Keyes Lost Placer

[Tiredman]

Well that's not the exact name of our book, but it covers the story of a gold placer discovered in 1866 that has remained a mystery to this day. The story starts with a fellow named Chris Keyes, although some accounts differ, and his partner Lepley. They were the first to discover gold in Lewis and Clark County. They had a claim that paid ok for the times and had some stock. But Keyes wanted a bigger strike and set out to get it, he told Lepley if he makes the strike he will send word. Keyes heads to Fort Benton and there outfits himself and sets out. What makes the story interesting is Keyes heads east down the Missouri River. Well our book was picked up by the River and Plains Museum at Fort Benton. From what I been told their historian loved it. They didn't have anything in the gift shop about the old days. So if it pasted the man with the degree it can't be that bad. More about Keyes later....

 

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A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[Tiredman]

So Keyes sets out down river and is gone for months. He returns on the first river boat of the season to arrive at Fort Benton. Some claim he boarded the boat at the mouth of the Milk River. He returns with several thousand in gold, he sends word to Lepley, "come quick drop everything, we can buy all we can carry, come quick!"