Произношение буквами gold rush in 1848 gold was discovered at sutter's mill, about 100 miles east of san francisco, and the first great gold-rush began. when the news leaked out, farmers, trappers, lawyers, preachers, sailors, soldiers and school teachers rushed to california by whatever means they could. within a year 100,000 people, only 8,000 of whom were women, had reached the coast of california. more than half of them had travelled overland across the american continent. 'gold fever’ began to spread. settlements throughout the united states were deserted. homes, farms and stores were abandoned as everybody raced for california. many came by sea, and in july 1850 more than 500 ships were anchored in san francisco bay, many of which had been deserted by gold-hungry sailors. a few people became fabulously rich, but it was a risky business. law and order broke down. even if a miner 'struck it rich" there were always those who would try to take it away: gamblers, outlaws, thieves and saloon keepers. gold and silver were discovered in nevada a few years later, and 'gold fever' was an important part of the settlement of the western united states.
