GLIMPSES OF PIONEER LIFE

PUBLISHED BY OKANOGAN INDEPENDENT

AUGUST 1924

Subject: SALMON CREEK "POT OF GOLD"

The Salmon Creek "pot of gold" story, which has made the ranch of J.C. Iddings, seven miles from Okanogan, a place of interest for years, is being revived by the visit here of Andrew Williams, the man who was first told of the hidden wealth. Mr. Williams heard the tale more than 25 years ago while sheriff of Waupaca county, Wisconsin, but has made no effort to locate the treasure. He is now visiting his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Day of Boston Heights and in a few days expects to satisfy his curiosity by making an examination of the scene of the supposed cache.

Hundreds of people in Okanogan county have heard some version of the story, and curious treasure seekers have explored the vicinity of the reputed cache and dug in search of the money. There has been much speculation as to the credibility of the story and whether the money was ever found by someone who kept the secret.

The principal character in the mysterious tale is "Okanogan Bill" Hanscomb. The chronological setting of the story dates back to the murder of a Wisconsin banker in 1882, and the sequel sets forth a murder trial, a perjury trial, the ramifications of the opium smuggling traffic, a neglected wife, deathbed prison tale of treasure – and now, the possibility of a rich discovery after more than a quarter of a century. In fiction, magazine editors now taboo the "hidden treasure" settings – the idea is too old. Photoplay writers have some chance to "get by" with that sort of stuff if the heroine finds the cache. Editors say there is too much imagination in this kind of fiction, but the Okanogan treasure mystery is a strange combination of melodrama and facts that will make a scenario.

Insert a girl in the case and the setting is complete. The plot is here for the photoplay writer who can write continuities, catchy headlines, the synopsis and other things the producers want. "Motion picture producers often pay $500 to $2000 for acceptable screen stories," reads an advertisement. "Yet their demands for stories can not be supplied." All rights in this story are released, royalties and everything.

On October 7, 1882, Henry W. Mead of Waupaca, Wis., was murdered by a gang of bank robbers. He was shot by the robbers through a window of the bank while asleep. The identity of the robbers remained hidden, but ten years later, while Andrew Williams was sheriff, an indictment was found against three men for murder. They were tried in June and July, 1893, and acquitted.

Prior to the indictment, Mr. Williams unearthed information to the effect that Bill Hanscomb knew something about the murder. Hanscomb had lived 13 miles from Waupaca and left the state soon after the robbery and murder. After months of sleuthing, Mr. Williams learned that Hanscomb was in Okanogan county and came west with a warrant for his arrest.

Upon his arrival at Conconully he met Sheriff M.A. Rush of Okanogan county and the next morning (a day early in April, 1893) the two men arrested Hanscomb at his cabin, a few miles below Ruby. Hanscomb had a squatter’s right. The place was later known as the Col. Lovejoy ranch and is now owned by J.C. Iddings.

Williams took his prisoner to Wisconsin, where he gave a statement before the county prosecuting attorney covering his whereabouts on the night of the murder. Hanscomb was charged as an accomplice but used as a witness in the case against the three defendants. His testimony in court varied from the statement given before the trial and Hanscomb was later tried for perjury. He was convicted and sentenced to seven years in the Waupun penitentiary.

Hanscomb deserted his wife when he came west and through her a clue was secured that convinced the officers he was connected with the bank robbery.

Before the expiration of his term he died in prison. On his deathbed, he told his daughter that he had hid a pot or can on his ranch containing $2000. The funds were supposed to have been kept on hand for use in the opium smuggling traffic in which Hanscomb was interested. It was rumored for years that opium runners operated between Canada and the coast cities through Loomis, Conconully and Salmon Creek.

For some reason, Hanscomb’s daughter was not interested in seeking the treasure, either through disbelief of its existence or lack of desire to share the tainted money and she related her father’s story to Andrew Williams.

The story of the money is said to have reached this county through a deputy sheriff named Cushing, who was employed by Sheriff Newt. Thomas, father of Marc Thomas, Buick dealer of Okanogan. Cushing had been a deputy sheriff in King county and on a trip east had met the warden of the Wisconsin penitentiary, who told him of Hanscomb’s tale.

Sheriff Thomas and his deputies prospected the vicinity and a number of prominent citizens confess that their curiosity led t hem to carefully inspect the ground. Tree roots were uncovered all over the Hanscomb claim and along the creek bottom. Practically every stone has been turned over, and in many cases where boulders were too large to be rolled, there is mute evidence today where they had been lifted and held by smaller rocks while search was made under them for Hanscomb’s cache.

One enthusiastic treasure seeker sought the services of a medium from Seattle, who spent sometime at Hanscomb’s cabin in an effort to communicate with his spirit. The effort was unavailing, however, the medium reporting that no communication could be had with any spirit that knew of the treasure, as Hanscomb had been too long dead.

Among the hopefuls were a man and his son who came from Idaho and stopped a few days at he home of Mrs. Sarah A. Jones, near the Hanscomb place. They asked to sleep in the barn, but Bert Jones and his sister, Mrs. Lewis St. John, discovered that they were prospecting the Hanscomb place at night. They brought a large magnet to help in the search, but before giving up the quest confided that there was so much mineral in the ground that the magnet led them in all directions.

Mr. Williams relates an experience with Hanscomb that lends some color to the possibility of there actually being a hidden treasure. In taking his prisoner east, Williams spent several hours in Spokane, where he met a Pinkerton detective whom he had known in Wisconsin. While discussing criminal cases, Hanscomb volunteered the information that there was a cache of opium on his place, saying he had helped two strangers bury it. On investigation by federal men opium valued at several hundred dollars was found where Hanscomb had specified.

After serving the warrant on Hanscomb, Williams left him alone with Sheriff Rush, who knew the prisoner and thought he might gather information from him concerning the Wisconsin murder. Williams, who was thoroughly enjoying his western trip and observing closely all that he saw, strolled around Hanscomb’s cabin and later when he heard the tale of the buried gold recalled the remarks mentioned.

Mr. Williams came to Washington 21 years ago and located at Bellingham. Some years ago he served four years as sheriff of Whatcom county and last winter was appointed chief of police of Bellingham. Years ago a superior court judge who had come here to try a case informed him that search had been made for the Hanscomb cache, but Mr. Williams was unaware of the widespread interest and efforts that have been made to unearth the money until notified by the writer.

Hanscomb was described by Williams as a shrewd character, about 52 years of age at the time of his arrest, "tall and slim like an old tamarack, with chin whiskers like Uncle Sam." On the trip east he attracted a great deal of attention. He did not have an overcoat and the stage driver gave him a long blue blanket, which Hanscomb pinned around his neck. When the passengers left the stage en route to Coules City to walk up long hills Hanscomb presented an odd appearance. He wore the blanket on the trip east and attracted curious eyes at many stations. The men prepared part of their own meals in the tourist car on the trip east and became acquainted with a western officer who was en route east. At Denver, Williams left his prisoner in custody of the other officer while he went up town for supplies. On his return he was humorously upbraided by Hanscomb, who expressed a belief that Williams might have left him stranded with no money or possessions except the big blanket. Hanscomb is said to have been the first settler on the site of Okanogan. He had a cabin about where Gregory’s garage stands and sold out to F.J. Cummings.