Category Archives: John Steele

John Steele left California in June 1853, after almost three years as a gold miner. His intention was to land at Acapulco and journey to Mexico City, and then to the Gulf where he could take another ship to the … Continue reading →

On June 18, 1853, John Steele received a letter from an old friend, Edward D., who was studying at the University of Wisconsin (founded in 1848). Many of Steele’s friends had left the goldfields; he was feeling lonely and he … Continue reading →

In Camp and Cabin with John Steele — part 6 Early in the spring of 1852 John Steele left the diggings in northern California and set out to explore the coast region between San Francisco and Monterey. He met up … Continue reading →

By the way, if you are enjoying these extracts from the account of John Steele, you can read it for yourself online. Free! The book is available at Google Play or at archive.org. Just search by title in the search … Continue reading →

In Camp and Cabin with John Steele — part 5 After leaving the mining camp of “Mr. Lawson” (Peter Lassen), John Steele and his buddy John Donnelley started back to Downieville by way of the American Ranch, where they knew … Continue reading →

John Steele was eighteen years old when he caught a case of gold fever. He made the overland trek from Wisconsin to California in 1850. A diligent diarist, he kept a journal on the trail and during his three years … Continue reading →