Over 150 years ago in America, there was a Gold Rush taking place in the state of California. People all over the country wanted to pursue the dream of being rich by finding gold. Few actually prospered though, provided they even reached California. Often, in their quest to reach California, they would make prudent decisions about the quantity of provisions that they should take on their journey. They would start just with a few boxes of food and put some clothes and equipment in their wagon and start heading west with the prospect of becoming rich fulfilling their dreams.
During the busy season of traveling, some times there would be queue of wagons on the road waiting to cross a river or to find a place to sleep for the night. Although the journey west to California was difficult, only a few men could be provoked to quit the journey, although I guess many others proposed the idea of abandoning the trip.
Every family that made the trip across the country needed a wagon and two horses to pull it. The wagon was a very important thing on the trip because it provided shade in the blistering heat and a safe place to sleep at night, although, many nights the people chose to sleep outside under the clear, pure-black night sky.
Around this same time, many small towns sprung up along the trail to California. They provided a place for the tired travelers to quench their thirst at local bars and saloons. Although the quality of the beer and whiskey was not as good as back home in East, they were happy to pump their stomachs full of the alcohol.
One of the most famous of these small towns was called Deadwood. Deadwood had gained publicity back East because of the quarterly change in town marshals.
Crime was so high in this town that the police were afraid to prosecute any crimes. It was no puzzle why Deadwood had such a high reputation; the criminals there would shoot anything with a pulse that looked at them wrong. The people in Deadwood became as famous as the town itself. Names like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane will be remembered for a long time for the part they played in Deadwood’s history.
After about 20 years, the excitement of the gold rush wore off, and towns like Deadwood became peaceful, quiet towns that were filled with a colorful past.
During the busy season of traveling, some times there would be queue of wagons on the road waiting to cross a river or to find a place to sleep for the night. Although the journey west to California was difficult, only a few men could be provoked to quit the journey, although I guess many others proposed the idea of abandoning the trip.
Every family that made the trip across the country needed a wagon and two horses to pull it. The wagon was a very important thing on the trip because it provided shade in the blistering heat and a safe place to sleep at night, although, many nights the people chose to sleep outside under the clear, pure-black night sky.
Around this same time, many small towns sprung up along the trail to California. They provided a place for the tired travelers to quench their thirst at local bars and saloons. Although the quality of the beer and whiskey was not as good as back home in East, they were happy to pump their stomachs full of the alcohol.
One of the most famous of these small towns was called Deadwood. Deadwood had gained publicity back East because of the quarterly change in town marshals.
Crime was so high in this town that the police were afraid to prosecute any crimes. It was no puzzle why Deadwood had such a high reputation; the criminals there would shoot anything with a pulse that looked at them wrong. The people in Deadwood became as famous as the town itself. Names like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane will be remembered for a long time for the part they played in Deadwood’s history.
After about 20 years, the excitement of the gold rush wore off, and towns like Deadwood became peaceful, quiet towns that were filled with a colorful past.