W.—Well, how many are there now living of the Forty-niners; have you any idea, Jo?
Jo.—Judging from the number of those who are now living who joined the Pioneer Associations in the various States, there must be at least about 15,000.
W.—Well, that was a grand and pleasant adventure, the departure of so many thousands for the other side of the continent to search for gold, wasn’t it? and I suppose you boys all enjoyed it, too, and profited by the experience?
Jo.—Yes, we certainly did, and I doubt if there was ever in the history of the world an adventure similar in character and magnitude, and which created such wonderful effects as the gold discovery of California, for as far as our observation extends, the existence of such another vast gold field is improbable, unless it may be that in the unexplored regions of Africa rich gold fields may exist, but even if such discoveries should be made, such are the numbers and
character of the savage tribes that inhabit those regions, they would be of little value to the civilized world.
W.—Well, I suppose you observe the great changes that have taken place here upon this side of the continent since you left forty years ago?
Jo.—Yes, indeed, I do, and ’tis difficult to realize the great changes that have taken place in so short a space of time, and which are visible when crossing the continent from Hangtown to Jersey, for towns and cities have sprung into existence, and sections of the country are now thickly populated where but a few short years ago were barren desert places, occupied only by roving bands of savages. And all of these changed conditions are due to the gold discovery in California.
W.—Yes, yes, you are right, and it was the means also, through the energy of you gold diggers, of building up a great and a prosperous country upon the other side of the continent, as well as producing a condition of prosperity over the entire country. But, Jo, I want you to tell me why it is that so few of you old pioneers succeeded in your expectations of obtaining great wealth in a country where so much gold was dug from the earth, for it seems to me that you are the ones who should have been the most successful.