Standard Montreal 20 November 1939

C V Tench, Standard Montreal 20 November 1939
[Hugh Murray's copy] After reaching the headwaters of Pitt Lake I discharged my two native guides and headed out into the mountains. I had been out about two months when, my health seriously affected by short rations, I decided to turn back. I climbed to the top of a sharp ridge to get my bearings and found myself looking down into a little valley or canyon I had not seen previously. With some difficulty, I reached the little creek lying in the valley. Now comes the interesting part. I had only a prospector’s small pan, but I found colors immediately. I knew I had struck it rich. In going up the creek I came to a place where the bedrock is bare. Here I gathered gold by the handful, some pieces as large as walnuts. I sized up the creek and learned that beyond all doubt I had found Slummock’s Lost Creek Mine. I traced the course of the creek to where it flows into a subterranean tunnel and is lost. I then packed out all the gold I could carry. When I sold it in Frisco it brought me close to ten thousand dollars. “Now the doctor had told me that I am liable to go at any time. “Don’t give up, Shotwell. You will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. Don’t give up.”