James Mason and Emily Hutchings. Many 49ers came to California seeking their fortune but detoured into other occupations. One was James Mason Hutchings, who became a hotelier, publisher and the preeminent promoter of Yosemite Valley as a tourist destination. James Mason Hutchings and his wife, Emily, on October 31, 1902, the day he died while visiting Yosemite Valley. Photograph from James Mason Hutchings of Yo Semite, by Dennis Kruska (San Francisco: Book Club of California, 2009). Kruska Collection, Figure 88. Courtesy of Dennis Kruska. Source: California State Library.

April 29, 2017 - On the California State Library website are images from the State Library's collection that are included in the book "Gold Rush Stories: 49 Tales of Seekers, Scoundrels, Luck and Loss" by Gary Noy. The book presents little-known tales of the 1849 Gold Rush and features stories of searchers and scoundrels, struggle and serendipity.

Click here for the website page
Source: CA. State Library