California Gold

By Leon Taylor

It was 1850, and fourteen-year-old Johnny James, an orphan to the streets of Boston, decided to go to the goldfields of California and leave the desperation of the slums behind.  He'd heard the stories told in the saloons about the forty-niners who'd gone there and struck it rich and determined he could as well.

 

Along the way, Johnny picked up Jasper, another orphan, to go with him.  Jasper brought his best friend, Billy, whose father was a drunk and didn't want him, along with them.  It was Joshua, who tried to steal some of their food late one night, and because he was hungry and desperate, a runaway from his own home, the three boys fed him.  All three knew what it was like to be without hope, and when Joshua begged to go to the goldfields with them, they let him.

 

The boys were lucky enough to join a wagon train led by the legendary mountain man, Bearcat Bob.  He took them on as scouts because they were a scrappy bunch, and he could see they would be useful, even though they were greenhorns.  Along the way, the four boys met mountain men who were former cohorts of Bearcat Bob's.  Mean Badger Bill was aptly named, Cherokee Jim had a penchant for cheating people, but Jim Bridger was a stand-up man, much like the prospectors, Old Henry and Big River Ben, whom they would encounter once in the goldfields.

 

It was a dangerous journey across the Great Plains, but Jasper was the only scout to be captured by Indians.  Bearcat Bob traded coffee and a few pots and pans to get him back and threw a small feast for the five Cheyenne scouts who'd taken Jasper for just that purpose.  Bearcat Bob knew the sign language of the Plains Indians and was already friends with many of the tribes, to the welfare of the travelers who had trusted their care to him.

 

After reaching the Willamette Valley in the Oregon Territory, the four boys struck out south for the Sacramento Valley where gold had been found at Sutter's Mill.  They found the American River already overcrowded with miners, but they hoped after two years of hard mining to find enough gold to sponsor their dreams.

Johnny and Jasper wanted to return to the Willamette Valley, where Annie awaited Johnny, to claim farmland for themselves.  Billy wanted to open a dry goods store in San Francisco, and Joshua wanted to build a luxury hotel there so he'd never have to live in another cave.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leon Taylor
• Release date: Apr 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223461302

Leon Taylor

Leon Taylor is a college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science and Humanities and a veteran of military intelligence.  He has lived and worked in many different venues that have contributed to a vast array of experiences, all lending their credence to the stories he writes.

Book preview

Chapter One

W hat ‘er you doin’ here? the merchant yelled at Johnny as he kicked him in the leg.

Johnny was sleeping in the doorway to the man’s store.  He slept there a lot, but he usually woke before the man came to open his store.  Nuthin’, Johnny answered as he jumped up and scrambled to gather his blankets and pack.  I was jus’ sleepin’ a little.  I didn’ mean no harm.

Oh, ya, the merchant responded.  I’s tired of ya kids hangin’ ‘round here.  Git, and don’ let me catch ya sleepin’ here ‘gin.

Yes, sir, Johnny responded as he jumped out of the way of the man trying to kick him again.  Ya don’ have to be so mean ‘bout it, he said to the merchant, who had his fist raised as if he was going to hit him.

Git, the man yelled again.  Next time I won’ be so nice ‘bout it.  I’ll be callin’ the police if I catches you here ‘gin.

Escaping the mad merchant, Johnny wandered down the cobble stoned street wondering where he could get something to eat.  He was always hungry when he woke in the morning, especially when he had nothing to eat the night before. 

And that was when Johnny James made his final decision.  He’d had enough, he decided, of living in the streets; having no food to eat, no safe place to sleep, and being shunned and bullied around every corner.  It was not a life worth living, not even close, and he was done.  He would go to the goldfields of California, Johnny determined, and leave the slums of Boston behind. 

Both of Johnny’s parents had died of an unknown disease when he was eight, leaving him orphaned to the streets and the plight of surviving on his own.  His sister Kate and brother Bobby had died then, also.  He had no aunts or uncles, either, or grandparents.  They were still in the old country, and Johnny now wished his parents had stayed in the old country with them.  Maybe they would still be alive then, and he wouldn’t have been left all alone in the slums of Boston.

Johnny knew there had to be a better life than the one he now lived, and that was what he was considering as he sorted out his belongings in his bag.  He was now fourteen, it was 1850, and he had heard about the forty-niners, men who had headed for California after the discovery of gold in 1848.  They were striking it rich, he was told, and that was where he would go, where gold was just lying on the ground to be picked up by anyone who wanted it.

He had heard the men talking in the saloons where he sometimes worked.  They had gone there by ship, sailing down and around the tip of South America, the Horn they called it, and then up to San Francisco, California.  It took four months to make the journey.  Johnny didn’t have enough money to make passage on one of those sailing ships, he knew, but he could walk.  He would walk to California, he determined, no matter how long it took or how far it was.  The gold he would find once he was there would make it worth the trip, he was sure.

With his bag of belongings tossed over his shoulder, Johnny walked through the long narrow streets of Boston, but before he was even out of town he was accosted by Old John O’Riley.  All the orphans knew Old John O’Riley, he was the Irish cop who hated everyone who wasn’t Irish, especially street kids like Johnny who stood up to him when they could.

Where ya going, boy? Old John O’Riley yelled at Johnny from across the street, his baton raised.

None yer business, Johnny yelled back as he got ready to run.  Johnny knew he could outrun old John O’Riley any day of the week, which was why he was free to tell him off.

Ya, it is.  Old man Peckinpah tells me you is sleeping in his doorway ‘gin.

Tough, I’ll sleep wherever I want, Johnny countered, knowing he’d better not get caught sleeping where he wasn’t supposed to by Old John O’Riley if he didn’t want to get thrown in jail.

Oh, ya.  You better not let me catch you, then, Old John O’Riley yelled back, acting like he was going to cross the street and go after Johnny.

Johnny wasn’t afraid and yelled back.  You ain’t never gonna see me again, old man, I’s goin’ to California.

Ya, sure you is, Old John O’Riley countered as he paused, lowering his baton.

Ya, I is, Johnny answered, ’nd I ain’t bringin’ you no gold back, neither.

Ya, that’s a joke, you won’t make it to California.  Don’t you know how far that is? Old John O’Riley was starting to soften his approach.  He knew Johnny to be a tough kid and was starting to think he might just do what he said he was going to do.

Ain’t no joke, Johnny said as he kept on his way, ’nd I ain’t comin’ back here, neither.

Okay, kid, Old John O’Riley answered.  Good luck.  I hope you find yer way to California.

That was a change of attitude, Johnny thought to himself.  Maybe that old cop wasn’t as bad as he put on.  Johnny kept on until he was out of town.  On the outskirts of town, the cobblestone streets turned to dirt and mud, but he didn’t care, they were better than the sewer-washed streets of the slums he was leaving behind.

Johnny didn’t have to go far before he found trouble, however, a gang of orphan boys was scouring the countryside looking for whatever they could find, and what they found was Johnny James.  Johnny was defenseless against their numbers, so he tried to outrun them, but in the end, they caught him.  They held him pinned to the ground as they one by one took from him what they wanted, and that was everything he had but the clothes he wore.

Johnny was now without what little food and money he had put away in his pack, the pack they took with his overcoat and extra pair of shoes in it.  The coat was to protect him from the cold and rainy weather, and the change of shoes he would need when his other ones wore out.  Johnny had been robbed in the slums before, but this was an event he hadn’t prepared for, leaving him in a desperate situation.

As Johnny saw it, there was nothing else for him to do but keep going, so he trod on down the wagon-rutted road, kicking rocks and stones before him as he went.  He slept that night in a cornfield where he felt he would be safe.  He didn’t figure there would be any wild animals there, and he was far enough off of the road that no other travelers would notice him.  As he had nothing to build a fire with and only the clothes he wore, it was a freezing cold and restless night for him.  He slept very little and awoke in the morning despondently tired and wet from sleeping on the bare ground.

With nothing to eat or drink, and nothing else to do but go on, Johnny started out walking once again down the road he had been traveling upon.  After several hours of walking, he came upon an old farmer tilling his field.  Johnny approached the old man, hoping he could get some help, he needed water and something to eat.  The old farmer, Jake, didn’t need Johnny to tell him he needed help, he could see by looking that Johnny was in desperate straits.  With only the clothes on his back and a sad look on his face, Johnny’s situation spoke for itself.

Johnny wasn’t sure how to ask the old man for help, but Jake saw his uneasiness and struck up a conversation with him.  Where you from, son? old Jake asked, after pulling his mule to a halt and laying down his plow.

Boston sir, Johnny answered quietly.

Boston? Jake questioned in surprise.  You’re not too far from home then, are you?  Jake questioned.

Not my home, anymore, Johnny answered.

Oh? Jake questioned.

No sir, Johnny returned.  I ain’t goin’ back.

Where you headed? Jake questioned gingerly, seeing Johnny was ill-prepared to go anywhere.

Out West, Johnny answered.  I’m goin’ to the goldfields.

You don’t have much in the way of supplies to help get you there? Jake offered in question.

No sir, Johnny answered.  I got robbed, he added, seeing that Jake was wondering why he only had the clothes he wore.

Oh, I see, Jake answered.  Where’d that happen?

Just on the outskirts of Boston.  A gang of boys, Johnny explained.

They took everything you had? Jake questioned. 

Yes sir, Johnny answered.  They were desperate kids, he added, knowing they were probably orphans like himself.  There were a lot of orphans living on the streets of Boston.  Some were dangerous, running in gangs and beating up and robbing kids younger and smaller than themselves.

That’s too bad, Jake offered.  There are a lot of desperate people around these days.  Jake knew about the poverty in Boston, the people who were homeless and living on the streets, and the children who were orphans.  Kids, too, he added.  It’s a terrible shame.

Ya, it’s a terrible shame, Johnny repeated what Jake said.  He was one of them.  Kids are robbin’ one another all the time, he said, in case Jake didn’t know.

I’ve heard, Jake replied.  What’s your name, son? he then asked with an outstretched hand, changing the subject.  Mine’s Jake.

Johnny James, Johnny answered as he shook Jake’s hand firmly.

"Well, look, Johnny.  I was just fixing to break for dinner.  You care to join me?

I would like that, Johnny answered with wide-opened eyes.

Johnny didn’t say he was hungry and that he hadn’t eaten much for a very long time.  He didn’t need to; it was apparent to Jake.  Jake pointed across the field he was plowing towards his house where they would be going to eat.  It was solidly built with timbers and had clapboard siding.  A large hewn wood door hung in the entranceway on hand-wrought iron hinges.  The roof was covered with hand-split cedar shingles, defending against the strongest of winds and rain.  A stone chimney from the fireplace poked through the peak of the roof.  It was clear Jake was proud of his house, as he’d built it himself.

That’s good then, Jake said.  Help me get this harness off of Nellie Belle here, and we’ll put her in the barn for the night.

Johnny helped Jake unharness Nellie Belle and followed as Jake led her to the barn.  Once inside, Jake asked Johnny how he liked the barn.  Johnny didn’t know anything about barns and just shrugged his shoulders, saying it looked fine to him.  It’s a solid barn, Jake notated, mortise and tenon joints it’s as strong as they come.  He then told Johnny how he was going to add on to it in the forthcoming fall and winter months.  Make more room for the animals, he said, and create a larger space to store hay.  Going out of the barn, Jake carefully closed the doors, and told Johnny to come on with him to the house dinner was waiting.

Stomping the dirt off of his boots outside the doorway to the house, Jake motioned for Johnny to do the same, and then led the way for Johnny into the house.  Once inside, Jake introduced Johnny to his wife, Susan, and told her Johnny was going to join them for dinner.  Susan responded that would be wonderful, it was always good to have company for dinner.  Jake then pulled up a chair at the dining table and motioned for Johnny to sit across the table from him.

Susan brought another plate and bowl, along with eating utensils to the table and placed them before Johnny.  Are you traveling through? Susan questioned.

Yes ma’am, Johnny answered.  I’m goin’ out West.

Out West, Susan said in surprise.  Oh, my.  That’s a long way from here.

Yes ma’am, Johnny said again.  I hear there’s gold out there.  California.  People are strikin’ it rich.

Oh my, Susan said again.  Where are you coming from? she asked politely.

Boston, Johnny answered as if it made no difference.

Boston? Susan returned in surprise.

Yes ma’am, Johnny answered again.

You haven’t gone too far yet then? Susan said in question.

No ma’am, Johnny answered.  I just started yesterday.

Oh, Susan returned, looking to Jake in concern for Johnny’s welfare.  I see.  Well, then, shall we eat, she said as she went to the kitchen to fetch a large pot of stew.

Returning with the stew, she ladled a bowl full for both Jake and Johnny and then herself, before returning the still-full pot to the wood stove in the kitchen.  Reaching into the oven, she pulled out some freshly baked bread, sliced it, and brought it to the table, sitting the platter beside the open plate of butter.  Johnny’s eyes bulged with hunger upon seeing and smelling the freshly baked bread.  He waited until both Jake and Susan took a slice before he took a slice for himself to butter, which he did lavishly.  He hadn’t eaten this well in a very long time, and the smell of the freshly cooked stew with the carrots and potatoes and meat in it was something Johnny had only dreamed of for the last many years.

Trying not to appear too hungry, and without manners, Johnny woofed the stew down hungrily and asked if it was alright to have another slice of bread.  Jake smiled to himself and told Johnny to eat as much bread as he wanted.  They would both have a second helping of stew, Jake answered Susan’s question as to whether or not he would have more, motioning towards Johnny.  Susan filled Johnny’s bowl as full as she could and gave herself and Jake the rest.  Both could see that young Johnny James had been hungry for quite a long time.

Well, maybe when you get to the Rocky Mountains, Jake said to Johnny, breaking the silence, you’ll run into some mountain men.

Yes, Susan added, Jake’s brother is there right now trapping beaver.

That’s right, Jake said.  He’s got some tall tales to tell about fighting the Indians and wild beasts.

He’s a mountain man? Johnny questioned, slowly turning his focus from the stew to the conversation.

He says there’s bear there that stand so tall you can’t see their ears, and that’s when they’re standing on all four legs.  Can you imagine how tall they’d be if they were standing up on their back legs? Jake questioned.  Says they run faster than antelope, too.

Antelope?  What’s that? Johnny questioned.

They’re a deer-like animal that lives on the Great Plains, Jake answered.  And they can run really fast.

Oh, Johnny responded.

And he says those Indians are so quiet they can sneak up on you and steal the shirt you’re wearing without you even knowing it.

They can? Johnny asked in amazement and disbelief both.  They ain’t gittin’ my shirt, he then said as he drew it tighter around himself.

Ya, Jake continued, and he says some of those Indians are like ghosts.  You can’t even see them when they come and take your stuff.  All you see is your possessions going out through the woods as if on their own.

That’s scary, Johnny responded.  He was starting to pay more attention now.  I don’t like ghosts.

Me neither, Susan agreed.

Well, that’s what my brother, Wolfman Charlie says.  I don’t know, he might be spinning a yarn or two about it all.

How’d he get that name? Johnny wanted to know.

Charlie’s one of the few mountain men that can trap wolves.  They’re really smart and hard to fool.

Maybe I’ll be a mountain man, Johnny said more in wonderment than clear thought.

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