Treasure Tales and Treasure Stories About Alaska from the Archives of Lost Treasure Magazine
Frenchy's ledge
From State Treasure Tales
By Anthony J. Pallante
From page 40 of the October 1997 issue of Lost Treasure magazine.
Copyright ©1997, 1998 Lost Treasure, Inc.
In the 1880s residents of Howkam from the south end of Long Island in Ketchikan-Prince of Wales County surmised that the Frenchman who periodically appeared at the general store to purchase supplies with raw gold had a secret mine or ledge in the area. "Frenchy" made it clear that he intended to remain close-mouthed about the subject and wouldn't take kindly to anyone attempting to follow him back to his claim. In 1889, he boarded a steamer without a word of good bye and never returned again.
A few years later an Indian located the Frenchman's camp and sluice box on the north side of Dall Island. But no amount of exploring by local residents could uncover the missing ledge. Stories of a lost gold wedge on the southern tip of Dall Island may emanate from the same source. It is possible that the wily Frenchman camped on the opposite end of the island from his strike to throw off potential claim jumpers.
|
