Striking Gold in 1865!
The Mitchells of Mitchell Gulch Montana
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To help with some facts, I am going to the best source, Annie Mitchell, Alonzo's daughter. She wrote a family book that is not published publicly. Below are some quotes from her book on the men departing Iowa.
"Josiah Mitchell, who had contracted a severe cough and lung trouble through having been caught in a merciless blizzard had been advised by the Doctors to go to the mountains in the West. This he did not care to do but the Doctor's admonition was so inculcated upon him that he could find no rest. By Spring he had decided to go and take Lonnie, his son, with him." (Lonnie was 16 at this time).
"About that time a Company was being organized to go to Idaho and Montana. Josiah and Lonnie and a large number of men from New Oregon joined this Company. It however took time to ascertain how many could be rounded up that would be willing to go in the wagon train across the planes to the Rockies."
"When the day was set to start there were twenty men, some taking their wives. It was a great day for the little old New Oregon. Grief was manifested among the wives and families of those left behind. And although much fear was expressed about the travelers reaching their destination the courageous men did their utmost to allay all fears. On the morning of May 4th, 1864 they (most of them tearfully) waved their good byes."
In another of Annie's collection was the "Mitchell Family Sketch". In this she lists the men who went with Josiah and Alonzo:
"Frank Mead, Hank Ingram, Walt Schofield, A.M. Fellows, Edward Chapin, Bob Pierce, Albert Merry, Bill Lolzenger, Tom McCray and a man named Shook."
"Albert Merry died on the way of spotted fever." and "A baby was also born on the trip."
Below: Some of the men were listed in the local newspaper for Friday, May 6, 1864.
The Times-Plain Dealer - Cresco, Iowa · Friday, May 06, 1864 page 2
Charlotte, Josiah's wife, stayed behind with the rest of their children in New Oregon, Iowa. By the time the group reached Boise, Idaho, Josiah's health was much improved.
According to Annie: Josiah took up claims in Idaho, prospected and did some auctioneering. Josiah and Alonzo also entertained at the "Wild West Hall", Josiah played his Violin while Alonzo "Lonnie" called the changes for the quadrilles. While in Boise, they hunted deer, elk and bear selling them for one dollar a pound.
Here is some information on Gold Rush mining camp Quadrilles:
I am still searching for any mining claims Josiah may have discovered in Idaho.
The Spring of 1865, Josiah and Alonzo left Boise and traveled onward to Helena, Montana. In Montana they excelled in large game hunting and prospecting.
Once in Montana, the first pay dirt was discovered at Mitchell's Gulch, near Helena on June 12, 1865, by J. J. Doyle, who was associated with J. F. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was at Helena the day it was discovered, but being the older man Doyle named the place in his honor.
Prospecting during 1865 proved fruitful after much work, as Josiah struck gold and named this claim the "Delphine" after his daughter. They continued to work placer mines through 1865 and 1866 in areas surrounding Mitchell Gulch and Prickly Pear. I was able to locate many claims and deeds in Montana associated with Josiah and his son. I have listed those below.
J.F. Mitchell is not to be confused as part of Dr. Armistead Mitchell's family. Armistead was also a miner in the parts known for the town of Garnet. Google's A.I wants to mesh Mitchell Gulch into Armistead's town of Garnet. The town of Garnet was by First Chance Gulch, 2 hours from Mitchell Gulch.
First pay dirt at MITCHELL GULCH
Source: from the book, History of Montana: 1739-1885, by M. A. Leeson, published in 1885; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org).
INGALS LODE: Discovered September 18, 1865 by J. F. Mitchell, claims the NE 1/2 of discovering claim and Thomas (?) Lowery claims the SW 1/2 of discovering claim. Said lode is located on the East side of Mitchell Gulch and 200 feet there from. The following named persons claim the hundred feet each by (?) bring their number set forth their (?) names and the (?) set above their numbers Oct. 5th, 1865. NE 1. J.F. Mitchell, 2. A.W. Mitchell, 3. John P(?), 4. Riddle Reeves, 5. John C Rector SW 1. Thomas (?) Lowery, 2. H.M. Hill, 3. H.N. Barber, 4. E.W. Gifford, 5. C.P. RobinsonDECORAH LODE: Discovered Sept 20th, 1865 by J.F. Mitchell who claiming the NE 1/2 of the discovery claim and Thomas (?) Lowery who claims the SW 1/2 of discovery claim said lode is located on the North side of Mitchell Gulch, and 150 feet then from. The following named person claim 250 feet each by (?) being the number set before their respective names and the course set above their numbers Oct. 5th 1865. NE 1. J.F. Mitchell, 2. A.W. Mitchell, 3. John P(?), 4. Riddle Reeves, 5. John C Rector SW 1. Thomas (?) Lowery, 2. H.M. Hill, 3. H.N. Barber, 4. E.W. Gifford, 5. C.P. Robinson
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Cresco, Iowa Friday, November 16, 1866 pg 3
In 1866 Josiah had lost his 11 year daughter Roxa to disease. That same year he returned home.
4 PAGE MONTANA Land Deed.
Josiah F. Mitchell, Charlotte M. Mitchell and Alonzo W. Mitchell are selling several claims to a Solomon Turck on May 1st 1867 for $2000.00. Below these pages I have transcribed what they say.
Citation: "Jefferson, Montana, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRB-13DG-F?view=explore : Aug 25, 2025), image 29 of 169; . Image Group Number: 008318467
DEED TRANSCRIBED
I am typing it how it is written.
Know all men by these present that we Alonzo W. Mitchell, his guardian Josiah F. Mitchell and Charlotte M. Mitchell his wife of Howard County state of Iowa parties of the first part in consideration of the sum of two thousand dollars to them in hand by Solomon Turck of the County of Dubuque in the state of Iowa party of the second part do hereby sell and convey to the said Solomon Turck and to his heirs and assigned forever the described Premises to wit:
Claim No 5 in the "Great Western," South West from discovery. Containing Two Hundred feet, also East half of discovery on "Granite Mountain," also No one East on said "Granite Mountain" lode, also West half of claim number two North east from discovery on said "Granite Mountain" Containing in all on Granite Mountain four hundred feet.
Also discovery claims and claim no one East and claim no two West from discovery of "Charlotte M. lode" Containing in all on Charlotte M. lode 600 feet.
Also claim No two East from discovery on the Dinsdale lode containing two hundred feet Also claim No one, East. Also claim No four West, on the Marshall lode, Containing four hundred feet. Also discovery claim on the Hope lode and also No one and two West on said lode containing in all six hundred feet there on.
Also claim No one N.E. on the Sabbeth Bell lode, containing all thereon 200 feet all of the above and being in the county of Edgerton in the Territory of Montana.
Also one half of discovery claim and No one South on the Chico lode, Also No four West on the U.S. Grant lode, Containing two hundred feet, Also half of discovery and No one West and No two West on the Hattie Martin lode containing five hundred feet Also half of discovery and No one East and No two East, of discovery containing five hundred feet on the George Law lode. Also half of discovery and No two East on the Noonday lode, containing thru five hundred feet.
Also half of discovery and Nos one and two East on the Rector lode containing five hundred feet.
Also West half of discovery, and No one West on the Antelope lode containing three hundred feet Also the West half of No two West on the S.M. Hibbard lode containing one hundred feet. All in Meagher County Montana Territory.
Also discovery claim and No one, two and four South West in the A.M. Gowan (Cowan?) lode, North East from discovery, containing sixteen hundred feet.
Also discovery claim and claim No one and two North west on the Rose Queen lode containing six hundred feet, Also discovery claim and claim one, two, three and four South West, and also claim one and five North East of discovery on the J.F. Mitchell lode, containing twelve hundred feet, Also half the discovery and No one South West, also No three, four and five North East on the Delphine lode, containing nine hundred feet, also one half of discovery and No one South West, also No three, four and five North East on the Square & Compass lode containing nine hundred feet, Also discovery claim and No one South West and Nos two, three, four and five North East of discovery on Schellenger lode containing twelve hundred feet.
Also half of discovery and No one North East also two, three, four and five North East on the Decorah lode containing eleven hundred feet.
Also one half of discovery , and Nos one and two North East from discovery on the Alodi lode containing five hundred feet Also half of discovery, and Nos one, two, three, four and five on the Young Mountain lode, North East, containing eleven hundred feet.
Also discovery claim and Nos one, three, four and five West on the Murdoch lode Also on the Murdoch lode one, two, three, four and five East containing two thousand feet.
Also one, two, three, four and five North East on the Hiberna lode, containing one thousand feet.
Also No two North East on the Henry Clay lode, containing two hundred feet Also No three East on the Waverly lode containing two hundred feet
Also claim No two East on the John Van Dyke lode. Containing two hundred feet. Also half of discovery and Nos one and two South West from discovery on the New Oregon lode containing 500 feet
Also half of discovery and Nos one and two North East on the Regal lode containing five hundred feet. Also half of discovery, and Nos one, two, three four and five North East on the Ingles lode containing Containing eleven hundred feet
Also claim Nos three and four North East from discovery on the Regal lode containing four hundred feet Also claim No five South West on the Schellenger lode containing two hundred feet, Also claim No 5 South West on the A.M. Gowan (Cowan?) lode containing two hundred feet, Also claim No 5 West containing two hundred feet on the Holmes lode, Also claim No 5 West on the J.F. Mitchell containing two hundred feet, Also claim Nos one, two, three and five on the Schellenger North East containing eight hundred feet, Also discovery claim on the Blacksach lode containing two hundred feet, Also discovery claim on the Sun Set lode containing two hundred feet, Also the East half of discovery claim on the Howard lode containing one hundred feet, Also discovery claim on the Winfield containing two hundred feet, Also the undivided half of discovery claim on the Antelope, containing one hundred feet, Also the South West 3/4 of claim No one East on the Antelope containing one hundred and fifty feet, Also the undivided one half of claim No three East on the Antelope, containing one hundred feet, Also discovery claim and No four South West on the Iron Clad lode, containing four hundred feet, Also the undivided half of the discovery claim on the War Eagle lode, containing one hundred feet, Also discovery claim and claim No one West on the M.M. Moon lode, containing four hundred feet, Also discovery claim and No one West and No one East on the little Jim lode containing five hundred feet, Also claim No two South West on the Jenny (Smid?) lode containing two hundred feet.
To have to hold with (---?) all the easements (---?) there to appertaining forever.
And we do hereby expressly agree and stipulate with the said Soloman Turck that we are lawfully seized of said premises as of a lawful inheritance (---?) (---?) simple that they are free from encumbrance, that we hereby covenant to Warrant and defend the same against the claims of all persons whomsoever, This conveyance however to be absolutely void upon condition that the said Josiah F. Mitchell shall pay or cause to be paid to the said Soloman Turck the sum of two thousand dollars as evidenced by his promissory note executed this first day of May 1867, and due in one year from date with interest at ten percent title paid, otherwise to be (---?) remain in full force.
Signed the first day of May A.D. 1867
In presence of W.R Mead.
U.S Tax stamp Cancelled $2
(Signed by ) A.W. Mitchell by his Guardian J. F. Mitchell, Charlotte M Mitchell
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State of Iowa
Howard County S.S.
On this first day of May 1867 before me a Notary Public In and for said county Personally came Alonzo W. Mitchell by Josiah F. Mitchell his guardian. Josiah F. Mitchell His wife Charlotte M. Mitchell all well and known to me to be the identical persons, named and mentioned in the foregoing mortgage and the said Alonzo W. Mitchell by his guardian Josiah F. Mitchell on his own act and deed, and as the act and deed of his principal, Alonzo W. Mitchell acknowledged the same and the execution thereof to be his and then voluntary act and deed. And the said Charlotte M. Mitchell on a private examination separate and apart from her said husband acknowledged the execution of the same as without compulsion or undue influence from her said husband. Within my hand & seal the day and year above.
W.R Mead
(seal) Notary Public
State of Iowa Howard County - Office of County Judge Howard Co, Iowa
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Council Bluffs, Iowa · Friday, November 12, 1869
I hope you enjoyed today's blog about my 3rd & 4th Great Grandfathers.
Feel free to peruse my other blog pages.
Sunny :)
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