The gold seekers of '49
- 1 online resource : multiple file formats
Release date is 2023-09-05
Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
"The Gold Seekers of '49" by Kimball Webster is a personal narrative chronicling the adventures of a group of adventurers who traveled the overland trail to seek fortune during the California Gold Rush, written in the early 20th century. This historical account offers insights into the challenges faced by pioneers as they journeyed from New England to California in the years between 1849 and 1854. The book is enriched with vivid descriptions of the hardships, camaraderie, and aspirations of the gold seekers, providing a unique perspective on a key historical moment in American history. At the start of the narrative, Kimball Webster reflects on the arrival of news regarding gold discoveries in California, how these initial revelations stirred excitement and skepticism amongst the population, and the subsequent rush of individuals eager to seek their fortunes. He details the organization's preparations for the journey, including the formation of the Granite State and California Mining and Trading Company, the selection of their route, and his personal motivations for joining the expedition. As they embark on their trek, Webster introduces fellow travelers, outlines their planned travel strategies, and hints at the challenges ahead, emphasizing their hope and determination to reach the fabled "New Eldorado." The opening portion sets the stage for a gripping tale of adventure and perseverance against the odds. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Kimball Webster (1828-1916), a New Hampshire farmer, began his overland journey to California in April 1849, and remained in California and Oregon until 1854. The gold seekers of '49 (1917) uses Webster's diary as the basis for the account of his trip to California via a wagon train from Independence, Missouri, and his first weeks in the Sacramento Valley. A much later narrative picks up the story of his later career in California as a goldseeker on the Feather River and Nelson's Creek mines, 1849-1850; descriptions of Sacramento, Yuba City, and Marysville; and surveying in Oregon, 1851-1854.
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Frontier and pioneer life -- California Overland journeys to the Pacific Frontier and pioneer life -- Oregon California -- Gold discoveries