Dame Shirley’s Diary
Why did Dame Shirley call her gift her "last golden handiwork"?
She did not enjoy panning for gold and found it too difficult to do again
What "secret" did Dame Shirley learn about why other women seemed successful at mining?
The miners were tricking the women by scattering "salt" in the dirt
What does the "magic equation" (gold-equals-energy) explain?
It explains California's "chain-reaction" and "explosive" pattern of development
Where were the gold-fields located that made it a "poor man's gold rush"?
On the public domain (land owned by the federal government)
If something is happening at the same time as something else, it is...
Coeval
List two "melancholy sacrifices" Dame Shirley made while mining.
Any two: Wet feet, tore her dress, spoiled gloves, frozen fingers, headache, or caught a cold
What is "salt" in the context of the miners' trick?
It is a substance that is exactly the color of gold-dust used to fool visitors
How does California’s growth rhythm differ from other states?
Most states grew slowly, but California "hurtled forward, rocket-fashion"
Why did the American military commander allow people to mine freely?
Out of "confusion" during that time period
What does it mean to "prudently" decide something?
To do it wisely
How much gold did Dame Shirley find in her pan with help from a friend?
$3.25 worth of gold
What is a "lucky strike"?
An instance where a person took a large amount (like $256) out of a single basinful
What was the average daily yield for 400 men on the American River in 1849?
Between $30,000 and $50,000 daily
What was the specific policy name for "one miner, one claim"?
The "small mines claim" system
A person who enters land without permission is a...
A trespasser
Based on her letter, what was Dame Shirley's original (wrong) idea of mining?
he thought one could stroll along romantic streamlets, admire scenery, and simply rinse out yellow sand.
What is "bedrock dirt," and why was it significant to Dame Shirley?
It is the rich soil where a steady income of $10 per day was considered very valuable
By how much did the per capita money in California compare to other places?
It is the rich soil where a steady income of $10 per day was considered very valuable
Why was it impossible to acquire a legal "title" to a claim?
Because the land belonged to the government, rights were based on "holding it and working it" rather than legal ownership.
What is the definition of "coeval"?
Happening at the same time as