[Illustration: KIMBALL WEBSTER IN ’49.]
The Gold Seekers of ’49
A PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF THE OVERLAND TRAIL AND
ADVENTURES IN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON
FROM 1849 TO 1854.
BY KIMBALL WEBSTER
A NEW ENGLAND FORTY-NINER
_With an Introduction and Biographical Sketch_
BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE
_Illustrated_
BY FRANK HOLLAND AND OTHERS
MANCHESTER, N. H.
STANDARD BOOK COMPANY
1917
Copyrighted 1917
GEORGE W. BROWNE
DEDICATION.
TO MY FIVE DAUGHTERS, MRS. LIZZIE JANE MARTIN, MRS. ELIZA BALL
LESLIE, MRS. JULIA ANNA ROBINSON, MRS. MARY NEWTON ABBOTT, ALL OF
HUDSON, N. H., AND MRS. ELLA FRANCES WALCH, OF NASHUA; AND TO THE
SWEET MEMORY OF THAT LOVED DECEASED DAUGHTER, LATINA RAY WEBSTER,
WHO QUIETLY PASSED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE “GREAT DIVIDE,”
NOVEMBER 12, 1887, THIS NARRATIVE IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY
THE
AUTHOR
KIMBALL WEBSTER
[Illustration: KIMBALL WEBSTER AT EIGHTY-FIVE.]
HON. KIMBALL WEBSTER.
It is with keen regret and sorrow that we are called upon to record the
going out of the life of the author of the following pages, who has died
since work was begun upon the book. Mr. Webster was born in Pelham, N.
H., November 2, 1828, the seventh child and third son of John and Hannah
(Cummings) Webster. His education was acquired in the schools of his
native town and Hudson, N. H. He grew up inured to the hard work upon a
New England farm, besides working in granite quarries in his 19th and
20th years. In April, 1849, a little over six months before he was
twenty-one, with others scattered all over the country, he caught the
gold fever. Characteristic of his methodical ways, he kept a journal of
his journey across the country and of his experiences as a miner in
California and land surveyor in Oregon. His experiences in the Land of
Gold are told in his own vivid language in the following pages, and form
one of the most interesting narratives of the days of the gold-seekers
of the Pacific Slope.
In 1855, after leaving Oregon, he was employed as a surveyor and land
examiner by the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company in the western
part of Missouri. In 1858 he lived in Vinal Haven, Me., working in a
granite quarry, but the following year took up his permanent residence
in Hudson, N. H., where he lived the remainder of his long and useful
life. Following his leading occupation as surveyor and engineer, always
active and capable in his duties as a citizen, Mr. Webster became a
valuable and respected leader in public affairs, at one time or another
holding all of the offices in the gift of his townsmen, while there were
few important committees in which he did not figure prominently.
Possessing an observing mind, a good memory and a logical discernment
and summing up of local and general matters, he early began to compile a
history of his town, and after fifty years of painstaking work he had
collected the data for one of the most comprehensive town histories ever
written. He was then past eighty, and it was the pleasure of the
undersigned to be associated with him in the preparation of the
manuscript for the printer and its publication. During work upon that,
his “journal” of the days of ’49 were examined, and finally he consented
to have it published.
He was a Justice of the Peace and had an extensive probate practice for
nearly sixty years. He was a Mason and active in the order of Patrons of
Husbandry. Mr. Webster retained his mental and physical powers, owing
largely no doubt to a perfectly abstemious life, until within a short
time of his decease, which occurred June 29, 1916, being 87 years, 7
months and 27 days of age. Noted for his sterling qualities, and having
a wide acquaintance, he was mourned by a large circle of friends.
Mr. Webster married, January 29, 1857, Abiah, daughter of Seth and
Deborah (Gage) Butler Cutter, of Pelham, N. H., who survives him, as
well as five of their ten children, who have married and lived in
Hudson.
RIGHT
G. W. B.
CONTENTS.
Chapter Page
Biographical Sketch of the Author 9
Pioneers of California 15
I. Tidings of a New Eldorado 17
II. Across the Continent 23
III. The Overland Trail 33
IV. The Humboldt River Trail 83
V. The Land of Gold 100
VI. Adventures by Flood 122
VII. Life in the Mines 137
VIII. The Illusion of “Gold Lake” 156
IX. Mining on the Yuba River 168
X. With Compass and Chain in Oregon 182
XI. Homeward Bound 227
Story of the Discovery of Gold 237
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page
Portrait of Kimball Webster in ’49 Frontispiece
Kimball Webster in His 85th year Opp. p. 9
Placer Mining in ’49. By Frank Holland (from an
old drawing) 17
Overland Trail. By Frank Holland 33
Bay of San Francisco 49
The Golden Gate 65
San Francisco in 1849 81
Sutter’s Mill 97
Mining Scene 113
Sacramento City in 1850 129
Postoffice in ’49 145
Custom House on the Plaza 161
Vigilantes in ’49 177
Miners Starting for Home 193
Great Seal of California 209
Warship Portsmouth. By Frank Holland 225
ERRATA
Line 16, insert George W. Houston, Joseph B. Gage,
and Calvin S. Fifield 20
9, read Moore, not moon 39
9, read formed, not found 45
19, erase of, and insert on, after mountains 63
19, erase s at end of line, and insert r (Fort
Bridger) 65
10, read service berries, not summer berries 74
Top, Chapter IV 83
18, spell Winnemucca 83
19, correct spelling of principal 96
15, read miners, not winers 101
18, read weighed, not wished 102
17, After promised, insert “to release to” 127
Top, also line 8, spell protractor 151
27 and 28, read the Pelham camp 166
2, after “The” erase following, and after
morning insert before starting 167
3, erase leaving and insert learning 177
8, at end of line add ship, “Columbia” 189
Top, erase “the” between “to” and “commence” 190
4 and 7, erase measured and insert meandered 207
7, erase compassman and insert campman 207
22 and 23, name of river, “Callapooya” 210
16, erase “have” and insert “had” 216
THE PIONEERS OF CALIFORNIA.
The story of the pioneers of all times and all countries is one of great
interest. In it is embodied the combined elements of adventure and
patriotism; the certain forerunner of the coming greatness of the land
quickened by the inspiring efforts of the newcomers, usually men of
sterling qualities and unswerving purpose. The history of none of these
adventurers is fraught with keener interest or more momentous results
than that of the “Gold Seekers of ’49.”
* * * * *
The story of the men who dared and did so much in the early days of the
discovery of GOLD on the Pacific Slope has never been fully told. In the
pages of this remarkable book we are given in plain straightforward
language without any attempt at embellishment, by one who participated
in them, the trying experiences that comprised the adventures and
achievements of the hardy volunteers forming the little army of gold
seekers who crossed the plains immediately following the cry that awoke
the land from ocean to ocean as no other word could have done.
With no Jason to lead them, no seer to prophesy success, no wizard to
avert danger, these brave Argonauts pushed resolutely forward across a
continent, traversing thousands of miles where the Greek heroes traveled
hundreds, passing over long, weary stretches of pathless plains, under
beetling crags, along frowning chasms and over alkaline deserts, where
the barest sustenance of life was denied them, constantly menaced by the
Arabs of prairie and mountain flitting hither and thither across their
way, enduring sickness and privations sufficient to have discouraged a
less determined body, comrade after comrade falling from the ranks, the
ever-decreasing band still resolutely marching onward into the Land of
Gold, to become the creators of a mighty commonwealth, the builders of
states. Through the flood of circulating coin that their pickaxes
unloosened was advanced the prosperity of a nation whose progress since
has been the wonder of the world.
In the midst of all of this, and much more that a glance at the scenes
cannot even suggest, Mr. Webster bore a prominent part as pioneer,
miner, prospector, and surveyor of the new country. With over half a
century intervening since that far-away day his vivid narrative comes to
the few now living who participated in the scenes like a voice in a
dream, while imparting to others the inner story of an era in our
country’s history that forms one of its most important chapters.
With nearly two-thirds of a century intervening since the days when the
“gold fever” swept over the country, awakening steady-going New England
as nothing else could have done, it is not strange we seldom meet now
one of the veterans who answered the call and crossed a continent in a
march as beset with dangers as many of a more warlike purpose, or
rounded a world to pursue the phantom of fortune in a strange land. Very
few of the Gold Seekers of ’49 are living to enjoy the halcyon days of a
long and useful life.
RIGHT
G. W. B.
[Illustration: A Drawing by Frank Holland from a contemporary painting.
PLACER MINING SCENE IN ’49.]
THE GOLD SEEKERS OF ’49
CHAPTER I.
TIDINGS OF A NEW ELDORADO
Late in the autumn of 1848 some reports began to be received from the
new Territory of California, which had then lately been acquired by the
United States from Mexico, that large deposits of gold had been
discovered there, and that the small resident population had almost
forsaken their former avocation and had repaired to the rich mines where
they were reaping a golden harvest, in many instances making large
fortunes in a brief period.
These reports were at first almost entirely discredited by the people of
the United States. Many believed it to be some cunning device of
interested persons to decoy thither immigrants and thereby stimulate the
growth of that sparsely populated territory.
During the early part of the winter of 1848-49 these reports were in a
great measure corroborated and confirmed by official statements from
government officers, who were stationed on the Pacific coast; and as
early as January, 1849, vessels were fitting up in Boston, New York and
other Atlantic ports, in a manner suited to convey passengers around
Cape Horn to the New Eldorado, as it was then called.
The Pacific Mail Co. had at the time a line of steamers plying between
New York and San Francisco, by the way of the Isthmus of Panama. These
steamers made but one trip each way a month.
As soon as information of a reliable character was received in the
Atlantic states regarding the mineral wealth of California, a large
portion of the population became more or less excited, and many of an
adventurous nature were at once determined to leave their homes and seek
their fortunes on the western slope of the snowy mountains.
The query then arose, which was the cheapest, best and most expeditious
route to reach San Francisco?
The long and tedious voyage of five or six months “around Cape Horn,”
though perhaps the cheapest, was viewed by many as being almost beyond
endurance.
The route by the Isthmus of Panama was attended by difficulties and
dangers in crossing the Isthmus from Chagres to Panama, a distance of
about fifty miles. This journey was performed in boats up the Chagres
river, and thence by mules to Panama.
The journey by the latter route from New York to San Francisco had
usually been performed in about thirty days and had usually been
considered the better route.
So great was the rush to California by the way of the Isthmus in a short
time, or as early as January, the tickets by that route were largely
sold in advance for several trips, and thousands of passengers who had
taken passage to Chagres were unable to get any conveyance from there
to California, and were compelled either to remain at Panama for weeks,
and in many instances for months, or to return to New York or Boston.
This congested state of affairs rendered the Mail route extremely
objectionable. While thousands were waiting for a passage at Panama, a
large percentage of those waiting passengers were sick with the Panama
fever or other tropical diseases, and many died from such diseases.
Numerous companies were organized during the winter with the intention
of pursuing the land route across the extensive western plains and the
Rocky Mountains, which was thought could be accomplished in from sixty
to eighty days.
It will be remembered that all the country between the Missouri river
and the Sacramento valley, which was called “The Great American Desert,”
was almost an unbroken wilderness. No white people were then allowed to
settle in that vast territory.
As soon as I had sufficient reasons for believing California to be what
it had been represented to be as a gold bearing country, I was
determined to go myself; and after taking a prospective view of the
difficulties and dangers incident to a protracted detention on the
Isthmus and the tediousness of a long, monotonous journey via Cape Horn,
I finally concluded to cross the country by land; believing it would be
an interesting and romantic journey and one not entirely free from
difficulties and hardships.
The Granite State and California Mining and Trading Company was
organized in Boston in March, 1849, as a joint stock company, with a
constitution and by-laws extremely strict and precise.
The above company numbered twenty-nine members, principally hale,
hearty, strong men, who were then about to leave their homes and friends
to seek their fortunes in the newly discovered gold mines of California.
The names of these twenty-nine men were as follows:
Charles Hodgdon, Grovensor Allen, Dr. A. Haynes, John Lyon, Lafayette
Allen, Samuel W. Gage, Joseph D. Gage, Thomas J. True, Alfred Williams,
Cuthbert C. Barkley, Kimball Webster, Erastus Woodbury, James M. Butler,
Alden B. Nutting, Benjamin Ellenwood, James W. Stewart, Jonathan Haynes,
Charles W. Childs, Robert Thom, Jacob Morris, Austin W. Pinney, J. P.
Hoyt, George Carlton, J. P. Lewis, Dr. Amos Batchelder and Edward Moore.
Ten of these men were from the town of Pelham, N. H., as follows: Capt.
Joseph B. Gage, Samuel W. Gage, Joseph D. Gage, Dr. Amos Batchelder,
George Carlton, James M. Butler, Austin W. Pinney, Robert Thom, Benjamin
Ellenwood and Jacob Morris.
The majority of them were natives of Pelham and had always resided there
as neighbors. Several of the others were from Boston, and a few from
other towns of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Each member of the company was required to pay into the treasury the sum
of three hundred dollars which, it was estimated, would be sufficient to
furnish the necessary outfit and cover all traveling expenses.
It was the boast of the officers and many of the members that the
Granite State Company would carry with them and introduce into
California New England principles. Pelham was my native town and
although my home at that time was in Hudson I was acquainted with the
larger number of the members from Pelham previous to the organization of
the company. With the exception of the Pelham members they were all
strangers to me. I was twenty years of age on November 2, 1848, five
months before we started.
The officers at the time of starting were: George W. Houston, President;
Joseph B. Gage, Vice President; Edward Moore, Secretary; Calvin S.
Fifield, Treasurer; besides a Board of Directors. Another company
similar to our own had been organized in Boston and numbered about forty
members and was called the Mount Washington Company. These two companies
mutually agreed to travel in company until they should reach California.
The president of the last mentioned company, Captain Thing, having
several years previous traveled across the country from Independence,
Missouri, to Fort Hall and Oregon, in company with some of the men of
the American Fur Company, agreed to pilot the Granite State Company
through to California for five dollars each.
Some two or three weeks previous to the time of the starting of the two
companies, Captain Thing and Lafayette F. Allen of Boston were selected
to go to Independence, Mo., in advance of the two companies, with
sufficient funds to purchase mules and cattle in numbers adequate to
supply the needs of the two companies in their embarkation on the broad
plains at such time as they should arrive at the above mentioned place.
The necessary arrangements having all been matured and the members
having provided themselves with guns, pistols or revolvers,
bowie-knives, and a plenty of powder, lead, caps, together with such
other articles as they thought they might need on their long journey and
after they should arrive at the “New Eldorado,” we started on our long
journey.