New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17
MILLIONS IN IT."
THE ORIGIN OF COLONEL MULBERRY
sELLERS's FAMOUS PHRASE
HOW DIR. srEpHExsoxs WORKS SPREAD rRon

=
DAHLoNEGA GA. TO THE MINING
CAMPS OF CALIFORNIA.
Ever since the publication OF THE GiIded Aga
Mulberry Selers's pet remark. there's millions -
IT," has been quoted all over the English speaking
world but the true origin OF that famous express
sion has never before been made public. ". p.
Price, exCongrcssman from Georgia gives the fol-
lowing authentic account OF the coming OF that
saying which had its birth in the sleepy little town
OF Dahlonega. Ga. II was. In fact. one OF the rev
things borr there that ever became famous, for the
old-f shioned village has nestled among the noun
tans for nearly century utterly unaware OF the
progress the outside world making. Thirty
miles from railroad the rumble OF the locomo-
tive the click OF the telegraph has never dis
turbed Its quetude. The convenience OF the street.
car system has not ruined the veraciiy OF the
jewellers the surrounding hills. and the value OF
suburban. real estate remains unchanged But In
1850 when the gold fever at It's height, the
penetrated to this secluded valley.
where gold had been found upon the mountain
sides long before the Indians had been driven from
the possessions OF their fathers. The yield had not
beer great but just sufficient TO whet the appe-
tites Of these mountaineers and make them ready
believe the most fabulous stories OF the golden
treasures the Pacific Coast
Day by day the little group that in front OF the
diligently whiting discussed the WON
derful finds in California and the storekeeper would
stop the absorbing game OF checkers he was
playing with the sheriff in order to Join in the con-
versatlon when il became exciting. Such
trancing yarns spun there. Such stories
were told about poor devils like themselves who had
struck II lucky and now rich beyond their Wild
est expectations These villagers had spent many
days tramplng over the rough mountains around
them. and digging eagerly wherever they caught the
glitter Of the precious metal each he toed seeing
himself the owner OF great mine. for in no soil
does hope spring up strong and die lingering
death as In the breast Of the goliseeker lie spends
his last dollar and digs until the pick falls his
trembling hand still believing that he will yet win
tickle fortune. IL was because the men sitting In
front Of the corner had all been this Of
delir!ous expectancy. and though disappointed had
not forgotten the dream, that they began dis
cuss the feasibility OF going these and richer
feds. The more they talked the enthusiastic
they became. until expedition was formed
composed Of the adventurous spirits to start for
the gold regions. The news spread like wildnre and
soon every a0e-bodicd man in the county was willing
and anxious TO join them.
When Dr. Matthew F. Stephenson assayer in tho
United States Branch Mint. then located in Dab
lonega. heard Of this. he shook his head and de-
nounced 1t foolish craze for the Doctor had
great faith in the resources of his native town.
Then too. he an authority in the village. and
his opinion always listened to with respect.
When prospectors and investors. hearing OF tho
gold found in that section. came there to investi-
gate IL. Dr. Stephenson always the one deputcd
to talk TO them and dilaie upon the hidden wealth
of the neghborhood Poor in pocket himself. the
old doctor nevertheless had large ideas. and on
these occasions he condescended TO mention
any smaller sum than millions In vain his fellow
townsmen would demonstrate with him. Don't
talk them of millions. doctor. You scare them
off. Say few hundred thousands" But the old
man chung his favorite expression. and contin-
ued to roll it out of his mouth like delicious NOR
! sell The fact that few hundreds were considered
a small fortune IN this primitive town. and was
more than he had ever possessed AT one time IN
| his life. made difference in the airy pomposity
with which ne would say "a million or two. EN-,
! phaszing it with careless wave Of the hand
toward the mountains indicating that millions
Were there for the picking up
starting for the gold fields Of the West tho doctor
became greatly exercised and announced that nc
wished 10 make speech to them before they made
any further arrangements The next afternoon. be-
lis Grafton. and all the men. women and children
of the village assembled in front of the courthouse
county as an orator and ali were anxious to hear
wha, he would say The speech en-, has not p been
who was then printers boy in the village. re-
bis long tailed coat Mapping in the breeze the old
doctor pointed one finger to Crown Mountain. just
south of the Mint Building and cried dramatically:
Boys there's millions in it." A shout of derisioa
his only answer for his hearers felt they had
exh iusted all the possibilities OF these mines
There's millions in IT," the doctor repeated. still
pointing TO the mountains; but even this prophecy
failed TO alter the determination of his hearers,
and a week later they set out on their long journey
overland to California.
Rapid transit was then a thing unknown and
slowly did the bulky wagon train make its way
through forests and prairies Often. when the way
long and the difficulties and vcXatons many.
some one would point 10 the West and cry: There's
millions In it, and crack would the whips. Thus
did Dr. Stephensons remark become the word OF
cheer. When at last they reached California that
expression still the byword of the camp and
often used to encourage disheartened brother. II
a claim refused TO yield. and the poor miner was
about give in despair, comrade need only
point TO It and say; There's millions In it, TO make
its discouraged owner smile and seize his pick with
Of James Sellers came TO the camp OF some
of these Georgia miners and east his lot with them,
and likewise adopted their byword In fact, II
pleased him much that II was never of his tongue
long and h. seemed derive much satisfaction
DR. Stephenson had in rolling 1t out in sonorous
accents.
The end of the story has already been tod-how
Mark Twain Mr.. Sellers. and was so amused
by his favorte expression that he determined TO
immortalze both IL and James Sellers. When tho
first edition of The Gilded Age" came out. great
famous by Of his pet saying. and he swore
vengeance against the genial humorist. In fact
he is reported to have said that nothing but tho
abundant locks Of a man by the name OF Clemens.
tunately his ire had time to cool before he again
encountered the humorist though he was still de-
srous of having pugilistic exhibition on nrst
sight Peace finally restored between them.
but not until Mark Twain had promised that in
the next edition of his book he would christen Mr..
sellers Mulberry" thus forever CELEBRATING tho
name Of Mulberry purely fictitious. and
therefore not applicable to any OF the Sellers
family the irate James was pacifed by this ar
rangement Mark Twain was as good AS his word
ascribed the now worId-famous expression.
"Theras millions In it,
STlTEHEkT