John Sutter's entrance into American history began because of a rocky situation. He fled Switzerland in search of riches, leaving behind his wife and young children, because he owed people a great deal of money. After bartering his way from New York to the West Coast, Sutter started a settlement in California along the Sacramento River. The Gold Rush changed Sutter's life forever. Primary source documents and lively sidebars help tell this story of a man who made his mark on America.