Baraga Archives - Mikel B. Classen On The Road

The Sturgeon River Gorge can be seen from the top of Silver Mountain.

The view from the top of Silver Mountain looking east.

From time to time, I come across unusual tales about lost finds of precious metals. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is well known for its mineral wealth. The same geological processes that make copper also create gold and silver. They are often found together. It is not unusual to read that the copper mines were also producing considerable silver. In the 1800s there was a small gold rush around Negaunee and Ishpeming with over 30 mines producing gold.

Consequently, it is not unusual to hear a tale of a trapper or logger stumbling across nuggets or a vein of rich minerals. Tales of lost gold and silver come to light every now and then.

I came across this story in an old newspaper. It is an interesting story and I decided I should reprint it. This is from a 1917 edition of the Mining Journal.

“Carries Secret to Grave

“Zeba Indian Claimed to Have Found Gold in Baraga County.

“John Hulbert Adams, known as John Hulbert, an aged Indian, died the latter part of the past week at Zeba, the Indian Reservation near L’anse. For a number of years he was employed as a timber cruiser.

“Hulbert is supposed to have found gold in the Silver Mountains and while his story was regarded by persons who knew him intimately as pure fiction, outsiders were inclined to believe him. So far as is known, Hulbert carried his secret to his grave.

“Prospectors endeavored to locate the vein without success. John was fond of ‘firewater’ but no matter how much he consumed he never could be induced to take anyone to the spot. On his excursions into the woods he was frequently followed, but with Indian cunning he would elude his pursuers.”

The Silver Mountains are west of Baraga and are part of the Sturgeon River basin. It is very rugged country. Stories like Hulbert’s keeps the dream of lost U.P. treasure alive.

A misty waterfall in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on the Sturgeon River.

The mist dances above the Sturgeon River Falls in the sunshine. Could it reveal lost gold?

Back to Homepage.

This young moose, still in velvet is foraging for food among the Cattails

It has been crazy spring here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as I write this there is a spring snowstorm pounding the western U.P. The weather, 70 degrees one day, 32 the next, has much of the wildlife on the move across the peninsula. Particularly the moose. There have been several sightings most of which are in Marquette and Baraga Counties.

Sightings near Republic have been reported with several seen along the highway. The one featured on this page was seen on 41 west of Michigamme. This area is not a surprise since that is where they were originally planted. In 1985 and ’87 Michigan planted moose north of Michigamme near the McCormick Wilderness Tract. I know because I was there. They were brought from Ontario with the help of the Safari Club International. 40 years later, we are currently seeing the results of this ambitious project. For more information about the original moose lifts I highly recommend the videos at the bottom.

One of the first moose released in the wilds of the Upper Peninsula in 1987.

Moose seem to have no fear and will cross a road at any given point and they were never taught to look both ways. There have been reports of moose car collisions. I can’t imagine having one of those monsters come flying into my windshield. They are quite tall and that is where they will land. This is a lot different than hitting a deer. A moose can easily weigh a thousand pounds.

When I encountered mine on April 29th, I was driving down U.S. 41 heading to Houghton when I saw cars pulled over along the side of the road on both sides. Thinking there might be wreck ahead I slowed down for safety. As I drove by, I saw the young bull moose in the pictures foraging in a small collection of cattails. He was doing his best to ignore the attention.

Deciding he was becoming too much of an attraction this moose decided to walk towards me.

Eventually he got fed up and began wandering up the road, right past me, at one point he was only 10 feet away. It was then he decided to go across the highway, walking. Fortunately he made it across without incident, but there were moments when he could have become road kill.

Moose like the tubers of cattails that grow under the water. They are quite a delicacy for them.

Though the moose have branched out across the Upper Peninsula, between Marquette and L’anse going north and south, is where the population is the heaviest. Some places in the U.P. are claiming to be the “moose capitol,” but where I’ve stated above, is where your best chances of seeing one is. Also where your best chances are of seeing one in the road and hitting it. There are estimated to be just under 500 moose in Marquette, Baraga and Iron Counties whereas there are only about 100 in Chippewa, Luce and Alger Counties. Beware, the moose are on the loose and they are truly a sight to behold.