HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG0777.AM: George Mohler
Journal: 1860
Overland Trail: Emigrant
Size: One item
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
George Mohler, a native of Sterling, Illinois left his home to seek his fortune in the Colorado gold mines. Leaving Sterling on April 24th, 1860, he traveled by rail to St. Joseph, Missouri and then by boat to Omaha, arriving there on April 28th. He left Omaha on May 4th and made his way westward, crossing the Platte River at Shinn’s Ferry and stopping at Ft. Kearny, O’Fallon’s Bluff, Kiowa Creek, and Denver before reaching Mountain City on May 24th. From June-August 1860, Mohler prospected for gold near Mountain City.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This collection consists of a single journal dating from 1860. This handwritten journal entitled “A Trip from Sterling, Illinois to the Gold Mines of Pikes Peak” was kept by George Mohler during his trek westward and while he prospected for gold in Colorado. Leaving Sterling, Illinois on April 24, 1860, Mohler traveled to Omaha by train and boat. During his overland trek, Mohler penned his observations of Omaha, Elkhorn City, Fremont, North Bend, Shinn’s Ferry, and Ft. Kearny; the topography; the availability of timber water, and grass; buffalo, antelope, wolves, and prairie dogs seen; and the names of individuals buried along his route. After his arrival in Colorado, Mohler briefly noted his activities while prospecting for gold. A typescript of Mohler’s journal is also included.
INVENTORY
Journal, 1860, Apr. 24-Aug. 18
Subject headings:
Colorado — Description and travel
Dodge County (Nebraska) — History
Douglas County (Nebraska) — History
Elkhorn (Nebraska) — History
Ft. Kearny (Nebraska)
Fremont (Nebraska) — History
Gold mines and mining — Colorado
Nebraska — Description and travel
Nebraska — History — 1854-1867
North Bend (Nebraska) — History
Omaha (Nebraska) — History
Oregon Trail
Overland journeys to the Pacific
Prospecting — Colorado
Shinn’s Ferry (Nebraska)
Revised TMM 12-27-2006
