Shawnee Silver mine of the Red River

-Ki-

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In the spring of 1800, Blue Jacket and another chief whose name I have forgotten, boarded for several weeks at my father’s, in Greene County, at the expense of a company of Kentuckians, who engaged Blue Jacket, for a valuable consideration, to show them a great silver mine, which tradition said was known to the Indians as existing on Red River, one of the head branches of the Kentucky. A Mr. Jonathan Flack, agent of this company, had previously spent several months among the Shawanoes, at their towns and hunting-camps, in order to induce this chief, to show this great treasure.

At the time agreed on, ten or twelve of the company came from Kentucky to meet Blue Jacket at my father’s, where a day or two was spent in settling the terms upon which he would accompany them; the crafty chief taking his own time to deliberate on the offers made him, and rising in his demands in proportion to their growing eagerness to possess the knowledge which was to bring untold wealth to all the company. At length the bargain was made; horses, goods and money were given as presents, and the two chiefs with their squaws were escorted in triumph to Kentucky, where they were feasted and caressed in the most flattering manner, and all their wants anticipated and liberally supplied.

In due time and with all possible secrecy, they visited the region where this great mine was said to be emboweled in the earth. Here the wily Shawanoe spent some time in seclusion, in order to humble himself by fastings, purifications and pow-wowings with a iew to propitiate the Great Spirit; and to get his permission to disclose the grand secret of the mine. An equivocal answer was all the response that was given to him in his dreams; and, after many days of fruitless toil and careful search, the mine, the great object so devoutly sought and wished for, could not be found.

The cunning Blue Jacket, however, extricated himself with much address from the anticipated vengeance of the disappointed worshippers of Plutus, by charging his want of success to his eyes, which were dimmed by reason of his old age; and by promising, on his return home, to send his son whose eyes were young and good, and who knew the desired spot and would show it. The son, however, never visited the scene of his father’s failure; and thus ended the adventures of the celebrated mining company of Kentucky.
 

Curtis

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Ki,

I had read about this encounter....didn't have any idea it was some of your kin's place that they met one...that is cool, makes it even more real.
 

Swifty

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Hey Ki,
I have read this story too, and I have always believed it to be true. Also, there are the stories of Indians on several occasions who showed up in the Red River area. On one occasion, at Sandy Ridge near Campton and another at the Crabtree farm, over the ridge on Big Sinking Creek, in Lee County. Locals tried to follow their trail, but the Indians put the slip to them. All of them came to the area to look for a (war-womens burial tomb) or as the whites would say an Indian Princess. (Possibly looking for the The Shawnee Cave)

Swiz
 

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-Ki-

-Ki-

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Curtis,
Sorry to confuse everyone, the story is not describing my family, although i believe Swift to have known one of my ggggg grandfathers which was a Townsend, who lived and owned land on Station Camp creek in Estill Co, and Sand Lick creek in Powell Co. He was one of the first settlers in this area. This was in the same time Swift came back to relocate his workings in 1790-1800. It is believed that on Swift's return to relocate his mines that my ggggg grandfather helped him and Swift gave him a copy of map and journal. Steely makes mention of him in his book...

The family mentioned in this story are the Galloway's if i remember correctly....
 

Curtis

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Hi Ki,

Ok, when I read "In the spring of 1800, Blue Jacket and another chief whose name I have forgotten, boarded for several weeks at my Father's, in Greene County" I thought it was your family...go it now...it was a quote from Galloway. Still, the fact that your ancestor had contact with Swift is pretty cool...do you have the map info?
 

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-Ki-

-Ki-

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Hey Swizard
Ive got the Crabtree story but it makes no mention of what they were looking for, and knowing what they found and brought back was close by. ....T. Cave, the one i keep telling you about is close by The little sinking creek. Ive also heard something of there actually being a princess tomb, or burial tomb. The site i found, looks tomb like in ways, has me puzzled. i would most defiantly say that the Indians that visited the Crabtree Farm was looking for a cave, very well could be the Shawnee cave.....only time will tell. -Ki-
 

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-Ki-

-Ki-

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Curtis
I Got some map info about a month ago, and know the where abouts of where they lived in that time period. Yeah i cant believe i stubled upon that while researching, i was quite astounded. I'll share alittle around the fire during the campout, got a family book with a good story.
 

swiftfan

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I too, am familar with this story. Would love to hear more. Can't wait for the campout..
 

Curtis

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Hi Ki and all,

I've been doing some traveling and prospecting (been to CA twice in less than a year) this summer and found some placer and vein gold, not the big one(yet) but learned a lot of gold mining history...and you have to see what those Chinese did to believe it! Now am settled back in and trying to catch up on the Swift stuff. Looking forward to the camping trip!
 

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