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564 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
Dahlonega, corroborates this statement. He also was one of the early miners; and,
on the authority of Mr. Edwards, gold had been discovered in Lumpkin for some
time when he came to Dahlonega in 1828. At any rate, the discovery of gold brought
an influx of white population into Cherokee Georgia, some mere adventurers, some
possessed of the restless spirit of discontent, ever on the lookout for something
strange and new, but most of them men of high character, anxious to develop the rich
treasures hidden in the hills of this beautiful section of Georgia. The Indians were
still here and must have known of the gold deposits, though perhaps ignorant of their
value; hence the name "Taloneka," signifying "yellow metal."
In 1836 the United States Mint was established at Dahlonega. Skilled workmen
were brought from Philadelphia to put the mint into operation; and among the
number who came at this time was the E'ev. David Hastings, a Presbyterian minister,
whose cultured family imparted a tone of refinement to the rough mining camp and
formed the beginning of Dahlonega's social and intellectual life. His grand-daughter,
Miss Lida Fields, was a noted educator, whose popular history of the United States
is still a standard text-book in the public schools. Gov. Allea D. Oandler, one of
Georgia's most distinguished sons, was born near the old mint.—"Georgia's Land
marks, Memorials and Legends." L. L. Knight. Vol. II.