"Pioneer Days in California - The California Fever - 1849" is a 39 page original typed manuscript by George C. Gorham that describes the author's journey to California from Massachusetts and his impressions and experiences during his first years in California. Gorham moved from San Francisco to Marysville in 1850, where he clerked for Judge Stephen J. Field, the first and only alcalde of the town. He describes a rodeo, bull fights, mule trains, and a bull and bear fight. He discusses the process of obtaining statehood, mining and the development of mining rights and the problems with the "American Squatter" on Mexican land grants. He also provides biographical information on Senator Broderick.

George C. Gorham was born in Greenport, Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y., July 5, 1832. He sailed from New London, CT, to California in the summer of 1849. After a voyage around Cape Horn on the brig "Flora", he arrived in San Francisco on December 19th, 1849. He was a newspaper editor in both San Francisco and Marysville. In February 1850, Mr. Gorham left San Francisco for Yuba City and Marysville, where he settled and mined. He was appointed clerk to the Alcalde of Marysville in March of 1850. Mr. Gorham was a Republican, a Newspaper editor, a candidate for Governor of California in 1867 (but was defeated), and a member of the Republican National Committee from California in 1868. He joined The Society of California Pioneers on November 2, 1874. He died in Washington, D.C., February 11, 1909. For further biographical information, see the Society's Institutional records - listed in Related Archival Materials note.

1.0 folder 1 typescript (39 pages)

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