The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-30
THE DISCOVERY OF CARIBOU.
One OF the Earliest Pioneers OF the Gold
Fields Still Living.
Vancouver World

A few weeks ago the World announced the
presence in this city of Mr.. Thomas Seward, a
well-known fruit grower and farmer living near
Lytton, where he has resided for over thirty
years Those who made his acquaintance while
here were not possibly aware that he was one of
the first who discovered the immensely rich
gold fields of Cariboo. By birth Mr.. Seward is
an Englishman, native of the British metropo-
lis. He had not yet attained to manhood's
estate when he left London for California dur.
ing the great gold fever period. From that
country he came to British Columbia early in
1855. In June of that year, with party of
Others in dugout they crossed the gulf, reach
ing Point Roberts after an exciting and perilous
sail. The canoe was loaded with sufficient pro-
visions for a long stay in the undiscovered
country. They passed up the Fraser to Yale,
through the great canyons, and on to the Lillooet
taking the canoe all the way to the head of
navigation on the latter river. Here 1t was
necessary to pack the provisions forty miles to
Big Bar. The party prospected Big Bar thor
oughly, making bare pay. The men were greatly
discouraged, and broke up the party and re-
turned to Victoria Mr. seward and J. S. Cum
ningham still had confidence in the country,
They formed partnership and struck pay dirt
which returned from Sc 10 $40 per day to each.
While they were working one day a canoe
passed up stream with three men in charge
One was drawing a canoe by a rope attached to
IL; the second WAS Tending 1t OFF the rocks and
tAis tllIu was steering lNey passed on the OBJ
posite side Of the stream to which Mr. seward
and his partner were and did not stop. These
three men were the original discover ers of Carl
boo, but who they were, where they came from
and what was their fate has never been ascer.
tanned Mr.. Seward afterwards learned that
these men went TO Fort Alexander. While there
an Indian came I'm aud reported that gold was to
be found IN quantities in the river now known
as the QuesueIe. They proceeded up 10 what is
now known as the forks of the Quesnelle, left
their canoes aud penetrated the Cariboo coun-
try. Since then no trace of them has ever been
found. They NAV have been killed BY the In
dians, or starved to death The theory that these
men never returned TO civilization and must
heve met with an untimely death is well sus-
tanned hy the fact that none OF them has ever
turned up 70 Law C aim to the honor of discover
ing the country out of which nearly 100000
of gold dust and nuggets have been taken
few days after these men passed up the river
Mr.. Seward lett the diggiugs ana returned %
Victoria; but within six weeks time WORD
reached the coast Of great strike OF gold in the
upper country. In the spring OF 1879 Mr.. seward
again started UP the country, aud was the first
white man to visit what is now known a. Grouse
creek. He, with Messrs. Keitbley and Harvey,
may be called the discoveries OF Caribo0.
though the honor properly belongs TO the men
who never returned. Mr. Seward is still hale
and hearty.