The Wall of Silver Mine

Who can resist a story about a lost mine? King Solomon’s Mine in Africa, the Lost Dutchman’s Mine in Arizona, and The Wall of Silver in Michigan. They all have a story. Historically, Michigan had vast iron ore and copper deposits in its Upper Peninsula. Gold and silver were also found there, but no mother loads were found in Michigan. Richard Kellogg says he has seen a wall of pure silver at least 90 feet long in a mine in the Keweenaw peninsula of Michigan.

Mr. Kellogg’s story starts in the 1770s and involves a geologist, Sabin Stone, from England. Geologist Stone traveled to Sault Ste. Marie with his companion Alexander Henry. They searched for two seasons along the Lake Superior shoreline and only found copper. The expedition was a failure because copper was not what they were looking for, and not valuable to them. Mr. Henry then left the area relocating in Detroit, but Sabin Stone believed that there should be gold and silver near the copper and stayed at Sault Ste. Marie in pursuit of treasure.

Stone hired Jacques Quinte, who was half Chippewa to be a guide for him. He wanted to go back along the shore of Lake Superior on his quest for gold and silver. Jacques could serve as translator and communicator with local tribes. The pair did meet up with natives along the way, and Jacques Quinte convinced them Sabin Stone meant no harm — he was only looking for gold or silver…