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Nevada/California Regional Convention
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| San Francisco was the port-of-entry for over 700
ships carrying thousands of fortune-seekers from around the world.
Strangers arriving in California expected gold to greet them from
every inch of surface, and many jokes were played at their expense.
During this summer an individual placed two or three ounces of gold
on the surface of the Plaza in front of the Parker House, and then
took out some late arrivals to show them how gold could be found in
the streets. He took a pan of dust, and on washing it got two ounces
of gold. Instantly an excitement arose. Others procured pans, and
in a short time the Plaza had all the appearance of a placer. One
man was rewarded by getting 20 cents in his first pan, but no more
gold was discovered. Later it was learned that the man who deposited
the gold and the sellers of the tin pans were partners, and that they
had reaped a harvest from pans at $2 a piece. This was known as the
"spelter" excitement.
San Francisco
Chronicle |
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