LETTER TO THE EDITOR — Prospector subject of search

A few years ago, there was a story on the television program “Unsolved Mysteries” about Dan Willans, an Ontario prospector who died. He left some money behind, but had no known heirs or relatives. The show also made mention of an unknown partner.

My father, Richard Thurston, was Willans’ prospecting partner from 1907 to 1912, but I cannot locate any copies of a partnership agreement. I am hoping that readers of The Northern Miner will be able to help me locate this (or perhaps a bill of sale signed by both men for any prospects they may have sold) so that I may make a claim to what Willans left behind.

My father was married in Haileybury, Ont., on June 27, 1912, but moved to British Columbia. He bought some land there and settled down to farm. He died in 1957. Dan Willans accompanied my father to the West and also bought land, but he soon returned to Red Lake, Ont.

I have a copy of Willans’ miners licence. It is No. B-3520 and is dated May 13, 1907. He renewed his licence off and on until 1937. I also have a copy of my father’s miners licences. Both were issued at Elk Lake, Ont. Licence No. SubJ-2029-J-1847 was issued May 20, 1909 and licence No. J-2029 was issued on June 21, 1909.

Willans and my father prospected during the Cobalt silver rush, staking and selling claims. My parents often spoke of Willans, and mentioned such places as Haileybury, Gowganda, New Liskeard, Cobalt, Elk Lake, North Bay, Shining Tree Lake, Porcupine, Larder Lake and Temiscaming.

Any help your readers could provide would be appreciated.

A.R. Thurston,

Creston, B.C.

Those with information that may prove useful to Mr. Thurston should contact him directly at Box 16, Site 14, R.R. #1, Creston , B.C., V0B 1G0.