ounces per day was the regular dig, but when this gradually dwindled to only $25 each, they thought it time to look for something better.
With Marcellus the schooner Star was now purchased and freighting on the Sacramento was undertaken, but this was abandoned by Bradbury at length, on account of severe attacks of ague, from the infection of the river.
Another turn was taken at the mines, about thirty miles from Coloma, where the gold occurred in coarse nuggets, which were covered with iron oxide, and were sometimes overlooked as mere gravel, unless scratched by the pick. Mr. Bradbury here struck a nugget of over two pounds weight, for which he afterwards refused $1,000, though its actual assay value was about $500.
He recalls some of the Indian troubles, and the murder of Ben Wood and two other Oregonians at a place which he recollects as Spanish Bar, afterwards called Murderers' Bar. He was himself, with his partners, once confronted with the prospect of a massacre, many Indians suddenly appearing, as if from the rocks, and drawing their bows; but the timely appearance of rifles caused the dark bodies of the Diggers to sink into their burrows almost as soon as they had risen. This was while the miners were at work on their claims.
In December of 1849 Bradbury decided to return to Oregon, which he now considered his home, and taking ship at San Francisco arrived at Bakers Bay January 6, after a thirty days' voyage. In the course of the year he was married to Miss Anne Hobson, who came with her father to Oregon in 1843. Of their family of four children two survive, Mrs. Bethenia Quigley and Clement. Both have reared large families. Title to his claim at Oak Point was completed in due time, and here the pioneer made his home until in 1885, when he removed with his son to Seaside, Oregon.
