Gold Rush and Its Origin in America
In Lumpkin County in 1829, the Georgia gold rush originated, which was believed to be one of the foremost origins of gold in America. There are accounts which show that the traces of gold were first discovered in the mountains of North Georgia. However, the discovery of gold in Georgia in the year 1828 was believed to be the major discovery of gold.
When the European explorers came there, the American Indians told them about the little amounts of gold that they got from the mountains. Some other accounts, which have not been documented in a proper way, indicate that French and Spanish have been mining gold in this region during 1560 to 1690. However, many experts say that these accounts are based on rumours and suppositions that were passed on by the American Indians.
Several assumptions and records obtained, regarding the mining made by the Spanish and French people, appear to be credible, but at the same time, some evidences make them null and void. It is simply not probable that the Spanish could let the profit yielding mines to get wasted.
With the inception of gold in the North Carolina in the year 1798, the suppositions regarding the presence of gold in Georgia also tremendously increased. When the gold was discovered in Georgia, two main factors greatly increased the chances of gold discovery in America as well. The foremost factor was the presence of alluvian deposits which depicted the presence of gold in that area. On the other hand, the rumours and suppositions that spread all through also made people think about the presence of gold over there.
Many stories are associated with the inception of gold in Georgia. Some of the accounts show that Frank Logan was the pioneer in the discovery of gold in the Duke Creek. While according to other records, John Witheroods discovered a three ounce nugget of gold in Duke Creek region. All these stories enthralled people of the US resulting in the rush to Georgia for discovering the same gold nuggets like the ones discovered by the earlier explorers.
It is not exactly known that who actually discovered gold for the first time, but somehow the gold rush emerged in America. Soon, the gold rush reached its peak. It was August 1, 1829 that Georgian Journal published the striking news of gold discovery in the region. With the discovery of two gold mines, more preparations were made to find out the hidden gold in the area.
Most of the area having gold mines was under the hold of Cherokee Indians. However, mining preparations were made to explore the nearby areas. Earlier the alluvial mining was the most employed one.
It has been estimated that only 4,000 miners were employed for the Yahoola Creek mines in 1830; while it is estimated that some 15,000 miners were made to work on mines of some other towns including Dahlonega and Aurarua. This was the estimation made at the time when gold rush was on its peak.