John A. Sutter (1803-1880) could have become one of the richest men in California when gold was found on his property. Instead he lost his vast land holdings on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers and eventually left California penniless. Sutter always claimed to be the victim of charlatans, but he bore considerable responsibility for his downfall. He had amassed huge debts before the gold discovery and added even more afterward. In the rough dealings of frontier capitalism in gold-rush California, Sutter was easy prey.
Soon after the gold discovery, Sutter's eldest son, John A. Sutter, Jr....
John A. Sutter (1803-1880) could have become one of the richest men in California when gold was found on his property. Instead he lost his vast land h...
