How many prospectors got rich during the California gold rush?
Carl Justice
Baltimore, Maryland
Hard to say, but it’s probably about the same percentage as those who win the big lottery today. Most who boasted “California or Bust” came home saying “Busted by God.”
Certainly, folks like George Hearst made fortunes from their mining efforts.
Others got rich by “mining the miners.” Levi Strauss sold clothing, John M. Studebaker offered wagons and Henry We
Already Signed Up? Log in here.
Read this article now for Free!
Ready for a third free article? Create a free account by entering your email address and a password below.
— OR —
Sign Up Now for $29.95 a year and have immediate access to all of True West content, including the complete True West Archives dating back to 1953!
