Treasure on Lake Superior: the Hermit Island Caches (Part 2)

(Hermit Island, Wisconsin.)

I covered the Prentice Cache in Part 1 of this series of posts and now I'll clue you in on the other two treasure caches purportedly buried on Hermit Island which lies just offshore on the Wisconsin side of Lake Superior.

The Wilson Cache

Bill Wilson was a former barrel maker company owner who moved to Hermit Island around the time of Frederick Prentice's death. Much like his deceased counterpart, Wilson was a loner who disavowed society as a whole and lived the quiet but lonely life of a hermit.

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Ostensibly, when Bill Wilson decided to leave society and people behind to make the move to remote Hermit Island, he carried with him nearly $100,000 in gold and silver coin (Note: multiply this face-value amount by a factor of at least 5-10 to account for precious metals prices and/or rare coins. J.R.). Wilson built himself a small, nondescript cabin on Hermit Island where he lived until his demise.

Buried Treasure Near Wilson's Cabin Site?

Most researchers and treasure hunters believe that Wilson stashed his life savings in one or more caches near the site of his cabin. However, no one has ever come forth claiming to have found Wilson's treasure trove.

Obviously, finding the site of Bill Wilson's cabin would be your first task. Keep in mind again, however, that Hermit Island is part of the Apostle Islands National Seashore and any overt treasure hunting activities may result in problems with local rangers or meddling tourists/campers (I think you know what I mean).

The "Stranger" Cache

Of the 3 Hermit Island treasure cache legends, I place the least faith in this one. However, please note that there is information out there stating that nearly 50 silver dollars were actually recovered on Hermit Island. This tempting discovery was claimed to be part of the "Stranger" Cache.

Who was the "Stranger?" No one knows for certain, but what is known is that this mysterious gentleman moved onto Hermit Island in the late 1800s where he lived in an abandoned cabin (Note: Wilson's cabin perhaps? J.R.).

Mexican Gold and American Silver

The "Stranger" remained on Hermit Island by himself, living in seclusion, only heading back into the outside world to buy necessities. Inevitably the "Stranger" would pay for his purchases in one of 2 ways: using Mexican gold coins or American silver specie.

When the "Stranger" finally passed on to the next world little was found among his meager possessions. What happened to the Mexican gold and U.S. silver type coins he used for purchases?

Who Knows What Might Turn Up?

Hermit Island locals of the day believed the "Stranger" cached his hoard of gold and silver somewhere on the Island. The only clue to the veracity of this claim is the small cache of silver dollars already mentioned.

So there you have it. Three tales of treasure on Hermit Island.

Gold Concentrators
Metal Detectors

Are these 3 caches really there? Perhaps. Truth be told, if one was free to search Hermit Island (Note: Which is only 2 miles long, by the way. J.R.) with modern technology such as metal detectors or a good, deep-seeking 2-box machine, who knows what might turn up?

Good hunting to all.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Treasure on Lake Superior: the Hermit Island Caches (Part 1)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2009/07/treasure-on-lake-superior-hermit-island.html

(c) J.R. 2009

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Treasure on Lake Superior: the Hermit Island Caches (Part 1)

(Wisconsin's Apostle Islands.)

Brownstone Was Hermit's Primary Bounty

Historically, Wisconsin's Hermit Island was not noted for treasures of gold, silver, or precious gems. Like other islands in the Apostle Islands chain, Hermit Island's primary bounty came in the form of brownstone, which was quarried and used in the building trades from 1860-1890.You can find Hermit Island and the remainder of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, not far offshore from communities like Bayfield and Cornucopia, Wisconsin.

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But before I begin this 2-part tale of treasure caches on Hermit Island, let me forewarn you. All of the Apostle Islands, including Hermit Island, are now part of the Apostle Islands National Seashore Park. Although I could not find any information to the contrary at the Park's website (http://www.nps.gov/apis), I suspect that any overt (that's the keyword here) treasure hunting activities on Hermit would be frowned upon.

3 Treasure Caches

At any rate, I will cover 3 treasure caches that are said to exist on Hermit Island. Two of the three are reasonably well documented and probably hold water in terms of their probable existence. However, the third would probably be best classified as a "maybe."

If you are are at all interested in pursuing these caches further, I suggest some more extensive research on all three and while doing so, you would be well served in finding out, if possible, whether any overt (or again, covert) treasure hunting has occurred on Hermit Island over the years. In most aspects of treasure hunting, as in many other pursuits, prior knowledge is power.

Treasure Hunting

Here is the first of Hermit Island's 3 treasure caches:

The Prentice Cache(s)

Until his death, Frederick Prentice owned and operated brownstone quarries on Hermit, Bass, and Stockton Islands from 1868 until 1890. By the time Prentice ceased his quarrying operations he had amassed a large fortune, usually estimated to be anywhere from $250,000 to over $1,000,000.

As best I can determine, Prentice lived alone (that is, without a wife or family) on Hermit Island in a home he had built which the locals called "Cedar Bark Lodge." Like many of his generation Prentice did not trust banks and never held an account of any sort, nor did he bequeath his riches to anyone prior to his death.

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Prentice's Vast Wealth Hidden on Hermit Island?

So it is generally assumed that Prentice hid his vast wealth in a cache (or caches) somewhere on Hermit Island, perhaps near the site of "Cedar Bark Lodge." Although it's difficult to turn up specifics on what the composition of the Prentice Cache (or caches) may be, I doubt if paper money is involved.

Why do I say this? Well, if we take a close look at Prentice's dislike of banks, his lack of family, and his overall reclusiveness, chances are his wealth was accumulated in the form of gold and silver coin and bullion.

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A guy like Prentice would only be interested in the "real goods," not potentially worthless stocks, bonds, or paper currency. That's my read anyway.

I'll discuss Hermit Island's other 2 caches in my next post. Until then, good hunting to one and all.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Confederate Treasury Caches in South Carolina (Part 2)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2009/07/confederate-treasury-caches-in-south_24.html

(c) J.R. 2009

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Confederate Treasury Caches in South Carolina? (Part 2)

(Abbeville, South Carolina and surrounding area.)

Here is the remainder of Union Colonel W.J. Palmer's letter concerning the Confederate treasury to his commander, General Thomas:

Gold Concentrators
Metal Detectors

"Rebel prisoners thought there was about 10 million dollars in specie in all. A cavalry escort, consisting of about 3 to 4 thousand men, has been promised back pay from this specie. Jefferson Davis and about 35 men have since pushed on to Washington, Georgia."

"Before disbanding, $35.00 in gold or silver was given to each private soldier, and more to officers. I have not yet been able to ascertain what has become of the balance of the specie, but presume it has either been concealed or shipped by railroad west-ward. In this latter event it will be stopped either by my command on the railroad at Madison or by Colonel Eggleston of Wilson's cavalry unit, who reached Atlanta on the morning of the 4th."

Part of the Treasury Cached?

I've emphasized the most important line in Colonel Palmer's letter in bold type. Palmer himself is not sure of what happened to the bulk of the Confederate treasury and this fact, along with other letters and reports of the time, suggest that at least part of the treasury specie may have been cached nearby.

Treasure Hunting

Over the years it has been surmised by other treasure hunters and treasure researchers that a number of Confederate treasury caches were hurriedly buried or otherwise hidden in near Abbeville, S.C. and the area west of Abbeville.

Much Correlating Evidence

Unlike many treasure tales, this one is definitely built upon rock and not sand. There is much correlating evidence out there, enough to suggest that significant amounts of silver and gold coin may have been cached by the retreating Confederates of Jeff Davis' government in flight.

What would the value of a portion of the treasury of the former Confederate States of America (C.S.A.) be worth today? Undoubtedly it would be priceless from a historical standpoint. Even without the historical factor, anyone able to recover a small fraction of this 10,000,000 dollars in gold and silver specie would be set for life.

Right now that sounds pretty good to me. How about you?

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Good hunting.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Confederate Treasury Caches in South Carolina? (Part 1)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2009/07/confederate-treasury-caches-in-south.html

(c) J.R. 2009

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Confederate Treasury Caches in South Carolina? (Part 1)

(Abbeville is located in northwestern South Carolina.)

The Confederate Treasury "Flees" South

Not long before General Robert E. Lee ordered his Army of Northern Virginia out of their dirty and disease-ridden trenches near Petersburg, Virginia he apprised Confederate President Jefferson Davis of his plans to retreat southwestward toward Appomattox. Knowing that Richmond would soon fall, Davis assembled his family, cabinet, members, and a military escort to cover their flight south.

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Included in this haphazard entourage was the treasury of the soon-to-be-defunct Confederate States of America (C.S.A.). Most of this huge stash was in the form of gold and silver specie and precious metal bullion because Jeff Davis knew (like most saner minds) that C.S.A paper money (otherwise known as "shinplasters") was worthless.

The Government in Exile is Intercepted

As the Confederate government in exile fled deeper south, United States Army units were closing in hot pursuit. In northwestern South Carolina they were intercepted and the fleeing Confederates broke up into smaller parties to try and evade the Yankees.

But rather than waste my own words on trying to tell the story of what happened at this juncture, let me quote the words written by Union Colonel W.J. Palmer who was on scene at the time. The following description of the events that occurred is from a letter sent by Colonel Palmer to his commanding officer, Major General Thomas.

Colonel Palmer's Description of the Events

Costplustools

"Major General:

I had reached the vicinity of Cowpens Battlefield, South Carolina, on April 29, when I received the order to endeavor to intercept Jefferson Davis, his cabinet and the Confederate treasury specie. I have ascertained that Davis and the money, with an escort of 4 brigades of cavalry under Duke, Ferguson, and Dibbrill (with scattered detachments of Vaughn's, Hanie's, and Butler's commands) are moving from Yorkville, South Carolina and have crossed Smith's Ford of Broad River, toward Abbeville, South Carolina."

"One of my regiments, the 12th Ohio, ran into the rear guard of Davis's escort at Smith's Ford and captured 10 prisoners, from whom definite information was obtained. The treasury specie was loaded in wagons and was contained in about 100 boxes of gold and 60 kegs of silver."

Treasure Hunting

I'll continue with this fascinating treasure tale in my next post. Until then, good hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "The Lost Stewart Lode"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2009/07/lost-stewart-lode.html

(c) J.R. 2009

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

The Lost Stewart Lode

(Death Valley and the Panamint Range.)

A Natural Repository of Gold and Silver

Southeastern California's Panamint Mountain Range was one of the great natural repositories of gold and silver in mineral and metal-rich Inyo County. From the late 1800s into the 1940s Panamint Range mining districts produced nearly 500,000 troy ounces of hard rock and placer gold.

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The Panamints were also home to a number of extremely rich silver strikes, including the famous Marvel Canyon vein which contained silver values in excess of $3000 per ton. But prospecting and mining in the infamous Death Valley region had its hazards as well, as many unlucky miners and prospectors found out the hard way.

Nothing Deterred Jack Stewart

Death from dehydration, exposure, heat stroke, falls, bad water, and snake bites were not uncommon in Death Valley and its immediate environs. You see, Mother Nature has her own way of protecting her treasures from the greedy and the unwary.

But none of this deterred Jack Stewart, a veteran miner and prospector of the Death Valley region. In 1897 Jack ascended the Death Valley side of the Panamints in search of one thing and one thing only, gold.

A Big Strike Come Hell or High Water

Jack cared little for silver and made that plain to one and all. He was after gold, lots of gold, and by God he was determined to find a big strike come hell or high water.

Treasure Hunting

He had missed the big gold find at Ballarat and now Jack was bound and determined to make up for that failure in the Panamint Range. But bad weather dogged him as he made his way higher up into the Panamints and he was forced to take shelter inside a small cave on the northeastern slopes of the Range.

Free-Milling Gold and Lots of It

When the weather cleared Jack departed the cave and prospected his way up a small canyon that lay nearby. He hadn't traveled far up the canyon before he came across scattered pieces of quartzitic "float," that caught his eye.

Jack's hand trembled as examined piece after piece of ore. The float was riddled through and through with free-milling gold and lots of it.

Jack Finally Strikes it Rich

Not far up the canyon Jack traced the float to a large vein or lode of gold-bearing quartz that transected the canyon walls. There was so much gold inside the quartz that it was hard to tell where the mineral ended and the precious metal began.

Jack had finally struck it rich! He gathered up as many samples of the ore as he could carry and made his way out of the canyon and down the Panamints to the settlement of Stovepipe Wells.

What Might Have Been...

Jack Stewart's find might have been the richest gold strike ever discovered in the Panamint Range and the Death Valley region as a whole. Why do I say "might have been?"

It seems that after resupplying at Stovepipe Wells and returning to the northeastern slopes of the Panamint Range to lay claim to the rich lode he had discovered, Jack was unable to find either the cave he had sheltered in or canyon hiding the gold. For years afterward he (and quite a few others as well) traversed the Panamint Range searching for the "lost lode," but never found it again.

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So somewhere high up on the northeastern flanks of the Panamints a treasure trove of immense monetary value awaits a lucky prospector willing to brave the hardships and dangers of Death Valley.

Interested?

Good hunting out there.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "The Lost Gold Canyon Placer (Part 2)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2009/07/lost-gold-canyon-placer-part-2.html

(c) J.R. 2009

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

The Lost Gold Canyon Placer (Part 2)

(Harsh terrain in Nevada's Black Rock Desert.)

Here is the second and final part of the Lost Gold Canyon Legend:

A Large Pool of Slow-Moving Water

After losing the trail of the hostile Indians, Stoddard and his two companions started up the narrow canyon. Following the crystal clear stream that bisected the canyon floor, they wound their way deeper and deeper into the canyon itself.

Gold Pans
Gold Panning Kits
Mining Equipment

Eventually they came to spot where both the canyon and the stream widened. It was here that they discovered a small waterfall that emptied into a large pool of slow-moving water studded with large boulders and other natural obstructions.

Stoddard and the other two miners decided to rest up at this spot before making their way back to their fellow travelers waiting for them back in the Black Rock Desert. It was obvious to the three men that the Indians had successfully eluded them and that the likelihood of their recovering the expedition's stolen livestock was slim-to-none.

"We Done Struck It Rich!"

While they rested Stoddard studied the surrounding terrain with interest. The geology of the location reminded him of some of the placer gold areas he had worked back in Georgia. "Boys," he said calling the other two over, "I'll be damned if this don't look like gold country."

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Stoddard was right. After a rudimentary search the men found large amounts of visible placer gold crammed tight into bedrock cracks and crevices and spread throughout adjacent stream gravels. "My God boys," exclaimed Stoddard, "we done struck it rich!"

Set Upon by Hostiles

Short of supplies and in hostile territory, the three miners knew they could not dawdle at the site. So in a frenzy of gold fever they spent the rest of the day gathering up as much placer gold as they could carry out the following morning.

The following day, just as they reached the lower entrance to the canyon and the beginning of the Black Rock Desert, they were set upon by the hostiles. Despite fighting with grim desperation and the intensity of men who knew their final day had come, only Stoddard managed to survive, and he was badly hurt.

"A Canyon of Gold"

After a grueling trek across part of the inhospitable Black Rock, a failing Stoddard staggered back into the expedition's camp. There he managed to relate the events that had brought him to this pass before expiring, including the tale of what he called "a canyon of gold."

When the others prepared his body for burial they found a number of gold nuggets crammed into his pants pockets. However much they were tempted to search for "Gold Canyon," the expedition members knew that there was no time to lose if they were going survive this hostile environment short on supplies and livestock. After burying Stoddard in the Black Rock Desert, they once again headed for the California Goldfields.

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So there you have it, the legend of Nevada's Lost Gold Canyon Placer. How true is this tale of lost placer gold? You be the judge....

Good hunting to one and all!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "The Lost Gold Canyon Placer (Part 1)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2009/07/lost-gold-canyon-placer-part-1.html

(c) J.R. 2009

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

The Lost Gold Canyon Placer (Part 1)

(Washoe County, Nevada.)

Washoe County and a Tale of Lost Gold

Many of you out there are may be familiar with Washoe County because of its county seat, the gambling mecca of Reno, also known as the "Biggest Little City in the World." But I'm not here to discuss Reno or even Washoe County per se, even though the latter provides the locale for the tale of lost gold I'm about to impart to you.

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By 1851 news of the great California gold strikes had reached far and wide, subsequently drawing hundreds of thousands of aspiring argonauts, settlers, and immigrants westward. Among these was a small party of travelers that had made its way overland into what is modern-day Washoe County, well within striking distance of the Northern California goldfields.

Great Assets to Any Expedition

Included in this expedition were three experienced miners who had worked earlier American gold strikes in and around Dahlonega, Georgia. Two of these men's names remain unknown, but accounts do name one of them, a gentleman called Stoddard. All three were literally worth their weight in gold because of their previous placer mining experience and were considered great assets to any expedition heading west to the Motherlode.

The members of this small caravan had just completed traversing the harrowing Black Rock Desert and were holed up at a small spring recuperating when they were set upon by hostile Indians who ran off most of their livestock. Immediately realizing the seriousness of this turn of events, Stoddard and the other two miners set off in hot pursuit to recover the expedition's beasts of burden.

Treasure Hunting

A Narrow Canyon with a Crystal-Clear Stream

By the end of the day Stoddard and the others were tired, hungry, and worse yet, lost in hostile territory. Weary and disappointed, they "laagered in" for the night to try and get some rest before attempting to pick up the Indians' trail the following morning.

In this effort they were initially successful, following the trail until around noon the following day, where all signs ended at the entrance to a very narrow canyon that had a crystal-clear stream cutting through its center. All three men agreed that their best bet was to press forward and up the canyon.

Gold Panning Kits

That's it for this round. I'll return to the legend of the Lost Gold Canyon Placer in a subsequent post.

Until then, good hunting to one and all!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "The Lost Baker Brothers Lode"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2009/07/lost-baker-brothers-lode.html

(c) J.R. 2009

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com