The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-08-27


man engaged in digging a mill race
on the American river observed some
yellow particles of metal glitterins in
the sand. Gathering a quantity he
took them to his employer, and to-
gether the two men subjected them
to some rude tests which satisfied
them that the shining grains were
pure gold.
Such was the famous discovery of
gold in California. The thrilling Sc
cret could not be kept, although CAL
ifornia was then so remote a place
that several months passed before
the outside world became aware of it..
Seldom has the news of discovery
been attended by more dramatic con-
sequences. 1t threw the civilized
world into fever of anticipation. 1t
started throngs of fortune seekers
cut-throats, gamblers, laborers, physl-
clans, farmers. preachers-on mao
race for California. 1t precipltated
the great sectional crisis of 1850, the
most serious in our history between
1887 and 1861, and it compelled the
government to admit California to
statehood before ever she had been
a territory.
An old diary now in the possession
of the Wisconsin Historical society
portrays vividly the experiences OF
one Wisconsin band of Argonauts
who crossed the continent in the sum-
mer of 1S4e in search of the COLLEEN
fleece.
A Bold Company.
The fortune-seekers, FIVE in num-
Der. were all residents of Madison,
the capital of the youthful State.
Their first step was to organize a
company, equipped with appropriate
officers. laws and regulations. The
company, to which all contributed
equally, then purchased the equip
ment for the long journey, the
principal items being heavy covered
wagon and a six-mule team. One
interesting bylaw provided that IN
addition to the company property,
each member must equip himself
with "a good rife, pistol and knife. "
From early March until August the
toilsome journey lasted. The route
led over rugged mountain ranges and
through burning deserts, where men
and horses alike were in danger OF
perishing rom thirst. At one place
'sten men and ten mules were barely
sufficient to manage an empty wagon.
This place, the diarist, with grim hu-
NOR, decides to name the Devils
Stairs" Another time band OF
Crow Indians, bent on stampeding the
mules Of the party, raided the camp
by night. But the affray passed on
without loss to either party except
the powder and lead, which was
wasted profusely by BOTH
More successful thieves were the
coyotes, who stole the last pound OF
pork from the party when we were
awake, and had good watch dog on
guard, and the pork lying within four
feet of our heads
No less than 10000 gold-seekers
crossed the plains this summer OF
1849. and as many more reached Cal
ifornia by water, either crossing the
isthmus of Panama or rounding Cape
Horn. Hardships and privatlon
awaited them all, dazzling fortunes
the few, and poverty, disease and
death the many. The Wisconsin party
of Argonauts was more fortunate
than most, but listen to this picture,
which is only one of many observed
by the diarist:
A Brave Woman.
"a lone woman riding on a
skeleton of horse, and driving two
COWS that were but the shadow OF
what they once had been, when
grazing quietly on the prairies OF
Illinois. The woman's dress consisted
of what might once have been a de-
cent covering, but at this time it was
of a truth the evidence Of things not
seen" The woman hailed from
Illinois, and she, with her decreplt
live stock, was all that remained OF
a husband, wife and three children,
Is or 20 head of cattle, a wagon and
$500 in money. Even so she was not
disheartened, and begged only for
advice as to what she should do. This
was freely rendered by every one; no
two of the advisors agreeing, how
ever. the only result was the height
ening of the poor woman's bewilder-
ment. until at length our practical