Monthly Archives: September 2011

Mining law in the Southern mines

Posted on September 29, 2011 by John Putnam

Jackass Gulch, Soldier’s Gulch and other nearby sites in Tuolumne County were some of the first places with organized mining codes. In 1848 a man was limited to a ten square foot claim but over time this grew to one … Continue reading →

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Soldiers and mining law

Posted on September 28, 2011 by John Putnam

Soon after the end of the Mexican War in 1848 soldiers, many from Stevenson’s regiment of New York volunteers, were discharged and headed straight for the gold country. Before they went, however, they organized into small companies of from three … Continue reading →

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The evolution of mining law

Posted on September 27, 2011 by John Putnam

Any law or custom concerning the rules of mining could only be adopted with a consensus of the community. At first this might just be an agreement among a particular company or camp whose rules might differ from all its … Continue reading →

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Mining law

Posted on September 26, 2011 by John Putnam

Just after the discovery of gold at the sawmill in Coloma, both John Sutter and James Marshall attempted to control the mining territory by demanding rent from the men who wished to mine there, and for a short while they … Continue reading →

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Mutiny on California ships

Posted on September 25, 2011 by John Putnam

When passengers for California made a bargain with a ship captain for passage they expected that the terms of that agreement be adhered to fairly and honestly. This was not always done. Many ship captains were as corrupt on land … Continue reading →

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Crossing Panama

Posted on September 22, 2011 by John Putnam

Many of the gold seekers who came by way of Panama differed from those who came around Cape Horn as well as from those who crossed America by wagon. A good number simply hoped to avoid the hardship of the … Continue reading →

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The voyage around Cape Horn

Posted on September 21, 2011 by John Putnam

The gold seekers who chose to sail to California by sea also had their experiences with what might be called Lynch law. But the men who opted for the long route, around Cape Horn at the tip of South America, … Continue reading →

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Justice on the wagon trains

Posted on September 20, 2011 by John Putnam

It was said to have started with a Virginia farmer named Lynch who caught a thief then tied the man to a tree and personally flogged him instead of handing him over to officers of the law. Lynch, it seems, … Continue reading →

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Gold rush wagon trains

Posted on September 19, 2011 by John Putnam

The forming of the great wagon trains of the 49ers was a mighty spectacle and, for almost all who went west with them, a tremendous experience well worth the toil, hardship and danger they encountered. Nothing like this had happened … Continue reading →

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Hardship on the trail west

Posted on September 18, 2011 by John Putnam

While the gold fever lasted, from 1849 to about 1855, the true caliber of the men and women who crossed the country was sorely tested by the many trials and tribulations they faced. A man’s bad qualities were sure to … Continue reading →

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