The early day argonauts of the 1840s and 1850s were a hardy lot. First you had to be tough both mentally and physically to make the overland journey, or you perished along the way, like some did. When gold was discovered in California that was a very appealing lure to many to make the journey west.
For others, it was opportunity to start a new life, because of past actions haunted a person. There were other indidivuals when they came West became very influential residents, even they had left behind them a shady background. Jacob McKissick, fondly referred to as Uncle Jake settled in Long Valley in 1859. Prior to that he had resided in Iowa. McKissick in time would become one of the largest stockmen in Lassen & Washoe Counties. In 1898, he returned to his old stomping grounds in Iowa. When McKissick lived in Iowa, he was in an altercation that led to a man’s death, but was not charged at the time. In 1898, the dead man’s partner recognized McKissick and had murder charges brought against him. McKissick was acquitted. There are countless tales such as this. For instance, John Sutter, the founder of Sacramento, fled his native Switzerland before criminal charges were filed on him.
Nearly ALL the historical namesakes in California (Lassen, Sutter, Stanford, Brannon, Crocker, et al) were rascals. If they weren’t they wouldn’t have survived. Most prospered but died broke!