By mid 1849, the easy gold was gone--but
the 49ers kept coming. There was still gold in the riverbeds,
but it was getting harder and harder to find. A typical miner
spent 10 hours a day knee-deep in ice cold water, digging, sifting,
washing. It was backbreaking labor that yielded less and less.
As panning became less effective, the miners moved to more advanced
techniques for extracting the precious metal. But it was a losing
battle as the gold reserves were declining and the number of miners
was increasing dramatically. The atmosphere of friendly camaraderie
so prevalent a year or two earlier, was all but gone by 1850.
Forty-niners who expected to make their fortune in a few days
found themselves digging for month after month--year after year--with
little to show for the effort. Frustration and depression was
rampant.
Out of despair, many 49ers turned to poker and other forms of
gambling in hopes of snatching the quick fortunes that had eluded
them in the rivers. When that didn't work, many turned to crime.
Jails, unnecessary a few years earlier, were soon filled. Hangings
became common--almost matter of fact.
49er John
Bucroft
"I take this opportunity of writing these few lines to you
hoping to find you in good health. Me and Charley is sentenced
to be hung at five o'clock for a robbery. Give my best to Frank
and Sam."
Many gave
up the dream and went home to the east. Others stayed on--just
one more year they hoped. One more year and they'd strike it rich.
And there were the occasional lucky strikes well into the 1850s--just
enough good news to encourage the masses to continue digging.
Most failed every day, but they kept on--year after year. Dejected,
disappointed, many would never return home to loved ones back
east--they would die in California, broken by a dream that never
came true.
