INTERESTING FACTS
about
James Wilson Marshall.
James Wilson Marshall was born on a farm
in New Jersey, Oct.10th, 1o1.
by trade, ne possessed a keen and inquiring
mind, excelled in mathematics, was alert,
energetic, restless, yet studiou8 witnal.
Wanderlust brought him westward.
He arrived in California via the Oregon
Trail, June 1845.
to work for Capt Sutter at the Fort, making
spinning wheels, plows, etc.
In 1846 he joined the Bear Flag revolu-
tion; served in the California battalion
under Colonel Fremont in the war with Mexico,
returning therefrom barefoot, clothed in
buck skin, and without a dollar.
Sutter's need of lumber led Marshall up
A wheelwright
In July following he went
In 1847 a contract was signed by
the American River in search of a mill site.
Sutter and Marshall for a mill at Coloma, Sutter to provide the money and
Marshall to run the mill.
Jan.24 th, t1848 Marshall's keen eye caught the gleam of yellow metal lying
six inches under water in the mill race.
its probable value. He rushed to Sutter's Fort and announced his discovery
to Capt. Sutter. Further tests proved its value. Capt Sutter went to Coloma
next day and, after investigation, urged all hands to a six weeks' secrecy,
hoping thereby to finish his flour mill, then in course of construction at
Brighton. Alas! a woman's tongue betrayed the secret:
never finished: all hands rushed to the new El Dorado.
At first official Washington received the news incredulously, but was
finally convinced by the second official report carried by Lieut Beale, backea
with a nugget of gold "as big as a potato." The news quickly spread; public
imagination was instantly fired, and soon the biggest stampede of history was
under way.
timated that at least 45,000 crossed the plains in '49. The discovery of
gold led to the real discovery of California. It had an intimate relation to
the progress of the Union, and the new gold helped tremendously in the win-
ning of the Civil War.
Marshall was not a miner, and his discovery profited him little. He be-
came a marked man, an object of envy, slander and suspicion. Spied on, in-
sulted, robbed, he was twice compelled to leave Coloma. He finally left the
State for a time and lectured. However, his love for Coloma brought him back.
in 1855 he bought the land on which the Monument now stands, built the
cabin which is still standing, terraced the hills, planted fruit trees and de.
vised an 1ngenious method of irrigation. In 1865 he exhibited fruit at the
County Fair in Placerville, but nis venture in fruit raising became a finan-
cial failure.
In 1867 he moved to Kelsey, 3 miles distant from Coloma, and started
placer mining.
efforts to assist nim were made by the State Legislature, but on the morning
of August 10 th, 1885 he was found dead on his bed, fully dressed even to his
hat.
ment now stands) overlooking his beloved valley, a spot he himself had chosen
for his last resting place, "That his spirit mignt watch over Coloma."
He was a quiet, kindly, unassuming man, ever ready to help and share what
he had.
1ed him to become, in later years, somewhat morose and retiring. He never
mingled with the rowdy element, but those who knew him intimately appreciated
his sterling worth.
The Monument was erected at a total cost of $9,000 and was unveiled May 3rd
1890. The granite base is 30 1/2 feet high; the bronze statue surmounting it
11 1/2 feet.
tration of the State Parks Department.
The gold Marshall first found is in the Smithsonian Institute, Washington,
D.C.
Considerably over a billion dollars worth of gold was taken from California
mines between 1848-1 873.
Interesting Facts Series No.1. Copyright Ashers' Photos, Coloma, Calif.
Other numbers:- The Donner Tragedy, olă San Francisco, Capt Sutter, Old Coloma
The New Bay Bridge, Etc., Etc.
Picking it up, he at once surmised
the flour mill was
Tens of thousands went to California by land and sea.
It is es-
He had been in want and ill health for some time.
Sporadic
He was buried at public expense on the top of the hill (where the Monu-
Naturally he was a sociable fellow, but the trea tment he had received
The Monument and grounds surrounding it are under the adminis-
