170 years ago today - Jan 24, 1848

Henry William Bigler, former Mormon Battalion member and employee at John Sutter's Mill, notes in his journal that "some kind of mettle was found [which] looks like goald". Azariah Smith, another former Mormon Battalion member at Sutter's Mill also records in this day: "Mr. Marshall found some pieces of (as we all suppose) Gold, and he has gone to the Fort, for the Purpose of finding out". News of the find leaks out slowly but when another Mormon, Samuel Brannan, publicly announces the find in San Francisco, the Gold Rush of 1849 (which aids Utah's economy) begins in earnest. The Twelve and High Council hear a charge preferred by the police against E. D. Wolley "for making use of seditious language against the Authorities of the Church."