Gold Rush!
There are many articles and letters in early newspapers about the California gold rush. The following appeared in the Springfield Southwestern Flag, Monday, February 25, 1850, page 3.
"Chance for California"
"We are authorized by Judge Jas. Brown, to state that he will take thirty or forty able bodied young men, used to labor, through to California for their services as teamsters, and furnish them with twenty days rations, after they get there; they furnishing nothing but their clothes; from fifty to one hundred pounds of baggage will be hauled for each man. Hands to be ready by the twentieth day of April. A day will be named hereafter when he will meet them at this place." [meaning Springfield]
On this same page is an article reprinted from the Chicago Journal titled "Ho for California". It is a long article by Thomas Crosley detailing the expenses of the overland route. He recommends no more than 30 men with pack mules, rather than wagons. He also describes the areas where water, grazing and game are scarce or abundant. The following is a detailed list of necessities for the trail.
| Below is an estimate of the outfit necessary for each man to provide himself with: | |
| Two good mules | $65 each $130.00 |
| One riding saddle | $10.00 |
| One pack saddle | $8.00 |
| One riding bridle | $2.50 |
| Two halters | $1.00 |
| Two piquett [sic] ropes with iron pins | $2.00 |
| Three good blankets | $18.00 |
| One short rifle | $20.00 |
| Two rifle barrel pistols | $12.00 |
| One knife, scabbard and belt | $2.50 |
| Seventy pounds flour | $2.80 |
| Thirty-five pounds bacon | $1.50 |
| Twenty-five pounds sugar | $1.60 |
| Ten pounds coffee | $2.00 |
| One pound tea | $1.00 |
| Camp furniture and sundries, such as mustard, pepper, salt, &c. | $5.00 |
| [Total] | $218.90 |
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