(Part of the Cascade River in southwestern Alberta.)A Massive Ledge of Gold
By the time darkness had fallen one of the test pits Blackjack and Lemon had feverishly dug that day revealed an unbelievably rich vein of gold in quartz. This was no small vein that would pinch out quickly, but a massive ledge that gave every indication that it would prove richer than they had ever imagined in their wildest dreams.
As they sat around their campfire later, exhausted and overcome with "gold fever," the two men began to bicker about what to do about their find. Blackjack wanted to file a legal claim while Lemon argued instead for secrecy by amassing as much gold as they could and secreting it away from the prying eyes of others.
Costplustools
Get a Safety Kit and Stay Safe!
"Gold Fever" Turns to Murder
Their anger and bitterness reached its climax when Lemon grabbed a nearby axe and used it to strike a blow to Blackjack's head, killing him instantly. Stricken by his impulsive act of murder and crazed with guilt, Lemon built a huge bonfire and spent the remainder of the night stalking around the campsite muttering to himself.
The following day Lemon gathered up as much gold as he could carry and headed for the nearest town (Note: This may have been Coleman or Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, although I am not certain of this. J.R.) leaving Blackjack's corpse where it lay. Lemon then told the locals that Blackfoot Indians had killed his "pard" while saying little to nothing about the strike the 2 men had made.
An Untimely Death for All Who Seek It
This is where the Lost Lemon Mine legend departs from the "norm" and tends to focus less on lost gold and more on the paranormal, especially the idea that the Lost Lemon Mine holds the curse of an untimely death for all who seek it. And surprisingly enough, a number of individuals have lost their lives searching for the Lost Lemon Mine, if the legend is to be believed.
One John McDougall set out for Alberta (ostensibly) to locate the campsite and bury Blackjack's body but he himself died of acute alcohol poisoning after a rest stop at Fort Kipp, Montana Territory. Next came a gentleman named Lafayette French who searched for the Lost Lemon Mine and told a friend he thought he had found it, but Mr. French died from burns suffered in a cabin fire before he could reveal the mine's location. And so it goes....
What of Mr. Lemon?
What of our protagonist and erstwhile murderer Mr. Lemon? Well, the story goes that he was never accused outright of Blackjack's death, but many suspected that a Blackfoot warrior was not the ultimate culprit.
Lemon supposedly set out numerous times in the company of others to relocate the mine and its riches, but each time he became disoriented and began babbling incoherently. Disgusted with this behavior (and Lemon's inability to deliver the "goods"), his traveling companions left him in the dust.
What ultimately became of Lemon is unknown although there is no doubt he met his end somewhere along the line. The specifics regarding his demise are sadly lacking however.
Get a Safety Kit and Stay Safe!
That's the gist of it. Interested in visiting southwestern Alberta? If so, good hunting to you.
If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Canada's Lost Lemon Mine (Part 2)"
(c) J.R. 2009
Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com
