Gold Rush 1848
Sarah K
January 26, 2013
Traveling to Discovering Gold was worth having to Leave Families
In 1848 the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill took place. It brought numerous and several of men to the site, to seek the precious gold for their own keepings. Bunches of famous people also visited the gold camps, Mark Twain for example. Many stayed after the rush died down, enjoying the land of the West. In the process of the events that took place at Sutter’s Mill, families everywhere were being abandoned. Husbands, fathers, and men all over the country were intended on being the next to strike gold. The travel to California was mostly done by boat, for that was the easiest way to pursue. The boats would sail along the Atlantic, overland, and then jump on another boat heading up coast. It was very dangerous crossing directly from Missouri and also quite expensive. Was it worth the risks however? There was perhaps about under a one percent chance a man would discover gold. For every one who found the precious metal, one hundred who go away with absolutely nothing. Missouri was the “jumping-off” target for the overland route. There were many stables and outfitters with a high reputation, however, it was also a home to thieves. The thieves waited for new comers pursuing the gold, and would jump out and surprise them. Thousands of travelers would also take the pathway through Oregon that could take up to six months. It was a long time away from home, with not even a guarantee of succeeding. By 1850 there were over 50,000 people who had traveled through the desert running after the gold. Over time city’s populations grew greatly, but not exactly for the better. With city’s growing gangs, gambling corners, and saloons were popping up. The choice to many fathers and husbands with families had a difficult choice to make with themselves. It was to travel to Sutter’s Mill and attempt to strike it big, however, in the process leaving their families with
January 26, 2013
Traveling to Discovering Gold was worth having to Leave Families
In 1848 the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill took place. It brought numerous and several of men to the site, to seek the precious gold for their own keepings. Bunches of famous people also visited the gold camps, Mark Twain for example. Many stayed after the rush died down, enjoying the land of the West. In the process of the events that took place at Sutter’s Mill, families everywhere were being abandoned. Husbands, fathers, and men all over the country were intended on being the next to strike gold. The travel to California was mostly done by boat, for that was the easiest way to pursue. The boats would sail along the Atlantic, overland, and then jump on another boat heading up coast. It was very dangerous crossing directly from Missouri and also quite expensive. Was it worth the risks however? There was perhaps about under a one percent chance a man would discover gold. For every one who found the precious metal, one hundred who go away with absolutely nothing. Missouri was the “jumping-off” target for the overland route. There were many stables and outfitters with a high reputation, however, it was also a home to thieves. The thieves waited for new comers pursuing the gold, and would jump out and surprise them. Thousands of travelers would also take the pathway through Oregon that could take up to six months. It was a long time away from home, with not even a guarantee of succeeding. By 1850 there were over 50,000 people who had traveled through the desert running after the gold. Over time city’s populations grew greatly, but not exactly for the better. With city’s growing gangs, gambling corners, and saloons were popping up. The choice to many fathers and husbands with families had a difficult choice to make with themselves. It was to travel to Sutter’s Mill and attempt to strike it big, however, in the process leaving their families with