Name/Title
Newspaper Article - Goldseekers of a Century AgoEntry/Object ID
Q2024.30.09Scope and Content
A three column article by staff writer, Robert G. Beason, of the Kansas City Times, dated February 5, 1952 titled "Goldseekers Of A Century Ago Waited In West Missouri For Spring To Comer". It includes a picture titled "Independence As The Forty-Niners Saw It". The caption below the picture reads "This courthouse built, in 1836, was one of the 'many fine buildings' reported in the diary of a traveler in the gold rush of 1849. Independence was, he wrote, 'one of the most beautiful villages in the States'.Context
The article starts out "At this time of year, they were assembling in Independence and St. Joseph, and preparing wagon trains to start moving as soon as grass was tall enough to feed the mutes and the oxen".
Highlights of the additional sub-titles expand on the topic.
'Waiting for Grass'
. . . . By starting as soon as the grass was up, the travelers could reach California before winter caught them, if they were fast enough.
'By Tens of Thousands'
. . . . It was estimated that 27,000 persons, with wagons pulled by 3,800 mules and oxen started the journey in 1849. The next year, the numbers expanded to 100,000.'
'Suffering in Rain'
Violent thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain on the prairies made travel difficult. . . . Over the Black Hills. . . , a barren country with little grass. Had to go 6 miles out from the road for pasture.
'Hope at Halfway Point'
. . . . , the gold-seekers soon passed Pacific springs and rejoiced as they realized that they had crossed the divide between the plains and the West.
Few of the emigrants mined enough gold to repay them for their expenses . . let alone the miseries of the long overland trek.Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Clipping, NewspaperNomenclature Primary Object Term
ClippingNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Dimension Notes
5.5 X 13.5"
