A Caper Recalled (November 01, 1988)

I read with interest your “Cross-cuts” article in the June issue about the golden bungle at Delnite Mines on June 2, 1950. I was the chief geologist at that time and George Vary (mine superintendent) and I went out that day to see a prospector’s claim at MacArthur Lake. When we returned the next day, we found out that all hell had broken loose because of the gold robbery. Needless to say, some people were looking at George and I sideways, wondering where we had been the night before. John Beattie was the mine manager and his home was about half a mile away from the action. Jack Fulton lived in the staff house some 50 yards away, but Jack was a sound sleeper.

Incidentally, the robbers drilled a hole in the steel doors to the room holding the safe and dropped No. 6 blasting caps plus one cap on a fuse to spring the doors. No dynamite was used — Jack would have heard that.

Several years later, we had another robbery from the mill — stolen precipitates from the press — but that is another story. I would like to read Kevin Vincent’s book, “Bootleg Gold.” Where do I buy it? H. A. Leavitt, Vice-president, Atlas Copco Canada Dorval, Que. Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Bootleg Gold, by Kevin Vincent, has not yet been published.).

I read with interest your “Cross-cuts” article in the June issue about the golden bungle at Delnite Mines on June 2, 1950. I was the chief geologist at that time and George Vary (mine superintendent) and I went out that day to see a prospector’s claim at MacArthur Lake. When we returned the next day, we found out that all hell had broken loose because of the gold robbery. Needless to say, some people were looking at George and I sideways, wondering where we had been the night before. John Beattie was the mine manager and his home was about half a mile away from the action. Jack Fulton lived in the staff house some 50 yards away, but Jack was a sound sleeper.

Incidentally, the robbers drilled a hole in the steel doors to the room holding the safe and dropped No. 6 blasting caps plus one cap on a fuse to spring the doors. No dynamite was used — Jack would have heard that.

Several years later, we had another robbery from the mill — stolen precipitates from the press — but that is another story. I would like to read Kevin Vincent’s book, “Bootleg Gold.” Where do I buy it? H. A. Leavitt, Vice-president, Atlas Copco Canada Dorval, Que. Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Bootleg Gold, by Kevin Vincent, has not yet been published.).