Pioneer Ghost Town California
Boom Time
January 24 1848. Does this mean anything to you? It was the start of one of the most momentous times in recent history. Still not got it? Another clue then: Sutter’s Mill, American River. Still not got it? This was the start of the Californian Gold Rush that changed America forever, opening it up from coast to coast. It fuelled a world-wide economic growth and revolutionised global transport.
When gold was found on his land, John Sutter wanted to keep it quiet, but rumours spread slowly at first. They were fanned by Samuel Brannan, merchant and newspaper publisher. After setting up a store to sell prospecting supplies, Brannan went through the streets of San Francisco holding aloft a vial of gold, shouting “Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!” He printed special editions of newspapers and put them on the mule train bound for St Louis. He knew that it would take 3 months to get there and that gave him plenty of time to stock up on supplies. The rumours spread, not only through America and but also the world. In August 1848 the New York Herald reported a gold rush in California, by December the President had confirmed it to Congress.
It’s hard to conceive the effect that the news had on the American nation. Everywhere you went people talked of only one thing, “The Gold Rush”. Was it true? How could you get there? When were you going?
Quite literally gold fever gripped the country. But 150 years ago, California was like the end of the Earth. The quickest way from New York was by sea, past the Caribbean, down the Atlantic coast of South America, round Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) and the mountainous seas of the feared Southern ocean, then north, crossing the equator again, on to San Francisco. The journey would take at least 5 – 8 months. Another route was down to Panama, through the jungle and then wait for a ship going north. 5,000 mile overland routes were pioneered, opening up routes through the Rockies, west of the Great Plains.
It is estimated that 300,000 people made the epic journey in search of riches. San Francisco had a population of around 1,000 people in 1848. By 1850 it had risen to 25,000. It went from shanty town to ghost town to boom town. This tiny hamlet soon had hundreds of ships tied up, abandoned by their crews as soon as they docked, joining the rush for gold. Among the first were those from Hawaii, Peru, Chile, China, Australia and Europe. People came from all over the world to earn fantastic sums of money. They could earn more in 6 months they could in 6 years back home.
It has been estimated that over 350 tonnes of gold were excavated in the gold rush, worth over $7 billion at today’s prices. Some of this was paid to ships captains for their cargos, some immigrants sent their “diggings” back home boosting the economies of home nations.
The effect of the gold rush was immense. It opened up America, California became home for many immigrants and transport links were developed. The Transcontinental Railway, spanning America, was completed in 1869, financed in part by Gold Rush money. A journey that took months could now be done in days.
Why does this excite me so?
Because I believe that we are about to experience our own Gold Rush. Findel have publicised our opportunity and filled a store full of prospecting equipment. There are exciting opportunities to earn more money than ever before in a shorter space of time. I believe that people everywhere will start whispering “Is it true? Can you earn that much money? How do we get started? Where do I go?”
Those who are prepared to get out there and start prospecting will be rewarded with abundance. We are on the threshold of more retail, more sales, more prospects, more sponsoring than any time ever before. If ever there was a time to be in Kleeneze now is it.
The first 9 months of the year have been described by Mike Bibby as wading through treacle. From now to Christmas is the time to reap the harvest. I have always thought of this as relaxing, earning a royalty on all that effort put in during the early part of the year.
Not this time. I have learned the fierce urgency of NOW!
Now is not the time to relax, rest and reap the rewards of early endeavours.
Now is the time to sell more than ever
Now is the time to earn more than ever
Now is the time to proclaim our opportunity
Now is the time to shout GOLD! GOLD! There’s Gold to be had in this business.
About the Author
Geoff Bell’s Article – 7-Sept-07
Geoff’s articles have been published by Kleeneze and on the Internet. He speaks as well as he writes and if you are interested in Geoff speaking at your meeting please drop a line to coaching@star-burst.biz
Geoff welcomes your comments and reviews of his work.
