Lots of Rush but Little Gold : An Examination of the Cornwell Diary - A 5 Year Gold Rush Story

This analysis and text from the diary of John Cornwell covers the days and weeks of his journey to California as part of the Gold Rush, his gold mining over the course of several years, and his journey home.

Unfortunately, John does not strike gold in any major financial capacity. There are periods of better fortune, but they barely cover his journey and debts. Struggles with loneliness, lack of communication with his family and friends, and poor prospects in his gold hunt weigh considerably on John during his time in California. Much of his journey rests on his relationship with God, and he spends much of his diary denouncing those that pursue Gold over God; the actions of the unreligious brings him much disgust.

When he finally decides to return home in 1856, he is dejected and forlorn, but remains steadfast in his faith during the entire journey.

My grandfather, the author, sums it up in one analysis of the book: "...and so, John Cornwell's gold rush was history-a frustrating story of little "gold" but a lot of "rush." No entry stated explicitly that he had ever committed to a specific return date or after the acquisition of a precise amount of gold. Whether it was the culmination of the countless entries of "prospect rather dull" or "no letters from home" or "low in spirits" we, as John Cornwell did, can only speculate."

While gold is not struck big by John, much of the book details adventures and life experiences that were probably recounted by John for years to come. This is his journey, his life, for over 5 years.