The story of Swifts Lost Silver Mine is one of the great legends and mysteries in Appalachian history. The story dates all the way back to 1760 when an Englishman named Jonathan (also known as John) Swift is said to have discovered a large silver mine inside a cave in the Appalachian Mountains. The location of the mine has been the subject of much debate, research and speculation for over 250 years with no conclusive answer. The mountains of eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia have been the most frequently rumored locations of the mine and the buried treasure. The legend is based on a journal written by Jonathan Swift that claims he was led to a cave filled with silver ore by a man named George Munday. Munday had allegedly been held captive by the Shawnee Indians where hed learned of the vast silver deposit. Another variation of the story claims that Swift discovered the cave while pursuing a wounded bear. Swifts journal goes on to claim that he went to the cave for 9 years mining the silver then later burying some of it in other locations throughout the area. In 1769, Swift finally ceased mining and barricaded the cave due to the threat of Indian attacks and internal conflict between Swift and his crew. Before he could return to the mine, Jonathan Swift is said to have gone blind and spent his final years in Bean Station, TN. Upon his death, Swift is said to have left his journal along with a map describing the location of the mine to his caretaker, a widow known as Mrs. Renfro. Jonathan Swifts journal gives descriptions that are somewhat generic and could apply to most any town. For example, some of the treasure is said to have been buried by the fork of a white oak and in the rock of a rock house. Another reason for the uncertainty of the location is that there have been numerous variations of Swifts journal produced over time creating further confusion. Jonathan Swift himself is the subject of much debate and speculation. Swift has been cast in different roles as a pirate, explorer, Indian trader and counterfeiter. Some stories claim that Swift murdered his crew at the end of their last excursion in the heat of greed and was cursed with blindness preventing him from ever relocating the mine. There has been some speculation as to whether or not Jonathan Swift even existed as there is little historical data to prove his life. One of the first people to discuss Swifts Silver Mine was Kentucky author John Filson who was known for his writings about Daniel Boone. Some historians feel that Filson actually wrote the journal of Jonathan Swift as a work of fiction having been inspired by the novel Gullivers Travels by the Irish author coincidentally(?) named Jonathan Swift. Many people have searched in vain for the lost silver mines including, according to his wife, famous Kentucky pioneer, James Harrod, who in 1792 went on a search for the mine and never returned. Harrods body was never found and his family speculated that hed been lured into the woods to be murdered. Others have been rumored to have found the mine or some of the treasure that Swift had hidden. The most notable being Dickenson County, Virginia, resident Solomon Mullins, known as Money-makin Sol and Counterfeitin Sol, who was well-known for his counterfeiting operations. Mullins had mixed pure silver with other metals to produce his own phony currency leading many to wonder how hed been able to get that much pure silver. Although Money-makin Sol never revealed where he got his silver many locals speculated that hed found it in one of the caves near Pine Mountain in what is now Clintwood. There is still a section known as Sols Cliff in the area in his honor. Like any good mystery, the story of Swifts Lost Silver Mine leaves more questions than answers - Where is the mine located? Was there ever really a mine? If so, why hasnt any substantial silver ore been found in the area? Did Jonathan Swift really exist? Whether or not you believe there actually is a Swifts Lost Silver Mine is up to each individual but it still makes for a fascinating story. Campton, KY, in Wolfe County hosts an annual Swift Silver Mine Festival featuring a parade, street vendors, music and a scavenger hunt inspired by the legend. I am suspicious of its existence; however, if anyone has a hot tip on the location feel free to include me in your search party and a cut of our findings, just in case... - Shane
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:48:56 +0000
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