In the high desert of Arizona, just northwest of Tombstone, rests the tombstone of Edward Schieffelin (1847–1897). It is about 25 feet tall in the shape of a prospector’s claim. Its inscription reads: “Ed Shieffelin, died May 12, 1897, aged 49 years, 8 months. A dutiful son, a faithful husband, a kind brother, a true friend.”
What it doesn’t mention is “a determined prospector.” The symbolic shape of the tombstone, however, may make that claim quite clear.
Schieffelin’s father, Clinton, had caught the fever of the California Gold Rush and left Pennsylvania for the West Coast in 1852. Four years later, he called the family to join him. By the age of 10, Schieffelin had caught the fever as well and began panning for gold. He showed his first find to his uncle, who informed him it was actually “fool’s gold.” No matter. Schieffelin kept his sights on prospecting….