q farm on the
Platte purchase, near Fort Leaven.
worth, Kan. His health was poor
throughout the period of his residence
at that place, and when his doctor said
he must either die or seek change of
air he packed up and left. 1t was ON
the 1st of May, 1874, when he joined
train of one hundred wagons bound for
that Cat the time) almost unknown
land, California. The party reached
its destination in June, 1845, and camp
ed at Cache creek, about forty miles
from where Sacramento now stands.
From that point its members took their
several ways. Marshall and a few 9TH
ers went to Suffers fort, Sacramento
county where he entered the service Of
Gen. Suffer. About year after this
and after Marshall had begun life in
the stock business on farm of two
leagues in area, the Mexicans made an
attempt to prevent a body of American
emigrants from entering California.
This lead to the Bear Fag war, in which
Gen. Suffer, Marshall, and others as
sisted as volunteers to Gen. Fremont, of
the United States military post at SUIT
ter Buttes, in defense of their country
men. Fighting was frequent and se-
we're. Marshall took part in all the en-
gagements of the campaign, which re-
recognizing the Independence of Califor-
MIA. Marshall then procured his dis
charge and returned to Suffers fort.
Upon his arrival he found that most OF
the cattle he had left on his farm had
been stolen or had strayed during his
absence. He therefore gave up his
farm, and began arrangements to start
in the lumber business at Coloma, AM
adoa county, as active partner with
Gen. Suffer, who undertook to furnish
the necessary capital. Work was be-
gun on the mill in August, 1847.
On the 18th of January following,
Marshall was experimenting the build
ing of the mill-race. After shutting of
the water at the head of the race he
walked down the ditch to see what
sand and gravel had been removed dur.
ing the previous night. He strolled to.
the lower end of the race and stood
looking at the mass of debris. At this
juncture his eye caught the glitter Of
something that lay lodged in q crevice
on rifle of soft granite. He stopped
and picked up the substance. It was
heavy, Of peculiar color, and differ
ent from anything he had seen in the
stream before. He reflected as to what
kind Of mineral the specimen could be,
and finally concluded that it was either
mica, sulphurets of copper-or gold.
It was too heavy for mica, was not brit
tie, as are sulphurets, and, remembers
Ing that gold was malleable, he place.
the nugget on d fiat stone and begaI
striking it with another. The substance
did not crack or flake off, but simply
iiattened under the blows, and Marshal
was satisfied that he had indeed made
an important discovery. In severa
days he collected few ounces Of the
precious metal, and as he had occasion
to visit Suffers fort in a short time, he
took the specimens with him. He in.
formed Suffer Of his discovery, but the
general was incredulous, and it was
not until chemical experiments had
settled the question beyond all doubt,
that he would admit the mineral was
gold. At last all doubts faded, and
the excitement began to spread. The
news flew over the country like wild
fire, and those whites who were then
in California went into the quest for
gold with great ardor and energy. Ad-
ditfonal revelations were made daily,
and the news of the discoveries was
spread. Then came the mad rush from
the east and the old world. It was
furious race for wealth. In 1849 every
sailing vessel and steamer landing at
San Francisco, was crowded with ad.
venturers. They knew that gold had
been found at Coloma, and many went
thither. Without inquiry or negOtia-
ton they squatted upon Marshall's
land about the mill, seized his work
oxen for food, confiscated his horses,
and marked the land off into town lots
and distributed them among them
selves.
Thus robbed of his property, he per-
force became prospector, but never
succeeded in finding much gold. Tho
neighbors who had despoiled his pos
sessions added insult to injury by pre-
Stunning that he knew the whereabouts
Of rich deposits of gold and refused to
give information Of them, and perse-
cnted him on these false suggestions.
To add to his troubles, the title to the.
land he had purchased prior to his
great discovery was questioned, and he
lost it all. Poor Marshall still lives at
Coloma. The state has helped him q
little, but only q little, in bis hard fight
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