The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-09-14
STORY OLA LOST CABIN
AND THELUREOF GOLD
WALLACE MEN MAKE LONG HIKE
BUT FAIL TO FIND THE
MYSTERIOUS CABIN.


period they visited wild and re-
mote section of the state, yet one
which is accessible by trails construct
ed by the forest service and which
will soon be crossed by a modern state
road now under construction AL
though the trip was not a success SO
far as its original purpose is concern
ed. 1t was nevertheless one of great
interest. Mr.. Rose has had consider
able experience in placer mining and
is of an adventurous turn so a few
months ago when George Clare told
him that four years ago while engag-
ed in trapping on the middle fork of
the clearwater in Idaho county he dis
covered an old cabin near a stream
from the bed OF which he picked up
nuggets amounting to over $50. Mr.
/ Rose was interested and as Mr. Glare
said he could find the place again. they
decided to make the trip to this mys-
terious lost cabin gold mine
An Old Story.
1t appears that Mr. Clare did not
realize until he had come out the fol-
lowing spring that his discovery had
solved a mystery which had induced
many others year after year to brave
the wilds of the Clearwater in search
of the lost cabin mine. According to
the story. many years ago an Indian
returned to the village about where
the town of KoOskia now stands with
a large amount of gold, which he said
he had taken from a creek near an
abandoned log cabin near the head of
the middle fork of the Clearwater
This was late in the fall, and he plan
ned to return as soon as the snow dis
appeared in the spring. But fate was
against him. for he was taken sick
during the winter and died without di
vulging the secret of the lost cabin.
Every year since that time Indians
and white men have explored every
canyon and gulch in the hope of find
ing the lost cabin. but without sue
cess. Having heard the story Mr..
Clare was satisfied that he had found
the long lost cabin and resolved to
return, but was delayed in doing so
until last month, when he and Frank
Rose headed for the Clearwater.
Found the Place, But No Gold.
Arriving at Kooskia they secured
three pack horses to carry their out
fit and started up the middle fork of
the Clearwater At the junction of
the Selway and Lochsa, which form
the middle fork, they proceeded up the
latter to Elk summit, over which they
passed to Big Sand creek, a tributary
of the Lochsa, which Mr.. Clare recog-
nized as the place where he had dis
covered the lost cabin and found the
gold Down Big Sand creek they went
to the mouth OF tributary called
Hidden creek and up the latter q
short distance was the spot where the
og cabin was supposed to be. But II !
was not there. Mr. Rose and Mr. /
Clare made camp for a week, search |
ed diligently for the cabin and PANIED /
he creeks for gold. but without sue
cess in either case Finally abandon
ng the search they proceeded down
Big Sand creek to the Lochsa and to
Powell ranger station, thence down
he stream, part of the time on the
I'D Lolo trail, to the middle fork and
hence to Kooskia and home.
A Long Hike.
From KooslIia to Big Sand creek
Mr. Rose says is 81 miles, and the spot
where the log cabin was supposed to
De is about 80 miles due west of Ham
Iton, Montana Mr.. Rose kept a diary
If the trip. according to which they
raveled 81 miles from KOoskia and
eturn without counting the distance
covered in prospecting and looking for
he cabin. At KoOskia an Indian gave
Ir. Rose his version of the log cabin
tory. This Indian said that there is
10 doubt that the log cabin Indian 1
in the gold, but in his opinion :
le got it, not at a lost cabin, but by
a placer miner from Elk
'ity or the Salmon river diggings, took .
lis gold and then invented this fairy !
tory regarding a lost cabin to avert
uspicion. In any event the log cabin
S still missing and the search for it
will doubtless go on. but not by Mr.. I
Rose He says the formation and
onditions generally in that section
re not favorable to mineral and he (
ound no evidence of gold.
Lolo Road.
Mr.. Rose said the Lolo pass high
way. which is being built by the state /
nd forest service, is completed 25 q
niles from Kooskia up the middle fork
f the Clearwater and from there 1t
viii follow the Lochsa to the pass over
he divide to Montana. A contract for
he construction of seven miles was
ct the day he left KOoskia. He also
aid that a party of engineers was en- {
aged in establishing the grade from
,olo pass west and that this work
would be completed in time to let
ontract for the construction of the (
DAD from the present completed sec
ion to the summit in the spring
Marsh r