Greetings, By way of a thank you to all the people who've become interested in my search for Last Chance Gulch and the trail of my g-grandfather, WILLIAM HENRY RUSK, thought I'd send along this update. Yesterday my sole living aunt dug through a box and found an article from 1975 which appeared in the Acworth, GA newspaper. Acworth was John Cowan's GA home before and after his prospecting days in the west. First off, William Henry Rusk always went by "Henry," not "William." Article states that John Cowan of Cherokee Co., GA, left home in his 30's, to seek gold in the Black Hills. He took with him his two nephews, Frank Cowan and Tom Cowan, John Boring and Bill Palmer, also of Cherokee Co., and Henry Rusk of neighboring Forsyth Co. So there were six . They took an northern trail to the Black Hills. There is not mention that they went on a wagon train. After many months there with no luck, two of the men, John Boring and Tom Cowan headed back to GA. Tom Cowan was killed by Indians, but John Boring made it home. So, now there were four. The remaining men, John Cowan, his nephew Frank Cowan, Henry Rusk, and Bill Palmer continued to battle the wilderness, Indians, bears etc. (Lots of recounting of their adventures in the article.) They obviously wandered around for years. Finally, after a disheartening spring of 1864, the group reached a tributary of the Missouri in Montana territory. On June 14, 1864, as they stood near a gulch, John Cowan declared, "Boys, this gulch is our last chance" and dug a shovelful of dirt. . . which contained $20 worth of gold. (Sounds apocryphal to me. How about you?) Anyway, they all grabbed shovels and dug like crazed men until a group of Indians attacked them, and they had to run for their lives with what they had already dug--over $1,000 worth of gold. In a few days, when they felt it was safe to return to the digging site, they could not locate the exact location as they had all been so excited when digging and then so traumatized by the Indians' showing up. But, never fear, good readers, they found an equally good site, built a cabin, and remained there for three years. (Thus, the family tale that Henry built the first log cabin in what would become Helena.) They returned home via boat on the Missouri, stopped in Philadephia (I erroronously said Denver), on to the Mississippi and then to GA. While in Philadelphia, Henry Rusk had a heavy gold chain and a wedding band made for his patient fiancee Dorcas Chamblee. My aunt also has the receipt for his purchase of a gold watch for $280 in Philadelphia. John Cowan never married after he came back to GA, but he said he never again wanted to be in any town without women! He became a successful businessman and a respected member of the community,as shown by the old southern custom of his always being referred to by the title "Colonel," in spite of the fact the he had no military background.. (We southerners just LOVE titles!) Frank Cowan married in Cherokee Co,, and named his eldest daughter Helena. Bill Palmer married in Cherokee and lived out his life there. And, my ancestor, Henry Rusk returned to Forsyth Co, married Dorcas in February,1868, and had seven children, the eldest named "John." The sixth was my grandmother, Nora Rusk Rucker. Henry became famous for the huge dances he gave. Wagons loaded with friends would come from miles around on Saturday afternoon. They would all spend the night after the partying. The catch was that the next morning Henry would wake everyone early and "suggest" that they all go to church. (Religion by coercion.) One of you sent me information that one of the "Four Georgians" who were the first to find gold in Helena (Last Chance Gulch) was ROBERT RUSK. I believe this HAS to be an error. There is no one in the Rusk family named Robert who would have been anywhere near an age where he could have been on this trip. We know Henry was. Also, several of you have asked whether I am kin to Dean Rusk, Sec. of State. Yes, he is my cousin. He was born and grew up in Cherokee Co. and, after his retirement, lived out his life there. I am still seeking input on these "FOUR GEORGIANS," supposedly the first four men to find the gold in what would become Helena. Some information I've received is that they were JOHN COWAN, D.J. MILLER, REGINALD "BOB" STANLEY, and JOHN CRABB. Well, Stanley was from England, and Crabb was from Iowa, both lovely places, but they're definitely not Georgia! Don't know who Miller was or from where he came. I figured John Cowan, Frank Cowan, Bill Palmer, and Henry Rusk were the famous "Four Georgians." Can someone help me with this? Thanks again for all your help. It's been fun! Suzanne _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

Ahoy Mateys:-), To continue with our 1850s California Clippers Let's now look at the men(SORRY NO NAMES) who sailed those wonderful ships during the goldrush era. We again join Arthur CLARK's "The Clipper Ship Era" where he writes: "The captains and officers of the California clippers were as a class men of integrity, energy, and skill, nearly all of them being the best Pilgrim and Puritan stock of New England, and trained to sea from boyhood. Many of them were the sons of merchants and professsional men, well known and respected in their communities in which they lived. Their ships carried large crews, besides being fitted with every appliance for saving labor...." The demand for California clipper crews during the goldrush brought together a potpourri of men, some were good and some bad. Clark continues: "During the first half of the nineteenth century, American ships trading upon long voyages to China and India carried crews composed chiefly of Scandinavians - splendid sailormen who could do any kind of rigging work or sail-making required on board of a ship at sea and took pride in doing it well, and who also had sufficient sense to know that discipline is necessary on shipboard. These Scandinavians, who were as a rule fine seamen, clean, willing, and obedient, were the first and best class among the men of who the clipper ship crews were composed. A vessel with a whole crew of these strong, honest sailors was a little heaven afloat." Author Clark then descibes the sailors on the smaller, shorter run, packet ships, generally known as "Liverpool Irishmen" as, "a species of wild men, strong, coarse-built, thick-set; their hairy bodies and limbs tattooed with grotesque and often obscene devices in red and blue India ink; men wallowing in the slush of depravity who could be ruled only with a hand of iron." But CLARK sorta softens:-), " With all their moral rottenness, these rascals were splendid fellows to make or shorten sail in heavy weather on the Western Ocean, and to go aloft in a coat or monkey jacket in any kind of weather was regarded by them with derision and contempt. But making and taking in sail was about all that THEY could do, being useless for the hundred and one things on shipboard which deep water sailor was supposed to know...." When the California clippers appeared, these packet sailors were suddenly possessed with the desire to get to the California goldmines. As.Clark reports, "[T]hey, with other adventurers and blacklegs of the vilest sort, who were not sailors but who shipped as able for the same reason, partly composed the crews of the clippper ships." Faced with this mixture, the California Clipper captains, most with their strict New England backgrounds, had their hands full. Rules on American ships varied with those on British ships. On board the American clippers, there was no food allowance - as with the British. According to the ship's company, the Americans estimated how many days a barrel of beef, pork, bread or flour was supposed to last - a little more or less did not matter. The carpenter was in charge of the water, which was "usually carried in an iron tank which rested on the keelson abaft the mainmast and came up to the main deck.This tank was in the form of a cylinder, and held from three or four thousand gallons...Each moning at sea, water equal to one gallon for every person on board was pumped out of the tank and placed in a scuttle-beck on deck.. During the day the crew took the water they needed from the scuttle- butt..., and while there was no stint, woe to the man who wasted fresh water at sea in those days, for if he managed to escape the wrath of the officers, his shipmates were pretty sure to take care of him." Also, American merchant ships differed from other nations in regard to the use of wine and spirits. The British ships regularly served grog and allowed their captains and officers wine money. But nothing of this sort was permitted on American vessels. Maybe, an exception was that on board of some packet ships and other vessels carrying passengers. Generally, wine was on the captain's table; but the captain and officers rarely made use of it. But the American sailors were allowed plenty of hot coffee, night or day, in heavy weather - but no GROG. Let me close with another Clark assessment: "The Clipper ship captains had the reputation for being severe men with their crews, but considering the kind of human beings with whom they had to deal, it is difficult to see how they could have been anything else, and still retain command of their ships. Taken as a class, American sea-captains and mates half a century[1850s?] ago were perhaps the finest body of real sailors that the world has ever seen, and by this is meant captains and officers who had themselves sailed before the mast." Smooth sailing folks:-)), Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol.com>

Dear Beth: Your Most Wanted query has been placed on the CA-GOLDRUSH web pages and you will find it on pg 4. Hope it brings you many good replies. You can find it at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland8861/goldrush98.htm PatriciaJ <[email protected]> ListMom Rootsweb Sponsor [email protected] wrote: > > In a message dated 8/13/98 4:02:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] > writes: > > << Hello: > Would you like to post this query to the CA-GOLDRUSH > web pages? YES, Patricia I would.... > > > To visit the web site, visit: > <http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8861/goldrush98.htm> > > Please let me know what you decide. Please post the message below for me! > Thank you, Beth in FL. > Thank you, > PatriciaJ <[email protected]> > P.S. Sorry I got you mixed up with another Colvin on one > of my other lists when you were trying to resubscribe. > = = = = = > > > [email protected] wrote: > > > > Sigfried WOLFF b. 1854 in Berlin came to America in the 1870's and > enlisted > > in the army and in the county of Trinity CA, (Weaverville to be exact) he > > renounced his allegiance to the emporer William the first of Germany and > > became naturalized. The witnesses to his signature on April 14,1879 were a > > Morris GOETZ KARSKY and Isaac ABRAHM. > > He married Bertha JACOBS (Jacobowitz) from Visseck, Germany which was near > Berlin in San Francisco and they had my grandfather, Jesse Wolff up in WA > > state in 1888. Sigfried had 2 brothers: Gustav and Hermann Wolff and > > possibly sisters as well in Germany. Rumor has it there was a big argument > > between Sigfried and his family so he left home and when a brother came to > > America to help mend things Sigfried was stubborn and refused to mend the > > break. > > I am as stubborn as Sigfried and I will look and look for my ancestors > until I > > find them. > > I have recently learned Pauline Goetz Wolff 1818-1903 was the mother of > > Sigfried Wolff. > > I have also learned that Gustav Wolff's daughter Regina Wolff married > Albert > > TUCHLER1899 in Berllin. > > > >> > Yes, please subscribe me to this list and post the above for me as well. I am > glad to be on your list at last. Beth Colvin in FL

Howdy, Before we start our 1850 California Clipper Ship race, I would like to review a portion. of my prior posting giving a little history of those wonderful Clipper Ships..First, the source for these postings is a wonderful old book "The Clipper Ship Era" - 1843 - 1869" by Arthur H. CLARK.-first printed in 1910. I doubt it's worth paying an arm and a leg. . But if you find a reprint, or rent it from your library, it's an informative/fun book by a bona fide, ole time sailing captain. Couple it with Oscar Lewis' "Sea Routes to the Gold Fields" and Delgado's "To California by Sea," and you can probably handle any maritime quiz on the CA gold rush -at whatever level. To bring us up to speed, I previously posted: "[A]ccording to [author]Arthur CLARK, in 1849, 775 vessels cleared - not arrived - from Atlantic ports for San Francisco. Among these were New York's 214 vessels, Boston had 151, and New Bedford with 42. Clark expounds: 'In 1849, 91,405 passengers(Clark does NOT list them:-))) landed at San Francisco from various ports of the world, of almost every nationality under the sun and some of the best and some of the worst types of men and women. The officers and crews, with hardly an exception, hurried to the mines, leaving their ships to take care of themselves; in some instances the crews did not even wait to be paid off, so keen were they to join the wild race for gold. Many of these vessels never left the harbor; over 100 were turned into store ships, while others were converted into hotels, hospitals, and prisons, or gradually perished by decay.' "The speculators and merchants in the Eastern states were as interested in California gold as the miners. No one could predict how long this phenomenon would continue. Speed was everything; a week or even a day's delay might be the difference between a heavy loss and a large profit. Goods could not be shipped overland across the continent And the Pacific Mail Company had its hands full conveying passengers and mails across the Isthmus. This left "going round Cape Horn" the only transport from the Atlantic States to San Francisco - the California Clipper was born'. " While technically the California clipper period was from 1850 to 1860, most of the famous ships were built in NY or Boston the first few years - they number 160, which Clark lists in his Appendix I by captain, owner, and builder." Reportedly, the only clipper ship to voyage to San Francisco prior to 1850 was the MEMNON, arriving in SF on July 28, 1849, after a record passage of 120 days. The first contest among the clippers round Cape Horn took place in 1850 between, old rivals from China voyages: the HOUQUA, SEA WITCH, SAMUEL RUSSELL & MEMNON and the new clippers: CELESTIAL, MANDARIN and RACE HORSE. All these vessels had their supporters, and large sums were wagered. with the four older ships, especially the SEA WITCH favored because of their high reputations for speed. The SAMUEL RUSSELL arrived at San Francisco on May 6, 1850 after a passage of 109 days from New York, which knocked 11 days off the record. Friends and backers thought that they surely had won especially when the HOUQUA arrived on July 23d, some 120 days from New York. But their celebration was short lived when the SEA WITCH arrived the following day(May 7th), 97 days from Sandy Hook(?), reducing the record by another 12 days. The remainder of the fleet arrived in the following order: MEMNON, September 27th, 123 days; CELESTIAL, November 1st, 104 days; RACE HORSE, from Boston, November 24th, 109 days; and the MANDRIN, November 29th, 129 days from New York. The SEA WITCH'S passage astonished everyone. And according to author CLARK, "...[97 days] has never been equalled by a ship of her tonnage[890 tons] and not often excelled even by larger vessels. This performance of the SEA WITCH was the more remarkable as she had rounded Cape Horn during the ANTARTIC midwinter." If ok, got another one on clipper captains and crews, Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol.com>

Howdy, Another of my sea stuff postings from some time ago on another list. As I say in the posting, it is taken from "The Emigrant's Guide to California" by Joseph E. WARE, . St. Louis,(1849.) Also, J.E. SHERWOOD includes it in his "The Pocket Guide to Calfirnia" NY(1849). Even if you have read it, it's still sorta fun:-)), CROSSING THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA IN 1849 - Practical Instructions. "Howdy, As a companion to my Short Cuts to CA in 1849 posting, I offer the brave souls who still want to cross the Isthmus of Panama, these practical directions, which were furnished by TAMMY<[email protected]> [and are from]."The Emigrant's Guide to California" by Joseph E. WARE, <snip> for which I really thank her" {Here tis]: "PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS to persons about to cross the Isthmus of Panama[late 1849] 1. Ascertain from the Consul of New Grenada, in this city, whether a passport is necessary. About three years ago the Grenadian government issued a circular to all its agents abroad, stating that such a document was indispensable to a foreigner wishing to land in the Republic. 2. Upon your arrival at Chagres, take your baggage at once to the custom house, where you will experience but little delay. Then hurry out of the village, which is pestilential. Hire your canoe, which for expedition ought to be of small size. This called a 'piragua,' [bungo?] is about 25 feet long, and navigated by a steersman and two rowers. The cost of boat-hire and men to Cruces ought not to exceed $12, unless, indeed, an increased traffic may have had the effect of raising the prices[it did:-)] 3. Before leaving the vessel in which you arrive at Chagres, get the Stewart to provide you with a basket of provisions, sufficient for two or three[5/6?] days - such as cold fowls, or other poultry, hard boiled eggs, fresh meat, bread, a little tea, sugar, salt &c. Milk may be procured at the huts on the river. Take with you an 'Etna,' or machine for boiling water, a tin cup, a knife and fork - in fact, bear in mind that you are to be wholly dependent upon you own resources. 4. Avoid spiritous liquors and salted meats. A few glasses of good wine, to those who have been in the habit of using it, can do no harm [whew!] 5. I would recommend every one to take from two to four grains of sulphate of quinine, the first thing in the morning, in a glass of wine, while on the river. Should you be detained in Panama, take a similar dose once or twice a week. This is the advice of the most eminent physicians in England. 6. Do not sleep out of your boat, unless you happen to reach a settlement at night; bear the heat, bear the musquitoes, do anything rather than expose yourself to the night air, which is the source of every illness in that climate. 7. There are two places on the river Chagres, from whence a road leads to Panama. Gorgona is the first at which you will arrive. Cruces is about five[4?] miles higher up. Your boatman will probably try to induce you to disembark at the former place; do not be persuaded to do so. It is further from Panama - the road is worse - the beasts are worse[?] and dearer[??] - make them take you to Cruces. 8. Take special care that your baggage be reduced into its smallest possible compass. A mule load consists of two trunks, one on each side ot the animal, and you can put a bag or case between the two. The whole weight of the cargo not exceed 230 pounds. Do not take large chests; they have to be placed crossways on the mule; cost double, and from the narrowness of the path, stand a fair chance of being knocked to pieces against the rocky sides. 9. The riding mules will be hired to you with saddle and briddle, and the cargo beasts with their packs; so that you need not provide yourself with either. The proper price is $4.50 for the one, and $4 for the latter; resist giving more. 10. There is but one hotel[???] in Panama; the accomodation it affords is wretched and ruinously dear, the first charge being $4 a day; there are, however, many families who receive lodgers for $2 per diem, or even for less; these you will find out by inquiry of any respectabled foreign resident, of whom there are several. Do not attempt to camp out, or live under tents; they have no idea of the climate who suggest such a proceeding. Even during the months of January, February, and March, which are dry and comparatively pleasant, the attempt would amount to madness. 11. The Patriotic doubloon is worth at least $19 in Panama; do not take less for it; the integral parts of the coin, of course, are valuable in the same proportion. 12. Bear in mind these GENERAL RULES: Avoid the sun; keep within the house[????] during the day; eschew fruits, even when ripe; oranges in moderation may be excepted. Do not TOUCH the oysters; they are very tempting; but from an intermixture of copper[see!!], are almost certain to produce cholic. Wear flannel next to the skin, by day and night. Be civil and courteous to the natives, and they will do anything for you.'. <snip>" Going to see if I can fix up a little more old or new sea stuff, then back to my mules:-))) Bob Norris in Dallas BNorris166aol.com>

Tim, thanks so much. I am going to go to the Mariposa Recorders office with this list in hand and see just what they have! Then I can add the specific research data available to the Mariposa County Page. Thanks so much for your efforts, all the Mariposa County researchers will benefit from your work! My best, Carolyn TIM I PURDY wrote: > > First of all, when researching mining claims your practically need to do > it in person. I would strongly suggest, that you also call in advance to > the County Recorder to inquire exactly what records they have available. > > There are six different volumes of records which mining claims are > recorded. The following is an outline of the same. > snip======== >

The following is published here by permission of Sunni, from the Norcal list. I thought it might be helpful to our out-of-state subscribers, who occasionally ask about how to send for CA vital records. Thanks, Sunni. > Sunni Bloyd wrote: > > > > Folks, here is a new wrinkle on balky County Recorders that I > > hadn't heard of before. Madera County (California) Recorders' > > office returns requests containing out of state checks.The lady > > who emailed me about it said she waited a whole month just to > > get a notice back saying "we don't take out of state checks." > > > > So I guess the best policy is to send a money order. > > Sunni > > -- > > Sunni Bloyd > > CaGenWeb County Coordinator--Fresno, Glenn & Kings Counties > > http://www.compuology.com/cagenweb/fresncty.htm > > http://www.compuology.com/cagenweb/kingscty.htm > > http://www.compuology.com/cagenweb/glenncty.htm > > JonJan Felines--American Shorthair & American Wirehairs > > http://www.cheta.net/connect/cat/gallery/JonJan/default.htm Sure, Pat. Post away. That certainly surprised me. Sunni --

Thanks, Tim! This is a very good piece of work, and has the kind of information so many of us need to look for mining claims of our ancestors. Are you going to post it to a web page that I can link the CA-GOLDRUSH web pages to? Or, would you like to have me post it to CA-GOLDRUSH web pages? Thanks again, PatriciaJ <[email protected]> ListMom Rootsweb Sponsor TIM I PURDY wrote: > > First of all, when researching mining claims your practically need to do > it in person. I would strongly suggest, that you also call in advance to > the County Recorder to inquire exactly what records they have available. > > There are six different volumes of records which mining claims are > recorded. The following is an outline of the same. > > 1. NOTICE OF LOCATION/MINING CLAIMS > If you can locate these books, then you have literally struck it rich! > But this is also a big if. Some counties have retained, others have > discarded them and then again some have them donated to institutions. If > you cannot find it, ask the Recorder where it might be, and also if they > have storage, which many Recorders do have. It could be in storage > somewhere collecting dust, and most Recorders would not even be aware of > that record. > What this book contains is: > a. Notice of Location of Claims > b. Bill of Sales of Mining Claims > c. Consolidation of Mining Claims > d. Laws of the Mining District > e. Minutes of the Miners Meeting of the District > > 2. MINING CLAIMS. This is the standard recorded volume of mining claims, > still in use today, also includes proof of labor notices. > > 3. WATER RIGHTS. You just know that your ancestor had a mining claim, but > you could not find the same in the conventential mining claim book, cited > above. Then, you need to check water rights. In a number of cases, a > water right & mining claim were recorded as one, as water rights were being > claimed to be used in the mining operation. > > 4. BILL OF SALES & AGREEMENTS. Numerous mining claims were sold, prior to > having obtained a patent to the property, and is this were you will find > that document. > > 5. PATENTS. If you were lucky enough that your relation, did quite well > with a mining claim, in due to course of time, then that person would have > done the necessary work to obtain title to the property from the > government. Each County has a set of their own patent books, as well as in > Sacramento. (for California that is). > > 6. GRANTOR/GRANTEE (DEEDS) If your miner, has successfully made it > through the patent process, then all subsequent transactions are recorded > in the Deed books for title purposes. > > If you are still having problems, in locating the same. Check the old > County Assessment Records, to see if the person actually owned a mining > claim, and if they did it should appear on the tax roll. > > There are other records you may want to examine at a later date. Such as > Court records, because there was a lot of litigation that occurred over > boundary claims and water rights. Also, Articles of Incorporation, are > also a good source, as the early miners, found it necessary to corporate, > to sale stock to develop the mines. > > I hope this helps and good luck! > > Tim Purdy > Susanville, CA > [email protected] > > > > ==== CA-GOLDRUSH Mailing List ==== > Automatic Administrative Reminder: > To retreive the most recent CA-GOLDRUSH digests from the > Archives: Send a message to [email protected] > Subject: archives Message: get volume98/latest/* > (*=number of digests wanted up to maximum of 18.) > Individual messages are not being archived at this time.

Dear Carolyn, Wow! You found "my" Last Chance Gulch. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you, too, to all the nice folks I've met on the Goldrush site. You've been so helpful with a question I seriously doubted could be answered. Keep me in mind if you ever think I might help you with info re east of the Mississippi! Suzanne in GA On Tue, 11 Aug 1998 13:59:09 -0700 Carolyn Feroben <[email protected]> writes: >Suzanne wrote: >According to family lore, at age 22, he left north GA in 1859 to >prospect >for gold in the west with three other young men and one older man >named >(James?) COWAN. > >What do you think about whether this place could have been in Montana? > >Was there gold prospecting going on there in the early to mid 1860's? >(he >left GA in 1859 and was gone for even years) Otherwise, why would he >be >building a log cabin in what would become Helena? > >Maybe I should try to find the Montana mailing list. >======= > >Suzanne, there was a Last Chance Montana. > >The best places to search in the early 1860's were the future states >of >Idaho and Montana. >Pioneer Montana prospectors had located placer and quartz gold in the >1850's, the boom begining in 1862. > >It seems that six (you mention a group of 5) prospecters stumbed upon >extremely rich Alder Gulch, only sevety-five miles away from Bannack. >This was the begining of Virginia City, Montana. Then as many people >crowded into Virginia City, discoveries at Emigrant Gulch, Confederate >Gulch, and at Last Chance Gulch sparked continued movement. The >discovery at Last Chance was to be the begining of Helena, Montana. > > >The above info from _Precious Dust_ by Paula Marks published 1994. >This >is a wonderful book about the vaious gold discoveries in North >America. > >Hope this may be the confirmation you were looking for. > > > >Have fun, Carolyn > > >==== CA-GOLDRUSH Mailing List ==== >Automatic Administrative Reminder: >PLEASE, NO GEDCOM files and NO ATTACHED FILES of any sort >to this list. Attachments can do weird things to rootsweb.com >equipment and to lister's equpment! > > > > > > > _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

Suzanne wrote: According to family lore, at age 22, he left north GA in 1859 to prospect for gold in the west with three other young men and one older man named (James?) COWAN. What do you think about whether this place could have been in Montana? Was there gold prospecting going on there in the early to mid 1860's? (he left GA in 1859 and was gone for even years) Otherwise, why would he be building a log cabin in what would become Helena? Maybe I should try to find the Montana mailing list. ======= Suzanne, there was a Last Chance Montana. The best places to search in the early 1860's were the future states of Idaho and Montana. Pioneer Montana prospectors had located placer and quartz gold in the 1850's, the boom begining in 1862. It seems that six (you mention a group of 5) prospecters stumbed upon extremely rich Alder Gulch, only sevety-five miles away from Bannack. This was the begining of Virginia City, Montana. Then as many people crowded into Virginia City, discoveries at Emigrant Gulch, Confederate Gulch, and at Last Chance Gulch sparked continued movement. The discovery at Last Chance was to be the begining of Helena, Montana. The above info from _Precious Dust_ by Paula Marks published 1994. This is a wonderful book about the vaious gold discoveries in North America. Hope this may be the confirmation you were looking for. Have fun, Carolyn

Howdy, To accompany my "Sailing Around the Horn," I am posting an article that I previously sent on a couple of lists.This post is a little LONG. And I thought about breaking it into two or three. But I just didn't have enough stuff on the Nicaragua or Mexico routes for either to stand alone, or even together. So GoldRushers, away we gooooo:-))),: SHORT CUTS BY SEA to CA in 1849 "Howdy, The California gold discovery revived a centuries old sea route linking the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans as thousands of gold seekers crossed the narrow breath of Central America at Panama and Nicaragua to the Pacific - then booking passage in ships to San Francisco. The Isthmas of Panama had served as a major link in the Spanish trade and commerce since the 16th century. The Spanish empire's 19th century decline reduced the importance of this link until the early 1830s when British and Americans commercial interests renewed the importance of the Panama crossing. The war with Mexico resulting in the Americanization of California in 1846, which further heightened activity that resulted in 1847's subsidizing of two steamship companies to service the Panama route. Initially, it appears that the preponderance of gold rushers chose the longer Cape Horn sea route to California, but many thousands picked the shorter and presumably swifter Panana crossing route. For the statistical: the first two months after President POLK's December 5, 1848, message to Conress a reported 8,098 Americans left East and Gulf Coast ports for Panana's Caribbean port of Chagres. Much like the Cape Horn passage, a journey to California via the Panama route was characterized by common experiences attendant to each. After booking passage on a steamer or sailing ship for Panama's Caribbean shore, the passengers landed at Chagres, a rather forlorn, squalid village of 700 on the shore of an inlet once guarded by the Spanish fortress of San Lorenzo. San Lorenzo was where the Welsh pirate, Sir Henry MORGAN killed some 300 men along the way to his conquest of Panama in 1670(Just a little info bonus :-) With a pestilent climate and a night's shelter in a windowless bamboo hut, the gold rusher rarely tarried in Chagres and immediately sought transport across the isthmus. After some sophisticated price haggling, natives would paddle the travelers in their dugouts, called "bungos," up the 50 or 60 mile trip up the meandering Chagres River to Gorgona, or four miles further to Cruces. From there the rushers then hired transport of mules, horses or porters, for the rugged 20 mile trip to Panama City on the Pacific shore. With the gold rush stampede, Panama City developed into a busy port with American style hotels(??), bars and gambling houses. On the flip side, the cholera epidemic raging in Panama City in 1849 reportedly killed one-fourth of the native population and tolled heavily among the Americans. For the 3,000 mile trip from the Panama bay to San Francisco, the early rushers took whatever ocean vessel - whether sailing ship, whaler, coal ship or anything that floated - they could find. Even if they booked on a steamer, such as the CALIFORNIA who docked there in January 17, 1849 oblivious to the California gold discovery, they were not guaranteed passage - but that's a story for you to read. Later in 1849 and early 1850 additional steamers on both the Atlantic/Caribbean and Pacific sides helped relieve the congestion. The steamers and other San Francisco bound vessels generally made intermediate ports such as Acapulco, San Blas, and Manzanillo, Mexico, and San Diego and Monterey, California (.NOTE:Since some will no doubt ignore the difficulties outlined above and proceed, I plan a companion posting that details PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS for crossing the Isthmus of Panama. For inconsistencies, ignore the above, and follow it :-) THE NICARAGUA ROUTE Throughout the spring and summer of 1849, the news of the Panama crossing problems caused people in the Eastern states to look for an alternate route. Some 500 miles north of Panama, and closer to the United States, the continent again narrows with little apparent physical obstacles between the two coasts. Though the isthmus at Nicaragua was wider than at Panama - the most feasible route was 165 or so miles long compared to Panama's 75, give or take. Also, this route was 1,000 miles closer for the New York to San Francisco travelers - even more for those from New Orleans. More over you water traveled Lake Nicaragua, which was over a hundred miles long and separated by a ridge of hills a dozen or so miles from the Pacific. Lake Nicaragua's outlet was to the east through a meandering San Juan River that emptied into the Caribbean at San Juan del Norte. While some California bound gold seekers crossed Nicaragua in 1849, the route only reached real importance in the 1851-1855 era when "Commodore" Cornelius VANDERBILT, his steamers, and his dreams entered the picture. Naturally, gold seekers crossing in 1849 mainly traversed in various vessels, including steamers, over the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua. But some traveled by mule. After reaching the Pacific with relative ease, many emigrants had assorted difficulties in securing passage north to San Francisco. ACROSS MEXICO In addition to Panama and Nicaragua, another short cut was a 200 plus mile trip across Mexico's Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Gold seekers, especially from the Gulf ports of New Orleans, Galveston and Corpus Christi - even ships from New York and Philadelphia - sailed on some regularly scheduled packets to Vera Cruz,Tehuantepec (&Tampico?) through 1850 and 1851. From coastal Vera Cruz, the national highway made its way over the mountains to the Valley of Mexico and then to the Pacific. Evidently, this trek was no piece of cake judging from the trip accounts, over mountains and desert - not to mention encountering the prevalant plague that so devastated many Mexican villages. With the Pacific towns of Ventosa or Mazatlan being regular ports of call for vessels, especially steamers, from Panama and Nicaragua, the gold seeker obtained, sometimes with difficulty, passage to San Francisco. POST SCRIPT: Distilling these routes into a posting is like trying to stuff an elephant into the back seat of an ole VW. I know that I left out a bunch of good stuff (the companion posting covers only one). And maybe I have even warped some things. In my defense, I have company because of a marked inconsistency in the research material:-) But I tried to give at least a framework. If you had a relative who traveled any of these routes, maybe you now have a better feel on how/where to research him. Anyway, I hope so." Again, sorry it was so long, Bob Norris in Dallas <BNorris166aol.com>

TIM, Great job!! Lots of work on your part - but the facts are very welcome information to me and I'm sure others. Thanks for your continued help, RUTH _____________________________ Ruth & Don Skewis [email protected]bell.net -----Original Message----- From: TIM I PURDY [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 1998 10:36 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [CA-GOLDRUSH-L] Mining Claims, How to Research First of all, when researching mining claims your practically need to do it in person. I would strongly suggest, that you also call in advance to the County Recorder to inquire exactly what records they have available. There are six different volumes of records which mining claims are recorded. The following is an outline of the same. 1. NOTICE OF LOCATION/MINING CLAIMS If you can locate these books, then you have literally struck it rich! But this is also a big if. Some counties have retained, others have discarded them and then again some have them donated to institutions. If you cannot find it, ask the Recorder where it might be, and also if they have storage, which many Recorders do have. It could be in storage somewhere collecting dust, and most Recorders would not even be aware of that record. What this book contains is: a. Notice of Location of Claims b. Bill of Sales of Mining Claims c. Consolidation of Mining Claims d. Laws of the Mining District e. Minutes of the Miners Meeting of the District 2. MINING CLAIMS. This is the standard recorded volume of mining claims, still in use today, also includes proof of labor notices. 3. WATER RIGHTS. You just know that your ancestor had a mining claim, but you could not find the same in the conventential mining claim book, cited above. Then, you need to check water rights. In a number of cases, a water right & mining claim were recorded as one, as water rights were being claimed to be used in the mining operation. 4. BILL OF SALES & AGREEMENTS. Numerous mining claims were sold, prior to having obtained a patent to the property, and is this were you will find that document. 5. PATENTS. If you were lucky enough that your relation, did quite well with a mining claim, in due to course of time, then that person would have done the necessary work to obtain title to the property from the government. Each County has a set of their own patent books, as well as in Sacramento. (for California that is). 6. GRANTOR/GRANTEE (DEEDS) If your miner, has successfully made it through the patent process, then all subsequent transactions are recorded in the Deed books for title purposes. If you are still having problems, in locating the same. Check the old County Assessment Records, to see if the person actually owned a mining claim, and if they did it should appear on the tax roll. There are other records you may want to examine at a later date. Such as Court records, because there was a lot of litigation that occurred over boundary claims and water rights. Also, Articles of Incorporation, are also a good source, as the early miners, found it necessary to corporate, to sale stock to develop the mines. I hope this helps and good luck! Tim Purdy Susanville, CA [email protected] ==== CA-GOLDRUSH Mailing List ==== Automatic Administrative Reminder: To retreive the most recent CA-GOLDRUSH digests from the Archives: Send a message to [email protected] Subject: archives Message: get volume98/latest/* (*=number of digests wanted up to maximum of 18.) Individual messages are not being archived at this time.

First of all, when researching mining claims your practically need to do it in person. I would strongly suggest, that you also call in advance to the County Recorder to inquire exactly what records they have available. There are six different volumes of records which mining claims are recorded. The following is an outline of the same. 1. NOTICE OF LOCATION/MINING CLAIMS If you can locate these books, then you have literally struck it rich! But this is also a big if. Some counties have retained, others have discarded them and then again some have them donated to institutions. If you cannot find it, ask the Recorder where it might be, and also if they have storage, which many Recorders do have. It could be in storage somewhere collecting dust, and most Recorders would not even be aware of that record. What this book contains is: a. Notice of Location of Claims b. Bill of Sales of Mining Claims c. Consolidation of Mining Claims d. Laws of the Mining District e. Minutes of the Miners Meeting of the District 2. MINING CLAIMS. This is the standard recorded volume of mining claims, still in use today, also includes proof of labor notices. 3. WATER RIGHTS. You just know that your ancestor had a mining claim, but you could not find the same in the conventential mining claim book, cited above. Then, you need to check water rights. In a number of cases, a water right & mining claim were recorded as one, as water rights were being claimed to be used in the mining operation. 4. BILL OF SALES & AGREEMENTS. Numerous mining claims were sold, prior to having obtained a patent to the property, and is this were you will find that document. 5. PATENTS. If you were lucky enough that your relation, did quite well with a mining claim, in due to course of time, then that person would have done the necessary work to obtain title to the property from the government. Each County has a set of their own patent books, as well as in Sacramento. (for California that is). 6. GRANTOR/GRANTEE (DEEDS) If your miner, has successfully made it through the patent process, then all subsequent transactions are recorded in the Deed books for title purposes. If you are still having problems, in locating the same. Check the old County Assessment Records, to see if the person actually owned a mining claim, and if they did it should appear on the tax roll. There are other records you may want to examine at a later date. Such as Court records, because there was a lot of litigation that occurred over boundary claims and water rights. Also, Articles of Incorporation, are also a good source, as the early miners, found it necessary to corporate, to sale stock to develop the mines. I hope this helps and good luck! Tim Purdy Susanville, CA [email protected]

In a message TIM [email protected] writes: > First of all, when researching mining claims your practically need to do >it in person. I would strongly suggest, that you also call in advance to >the County Recorder to inquire exactly what records they have available. > > There are six different volumes of records which mining claims are >recorded. The following is an outline of the same. > >1. NOTICE OF LOCATION/MINING CLAIMS > If you can locate these books, then you have literally struck it rich! >But this is also a big if. Some counties have retained, others have >discarded them and then again some have them donated to institutions. If >you cannot find it, ask the Recorder where it might be, and also if they >have storage, which many Recorders do have. It could be in storage >somewhere collecting dust, and most Recorders would not even be aware of >that record. > What this book contains is: > a. Notice of Location of Claims > b. Bill of Sales of Mining Claims > c. Consolidation of Mining Claims > d. Laws of the Mining District > e. Minutes of the Miners Meeting of the District > >2. MINING CLAIMS. This is the standard recorded volume of mining claims, >still in use today, also includes proof of labor notices. > >3. WATER RIGHTS. You just know that your ancestor had a mining claim, but >you could not find the same in the conventential mining claim book, cited >above. Then, you need to check water rights. In a number of cases, a >water right & mining claim were recorded as one, as water rights were being >claimed to be used in the mining operation. > >4. BILL OF SALES & AGREEMENTS. Numerous mining claims were sold, prior to >having obtained a patent to the property, and is this were you will find >that document. > >5. PATENTS. If you were lucky enough that your relation, did quite well >with a mining claim, in due to course of time, then that person would have >done the necessary work to obtain title to the property from the >government. Each County has a set of their own patent books, as well as in >Sacramento. (for California that is). > >6. GRANTOR/GRANTEE (DEEDS) If your miner, has successfully made it >through the patent process, then all subsequent transactions are recorded >in the Deed books for title purposes. > > If you are still having problems, in locating the same. Check the old >County Assessment Records, to see if the person actually owned a mining >claim, and if they did it should appear on the tax roll. > > There are other records you may want to examine at a later date. Such as >Court records, because there was a lot of litigation that occurred over >boundary claims and water rights. Also, Articles of Incorporation, are >also a good source, as the early miners, found it necessary to corporate, >to sale stock to develop the mines. > > I hope this helps and good luck! > >Tim Purdy >Susanville, CA >[email protected] Tim - THANKS so much for the above posting - excellent. I can only guess how much work it took. And for one, I really appreciate your efforts and expertise.. Yur a good man:-)))) Best, Bob Norris

Sigfried WOLFF b. 1854 in Berlin came to America in the 1870's and enlisted in the army and in the county of Trinity CA, (Weaverville to be exact) he renounced his allegiance to the emporer William the first of Germany and became naturalized. The witnesses to his signature on April 14,1879 were a Morris GOETZ KARSKY and Isaac ABRAHM. He married Bertha JACOBS (Jacobowitz) from Visseck, Germany which was near Berlin in San Francisco and they had my grandfather, Jesse Wolff up in WA state in 1888. Sigfried had 2 brothers: Gustave and Hermann Wolff and possibly sisters as well in Germany. Rumor has it there was a big argument between Sigfried and his family so he left home and when a brother came to America to help mend things Sigfried was stubborn and refused to mend the break. I am as stubborn as Sigfried and I will look and look for my ancestors until I find them. I have recently learned Pauline Goetz Wolff 1818-1903 was the mother of Sigfried Wolff. I have also learned that Gustav Wolff's daughter Regina Wolff married Albert TUCHLER1899 in Berllin.

Dear Robin: I don't want to discourage you posting your surnames on this list, but the stated purpose of the CA-GOLDRUSH list is to serve those looking for early California ancestors (1840s-1880s). Since you give no dates/places (except other states) it might be best to repost your surnames with such information for this list. The NORCAL list does not make such a restriction to time period/places, and might be the list you need to post to. Thank you for staying "on topic." ListMom <[email protected]> Robin Gray wrote: > > I am looking for members of the Gray family with roots in Virginia. > > Robin > > ==== CA-GOLDRUSH Mailing List ==== > Automatic Administrative Reminder: > To forestall future flames, please remember to include > data sources; tell us where you found it!

Dear Joann: Your "Most Wanted" query has been posted to the CA-GOLDRUSH web pages, and will be found on pg 4 of <http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8861/goldrush98.htm> If you need to unsub from this list for vacation or other brief period, please let me know so your entry will not be removed from the web page. Good luck, PatriciaJ <[email protected]> ListMom Joann wrote: > > Looking for information about Mary SULLIVAN (b. 1843, Sydney, Australia) > and Mattias "Mott" RIEHM (b. 1836, Illinois), who married in San Francisco > about 1868. <snipped...>

I am looking for alumni of Cradock High School. Robin

I am looking for members of the China family. Robin

I am looking for members of the Gray family with roots in Virginia. Robin