The Cariboo gold rush of the 1860s, Barkerville, and murder: The true story, based on actual trial records of Hanging Judge Begbie. Thousands of men slogged their way north from New Westminster in the 1860s in search of Cariboo gold. Some made their fortunes. Others left empty handed, or moved on to newer strikes still further north. Charles Blessing made 2 mistakes that cost him his life: he flashed his roll in a rowdy bar and he chose the wrong traveling companion, and ended up with a bullet in the back of his head.