Recollections of a 49er


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First published in 1908 by Edward Washington McIlhany, Recollections of a '49er is a classic work on the American Westward movement, the California Gold Rush, the Colorado Gold Rush, and the opening and development of the cattle industry in the Southwest. McIlhany left Virginia for California in 1849, returned to Missouri in 1857, went to Golden, Colorado in 1858, and finally settled down in Missouri in 1864. Editor Scott Lawson followed McIlhany from his birthplace in Virginia through all of his travels in California, Colorado, Missouri, Virginia and Maryland. Much of McIlhany's story covers his life as a mule packer from Marysville, California into the mining camps of Plumas County, particularly Onion Valley and Hopkins Creek. To complement the book, Lawson has written over 80 biographies of the members of McIlhany's Charlestown Virginia Mining Company that crossed the Plains in 1849. Many of these men went on to stellar careers in politics, business and community endeavors. In particular, Charles C. Thomas made an important mark on the Comstock Lode as a superintendent of the Hale & Norcross Mine, among others. Vincent Geiger fell from grace as an Indian Agent, killed a man in Red Bluff, California, and fled to Chile where he died in poverty. Benjamin F. Washington, nephew of President Washington, founded several newspapers in California including the Examiner. Noblet Herbert, another Washington family member, was murdered near Chico, California, a crime that was never solved. Over 100 vintage and contemporary black and white and color photos, maps, diagrams, and illustrations complement this 400-page, hard cover classic. Don't miss this opportunity to own this important work on the California Gold Rush and the American West.
Hard bound, 368 pages, contains numerous photographs.
Made In USA