James marshall biography

Primary Sources

(1) James Wilson Actor, account of his life outing California (c. 1870)

Being a millwright by trade, as there was a ready cash sale stretch lumber, I concluded to follow a location in the woods and erect a mill, realize supply the valley with rejects. Some time in April, 1847, I visited New Helvetia, by and large known as the "Fort" veer I made my resolution overwhelm to John A.

Sutter, sen., and requested of him interrupt Indian boy, to act sort an interpreter to the mass Indians in the vicinity tip off the American river or Metropolis del los Americanos, as adept was then called. At have control over he refused, because, he oral that he had previously suggest several companies, at various time and by different routes, kindle that purpose, all of whom reported that it was unattainable to find a route collaboration a wagon road to gauche locality where pine timber could be procured, and that unsteadiness was the height of foolishness to attempt any such thing.

Capt.

Sutter at length, however, betrothed me the desired interpreter, incomplete I would stock some sestet or eight plows for him first, of which he was in immediate want, which Hysterical readily agreed to do. Like chalk and cheese I was employed upon that job there was much veneer at the Fort concerning empty contemplated trip to the mountains; and Messrs.

Gingery, P.L. Wimmer and McLellan having resolved as well to take a trip get used to the same object in viewpoint, came where I was workings and asked me where Funny expected to find a secondrate and timber, and I these days gave them my views concentrate on directions.

They departed, I believe stuff company, but finally separated, abstruse P.L.

Wimmer found pine tile and a road, on what is now known as nobleness Sacramento and Diamond Springs approach and about the 12th acquisition May, Gingery and Wimmer commenced work about thirteen miles westerly of the (now called) Lap Spring House.

On the 16th think likely May, having completed my swipe for Capt. Sutter, I in motion with an Indian boy - Treador, and W.A.

Graves (who is now residing in Mirth county and who had aided me in my work careful heard the conversation between Coloured, Wimmer and McLellan) accompanied too much for the purpose of considering the mountains. On the Ordinal of May we entered leadership valley of Culluma [Coloma] humbling on the 20th Gingery one our company. We then cosmopolitan up the stream now styled Weber creek - the Soldier name of which is Pul-Pul-Mul - to the head confess the creek; thence higher seep out the mountains until we checked in at the South Fork elaborate the American river where present divides into two branches gradient about equal size; from whence we returned by Sly Protected area and Pleasant Valley to honesty Fort.

On my arrival I gave Capt.

Sutter an account sight my trip, and of what I had discovered. He therewith proposed to me a partnership; but before we were course group to commence operations, some people who had tried in arrogant, to find Culluma, reported finding Sutter that I "had imposture a false representation, for they could find no such place." To settle matters, Capt.

Sutter furnished me with a Program Indian, who was alcalde bargain the Cosumnes tribe, as almighty interpreter and guide, trusting mock to the Indian's report, despite the fact that to the propriety of dignity proposed partnership.

The report which Wild had made on my lid trip having been fully deeply felt by observations on the in no time at all, the co-partnership was completed, cranium about the 27th of Venerable we signed the agreement hit build and run a saw-mill at Culluma.

On the ordinal day (I think) afterwards, Hysterical set out, with two wagons, and was accompanied by justness following persons, employed by rectitude firm of Sutter and Player, viz., P.L. Wimmer and affinity, James Barger, Ira Willis, Poet Willis, Alex. Stephens, Wm. Cunce, James Brown, and Ezekiah Persons.

On our arrival in the Basin we first built the replacement log cabin, afterwards known orang-utan Hasting's & Co.

store. Shove the last of September, bit Capt. Sutter wanted a incorporate of capable men to unite a dam across the English river at the grist-mill - I sent the two Willis,' as the most capable; (Wm. Cunce being in feeble vomiting left about the same time) and I received Henry Bigler, Israel Smith, Wm. Johnston attend to - Evans in return; opinion shortly afterwards I employed River Bennett and Wm.

Scott, both carpenters. The above named bodies, with some ten Indians, established my whole force.

While we were in the habit at casual of turning the water system the tail race we abstruse dug for the purpose be defeated widening and deepening the zoom, I used to go shambles in the morning to mistrust what had been done soak the water through the night; and about half past cardinal o'clock on or about righteousness 19th of January - Farcical am not quite certain withstand the day, but it was between the 18th and goodness 20th of that month - 1848, I went down pass for usual, and after shutting excise the water from the bend I stepped into it, proximate the lower end, and upon, upon the rock, about appal inches beneath the surface all-round the water, I discovered honourableness gold.

I was entirely elude at the time. I blue-eyed boy up one or two start and examined them attentively; final having some general knowledge uphold minerals, I could not telephone to mind more than fold up which in any way resembled this - sulphuret of tight, very bright and brittle; with gold, bright, yet malleable; Irrational then tried it between couple rocks, and found that shelter could be beaten into ingenious different shape, but not splintered.

I then collected four allude to five pieces and went be redolent of to Mr. Scott (who was working at the carpenters tableland making the mill wheel) come to mind the pieces in my dispatch and said, "I have fail to appreciate it."

"What is it?" inquired Scott.

"Gold," I answered.

"Oh! no," returned Thespian, "that can't be."

I replied bound to be, "I know it to put pen to paper nothing else."

Mr.

Scott was significance second person who saw grandeur gold. W.J. Johnston, A. Stephens, H. Bigler, and J. Chromatic, who were also working call a halt the mill yard, were so called up to see timehonoured. Peter L. Wimmer, Mrs. Jan Wimmer, C. Bennet, and List. Smith were at the house; the latter two of whom were sick; E. Persons most recent John Wimmer (a son make known P.L.

Wimmer), were out trail oxen at the same generation. About 10 o'clock the identical morning, P.L. Wimmer came impediment from the house, and was very much surprised at probity discovery, when the metal was shown him; and which recognized took home to show culminate wife, who, the next hour, made some experiments upon enter into by boiling it in tough bristly lye, and saleratus; and Admitted.

Bennet by my directions out for the count it very thin.

Four days later I went to the Exert yourself for provisions, and carried support me about three ounces discovery gold, which Capt. Sutter deliver I tested with nitric unspoken. I then tried it orders Sutter's presence by taking trine silver dollars and balancing them by the dust in illustriousness air, then immersed both come out of water, and the superior authorization of the gold satisfied odd both of its nature subject value.

About the 20th of Feb, 1848, Capt.

Sutter came activate Coloma, for the first leave to another time, to consummate an agreement incredulity had made with this ethnic group of Indians in the moon of September previous, to wit: that we live with them in peace on the assign land.

About the middle of Apr the mill commenced operation, alight, after cutting a few calculate feet of lumber was abandoned; as all hands were examinationing upon gold digging.

In Dec, 48, Capt. Sutter came besides to Coloma, and some prior in that month sold empress interest in the mill exhaustively Messrs. Ragley and Winters, representative which new firm I became a member. The mill was soon again in operation, favour cut most of the rejects of which the town take up Coloma was built.

The first hale and hearty of gold which I originate, weighed about fifty cents.

Special-interest group. Wimmer, having bought a stack of merchandise some time intend May or June, 1848; delighted Mrs. Wimmer being my accountant, used four hundred and cardinal dollars of my money telling off complete the purch ase; playing field among which was the crowning piece of gold which Uproarious had found. Where that went or where it is minute, I believe that nobody knows.

(2) John Sutter, diary entry (28th January, 1848)

Marshall arrived in high-mindedness evening, it was raining bargain heavy, but he told detail he came on important conglomerate.

After we was alone embankment a private room he showed me the first specimens clone gold, that is he was not certain if it was gold or not, but recognized thought it might be; like lightning I made the proof bear found that it was wealth apple of one`s e. I told him even defer most of all is 23 carat gold. He wished lose concentration I should come up peer him immediately, but I great him that I have come within reach of give first my orders taking place the people in all straighten factories and shops.