The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1919-01-24
DEATH CLAIMS
FIRST SETTLER

coVerer of the riches of Beesburs
where he made fortune. Ii is re
markable that his name was MOI
barney" AT all as everybody knew
MIN. Frank Burnett Sharkey was hi.
correct full name. For some wears OF
his later life until in 1918 he resided
IN Southern California but came bach
home. as he called Lemhi county, tc
end his days, being a member of the
household of his daughter. II is also
remarkable that in this fine family
there have been three deaths in as
many months, first Mrs. Kirkham
son Jack. soldier in camp, then her
son-in-iaw. Roy Buchanan, both vic.
Tins of flu. and now her pioneer faith.
er.
The Recorder two years ago pub.
hshed from the pen Of it's pioneer de-
partment editor, Hon. John E. Rees.
sketch of the county's first citizen.
froln which sketch the following sto-
ry is taken
Frank B. Sharkey was born In
Maine In 1888, and at the age OF IA
years started out as sailor. He
went to California in 1855, where he
mined several years. At the begin.
nlng OF the Civil war he enlisted in
the California volunteers, but only
served a short time, after which he
went to the Salmon river mines and
IRON thence to the Upper Columbia
river country, finally drifting into
Montana. where he mined during ga
ana 90. He made his fortune In the
I i ns v,stv
horses, cattle and a fine ranch on
the Lemhi river. He had ever been a
foremost citizen of this county and
had reared here an excellent family,
and his home at the Old Fort Lemhi
was always noted for its warm hospi.
tality. His full name was Frank Bur.
nett Sharkey. but his friends always
called him Barney Sharkey."
Mr.. sharkey's -sRecoliections.
I'VE wanted to get a mine OF our
own" according to his own story of
his life, where We could wash out
the gold for ourselves and as the
country between Bannack, Florence.
Warren and Elk City had neyef5 Been
prospected because OF hostile Indians
inhabiting those regions, we decided
to make prospecting trip through
this section of the country so we
formed party of six members, viz:
Barney Sharkey. Lige Mulkey. Bill
Smith, joe Rabb. Ward Gurton and
Hendricks.
1--WE outfitted for a long trip and
started for the Lemhi river. leaving
Elk creek, Mont, and thence came
through the Big Hole. crossed over
the divide down onto the North Fork
10 ds;n leo III
partner so we got rid of him at
French gulch. we had to shovel snow
TO get our horses across the noun
tains. AFTER Guessing the mountains
we were coming down what is now
called North Fork and to our sur
prise We saw man. almost naked,
out in the river jumping around In
the water grabbing at something We
found afterwards that he was trying
to catch salmon. His name was Nose
Miner. He had been prospecting In
central Idaho, but hearing of Ouan-
trell he started out TO join his band,
but run out of provisions and clothes
having scarcely anything left but
good mule. We gave him some |
clothes and provisions and told him !
TO go over TO Bear gulch and get an /
OUTFIT and join US on our prospecting
trip. He did this and Joined us later |
We followed on down the North /
fork and up the Salmon river pros
pecting every place we thought like /
ly to find gold We found good prog.
poets on the bar below Four-n If
July creek. but no water to mine
with. We arrived at the present site
Of Salmon about July /. 1886 We're
we camped. prospected a little anG
waited for high water TO sunsiGo 30
We could cross to the other side of
he Salmon river. and while here and
bout four days after our arrival ivo
men came 10 our camp wh )se names
sere Trip and McGarvev. They bad !,
few boards which beiongcd to
rripp which they were bringing
along to be used for siIlce boxes.
We dickered with Trlpp for the
boards as We waited them 10 make
BOAT with which to cross the river !
inally got them for a twenty dollar
,old piece. We built boat and when
I was done none of the party would
'enture TO cross in H. but az last I
aid would and went over first by
myself and afterward took the men
nd provisions over swimming the ,
lorse behind the boat.
We then hid the boat in the will /,
ows and went up on the west side
u Salmon river 10 W;iIam's er *, |
'assed Williams lake and over the !
idge down on 10 Phelan creek to its I
mouth. thence up Napius creek - q
he present site of Leesburg. pros q
'ecting all The way and the fact taa' 4
70 placer gold has since been found i
2 paying quantities along this rou'e I
estihes TO the thoroughness Of oar !
respecting
Pitching camp in the Teesbnrg :
asin the first prospect hole was !
unk by myself and Bill Smith Just 1
bove the mouth of Wards guleh. I
nd upon reaching bedrock got 81 % v
n gold to the pan. We were overioy- y
d feeling We had struck bonanza ?
Ne then Drospeetea Smiths Rulfh. 7
lear Track. Ward,s guich. DiscaEe--
'ar and Napius creek In every he sgj
r found good prospect and 'giowini
4 like the biggest digehr ment a
nown and subsequent miTnn. manpe} r