Greg in BC
Tenderfoot
I was going to keep this area for myself but some new info on a possible treaure that I have makes it very interesting. If perchance you have a magnetometer and the wherewithal to search for this golden bonanza you will have quite an adventure. Although I would love the gold for myself (who wouldn't?) it is an undertaking I am unable at the present time to take on hand. I would be happy just to see someone else become successful at it and bring this old boys gold to light to fill in the story.
'Twas in Cornwall England that Pete Toy came into this world. Round about 1850 the youngster decided to try his hand in the New World. With a large and powerful frame he would toil in the goldfields of California to learn about gold. With new found knowledge and a thirst for adventure Pete made his way north through the Fraser and Cariboo rushes and finally settled in the Peace River country of Northern BC in 1858.
The Finlay (also known as the Findlay) flows in a great valley from north to south draining the rockies in north central BC. Most of the rivers that flow from the western side of this great valley carry gold to a greater or lesser extent and Pete managed to find a very nice deposit for himself. It was a large gravel bar of the Finlay just a few miles upriver from the Forks, where the Parsnip flows in from the south and the two join to create the mighty Peace River. This great volume of water that makes up the Peace then flows through a wide valley until it must squeeze through the mightly Peace Canyon in a great torrent. After the canyon the river has a more gentle passage on it's descent where it mixes into the waters of Slave Lake and thence through the Mackenzie, north to the Arctic ocean.
Not many travellers visited this area as it was far from the main goldfields and although an initial flurry of activity was brought on with word of the gold discoveries in the area by Bill cust in 1861, it was not to be a major player in the fortunes of many. Initially discovered in 1862 the gold on this particular bar of the Finlay was fine but plentiful with some pans paying 75 cents. Being fine made it difficult to keep and spotty to some degree in that it was deposited shallow on the bars up and down the river. Many miners would use the easy shovelling to grubstake their next venture to 'real' diggings'.
Pete Toy however was mightly fond of the country and staked his claim to which he would add a sturdy cabin that would be the only permanent dwelling for many miles around. His skill in the outdoors was well known and a hearty welcome was given to all visitors at his cabin on the Finlay, whatever station they may carry outside the bush. Often acting as guide for those who asked, whether they could pay or not, he was also know for his hunting and trapping abilities and even allowed many to grubstake on his bar.
In the long days of summer Pete would work his bar - Toy's Bar as it had become known far and wide - to win the gold from the gravels. Rumour has it that Pete averaged 4oz's a day on his workings, a healthy wage by past or present standards. It is also said that Pete never got 'out' much and most all his provisions were acquired by his own hand or the trade of furs and services from the local trading posts. He lived a simple life and needed very little of what the civilized world cared for. Perhaps as with many miners he dreamed of the day he would return to the rest of the world with his kings ransom in sparkling Peace River country gold, to live out his days in leisure.
It would seem that his life of ease and wealth, if that was ever his goal, was not to be as his canoe was found in the spring of 1874 near the Black Canyon of the Omineca. Upon news of the discovery none could recall seeing the hospitable miner since the previous fall.
What had happened to this man of the land? Was Pete overcome by some villainous element to whom he freely offered his help? Had he befallen a grevious accident while on his trapline during the winter? Did he finally tire of the cold or the bugs and leave the country for warmer climes and more ammenities? There is no end to this tale as Pete Toy, the sensitive Englishman from Cornwall who gave so freely of himself, was never to be seen again.
Could it be that there are yet hundreds of pounds of gold dust still hidden away in some nook or rock crevice waiting for the stalwart to uncover? Quite possibly. Yet there is a slight dificulty in searching for this gold treasure of 'yore. It now lies under many many feet of cold wind swept Peace River water, backed up from the WAC Bennet Dam and power generating station which was finished in the 1960's. Perhaps Pete to this day has a little chuckle as he looks down over the wide lake surface with his beloved gravel bar and stache of gold hidden far below.
For the adventurous soul the search may be ardous with deep cold water, silt laden bottom and a matrix of decaying forest to contend with. Then again the lure of what could be hundreds of pounds of gold calls like a siren to those so inclined and makes the search itself the nectar of life.
One day I shall go look for this treasure but there it is for all who would have a go before me. The only thing I ask is if you find it before me - get a private note to me so that I can celebrate in the knowledge that the treasure of Pete Toy has been found and he has been honoured in the search. I make no promise that all information contained herin is factual as the sources are many and varied with tidbits from here and there. If any have further knowledge which they care to share in this tale please feel free to help flesh out this northen tale of treasure.
Golden dreams to you all . . .
Greg in BC
'Twas in Cornwall England that Pete Toy came into this world. Round about 1850 the youngster decided to try his hand in the New World. With a large and powerful frame he would toil in the goldfields of California to learn about gold. With new found knowledge and a thirst for adventure Pete made his way north through the Fraser and Cariboo rushes and finally settled in the Peace River country of Northern BC in 1858.
The Finlay (also known as the Findlay) flows in a great valley from north to south draining the rockies in north central BC. Most of the rivers that flow from the western side of this great valley carry gold to a greater or lesser extent and Pete managed to find a very nice deposit for himself. It was a large gravel bar of the Finlay just a few miles upriver from the Forks, where the Parsnip flows in from the south and the two join to create the mighty Peace River. This great volume of water that makes up the Peace then flows through a wide valley until it must squeeze through the mightly Peace Canyon in a great torrent. After the canyon the river has a more gentle passage on it's descent where it mixes into the waters of Slave Lake and thence through the Mackenzie, north to the Arctic ocean.
Not many travellers visited this area as it was far from the main goldfields and although an initial flurry of activity was brought on with word of the gold discoveries in the area by Bill cust in 1861, it was not to be a major player in the fortunes of many. Initially discovered in 1862 the gold on this particular bar of the Finlay was fine but plentiful with some pans paying 75 cents. Being fine made it difficult to keep and spotty to some degree in that it was deposited shallow on the bars up and down the river. Many miners would use the easy shovelling to grubstake their next venture to 'real' diggings'.
Pete Toy however was mightly fond of the country and staked his claim to which he would add a sturdy cabin that would be the only permanent dwelling for many miles around. His skill in the outdoors was well known and a hearty welcome was given to all visitors at his cabin on the Finlay, whatever station they may carry outside the bush. Often acting as guide for those who asked, whether they could pay or not, he was also know for his hunting and trapping abilities and even allowed many to grubstake on his bar.
In the long days of summer Pete would work his bar - Toy's Bar as it had become known far and wide - to win the gold from the gravels. Rumour has it that Pete averaged 4oz's a day on his workings, a healthy wage by past or present standards. It is also said that Pete never got 'out' much and most all his provisions were acquired by his own hand or the trade of furs and services from the local trading posts. He lived a simple life and needed very little of what the civilized world cared for. Perhaps as with many miners he dreamed of the day he would return to the rest of the world with his kings ransom in sparkling Peace River country gold, to live out his days in leisure.
It would seem that his life of ease and wealth, if that was ever his goal, was not to be as his canoe was found in the spring of 1874 near the Black Canyon of the Omineca. Upon news of the discovery none could recall seeing the hospitable miner since the previous fall.
What had happened to this man of the land? Was Pete overcome by some villainous element to whom he freely offered his help? Had he befallen a grevious accident while on his trapline during the winter? Did he finally tire of the cold or the bugs and leave the country for warmer climes and more ammenities? There is no end to this tale as Pete Toy, the sensitive Englishman from Cornwall who gave so freely of himself, was never to be seen again.
Could it be that there are yet hundreds of pounds of gold dust still hidden away in some nook or rock crevice waiting for the stalwart to uncover? Quite possibly. Yet there is a slight dificulty in searching for this gold treasure of 'yore. It now lies under many many feet of cold wind swept Peace River water, backed up from the WAC Bennet Dam and power generating station which was finished in the 1960's. Perhaps Pete to this day has a little chuckle as he looks down over the wide lake surface with his beloved gravel bar and stache of gold hidden far below.
For the adventurous soul the search may be ardous with deep cold water, silt laden bottom and a matrix of decaying forest to contend with. Then again the lure of what could be hundreds of pounds of gold calls like a siren to those so inclined and makes the search itself the nectar of life.
One day I shall go look for this treasure but there it is for all who would have a go before me. The only thing I ask is if you find it before me - get a private note to me so that I can celebrate in the knowledge that the treasure of Pete Toy has been found and he has been honoured in the search. I make no promise that all information contained herin is factual as the sources are many and varied with tidbits from here and there. If any have further knowledge which they care to share in this tale please feel free to help flesh out this northen tale of treasure.
Golden dreams to you all . . .
Greg in BC
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