134 ELDORADO 



would just as lief kill a man as eat ! Ugh !" Makes a 

 motion to draw his revolvers. The frightened tender- 

 foot, anxious to escape from such a dangerous man, 

 readily hands over the first coin he comes to, whether a 

 $5 or $io, and insists that no change shall be ofifered 

 back. 



The banding together of these desperate criminals 

 in San Francisco for plunder, led to the organization of 

 the vigilance committee in 1856, in which Gen. W. T. 

 Sherman, Judge Terry and other men of note were 

 concerned. The murder of "James King of William" 

 by Casey was the last act in the fearful drama preced- 

 ing the vigilantes. King was the founder and editor of 

 the Evening Bulletin, and was somewhat intemperate 

 in his language in denouncing the murderous gangs 

 that infested the city. He was a brave, honest man 

 and good citizen. 



Gold dust was the only circulating medium until 

 185 1, when $16, or ounce pieces, and $50 octagonal 

 "slugs" were coined by private parties. Twenty-five 

 cents was the least amount paid for any article, how- 

 ever small. A single pie sold for $1, and other articles 

 of luxury in the eating line in like proportion. When- 

 ever a pencil, an egg, a drink or a cigar was purchased 

 the buckskin bag of dust was presented, and what the 

 seller could take with his thumb and finger went for 

 two bits. Scales were used later. 



The only mining implements in 1849-50 were the 

 shovel, pick, pan and rocker, and long handle dipper 

 used while sitting and rocking the "cradle" with the 

 left hand, dipping water into the hopper in which the 

 dirt was placed. This was followed by the "Long 

 Tom" and sluice, into which the water was conveyed 



