• 1847: Sutter hired James Marshall and 20 others to American River to build sawmill at Coloma for lumber for his ranch
• January 24, 1848: glint caught Marshall’s eye
o “I reached my hand down and picked it up; it made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold. The piece was about half the size and shape of a pea. Then I saw another.”
o Kept spotting more and took samples back to Sutter
• Tested it and both were upset
o Sutter and Marshall didn’t want to compete with gold-seekers
o Kept discovery a secret
• Stories of discovery traveled the countryside, but no one believed them
• Sam Brannan wanted to make it rich
o Ran through San Francisco streets shouting “Gold, gold in the American River!” holding up gold
o Triggered the rush and made $36,000 within 9 weeks
