They were called Argonauts, forty-niners, crazy. For ten years thousands of intrepid young men from the east thronged westward to an almost mythical land called California in search of the heavy yellow metal. The economy of the young United States was depressed following the Mexican War and the Gold Rush was just the stimulant needed. While millions of dollars worth of gold were found in the early years, the exaggerated claims left many open to bitter disappointment. One young man, thinking himself less gullible than most, declared "If I don't pick up more than a hatful of gold a day, I shall be perfectly satisfied."