Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-23
JAMES W. MARSHALL.
PLANS SUBMITTED FOR A MONU.
MENT TO HIS MEMORY.
Description of the Site in the Beau
tiful Coloma Valley-The I'm
yelling of the Memorial.

The Marshall Monument Commission"
the memorial to be erected over the grave
of the discoverer of gold at Coloma, FL
Dorado county. The pioneer, who made
this important discovery in the early part
of 1913, is buried on the top of Marshall
Hill, which overlooks the Coloma valley.
From its summit, the sight is beautiful and
picturesque. at its base is the beautiful
town of Coloma, and extending halfway
up its summit and covering the entire
valley are fine orchards and vineyards. The
valley is some two miles AMI half in
length, through the center of which runs
the American river, which at this place is
wide stream, its water as clear as crystal.
The principal portion of the town is stu
ated on the south side of the stream, but
many fine residences adorn the opposite
bank. The river is SPAWNED by suspen-
sion foot bridge, the one for vehicles having
been carried down stream by the high
water of a few seasons ago. About one
hundred yards below the bridge, where
now is a sapdbar covered with cobble
stones, is where the discovery of gold was
made. This is in plain view of the
SITE OF THE MONUMENT,
And for that reason Marshall, several years
prior to his death, selected it as the place
where he desired to be buried. When
the Commissioners visited Coloma some
months since, they decided to have the
monument constructed out of granite from
quarry situated a short distance from
the grave. The material is of excellent
quality, and easy of access. Marshall hill,
and little vineyard around its base, was
the property of the gold discoverer, and at
his death was inherited by his sister, who
resides in Maryland. The Commissioners
requested her TO deed the grave site to the
State, which she declined to do, and did
not, until PIacerville Parlor, n. S. G. W.,
raised some $160 and paid for it. The
Commissioners could not erect the monu-
ment on private property, and as none of
the money appropriated by the State could
be used in purchasing land, this sisters per-
ury would have caused the abandonment
of the proposition had not the Native Sons
of Ell Dorado county came Loyalty to the
rescue. 1t was gracious act upon their
part, and they will receive deserved admira-
ton from every pioneer upon the coast.
So far the Commissioners have adopted
no plan, but will likely do so during the
month of February, when the contract will
be let and the structure pushed TO a rapid
completion.
GEORGE H. MILLER.
The first design filed is that Of George II
Miller, San Francisco architect. The base,
consisting of blocks of granite one foot in
hight, is fifteen feet square. On top of this
is similar layer of granite, thirteen feet
square and two feet in hight. The corners
are square and projecting, the sides bev-
eled. In the center of the side panels
MARSHALL is cut in large letters. On each
OF the projecting four corners are small
bears. On top of this is a granite bleck six
feet square and one foot in thickness, which
supports the pedestal, four feet square and
five feet six inches in hight. the lower
part of the pedestal is finished with brack-
cts, the upper with molding The four
sides of the pedestal are polished and bear
the following tracings Suffers Mill,
where the discovery was made;" THE
Great Seal of California - ITO the Mem
Gold in Cali ornia." On the fourth. his
nativity, age. and historical sketch. This
pedestal is surmounted by spiral granite
shaft, sixteen and half feet in hight, four
feet in diameter at the base, three feet at
the top, and finished with a molding sup
porting platform, standing upon which
is representation of miner in the garb
Of pioneer days. One foot is perched upon
bowlder two feet in hight. He is leaning
on his pick with one hand, and is examin-
ing gold nugget which he holds in the
other. The statue is six feet and six inches
in hight, and the entire structure thirty
two feet and six inches. The drawing is
accompanied by a model made in wood,
three feet in hight, and is admired by ali
who have seen it.