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Literary
October 30, 1897
The Laramie Republican
Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming
What is this article about?
Historical sketch of George A. Jackson's discovery of placer gold in Colorado on January 7, 1859, at the site of present-day Idaho Springs, which sparked the Rocky Mountain gold rush after his journeys from Missouri via California and Pike's Peak region.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
FRONTIER SKETCHES.
One of the first finders of placer gold in Colorado was George A. Jackson who passed away only recently. The place was at the junction of Clear Creek and Chicago Creek where Idaho Springs now lies. Jackson was a native of Missouri. He was attracted to California by the gold discoveries and there served the apprenticeship in the mines which enabled him to score his great success in Colorado.
In 1857 he returned to his old home in Missouri and in the spring of 1858 he came to the Pike's Peak region, rather more with the view of hunting and trapping than to search for gold. He camped where west Denver now stands and next proceeded to the Cache la Poudre and assisted in founding a trading post, which was named La Porte. The adventurers firmly believed at that time that La Porte would be the great trading center of the mountains, but the discovery of gold required that the map should be rearranged. In the fall winter quarters were established where the town of Golden now stands. One day Jackson started out alone and saw in the distance a dense blue mist which he first imagined to be smoke from an Indian camp fire. Peering cautiously over the edge of a hill he discovered that the appearance was in reality the mist rising from hot springs. Idaho Springs has since been built at those springs. In the early days the place was a favorite resort of great herds of mountain sheep and other animals of the mountains. Jackson prosecuted his journey, advancing by slow stages to the mouth of Chicago Creek. There he built a rousing camp fire and with the aid of his hunting knife and tin cup he made the first discovery of gold in that section. The discovery was made on the 7th of January, 1859. Jackson returned to the rendezvous at Golden after an absence of two weeks, and on the 17th of April, accompanied by 22 men, he started again for the mouth of Chicago Creek. The journey was filled with dangers but the little party finally reached the desired spot and washed out $1,900 during the first seven days in the camp. The future of Colorado was now assured and it was only a few weeks before the intelligence spread like wild fire that placer beds had been opened in the Rocky Mountains which rivaled in value the richest ever known on the Pacific coast.
One of the first finders of placer gold in Colorado was George A. Jackson who passed away only recently. The place was at the junction of Clear Creek and Chicago Creek where Idaho Springs now lies. Jackson was a native of Missouri. He was attracted to California by the gold discoveries and there served the apprenticeship in the mines which enabled him to score his great success in Colorado.
In 1857 he returned to his old home in Missouri and in the spring of 1858 he came to the Pike's Peak region, rather more with the view of hunting and trapping than to search for gold. He camped where west Denver now stands and next proceeded to the Cache la Poudre and assisted in founding a trading post, which was named La Porte. The adventurers firmly believed at that time that La Porte would be the great trading center of the mountains, but the discovery of gold required that the map should be rearranged. In the fall winter quarters were established where the town of Golden now stands. One day Jackson started out alone and saw in the distance a dense blue mist which he first imagined to be smoke from an Indian camp fire. Peering cautiously over the edge of a hill he discovered that the appearance was in reality the mist rising from hot springs. Idaho Springs has since been built at those springs. In the early days the place was a favorite resort of great herds of mountain sheep and other animals of the mountains. Jackson prosecuted his journey, advancing by slow stages to the mouth of Chicago Creek. There he built a rousing camp fire and with the aid of his hunting knife and tin cup he made the first discovery of gold in that section. The discovery was made on the 7th of January, 1859. Jackson returned to the rendezvous at Golden after an absence of two weeks, and on the 17th of April, accompanied by 22 men, he started again for the mouth of Chicago Creek. The journey was filled with dangers but the little party finally reached the desired spot and washed out $1,900 during the first seven days in the camp. The future of Colorado was now assured and it was only a few weeks before the intelligence spread like wild fire that placer beds had been opened in the Rocky Mountains which rivaled in value the richest ever known on the Pacific coast.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
What keywords are associated?
Gold Discovery
Colorado
George Jackson
Idaho Springs
Placer Mining
Rocky Mountains
Pikes Peak
Literary Details
Title
Frontier Sketches.
Subject
Discovery Of Placer Gold In Colorado
Key Lines
There He Built A Rousing Camp Fire And With The Aid Of His Hunting Knife And Tin Cup He Made The First Discovery Of Gold In That Section. The Discovery Was Made On The 7th Of January, 1859.
The Future Of Colorado Was Now Assured And It Was Only A Few Weeks Before The Intelligence Spread Like Wild Fire That Placer Beds Had Been Opened In The Rocky Mountains Which Rivaled In Value The Richest Ever Known On The Pacific Coast.