MINERS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE On the Western Frontier

THE JOURNEY WEST THIS A DANGEROUS JOURNEY! You will want to have your wagon serviced before you leave. Many miners do not make it to their final destination. Many drown while trying to cross dangerous rivers or from disease (either on the journey or in the mining camp.)

TOOLS and EQUIPMENT You will need –Picks –Shovels –Pans –Bags for all your gold –Spare parts and tools for your wagon –A weapon and ammunition for those who try to steal your claim.

Shelter If you plan on “striking it rich,” prepare to stay awhile. Get rich quick stories are few and far between. You will have to move frequently to look for your payload so bring a canvas tent. Because of the frequent heavy winter snows, you’ll want to spend that time in a mining town; we recommend San Francisco.

Money for Supplies You will need 6 months worth of wages to make it out to California. That’s about $50 to $60. You’ll have to go into town from time to time to buy supplies. Watch your money because the average gold miner only finds $10 worth of gold a day. John H. Miller, writing to the "St. Joseph Valley Register," October 6, 1849, gives the following prices at Weberville, 60 miles from Sacramento: Wagons $40 to $80.00 Oxen, per yoke to Mules, each to Board, per meal, $1.50, or per week Beef, per pound cents to.75 Salt Pork, per pound cents to.75 Flour, per pound cents to.30 Sugar, per pound cents to.50 Molasses, per gallon $2 to 4.00 Mining Cradles $20 to Mining Pans $4 to 8.00

HOW TO DEAL WITH BOREDOM Since your family probably didn’t come with you, we suggest you make friends in the mining camp. Cards are a MUST because card playing and gambling are some of the most popular recreational activities.

WORKS CITED Life of a 49er. Retrieved July 23, 2008, from Kidport Reference Library Web site: y/CalGoldRush/lifeof49er.htm#Camping y/CalGoldRush/lifeof49er.htm#Camping Miller, J. (1849, Oct. 6). St. Valley Reigster Appleby, Ph.D, J (2005). American Vision Vol. 2. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill

IMAGE COPYRIGHTS Gold mining in California. Lithograph by Currier & Ives, Reproduction number: LC-USZC (color film copy slide) Washing and panning gold. Rockerville, Dak. Photograph by Grabill, Reproduction number: LC-USZ