Early, conflicting accounts of the discovery of gold in Southern Oregon. See also Jackson County News, 1850 through 1852. and Discovery of Gold in Josephine County.
   
Keep in mind that in the early newspaper mentions below the terms "Rogue River mines" and "Klamath mines" are unreliable. Until the middle 1850s editors often confused the two rivers.

    In 1841 the exploring expedition of Commodore Wilkes visited the coast, and its mineralogist, James D. Dana, made a trip overland from the Columbia River, by way of the Willamette and Sacramento valleys to San Francisco Bay, and in the following year he published a book on mineralogy, and mentioned in it that gold was found in the Sacramento Valley, and that rocks similar to those of the auriferous formations were observed in southern Oregon. Dana did not regard his discovery as of any practical value, and if he said anything about it in California no one paid any attention to it.
Letters from the Secretary of the Treasury Transmitting a Report Upon the Mineral Resources of the States and Territories West of the Rocky Mountains, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1867, page 14


    In the year 1842, James D. Dana, A.M., in his System of Mineralogy, page 552 (first edition), says:--"The gold rocks and veins of quartz were observed by the author in 1842, near the Umpqua River, in Southern Oregon, and pebbles from similar rocks were met with along the shores of the Sacramento, in California, and the resemblance to other gold districts was remarked, but there was no opportunity of exploring the country at the time."
G.M.E., "The True History of the Various Discoveries of Gold in California," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, June 29, 1854, page 2


    [Gold] is thus known to exist throughout a region of country of more than six hundred miles in extent, and it probably extends into Oregon.
"The Discovery of the Mines," California Herald, New York City, December 26, 1848, page 2


    Gold was discovered for the first time in Oregon near Gold Hill on January 19, 1849.
"Oregon Firsts," Oregon Oddities and Items of Interest, vol. 2, no. 6, Works Progress Administration, 1939, page 3  I would dearly love to know the source for this extraordinarily precise tidbit.


    I should have stated that, whilst we were traveling through the Umpqua and Rogue River valleys [in April 1849], we made it strictly our business to look for gold in every likely-looking place. This gave us a chance also to examine other qualities of this country, and in our investigations we found considerable gold, both on the Umpqua and Rogue rivers. I should also state that, from the prospects of gold above mentioned, the people of Oregon are at this time all on tiptoe, and making great preparations to open those mines this spring.
Benjamin C. Cleaver, "Gold in Oregon," Illinois Daily Journal, Springfield, August 1, 1850, page 2


    My object in now writing to you is to give you information of the vast gold mines in California, and which are found to extend into Oregon. How much farther north gold will be found, no one can tell; but it is thought by all that the mine borders the whole Pacific Coast. It has already been discovered four hundred miles in length, and one hundred in breadth--extending within a few days' ride of our settlements, rendering it a very easy matter to go and dig when we choose.
H. Campbell, letter from Oregon City, Illinois Journal, Springfield, October 16, 1849, page 2


    We have conversed with several who have returned from the California mines, and all agree in ascribing a striking similarity in the geological character of several portions of Eastern and Southern Oregon and the gold regions of California, and they all unite in confident opinion that gold will be found in great abundance in Oregon.
"Oregon," Alton Telegraph & Democratic Review, Alton, Illinois, September 7, 1849, page 1. Quoted from the Oregon Spectator.


    A letter of November 11, [1849], from a gentleman who went to San Francisco, then changed his mind and went to Oregon, where he seems highly pleased, says . . .
    There are about thirty houses at this place (Portland), five stores, and it bids fair to be a town of importance. Many merchants from Salem, Oregon City and Linn City come here for goods, and there is an extensive back country thickly settled. Next spring there will be a grand rush to Rogue River and the Umpqua, where gold has been discovered, and I hope we shall have the benefit of it.
"Interesting Oregon Affairs," The Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, February 13, 1850, page 1




    . . . gold has been found in several places, in sufficient quantity to induce the belief that there are mines, perhaps extensive ones, of this precious metal within the borders of our territory. . . .
Governor Joseph Lane, Message to the Oregon Legislature, Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, December 13, 1849, page 4


    Things in Oregon are much the same as when I last wrote. Everything is very high. About one-half or three-fourths of the male population will go to Rogues River, about 300 miles south of this, to dig gold in the spring. I shall not go. If I had no particular employment I might; but I will not throw away a sure dollar for a chance of two.
G. B. Goudy, "Letter from Oregon," dated February 25, 1850, Davenport Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, June 13, 1850, page 1


    In the spring of 1850 I prospected as far north as Yreka and had considerable trouble with the Shasta Indians. Soon afterward I crossed the Siskiyou Mountains into Oregon and went down on Rogue River. The prospecting party consisted of Luther Hasbrouck, Nathan Giles, Moses Dusenberry, George Wells, Henry Lawrence, John Collins, John Twentyman and Captain Jennings.
    The first mining in Oregon was at Big Bar, near Rock Point, on Rogue River, in Jackson County, in 1850. This was in the middle of May, and the first placer mining in Southern Oregon. The diggings did not prove good, and the prospectors went down Rogue River until they came to a small stream since called Applegate Creek. Not finding gold in paying quantities on this creek, they followed the creek to its head, crossed the Siskiyou Range into California, and came down to what at that time was called the Big Bar, on Klamath River. At this point they worked for two weeks. Not being satisfied here with the diggings--which paid one-half of an ounce per day--the party went down Klamath River until it came to a small stream which was named Indian Creek, many Indians camping there. We prospected this creek to its head, but not finding sufficient gold to pay, we crossed the Siskiyou Mountains again into Oregon and what is known now as Josephine County. We discovered a river which we followed down until it went into a canyon. We named this river Illinois, it running through Illinois Valley.
    We first camped on the north side of the Illinois River, then crossed to the south side, and went down the river until we came to a small stream putting into what is now called Illinois River, which was afterward named Josephine Creek, after a daughter of Mr. Magruder, who came in that same summer, 1850.
    Josephine Creek was found to be very rich, paying one to two ounces per day. Luther Hasbrouck washed the first pan of dirt on this creek, and it averaged 50¢ to the pan, and washed 16 pans. It was in July 1850 [Hasbrouck is off by a year], and was the first discovery of gold in Josephine County, and our party composed the first white men in the Illinois Valley.
Luther Hasbrouck, "Discovery of Gold in Southern Oregon," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, August 24, 1902, page 21


    Gen. Adair, the collector of the customs for the Territory of Oregon, informs me that large numbers of the Oregonians were leaving for Rogue River (150 miles south of the Columbia), and that some had returned and reported that there is lots of the "oro" on that river.
"Letter from California" dated March 31, Morning Courier, Louisville, Kentucky, May 16, 1850, page 2


    FROM OREGON.--A letter from Oregon City, dated March 9th last, and published in the New York Tribune, says:
    It has now been ascertained beyond a doubt that gold may be obtained in the valley of Rogue River. This valley is healthy, and much nearer the settled portion of Oregon than the gold mines of California. These circumstances have induced very many of our people to propose working these recently discovered diggings. Few persons, therefore, will put in spring crops. Breadstuffs, at least, must then necessarily be high.
North American, Philadelphia, May 29, 1850, page 1


    It is ascertained that gold may be obtained in the valley of Rogue River. This valley is healthy, and is nearer the settled portion of Oregon than the gold mines of California. These circumstances have induced very many of our people to propose working these recently discovered diggings. Few persons, therefore, will put in spring crops. Breadstuffs, at least, must then necessarily be high.
"Further from Oregon," Vicksburg Weekly Whig, Vicksburg, Mississippi, June 19, 1850, page 1


    While our citizens have been quietly preparing to go to Rogue River to dig for gold this summer, they have been aroused to unusual excitement by the discovery of a rich mine in another direction [in the Spokane country]. . . .
    We suppose that there will also be a considerable mining business done this season on the rivers along the southern border of Oregon, as many persons who have been to California have convinced themselves that Rogue River and other streams in that vicinity will afford profitable "diggings."
"Gold in Oregon!" Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 30, 1850, page 2


    Gov. Lane has gone to the Rogue River to negotiate, if possible, a treaty with the Indians in that region, preparatory to working the gold mines there. It is the Governor's intention to explore that section of Oregon pretty thoroughly with reference to its mineral resources.
Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, May 30, 1850, page 2


    Reports from Rogue River represent gold as very abundant upon that stream.
"Gold in Oregon," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, June 18, 1850, page 2


    News from the gold mines comes in slowly. We learn that Gov. Lane has gone on to Rogue River. The washings on South Umpqua yielded a fair remuneration to the industrious. It was confidently believed, however, that Rogue River would pay much better, and most of the companies have passed on to that river.
"News from the Gold Mines," Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, June 27, 1850, page 2




    Gen. Lane, the Governor of Oregon, had left the city on the 1st of June with seventy-five Klickitat Indians and a few regulars for Rogue River, on an exploring expedition, and also for the purpose of making a treaty with the Rogue River Indians, who have lately been committing robberies and depredations on the emigrants. Gen. Lane's party had proceeded as far as the South Fork of the Umpqua River, where gold dust was discovered in quantities on the bars of the river. Here the party stopped and went to mining. As they had but few utensils, however, they only averaged about ten dollars per day. Great excitement prevailed in Oregon in regard to the flattering rumors of the existence of great quantities of gold in the Spokane country, north of the Columbia, which had been confirmed. Great quantities had left for the mines.
"From Oregon," Illinois Daily Journal, Springfield, August 21, 1850, page 2


    Our last accounts from Oregon represent those who have returned from the gold diggings on Rogue River well satisfied with the result of their labors.
Illinois Daily Journal, Springfield, August 21, 1850, page 3


    Mr. Jesse Applegate had brought some specimens of gold dust from the South Umpqua, where he represents the diggin's [as] highly profitable. The gold is in small scales, mingled with a large proportion, say one-tenth, of platinum, in little particles the size of a mustard seed.
"California and Oregon News," Daily Ohio Statesman, Columbus, Ohio, August 29, 1850, page 2


    OREGON GOLD MINES.--The Alta California publishes a letter from a reputable source, which gives some further particulars of the discovery of gold in Oregon. We make the following extract:


    Rogue River is also still attracting some attention on account of its probable golden treasures. Another large party have started for that river this week, with the hope of doing better than working here for $10 per day. Whether these enterprising adventurers succeed, or not, the character and qualities of the country will be brought into notice, and good will result. All the signs of the times indicate the speedy settlement of the southern part of Oregon.
"Umpqua River," Oregon Spectator, Oregon City, September 5, 1850, page 2


    Persons have come in from the Rogue River country, who are confident that gold may be found there in considerable quantities, though the waters were still too high to "prospect" satisfactorily. Gold, however, was found.
"Later from Oregon," Albany Evening Journal, New York, September 23, 1850, page 2




    As a general thing, the men have resorted to industrious pursuits, and engaged themselves in the manufacturing of shingles, cutting and preparing piles for shipment, and prospecting the country in the vicinity of all the small streams for gold. . . . This kind of employment will continue for a few days longer and then another expedition for opening a trail to the Shasta mines will be fitted out under the direction of Mr. [William G. T'Vault]. This gentleman was employed by the United States government as guide for the company of rifles under the command of Captain Stuart, who recently marched through the Indian country from Oregon to California. We have the utmost confidence in the ability of Mr. T. as being every way qualified to conduct a party in an enterprise of this character. It is the intention of the party to prospect all the streams over which they pass, and I have no doubt but what they will make some discoveries that will comprise no small degree of interest. In my next I anticipate imparting something of more importance.
    For the present, adieu.                                         CLINTON.
"Our Port Orford Correspondence," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, August 26, 1851, page 2


    FROM OREGON.--We have files of Oregon papers to the 7th of August--the midst of what is called "the dry season." The farmers around Portland were busy harvesting. The crops were abundant. The Portland Times says that notwithstanding many persons went to the mines last year, there has been much cultivation, and there will be a large surplus of produce after supplying the home market.
    The same paper says that the mines of Oregon appear to be paying well, both the Shasta diggings and those at Rogue River sending in good quantities of gold dust.
Daily Republic, Buffalo, New York, September 23, 1851, page 2


    The mines of Oregon appear to be paying tolerably well. We have heard of good diggings on Rogue River, while the gold dust scatters in from the Shasta diggings. In the Shasta mines there is a scarcity of water in the dry season, but it is expected that the miners will get a rich harvest this fall and winter.
"Oregon--Things in General," Gallipolis Journal, Gallipolis, Ohio, October 16, 1851, page 2




    The Oregonian has been shown some fine specimens of gold-bearing quartz, from the Shasta mines, which from appearance are as rich as any in California. This quartz is said to be abundant through the Shasta and Rogue River mines. If so, it will prove a most profitable business as soon as the requisite machinery can be obtained for working it.
Sacramento Daily Union, December 31, 1851, page 2


    Rogue River Valley, which takes its name from the river that passes through it, is about seventy miles by the main traveled route from Umpqua. The valley is well watered by never-failing streams; the soil is generally good, and it is skirted and interspersed with groves of fine timber. As it borders upon a rich gold region it must eventually become densely populated. As yet, however, it contains no white settlement, but is occupied by the Rogue River Indians, who have rendered it the seat of much trouble and suffering from their depredations.
Joseph Lane, letter of January 1, 1852, "Circular of Hon. Jos. Lane," Bardstown Herald, Kentucky, February 4, 1852, page 1


    The Indians are quite friendly on Rogue River, yet they occasionally steal when a favorable opportunity presents. The agent, Mr. Skinner, has made his location near Table Rock. I called to see him at his residence and found him to be a very intelligent gentleman. He is exerting a good influence, as an agent, over the Indians. The Rogue River Valley is settling very fast; some twenty claims have been taken already and houses built; many are busily engaged in plowing; large quantities of stock are on the valley; grass fine, and everything seems to be moving on favorably and quietly.


    Anson Dart, Esq., U.S. Indian Agent at Oregon, is now at Washington, upon official business. He has brought with him several new pieces of cedar plank, some beautiful specimens of wild flax, which is exceedingly plentiful in that territory, and of fine quality, and several small lumps of gold from the south fork of Rogue River.
Illinois Daily Journal, Springfield, January 16, 1852, page 3


Hon. Genl. Joseph Lane
    Dear Sir, I will take this opportunity of writing to you a few lines. First I beg leave of you to give you a little information in regard to the unsettled affairs of the Indians of this valley and Grave Creek. The Canion and Grave Creek Indians are still at their old game, that is, stealing, and for which there is but one remedy for to prevent this. The first is to appoint an agent and let him locate himself on the South Umpqua River and then purchase their lands from them. Furthermore a military force is greatly wanted in the vicinity of the Rogue River Valley.
    I have just arrived from the Klamath mines. Business is very dull for traders, but good for miners. There are some new mines discovered near the Willow Springs. The first company made for some time fifty or sixty dollars per day, but upon an average five or six.
    There is no section of country in which an Indian agent is wanted more than from the mouth of the Umpqua River to Grave Creek, distance of about one hundred and fifty miles. The extent of the country you are well aware of. And permit me to ask of your honor and your influence for an Indian agent for the above-named portion of the Territory which I spoke of.
    My politics are with you, and if you think it expedient I will send you a petition for an Indian agency. I will send you one well recommended. I have been a citizen of Oregon for six and a half years.
    I have had many difficulties with them. I am acquainted with their manner and custom. There is one thing more wanted in Oregon, that is, a military road through the Territory of Oregon to the state of California commencing somewhere on the Columbia River and striking the head of the Sacramento Valley.
    I will further state to you the necessity of the donation of lands to settlers, those who immigrated before the year [omission?], who understand all the privations that men could undergo.
    There are many young men that are not situated as to live on when they richly deserve it and at the same time they have money to pay for it.
    I will ask permission to say to you that since I began to write Jos. Lane and Capt. I. B. Nichols has arrived from Cow Creek on this side of the Canion and bring the latest news from the Rogue River Valley. Capt. Nichols tells me that the Indians are making divers threats and have carried some of them into execution.
    The best mode of remedy is to call for two companies of rangers. Those two companies may be easily raised in Oregon, which mode of remedy has been suggested to me by some of our most worthy citizens. I shall soon leave for the Klamath mines, and on my return I [will] write you again with pleasure.
    You will answer me on those points which I mention.
Hon. Genl. Joseph Lane
    Washington City
        D.C.


    ROGUE RIVER.--On the 6th inst. intelligence was received in Shasta Valley of gold discoveries on Rogue River, near the Oregon trail. The claims on that portion of the river are said to be marvelously rich. Full confidence has been placed in the news from these mines. On the 9th, at least five hundred persons had left Shasta Valley for the Rogue River mines.
Sacramento Daily Union, March 25, 1852, page 2


    The Shasta Courier of Saturday last, for which we are indebted to Gregory, reports rich discoveries of gold on Rogue River, near the Oregon trail. The mines in Shasta Valley were being profitably worked. Ten dollars per day. says that paper, is under, rather than over the general average to the mining hand. Five hundred persons left Shasta Valley on hearing of the rich discoveries on Rogue River. Much confidence is placed in the reports.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, March 27, 1852, page 7


    The Rogue River furore has been raging here violently for the past two weeks, and has carried off many miners. I am told they will retrace their steps in a few days, and be satisfied to work for low wages when they return. Many of them will find new occupants on their old claims. . . .
    P.S.--Three days after the above date [March 16], the reports are confirmed in regard to the richness of the diggings on Rogue River, and miners are flocking thither in great numbers. The deposits are said to be in dry ravines.
"Our Klamath Correspondence," letter of March 16 from the north fork of Humbug Creek, Sacramento Daily Union, April 6, 1852, page 2


    MESSRS. EDITORS.--Extraordinary accounts of the recent discoveries upon Rogue River are reported by packers arriving here from that region. In my last communication I mentioned that considerable attention had been given to the various rivers and streams lying north of Shasta Butte City during the past season; still, the greater portion of the mining population were engaged in the vicinity of Shasta Butte City. The exciting news from Rogue River has produced a general rush to that point. I have been unable to obtain any particular information in respect to the character of these mines, other than their richness and extent, and the large number of miners already centered there. These mines are situated in Southern Oregon, and in the vicinity of this river. The effect of these discoveries upon the business and prospects of this place will be readily inferred. The demand for goods will be still more urgent. It will also lead to further explorations upon the forks of the Umpqua River. Gold has already been discovered on its south fork, but as yet, to no great extent. Contrary to expectations, the road from this point to Shasta Butte City has been open during the whole winter, and packers have been constantly employed in supplying these mines from this point. Various and important improvements are in process of completion in this city. Among others, that of a good and substantial wharf will add much to the facilities of the place. The failure of the mail steamers to touch at this point according to contract has been a source of much disappointment, depriving us of a regular and speedy communication with San Francisco. The proper representations have been made to government on this subject, and we soon expect the benefits of a mail by steamers.    Yours, M.S.S.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, May 1, 1852, page 2


    The Shasta Courier reports rich discoveries of gold on Rogue River, near the Oregon trail, and about five hundred persons had left with the intention of engaging in mining at the new location. The same paper represents that the average result of mining in that vicinity is now ten dollars per day for each man engaged.
Daily Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 5, 1852, page 1


    Messrs. Editors.--Extraordinary accounts of the recent discoveries upon Rogue River are reported by packers arriving here from that region. . . . The exciting news from Rogue River has produced a general rush to that point. I have been unable to obtain any particular information in respect to the character of these mines, other than their richness and extent, and the large number of miners already centered there. These mines are located in Southern Oregon, and in the vicinity of this river.
"Umpqua Correspondence," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, May 1, 1852, page 2


     RICH DIGGINGS.--Mr. Flinn of Johnson's line of stages has received a letter from Mr. James Clugage on Rogue River, stating that he and his two partners owned a claim out of which they had taken on an average seventy ounces per day for ten weeks. This is certainly one of the richest claims we have heard of for a long time.--Shasta Courier
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, May 18, 1852, page 2


    Mining News.--Rich mines have been discovered in Rogue River Valley. They are creek and ravine diggings. I have seen a miner direct from there, and he informed me that these diggings are extensive. He exhibited some of the gold, and it looked bright and beautiful. He has gone back to these mines. Miners there are averaging from ten to sixteen dollars.
    There is a great excitement in Mt. Shasta City and Humbug Creek consequent on the discovery of these new and rich diggings. I saw about 200 leave for Rogue River Valley on last sabbath. Parties are leaving town daily. Mules are selling from $100 to $140 each. Rogue River Valley is about all taken up by persons who intend to settle permanently.
Daily Ledger, New Albany, Indiana, May 20, 1852, page 2


    Many persons who left Shasta Valley for the mines on Rogue River are now returning. They report the mines on Rogue River to be exceedingly rich, but they were not of sufficient extent to afford claims to all who were attracted thither. Those who have claims upon the river are generally obtaining a great abundance of gold.
"From the Upper Sacramento," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, June 12, 1852, page 3


    The attention of our citizens and business men here seems to be directed towards the southern part of the Territory. Since my last, gold in considerable quantities has been discovered in the Rogue River country, Jackson County, which, together with the rich farming land in that quarter, has served to fasten nearly all eyes upon it. Emigration at this time tends toward Southern Oregon, that part of the Territory embraced within the counties of Umpqua, Douglas and Jackson, lying south of the Willamette Valley, and divided from it by the Calapooia Mountains, a spur stretching across the country from the Coast Range.
    The gold mines in Northern California and those just discovered in Southern Oregon afford to the latter, by their steady demand, high prices and proximity of one of the best markets for all kinds of agricultural products in the world, and when these countries are settled it will enjoy the almost exclusive monopoly of this market. With these two occupations of mining and farming, carried on in the same vicinity, this part of Oregon must soon become densely populated.
"From Oregon," Daily Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 25, 1852, page 2


    New gold deposits are opening in the northern valleys. The immense region of Rogue River has been traversed in every direction for mineral wealth.
"Affairs in Oregon," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, July 15, 1852, page 2


    Many persons who left Shasta Valley for the mines on Rogue River are said to be returning. The mines on Rogue River are exceedingly rich, but not of sufficient extent to afford claims to call.
"Mining News," Flag of the Union, Jackson, Mississippi, July 30, 1852, page 3


    Families are settling into this valley quite fast, and in less than six months I predict a dense settlement all though the most eligible parts of this country. Milk is $2 per gallon, butter $1 per pound, and other things in proportion. The mines are rich. Mr. J. Skinner, Clugage and Poole made more than $100 a day every day last week. Mr. O. says he is making at least one ounce per day, and Mr. N. told me his company were getting half an ounce a day. This I am told is true of those who work, after throwing off the top of the ground 5 or 6 feet. The place is known by the name of "Hard Scrabble" or "Rich Gulch."
D. R. Williams, Oregonian, Portland, June 5, 1852, page 1


    New gold discoveries have recently been made near Table Rock. There are now a large number of miners engaged in working there, who are making from ten to sixteen dollars per day.
Oregonian, Portland, December 18, 1852, page 2   In 1852 there were only three landmarks in the future Jackson County. "Near Table Rock" could have been anywhere within a 20-mile radius of the rock.


    New gold discoveries have recently been made near Table Rock.
    GOLD.--The gold mines of Rogue River Valley, and other localities, near the southern boundary of Oregon, are being wrought to considerable profit. Gold, in small quantities, has been discovered on several small tributaries east of the Cascades. There is considerable analogy between the gold-bearing rock of California and the talcose and other allied rocks of the Umpqua Valley. And gold has been found on most of the small streams entering the Umpqua as well as the main stream. Also on the south fork of Santiam and on Calapooia Creek.
"Later from Oregon," Sacramento Daily Union, December 29, 1852, page 2


    Very rich diggings were lately discovered upon Althouse Creek, a tributary of Rogue River, distant about 60 miles to the northward of Yreka. The miners are rushing thither in great numbers. The diggings about Jacksonville are also very good, and have been so all winter.
'The Mines," New York Times, April 26, 1853, page 1


    Diggings were first discovered near here in Feby. 1852 by Messrs. Clugage & Poole, who being on a prospecting tour found their labors rewarded by the discovery of good diggings. There were but three log houses in the Rogue River Valley then, for farming purposes.
    Messrs. C. & P. were digging a ditch to take water to the diggings. They had disc'd [discovered gold] and seeing some other men around discontinued work for about a month, but seeing the strangers about to locate they resumed their work and one and another would come and set to work and stay, hence arose the town so that now the population is about 700--22 families--and over 200 families in the Rogue River Valley. There are 53 marriageable [women] within a circuit of 12 miles of Jacksonville--9 within Jacksonville--35 scholars attend a day school kept by Miss Royle. Couldn't find the number of children in the valley. There are 10 stores, 3 boarding houses, 1 bowling alley, 1 billiard [saloon], 3 physicians (and 300 men called Doctor!), 1 tin shop, 1 meat [market], 1 livery stable--shame on it--1 church, 1 schoolhouse.
Journal, 1855, entry for February 9, James Mason Hutchings papers, Library of Congress MMC-1892


    In February, 1851 [sic], two men, one named Clugage, and the other Poole, were out on a prospecting expedition for gold; and, near the site of the present town found their labors rewarded by a "good prospect," of the precious metal, and immediately pitched their camp. At that time there were but three log cabins in the valley.
    As men began to gather in, a little town sprang into existence, and from a singular rock at the lower end of the valley, about nine miles below the town, resembling a high table, this little village was first named Table Rock City; but as the valley became settled, it became the county town of Jackson County, Oregon, and was then changed to its present name.
"Jacksonville, O.T.," Hutchings' California Magazine, January 1857, page 296




    During the winter of  '51-2, several miners were at work on the Big Bar in the river, and on some of the gulches in what is called the Blackwell Diggings. Sometime in February 1852, James Poole and James Clugage made the discovery of gold on Rich Gulch. The first discovery was made within the limits of what is now the Jacksonville corporation. This at once created an excitement--people from all parts were directing their course to the new diggings--Clugage took the claim where Jacksonville is now situated, and Poole the claim adjoining Clugage's on the east.


    Mr. Sykes [likely either Joshua B. Sykes, named Indian sub-agent in the Umpqua District in 1859, or Robert C. Sykes, Jackson County Sheriff in 1852, under the alcalde system], who worked for Judge [Alonzo] Skinner, was one of 2 or 3 who first found the diggings on Jackson Creek. Clugage and Poole were packers. Many think they were the discoverers of gold on Jackson Creek, but this is not so. It was a beautiful valley, that of Rogue River, and the paradise of packers, the tall grass affording of forage for mules. Stopping at Skinner's, about the first of February, 1852, Clugage and Poole heard of the discovery made by Sykes and Co. They then drove their mules from Skinner's, situated on Bear Creek six miles northeast from Jacksonville, on to the present site of Jacksonville, where they turned them loose and began prospecting. They soon discovered rich diggings, which soon took the name of Rich Gulch.
    Sykes' discovery on Jackson Creek [was] close to where the west line of the present incorporated town of Jacksonville now lies, and about half a mile north of where Clugage and Poole made their discovery on Rich Gulch. Poole was a natural miner and prospector. Clugage was a packer and happened to be a partner of Poole. It was not in 1851 that Clugage and Poole discovered Rich Gulch, nor was Rich Gulch the place where gold was first discovered in the Rogue River Valley, but the Sykes discovery before mentioned was first.
L. J. C. Duncan, "Settlement in Southern Oregon," July 1878 interview with H. H. Bancroft, Film P-A 25, Bancroft Library, Berkeley, California. Typed transcript in Southern Oregon Historical Society "Duncan" vertical file. Agent Skinner doesn't mention Sykes in any of his correspondence with the Department of Indian Affairs; in September 1852 he mentions that he only has one employee, interpreter Chesley B. Gray.


    The first discovery of gold in the Rogue River Valley was that of Rich Gulch within the now corporate limits of the town of Jacksonville. This discovery was made by James Clugage and James R. Poole. These men had been mining at Scotts Bar and Yreka and came this way prospecting. The mine was very rich, men taking out $100 a day each, and almost immediately a large camp arose. It was placer mining, very coarse, smooth gold. In the spring of 1852 there were 1000 or 1500 men in this vicinity engaged in mining, and for twenty-five or thirty years it was continued with greater or less success.
    After Rich Gulch, Jackson Creek mines were struck about two miles from the first discovery, then gold discoveries followed rapidly--Willow Springs, Applegate, Sterling, Jackson Creek, Poorman's Creek, and in other neighboring streams and gulches. All these diggings were in what is now Jackson County and within distance of ten or twelve miles.
Paine Page Prim, "History of Judicial Affairs in Southern Oregon," 1878, Bancroft Library


    The Indian agent, Judge A. A. Skinner . . . reached the valley in Sept. or Oct. 1851, when he took up a claim and built a house. Mr. Sykes, who worked for Judge Skinner, was one of the 2 or 3 who first found the diggings on Jackson Creek.
    Clugage and Poole were packers. Many think they were the discoverers of gold on Jackson Creek. But this is not so. It was a beautiful valley, that of Rogue River, and the paradise of packers, the tall grass affording the best of pasturage for mules. Stopping at Skinner's for a day or two about the first of February 1852 Clugage and Poole heard of the discovery made by Sykes and co. They then drove their mules from Skinner's, situated on Bear Creek six miles northeast from Jacksonville, on to the present site of Jacksonville, where they turned them loose & began prospecting. They soon discovered rich diggings which soon took the name of Rich Gulch.
    Sykes' discovery on Jackson Creek was close to where the west line of the present incorporated town of Jacksonville now runs, and about half a mile north of where Clugage and Poole made their discovery on Rich Gulch. Poole was a natural miner and prospector. Clugage was a packer and happened to be partner of Poole. It was not in 1851 that C. & P. discovered Rich Gulch, nor was Rich Gulch the place where gold was first discovered in the Rogue River Valley, but the Sykes discovery before mentioned was first.
Legrand J. C. Duncan, "Settlement in Southern Oregon," Bancroft Library MSS P-A 27


    In the fall of 1851 Mr. Clugage was packing freight from Scottsburg to the rich mining camp of Yreka, and on his last trip, about the beginning of January, 1852, was camped near the present site of Central Point at one of the only two houses then built in the main Rogue River Valley. One night two mules were stolen by the Indians, who were followed towards the south, and in the pursuit gold was discovered in Rich Gulch and Jackson Creek where Jacksonville now stands--one of the party stopping to drink at a spring the bottom of which seemed to be encrusted with the coveted metal. Mr. Clugage and two others at once engaged in mining, keeping their discovery secret, and making an average of one hundred ounces of gold per day for many weeks.
"Biographical Sketches," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 5, 1879, page 2


TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES:
    I see in a recent issue of the Times that the '49 Diggings were not discovered in 1849. Correct, but Rich Gulch was not the first discovery in this county. The first gold found in Oregon, I think, was on Rogue River, not far from the Centennial Bridge [in Gold Hill], by a man by the name of Ingles in '49 or '50, but who did not stop to mine. In 1851 there was a party of prospectors started from Yreka, crossed the mountain to the head of Applegate, which they came down as far as Squaw Creek, where they camped for the night. During that night the Indians stole a horse from them, and the next morning the miners pursued and found them with the horse killed and having a feast. The miners fired upon them and killed a squaw, and that gave it the name of Squaw Creek. (This has been found [true?] since.) They then went back over the mountain, where some Indians told them that there were three men mining three days' travel from there and offered to go and show them the place. They accepted the offer, and were taken to what is now called Josephine Creek. They found the three men mining there, and then returned to Yreka for supplies, agreeing to keep it secret. When they went to start there were about 300 men who followed the first party that had been out. When we got back to the creek old man Rollins was in there. He had a daughter by the name of Josephine, and since then the place has been called Josephine Creek. Josephine was a sister of Mrs. J. Thompson and aunt of G. S. Butler of Ashland. All of the miners left but about 50, and we then found Canyon Creek, which was very rich, and mined there all summer. Some four or five of them went to the Big Bar on Rogue River and built a cabin. They mined there during the winter of '51 and '52, so that was the first mining that was done around here. Rich Gulch was not found until sometime in the winter of 1852.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 16, 1883, page 2


    Jacksonville should have been called "Jim." Three Jims first discovered gold there, respectively Jim Clugage, Jim Poole and Jim Cinnor [sic], and the first white child  born there was Jim McCully. [Jim "Cinnor" must be J. Skinner, referred to in the Oregonian article of June 5, 1852, above.]
Daniel F. Fisher, "Pioneer Names," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 4, 1884, page 2


    When we were at Minersville . . . some packers from Oregon came there and stayed a few days till they sold out the load of their train; they had potatoes, onions and flour and bacon. . . . The packers' names were James Poole and James Clugage, the last from Chicago, Illinois. I got well acquainted with both.
    They told that there had been some new diggings discovered in Rogue River Valley just close to Jacksonville. A gulch called Rich Gulch had been discovered by their partner named [James] Skinner. He was the son of the then Indian Sup. Agent of Rogue River Indians, and they, Poole and Clugage, advised me to go there, as there had been two or three rich creeks struck at Jackson's Hill or Jackson's Creek on both forks, and there had been some miners with three or four pack animals come to Yreka for provision and [one] had paid in very nice coarse gold, some different from the Yreka gold, and when the merchant tried to find out where he got his gold, would not tell. But he got drunk and spent his money so freely and kept saying he could get plenty more where that came from, that some men concluded to watch him, and one night he struck out on the sly with his animals loaded with provisions and new tools. The men that had been watching him followed him with pack animals, and they had along tools and provisions. . . . The same night there were fifty or sixty men all followed right after each other and followed the man that they were after right into his camp and found that two or three others were mining on the sly. [They] went to work prospecting and found a rich creek and in a short time a thousand miners from California had overrun the whole country. (How[e] was one of the discoverers.)
Doyce B. Nunis, ed., The Golden Frontier: The Recollections of Herman Francis Reinhart 1851-1869, written 1887, published 1962, page 33


    I went up and saw the rich gulch near Jacksonville where Skinner, Clugage and Poole first made the discovery of coarse gold. It was very shallow and they used knives and spoons in the crevices and took out from $500 to $700 per day, nice bright coarse gold like drops of molded lead.
    They got to work with rockers until they got water to work sluices and long toms. They took up great long claims and smuggled some between them, under fictitious names, until the miners got to cutting them [the claims] down and jumping some of them. But it being so shallow, [mining] was not very extensive and they soon skimmed off the best of the rich gulch.
Doyce B. Nunis, ed., The Golden Frontier: The Recollections of Herman Francis Reinhart 1851-1869, written 1887, published 1962, page 40


    There were then [in the middle of June 1852] but few families in Jacksonville, more of a mining camp. We looked round a while and then went round to some of the diggings. Went to the first that was discovered in or around Southern Oregon. It was discovered in 1850 or 1851 by a packer by the name of George Frazier. He was packing goods from Scottsburg to Yreka, California. The first discoveries took from this "Rich Gulch" (this was the name given it and still retained) something over $30,000, in a few months' time, mostly coarse gold from $1.00 to $20 pieces. The second workers the next year took out $12,000 to $15,000, working over the old tailings. When we got there two men were at work on the same tailings for the third time, and making six to eight dollars per day.
Thomas Frazar, "Recollections," (written 1880s), in "Pioneers from New England," Oregon Historical Quarterly, Spring 1982, page 42  Frazar's source for the date and discoverer was mistaken. The Oregon Historical Society in a footnote corrected Frazar's 'Frazier" reference, citing the accepted credit for the discovery to Clugage/Poole/Skinner/Wilson.

    In passing back and forth to California, the Oregon miners had not failed to observe that the same soil and geological structure characterized the valleys north of the supposed northern boundary of California that were found in the known mining regions, and prospecting was carried on to a considerable extent early in 1850. In June two hundred miners were at work in the Umpqua Valley. But little gold was found at this time, and the movement was southward, to Rogue River and Klamath. According to the best authorities the first discovery on any of the tributaries of the Klamath was in the spring of 1850 at Salmon Creek. In July discoveries were made on the main Klamath, ten miles above the mouth of Trinity River, and in September on Scott River. In the spring of 1851 gold was found in the Shasta Valley, at various places, notably on Greenhorn Creek, Yreka, and Humbug Creek.
    The Oregon miners were by this time satisfied that gold existed north of the Siskiyou range. Their explorations resulted in finding the metal on Big Bar of Rogue River, and in the cañon of Josephine Creek. Meanwhile the beautiful and richly grassed valley of Rogue River became the paradise of packers, who grazed their mules there, returning to Scottsburg or the Willamette for a fresh cargo. In February 1852 one Sykes, who worked on the place of A. A. Skinner, found gold on Jackson Creek, about on the west line of the present town of Jacksonville, and soon after two packers, Clugage and Poole, occupying themselves with prospecting while their animals were feeding, discovered Rich Gulch, half a mile north of Sykes' discovery. The wealth of these mines led to an eruption from the California side of the Siskiyou, and Willow Springs five miles north of Jacksonville, Pleasant Creek, Applegate Creek, and many other localities became deservedly famous, yielding well for a number of years.
Hubert Howe Bancroft, The Pacific States of North America, vol. 25, 1888, page 184

    Rogue River Valley is divided into three counties--Jackson, Josephine and Curry. Jackson County was created January 12, 1852, and Josephine was cut off from it in January 1856. The name of the former does not refer, as one might suppose, to the deity of good Democrats, but to Jackson, the discoverer of the mines on Jackson Creek, after whom Jacksonville, the county seat, was also named.
    Jackson was the owner of a pack train which transported provisions to the mines, who being encamped at this place made himself and the locality suddenly famous by his discovery.
Frances Fuller Victor, Atlantis Arisen, 1891, Philadelphia, page 135  James Twogood seems to be the source of the "Mr. Jackson" story. No one else credits him or mentions him, and no one gives him a first name.


    Such is very briefly the history of Southern Oregon prior to the time of permanent settlement, which began in Jackson County about the time of the discovery of the rich placer mines on Jackson Creek in January, 1852, by Messrs. Sykes, Clugage and Poole. In March of the same year, there were no less than 150 men working in the vicinity of Jackson Creek, and by the middle of the summer there were fully 1,000 miners in the Rogue River Valley. With the opening of the placers and the influx of the miners began the active progress and development of Jackson County. There naturally sprang up a demand for the necessaries of life, from which trade took root and flourished. The beautiful valley, with its waving plains of grass, offered inducements to those who were not subject to the mining fever to till the soil and produce abundantly.
    In February, 1852, Appler and Kenney, packers from Yreka, pitched their tent and began trade with the miners. But in March, W. W. Fowler built a log cabin, the first building of any description in Jacksonville.
    Clapboard houses soon took the places of the many tents, and Jacksonville became the first permanent settlement in Jackson County. Gamblers and sharpers of every description began to flock to this new El Dorado, saloons and gambling dens increased rapidly and disorder and confusion were fast taking the place of quiet. There was no law until the miners constituted themselves a tribunal of justice, and, after giving a murderer a fair trial, they found him guilty, hanged him to a tree and thus quieted all disorder for the time. This hint to the reckless was sufficient.
    The miners made their own laws and held their own courts until September, 1853, when a regular court was held by Matthew P. Deady, who had just been appointed United States district judge for the territory of Oregon.
"Southern Oregon: A Brief Outline of Its History," Oregon Mining Journal, Grants Pass, Midsummer 1897, page 19


    The discoveries on Jackson Creek were made by a man named Sykes in December, 1851, and a little later Skinner and Poole, two packers, made like discoveries in Rich Gulch, one-half mile north of Sykes' claim.
"Mining in Southern Oregon: The Discovery of Quartz and Placer in Earlier Days," Oregon Mining Journal, Grants Pass, Midsummer 1897, page 30


    During the winter I made the acquaintance of Squire Appler [in Yreka], who informed me that new diggings has been discovered somewhere; that men were leaving in the night to keep down suspicion; that the new mines were fabulously rich, etc. It however, soon leaked out that this latest strike was in Rogue River Valley, Oregon. Appler's enthusiasm was contagious, and I consented to go to the new Eldorado. Petzer Smith, who ran a pack train between Yreka and the Willamette Valley, agreed to take a man and his blankets to the new strike for one ounce of gold dust, the passengers to ride an apperaho [aparejo]. This looked like a good proposition; I paid the ounce, mounted a bronco, and experienced the toughest ride of my life. Imagine a man riding a distance of sixty miles on a barrel and you will form an idea of what it is to ride an apperaho.
    We reached Jacksonville about Feb. 20th, 1852. I felt disappointed after investigating Rich Gulch and Jackson Creek, about the only diggings that had been discovered up to that date. Rich Gulch was extremely rich; Jackson Creek both forks was only rich in places, and the prospectors, prospecting either fork would draw a blank oftener than a prize.
Henry Klippel, "Reminiscence of Early Days," Medford Enquirer, March 2, 1901, page 4


    In December, 1851, James Clugage and J. R. Poole located the first mining claim in Southern Oregon, at a point near the old brewery in Jacksonville. They had been informed by a couple of young men who were passing through the country that they had found gold near that place. Immediately after this discovery became known in California and by the incoming immigrants to Oregon, there was a rush made to the mines of Jacksonville. Old man Shively, the discoverer of Shively  Gulch above Jacksonville, inside of eighteen months had taken out over fifty thousand dollars, and since that time, from the best statistics obtainable, the mines of Southern Oregon have yielded about thirty-five million dollars in gold.
William M. Colvig, "Indian Wars of Southern Oregon," Medford Mail, August 8 and 15, 1902, page 2


    It was in December 1851 that Rich Gulch was struck, the first gold being found near the present crossing of Oregon Street. Gold had been found earlier in Jackson Creek opposite the city brewery by two young men who communicated the fact to James Clugage and J. R. Poole, who were traveling through the valley. Afterwards, the discovery of Rich Gulch was made by James Skinner and Wilson who claimed four hundred feet of the gulch. It did not take the discovery long to leak out when men washed out a pint of gold in a day. In Feb. 1852 every foot of land in Rich Gulch was claimed, and by March all the hills and gulches around were taken in spite of the hostility of the Indians.
Jessie Beulah Wilson (Jacksonville High School student), "History of Jacksonville," Jacksonville Sentinel, June 5, 1903, page 4


    . . . the mines on Rich Gulch within the limits of Jacksonville were discovered by a party en route from the Willamette Valley to Yreka late in the fall of 1851. After crossing the Rogue River the party kept near the foothills to avoid the dangerous Indians on Bear Creek, and camped overnight on the present site of Jacksonville. While some of the members were preparing supper, James Poole took a pick and pan and went down to the bed of the gulch to prospect, and was happily surprised to find that every pan yielded the most flattering results. The party made a permanent camp, staked off claims and went to mining. The gulch proved to be very rich. Yreka was at that time a booming mining camp. The flats and gulches in and around the town literally swarmed with men, and the new discoveries from day to day kept the transient population at fever heat. When the news of the discovery of Rich Gulch reached there, exaggerated as discoveries always were in those days, an avalanche of men swept over the Siskiyous, and by the spring of '52, 3000 or 4000 miners were delving in the hills and streams around Jacksonville.
W. J. Plymale, "First Hanging in Southern Oregon," Sunday Oregonian, Portland, June 21, 1903, page 15


    Jacksonville [in March 1852] was a mining camp that had been established only about two months, for it was only the previous December that gold had been discovered in Rich Gulch [by] James Poole, who with James Clugage had come that month from Yreka to winter their train of pack horses and mules on the luxuriant grass that then grew all over Rogue River Valley. It was not until January that news of the finding of this new and fabulous rich diggings reached the California old miners, and then there was a rush across the Siskiyou Mountains to the new camp, which had been named in honor of President Jackson, who was then the popular idol of Americans and especially of the Southerners, many of whom were in the rush to Rich Gulch.
E. K. Anderson, "First Murder and First Hanging in Rogue River Valley," Rogue River Fruit Grower, October 1910




    The discoverers of gold in Southern Oregon were James Clugage and Poole. During the winter of 1851-52 they had driven their string of mules up Jackson Creek to fatten and condition them for packing in the spring. These men chose Jackson Creek for their pasture ground because it was off the beaten trail. At this time Californians from Yreka were scouring the country in search of horse thieves, and it was safer to for two men with a string of mules to be encamped in a secluded spot, as pursuers were nearly as lawless as pursued. While encamped on Jackson Creek early in January, 1852, these men discovered gold shimmering in the gravel of the creek bottom.
Arthur M. Geary, "Gold Mines of Southern Oregon Are Scenes of Great Activity," Oregonian, Portland, January 22, 1911, page B4


    From the spring of '49 to the winter of '51 the present site of Jacksonville was a favorite camping place for the eager throng who were hurrying southward from the Willamette Valley to the gold fields of California, as well as for the packers who were coming and going between the valley and the gold fields. Late in December of '51 two young men camped on Ashland Creek [sic]. One of them, in washing their tin dishes in the stream, saw a small nugget. Looking more carefully, he found other nuggets. They did not stop to stake out a claim, as they did not attach great importance to their find. Meeting J. R. Poole and Jim Clugage, they told them of having found gold at their camp on Ashland Creek [sic]. A little later, or to be exact, early in January 1852, Clugage and Poole camped there and near a spring in a ravine not far distant from Ashland Creek [sic] found coarse gold in large quantities. So abundant were the nuggets and coarse gold that they called their discovery Rich Gulch. They took in two friends named Wilson and Skinner, and soon the rumor ran up and down the trail that new diggings had been struck, so rich that a man could pan out a cupful of gold in a day.
    Farmers in the Willamette Valley heard the rumor, and the next day they were headed south. Miners from creek and gulch and bar of California joined the northbound exodus. By February, Rich Gulch was entirely staked.
    Appler & Kenney at Yreka hastily loaded a pack train with whiskey of a cheap and deadly variety, tobacco, boots, rough clothing, beans, flour and bacon and went to the new diggings, arriving in February and starting a store in a tent.
    A few weeks later W. W. Fowler put up a log cabin, the first real house to go up in the new camp. Lumber was in immediate demand, and woodsmen who felled the nearby trees and whipsawed them into lumber sold the rough lumber for $250 a thousand.
Fred Lockley, "A Town That Lives in the Past," Oregon Journal, Portland, November 24, 1912, page 63


    In 1850 two men, Clugage and Poole by name, equipped a pack train at the mining town of Yreka, California, and carried supplies between Yreka and towns in the Willamette Valley. They followed a narrow trail across the Siskiyou Mountains and along the bank of Bear Creek. It was their custom when they reached this valley to stop to rest and recuperate their animals. The wild grass grew so high in the valley that the man who herded the mules had to stand on the back of his horse in order to locate the rest of the herd.
    Clugage had worked at mining, and one day, while they were in camp in the valley, went up into the hills where Jacksonville now is. Following up a gulch or ravine, he came to a place where the heavy rains had washed the soil entirely away, leaving a ledge of rock exposed. Taking his bowie knife from his belt he dug around in the rocks and sand and found nuggets of gold. He returned to camp and reported his discovery to Poole. Together they went back to the spot and staked out their mining claims.
    Returning to Yreka they bought a camp outfit and mining tools and returned to work their claims. They had kept quiet in regard to their discovery, but in some way it became known, and in two months from the time Clugage found the nuggets of gold a thousand men were on the spot. Claims were staked out and every man went to work to dig out the gold. No time was spent in building cabins; a man would throw his saddle blanket over a manzanita bush and put his bed under it. Some built shelters of bark and brush while others put up tents. Fortunes were taken out that winter, and many who had families in the east and elsewhere went back in the spring and summer and brought them to the Rogue River Valley. This was the beginning of the settlement.
Alice Applegate Sargent, "A Sketch of the Rogue River Valley and Southern Oregon History," Oregon Historical Quarterly, March 1921, pages 3-4.  Read before the Greater Medford Club in the spring of 1915.