If the "star of Empire" takes its way westward, the bravest and the best of our population are going with it. The hardy yeoman, the skilful artisan, the indefatigable laborer, "the bone and sinew," form the greater portion of the emigration to the Peak. Last Monday we bade adieu to John McT Gibson, John Key, Jesse Burkee, William Liddle and William Givens [nephew of Gibson's wife], who not having the fear of cold, short common's nor greasy Indians before their eyes, took advantage of the improved state of roads and weather, and sped off on the high pressure principle, to the land of gold. It is an unwelcome truth that with visions of golden nuggets, comes to the traveler, while on his weary way, the remembrance of the sorrowing countenances of mourning wife and 'childer' dear, and home sweet home, will flit in and out among the fancies of the gold hunter, dimming the luster of the coveted treasure, but the die is cast and he is not the one to turn back, when competence perhaps affluence beckons him on.
We fear many who tempted fate, by going afoot with little or no outfit, have paid dearly for their temerity. We hear of much suffering from storms and cold, among those who were well provided with the necessary requisites for their long and tedious journey; what must be the amount of peril and hardships encountered by the improvident, God only knows!
The accounts from the gold quarter are favorable and per contra, not so good; there is no doubt but that gold is there in paying quantities, and many will make their "pile," but unless new diggings are discovered far richer than any heard of hitherto, very many will find disappointment in place of the untold riches of which they dream. But as good often comes out of evil, perchance, after they have "astonished the natives" by the unthought of number of their white brethren and seen the "Elephant" they will return to their homes wiser, even if sadder men.

Iowa Weekly Visitor, 21 Apr 1859, pg. 2, col. 2