How did sam brennan become so rich?

Answer 1

Sam Brannan owned a general store during the time of the early gold rush. When he noticed that men were paying for items with gold, he bought out every mining tool in the region, filled a bottle with the gold shavings and announced down the streets that the Gold Rush was real and not just a tale. He bought supplies for a couple cents and was selling it for about $15.00. (which is equivalent to hundreds of dollars in today's value).