Another Swift Journal published source via Rebecca Timmins

[KY Hiker]

Thought I would share another version of the journal. This is from The Kentucky Explorer June 1986 issue. This one sites Rebecca TImmins who is the oldest documented Swift Mine Searcher. She claimed to have the original journal and map back in the 1860s. Some interesting differences to this one than what you would find in more common published books. Anyway, its been quiet on here and thought I would share some research. Everyone that knows me knows that I am interested in the historical truths of the legend more so than any dreams of getting rich with silver.

 

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[KY Hiker]

 

[KY Hiker]

 

[KY Hiker]

 

[Singlestack Wonder]

Didn’t Sevenfeathers777 say that they already found the mine?

 

[KY Hiker]

Mrs. Timmins reflections of her years spent in search for the mines.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

 

[KY Hiker]

First of two part articles authored by Mrs. Timmins in the Hazel Green newspaper.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2

 

[KY Hiker]

2nd of two part article by Mrs. Timmins in the Hazel Green newspaper.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86063242/1894-10-11/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1789&sort=date&date2=1963&words=Mining+SWIFT&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=4&state=Kentucky&rows=20&proxtext=Swift's+++mine&y=11&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2

 

[KY Hiker]

An Indian trail marker tree that points towards Turtle Back Arch in the Swift Camp Creek valley.

 

[KY Hiker]

Below is a link to an online copy of M.P. Henson's published version of the Swift Journal. In my opinion this is most likely altered as it differs from Mrs. Timmins' published version from the 1800's. The further back in time you find journals, the less likely or fewer the alterations of the journal would occur. In the Henson version of the journal Swift claims he buried prizes valued in dollars. The dollar was not a form of currency until 1775!

History of U.S. Currency

By tracing our currency back to the colonial era, we can explore how American history has helped shape the way we design, issue, and process modern U.S. banknotes.

www.uscurrency.gov

Swift Journal

I originally started this blog for the main purpose of cross promoting the book I wrote about the Swift legend. I still do devote much...

ed-henson.blogspot.com

 

[Gator-Flea]

From central Ky. Also a hiker, do you hike the RRG.

 

[KY Hiker]

From central Ky. Also a hiker, do you hike the RRG.

Yes I still get down that way a few times a year. I used to spend several weeks and weekends in the gorge every year. Started visiting the area in 1979.

 

[KY Hiker]

To make a note of interest, if you read a journal and it mentions thickets of myrtle instead of laurel you are reading an altered version. Myrtle is not a native plant in North America. I believe there are layers of alterations done to journals as they were passed on (sold) to the next generation, repeatedly.
Henson's published journal IMO is a combination of several versions available to him at that time in the early 1970s. I would suppose that some of those versions were in the hands of his uncle who worked for USFS in the Red River Gorge region in the 1950s and 60s. As per Ed Henson, his father would help Swift hunters find various landmarks in that area. How times have changed, you would be hard pressed to get any information from any USFS employee in that area today. Most probably don't even know of the legend, or are trained to act as if they don't. Metal detecting, digging and even cutting live plants and trees is prohibited in the Red River Gorge with heavy fines enforced.