Ancestors of several Crittenden Countains went west for the Gold Rush in 1849. Not much history about it is known in our area.
One early morning in August 1849, 100 wagons drawn by oxen and driven by brave and adventurous men, having formed a wagon train, near Joy, Ky in Livingston County, crossed the Ohio River at Golconda, Ill, on their journey to California. They were in search of their fortune in gold, traveling to St. Louis then to Independence. Mo.
There were two routes leading out of Independence, they chose the upper route, on the Mormon Trail to Salt Lake City, then traveling on to California on the Salt Lake travel. The rate of travel was from two to three and one-half miles an hour, and the distance varied according to the nearness of water holes.
There was many problems and hardships the men had to encounter. One man suffered from blindness due to the sun reflecting on the sand. He was confined to his tent for three days. Another less fortunate soul, one of the Barnes men, was stricken with a disease. He was buried in a grave somewhere out on the prairie.
Some of the men that traveled to the west were: Tom Robinson, George Boaz, George Adams, William Barnes, Jim Barnes and William H. Franklin. We do not know if all the men that returned to Crittenden and Livingston counties struck it rich in the gold fields or not, but they were considered to be men of influence in the business world at their deaths.
William H. Franklin, upon returning to his home in the county, invested his earnings in wise enterprises of the following: a saw mill, a grist mill, cattle and land. He lived in Levias, Ky., (a little community about 5 miles West of Marion). At one time he was considered a wealthy man.
9 comments:
Was the George Boaz listed above the one born in 1817, who married Sarah Owen in 1841 (and after she died in 1864, married Sallie Brasher Travis in 1865)?
I'm interested because the Brashers are my ancestors, and I'd like to know more about George Boaz.
Yes, this is the same George Boaz. He got back to Crittenden County Ky safely for he and Sarah Brasher Travis Boaz are buried at the Caldwell Springs Cemetery. His death date is June 14, 1901.
Thank you! That's an exciting thing to find out about him.
Where can I find out more about this trip west and the return trip?
I'm sorry, but I really don't know anything more about his trip, and I've never seen anything else about it. I just knew he was buried in the Caldwell Springs Cemetery here in Crittenden County.
Would it be all right with you if I posted this article on Family Tree in the "stories" section of George Boaz's record there?
I would credit it fully, of course, including a link to your blog.
Yes, that would be fine if you used the Post Some Went West. Thank you for asking.
Do you have any info on George Adams?
Mr. Adams, I'm sorry but I don't have any other information on George Adams in this post.
Post a Comment