1939. 144p. 

William Parmer Fuller, at forty, had succeeded beyond the dreams and expectations which had taken him from Boston to the California gold mines as a boy. In his own words, he had won through "by sticking to it." The succession of disasters marking his Sacramento years had been discouraging enough, but not fatal to his determination and courage. Democratic, with simplicity at the core of his nature, Fuller liked people for themselves, personifying perfect friendliness, patience, and courtesy.

By this time, competition between the three leaders of the California paint industry had grown very sharp. Fuller & Heather had outdistanced Oliver & Co. in the race for volume of business and were running close on the heels of Cameron, Whittier & Co. Each of the three firms could easily keep track of its competitors' business positions since all goods were imported, and full lists of ship manifests and names of consignees were published in the daily newspapers. Fuller probably chuckled as he wrote to his partner about the competitive landscape.

The Taranto's prospective passengers, eager to embark on their journey to the West, paraded through Boston streets dressed in what they believed to be suitable mining attire. They shared grand tales of California adventures, envisioning mountains of gold on the Pacific's edge and returning home as millionaires. However, the company faced financial challenges as the agents demanded an additional three thousand dollars, straining the company's treasury and causing delays in the sailing schedule.