History of the State of California: From the Period of the Conquest by Spain to Her Occupation by the United States of AmericaFrost, John
History
History of the State of California: From the Period of the Conquest by Spain to Her Occupation by the United States of America
Frost, John
California -- Gold discoveries; California -- History
The reports from the mines continue to be of the most favorable
character. Gold has been discovered upon Trinity River, about two
hundred miles north of Sacramento City, and the digging has proved to
be equal to that of any of the other placers. The mouth of the river,
which empties into Trinity Bay, has been surveyed, and, being
considered a very good harbor, a town has been projected, to be
situated upon the shore at the mouth of the river. Rich diggings have
been opened near Mariposa, and on one occasion, a mass of gold and
quartz, weighing fifty pounds, was taken from them, and sold for
sixteen hundred dollars. Several important discoveries have been made
on the Mokulumne River. Out of one hole, three men, in two days, took
the sum of four thousand dollars. It is thought that more bullion will
be obtained during the dry season of the present year, 1850, than has
been received since the commencement of the gold-digging. This seems
to falsify the predictions of some persons, that the gold region would
be speedily exhausted.
The following is an account of some bloody transactions upon the North
Fork of the American River. We extract it from the Pacific News of May
15th, 1850:--
"About two weeks ago, a party of Indians came stealthily upon a few
miners who were sleeping after their work was over in their tents on
the North Fork, some twenty miles above Auburn. Before the Indians
gave any warning to the whites of their presence, they killed two,
wounded another, and then succeeded in making their escape. On Friday
of last week, a trader, who was travelling with his team, was
surrounded by Indians when about fifteen miles above Auburn. The
arrows from their bows took effect upon his person, and he only saved
his life by a precipitous flight. They carried off his coat which he
left in his wagon, with $600 worth of gold dust in the pocket. They
also robbed his wagon of several valuable articles. Upon receiving
news of this attack at Auburn, a number of men set out on horseback,
in pursuit of the Indians. They overtook them in a valley not far from
Auburn, and found a large party of them drawn up to meet them. The
Indians were armed with bows and arrows and had one gun. The whites
attacked them, and soon put them to flight. The Indians left a
considerable number of dead behind them, and it is supposed that they
carried off many more. Two of the whites were wounded with the arrows
of the Indians, but not fatally.
"It is believed by many of the miners that there are white men among
the Indians, inciting them to hostilities. It is pretty certain that a
German doctor has been leading them on in their attacks. A meeting was
held at Auburn, last Monday evening, to raise a company of volunteers
for the purpose of scouring the country, and making war upon the
Indians wherever found, so long as they maintain a hostile position,
and a number of men were enrolled."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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