Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
GOLD: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:gold.gif|left|thumb|150px|Gold]]GOLD. Dubuque may have a fortune in gold hidden by [[KELLY, Thomas|Thomas KELLY]], a secretive miner, on the bluff behind [[ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL]]. | [[Image:gold.gif|left|thumb|150px|Gold]]GOLD. Dubuque may have a fortune in gold hidden by [[KELLY, Thomas|Thomas KELLY]], a secretive miner, on the bluff behind [[ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL]]. | ||
"Gold fever" based on the news from California struck Dubuque in December, 1848. On December 30th a public meeting in the courthouse led to an organization of those wishing to travel to the gold fields. On March 19, 1849 fourteen wagons of gold seekers crossed the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] at Dubuque. Several Dubuque residents traveled to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Others joined the California Society. The Galena and Dubuque Mining Company organized fifty-three teams which cross the Great Plains in 1849. (1) | "Gold fever" based on the news from California struck Dubuque in December, 1848. On December 30th a public meeting in the courthouse led to an organization of those wishing to travel to the gold fields. On March 19, 1849 fourteen wagons of gold seekers crossed the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] at Dubuque. Several Dubuque residents traveled to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Others joined the California Society. The Galena and Dubuque Mining Company organized fifty-three teams which cross the Great Plains in 1849. (1) In 1850 the Dubuque Emigrating Association of fifty-four men and twenty wagons left for California. (2) | ||
Dubuque had its own gold rush in 1858. An individual, camping with friends on Ham's Island (later known as [[CITY ISLAND]]), reportedly kicked up a glistening stone from the sand. Thinking it was gold, he hurried to an assay office where the sample was found to contain gold. Wishing to know whether more gold existed in the area, the city financed ten prospectors to conduct a more exhaustive search. Over the next week more gold-bearing quartz rock was found but nothing like the hoped-for bonanza. Each prospector did, however, earn more than ten dollars per day. Gold was also found at [[LAKE PEOSTA]], along [[CATFISH CREEK]], and in some gullies and ravines in West Dubuque. ( | Dubuque had its own gold rush in 1858. An individual, camping with friends on Ham's Island (later known as [[CITY ISLAND]]), reportedly kicked up a glistening stone from the sand. Thinking it was gold, he hurried to an assay office where the sample was found to contain gold. Wishing to know whether more gold existed in the area, the city financed ten prospectors to conduct a more exhaustive search. Over the next week more gold-bearing quartz rock was found but nothing like the hoped-for bonanza. Each prospector did, however, earn more than ten dollars per day. Gold was also found at [[LAKE PEOSTA]], along [[CATFISH CREEK]], and in some gullies and ravines in West Dubuque. (3) | ||
The discovery of gold near Pike's Peak in Colorado led to wagon trains using the Dubuque ferry to cross the Mississippi. Records kept by the ''Express and Herald'' indicated the following traffic: April 24--3 wagons, April 25--22, April 26--14, April 27--19, April 28--18, April 29--10, April 30--4. There were a total of 611 for the year through May 12, 1859. ( | The discovery of gold near Pike's Peak in Colorado led to wagon trains using the Dubuque ferry to cross the Mississippi. Records kept by the ''Express and Herald'' indicated the following traffic: April 24--3 wagons, April 25--22, April 26--14, April 27--19, April 28--18, April 29--10, April 30--4. There were a total of 611 for the year through May 12, 1859. (4) | ||
In 1877 the ''Dubuque Herald'' announced that interested prospectors "out for a drive" should take the road near McKnight Springs toward Thompson's Mill. Near a section of road with high hills and deep gullies gold had been discovered. ( | In 1877 the ''Dubuque Herald'' announced that interested prospectors "out for a drive" should take the road near McKnight Springs toward Thompson's Mill. Near a section of road with high hills and deep gullies gold had been discovered. (5) | ||
On Thursday, March 9,1933, Congress passed laws outlawing the private ownership of gold. This action led Dubuque residents in a single day to exchange $100,000 in gold for paper money. | On Thursday, March 9,1933, Congress passed laws outlawing the private ownership of gold. This action led Dubuque residents in a single day to exchange $100,000 in gold for paper money. | ||
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1. Oldt, Franklin T. and Patrick J Quigley. '''The History of Dubuque County, Iowa''', Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1890, p. 84 | 1. Oldt, Franklin T. and Patrick J Quigley. '''The History of Dubuque County, Iowa''', Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1890, p. 84 | ||
2. | 2. Ibid., p. 89 | ||
3. " | 3. "Thar Was Once Gold in Them Hills-Maybe," ''Telegraph Herald'', Mar. 7, 1960, Dubuque News, p. 1 | ||
4. "Is It Gold?" ''Dubuque Herald'', May 8, 1877, p. 4 | 4. "Pike's Peak Teams," ''Express and Herald'', May 12, 1859, p. 3 | ||
5. "Is It Gold?" ''Dubuque Herald'', May 8, 1877, p. 4 | |||
[[Category: Events]] | [[Category: Events]] | ||
Revision as of 18:06, 13 January 2018
GOLD. Dubuque may have a fortune in gold hidden by Thomas KELLY, a secretive miner, on the bluff behind ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL.
"Gold fever" based on the news from California struck Dubuque in December, 1848. On December 30th a public meeting in the courthouse led to an organization of those wishing to travel to the gold fields. On March 19, 1849 fourteen wagons of gold seekers crossed the MISSISSIPPI RIVER at Dubuque. Several Dubuque residents traveled to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Others joined the California Society. The Galena and Dubuque Mining Company organized fifty-three teams which cross the Great Plains in 1849. (1) In 1850 the Dubuque Emigrating Association of fifty-four men and twenty wagons left for California. (2)
Dubuque had its own gold rush in 1858. An individual, camping with friends on Ham's Island (later known as CITY ISLAND), reportedly kicked up a glistening stone from the sand. Thinking it was gold, he hurried to an assay office where the sample was found to contain gold. Wishing to know whether more gold existed in the area, the city financed ten prospectors to conduct a more exhaustive search. Over the next week more gold-bearing quartz rock was found but nothing like the hoped-for bonanza. Each prospector did, however, earn more than ten dollars per day. Gold was also found at LAKE PEOSTA, along CATFISH CREEK, and in some gullies and ravines in West Dubuque. (3)
The discovery of gold near Pike's Peak in Colorado led to wagon trains using the Dubuque ferry to cross the Mississippi. Records kept by the Express and Herald indicated the following traffic: April 24--3 wagons, April 25--22, April 26--14, April 27--19, April 28--18, April 29--10, April 30--4. There were a total of 611 for the year through May 12, 1859. (4)
In 1877 the Dubuque Herald announced that interested prospectors "out for a drive" should take the road near McKnight Springs toward Thompson's Mill. Near a section of road with high hills and deep gullies gold had been discovered. (5)
On Thursday, March 9,1933, Congress passed laws outlawing the private ownership of gold. This action led Dubuque residents in a single day to exchange $100,000 in gold for paper money.
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Source:
1. Oldt, Franklin T. and Patrick J Quigley. The History of Dubuque County, Iowa, Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1890, p. 84
2. Ibid., p. 89
3. "Thar Was Once Gold in Them Hills-Maybe," Telegraph Herald, Mar. 7, 1960, Dubuque News, p. 1
4. "Pike's Peak Teams," Express and Herald, May 12, 1859, p. 3
5. "Is It Gold?" Dubuque Herald, May 8, 1877, p. 4