Artwork courtesy of Google images.

When gold was discovered at Sutters Fort (near Sacramento, California in January 1848), news filtered east quickly. In 1849 80,000 immigrants found their way to California via overland trail or ship (hence the term 49ers).

It was thought gold could be picked up on the ground. Nope. You looked for it in streambeds, by panning. Gold was occasionally found as nuggets (pebbles of pure gold) but most often as tiny flakes that settled in the bottom of your pan.

Few struck it rich. Most fortunes were made by those who sold equipment, food and liquor to the prospectors.

A prospector could file a legal claim on a tiny piece of land or streamed he worked. Most DIGGINGS, however, PANNED OUT (when no more gold was found) quickly so the prospector moved on.

COLOR--another name for gold.

SEEN THE ELEPHANT--an Americanism or expression used by pioneers and prospectors heading West. It referred to their dreams of wealth.

MOTHER LODE--gold (and silver) was later found deep under ground in veins. Such a discovery could make you instantly rich. Mines replaced prospectors. The Comstock Lode was the name given to the rich deposit of silver later found in Virginia City, Nevada.

Most prospectors gave up the hunt in less than a year. It was too laborious and frustrating, and what gold you did find was spent on food, liquor, and whores.

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