The Humor of the Gold Rush (Part II)

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In 1850, during the pioneer days of the California gold rush, grizzly bears were occasionally met with, and they hardly ever gave space on the road, though they were not apt to attack a man unless provoked. In the early days, these giant bears were very numerous, and at the time of that first wave of gold rush pioneers there were many desperate fights between the grizzly and hunters. Their great size, strength, and vicious nature rendered them a most formidable enemy to the hunter, prospector and pioneer.

At that time, it was one Mr. Spaulding's good fortune to have one of the most thrilling adventures with one that has ever been recorded. In those days he was in charge of a saw-mill, and at one particular time had occasion to visit the gold mining camp of Mokelumne Hill late in the day. The trail led through a deep, shadowy glen, which the fearsome bears sometimes visited, trampling down the brush and leaving tracks twice as large as a Hoosier's. As a matter of prudence he took his rifle promising himself to "fight it out on that line" if he ever met up with one. The day light trip was well enough, no bears putting in an appearance, but on his return after night-fall, as he descended into the cool, shadowy part of the glen, he heard the ominous cracking of the brush, and the sound of footfalls along the trail. Nearer and nearer he came toward the vicious animal that was never known to give way on the road. To turn back was contrary to our hero's principles. Pierpont's words echoed in his ears: "Stand! The ground's your own, my braves. Will ye give it up to slaves? Look ye for greener graves?"

The story from his old school reader flashed through his mind, and he stood his ground! With gun cocked and his hair on end, he waited the onset of the fight. As the outline of the animal came dimly into view he took as good aim as possible and fired his rifle. An unearthly growling was succeeded by the monster's tumbling, rolling, and tearing down the trail to the bottom of the deep ravine below the road. It was evident the animal was severely wounded, and like all grizzlies, would be then most dangerous, even if the wound was mortal. To go down into the dark and thick woods and fight the grizzly alone, would be dangerous, perhaps fatal to him, for had not the grizzly proved a match for many men even when fatally wounded? His life was bright before him in his mind; future hopes of meeting well, no matter whom, and renewing the tender relations; hopes of wealth, of political success, and of honor he expected were in his future. Were not these worth more than the chance of killing a grizzly? He went back on the trail, and making a wide circuit, reached the camp at a late hour, exhausted with the excitement and his long walk.

After hearing his adventures, the men made up a company to visit the ravine the next morning and finish the monster, as a wounded bear is quite dangerous. All the guns were heavily loaded, and plans laid for approaching the animal with the least danger. The most vulnerable parts of the grizzly were duly discussed, some contending for an eye shot, others a side shot, at the heart, etc. Cautiously they descended into the deep ravine, avoiding clumps of trees or chaparral. At the bottom they found signs of the conflict: blood and broken brush. One, bolder than the rest, one of them followed the trail down the hill. After a short pause, he cried out with a great roar of laughter, and yelled out to the rest: "Darned if it ain't Dr. Herschner's old jackass".

This quickly changed the sentiment of the party. The poor, patient old donkey had packed many a load of grub over the hills to the miners, and would, when relieved of his burden, return home alone, but he had now made his last trip. Forty dollars was paid to the owner for the loss of the animal, but for many years afterward a simple mention of hunting grizzlies in his presence would lead to would lead to plenty of liquors and cigars purchased at Spaulding's expense when he was in town.

For more tales of the life, hopes and the humor of California's Gold Rush, see California Gold Rush

Basic information on Prospecting for gold, including how to get started, can be found at: Gold Prospecting

Chris Ralph writes on small scale mining and prospecting for the ICMJ Mining Journal. He has a degree in Mining Engineering from the Mackay School of Mines in Reno, and has worked for precious metal mining companies conducting both surface and underground operations. After working in the mining industry, he has continued his interest in mining as an individual prospector. His information page on prospecting for gold can be viewed at the website noted above.

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