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By Grant Jennings Smith From the WPA Project files, The Alderman Library, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. No folk tale or legend enjoys so much popularity as that of the fabled Swift s Silver Mine. Though to be in Stone Mountain, around High Knob, in Wise County. Swift s mine has been sought for and found and lost again by innumerable prospectors. Many early settlers thought an Indian half-breed, Chief Benge, knew its location. It is said that he once told some settlers that if the 'pale face knew what he knew they could shoe their horses cheaper with silver than with iron. Hans G. Frenchman, who was captured by the Indians, and taken, so he thought, through the mountains of Southwest Virginia, remained with his captors for three years. Having been taken to the mine by them, he marked the place, with an idea of someday returning. He made his escape home, and soon after decided to return to the mine and work up some of the rich ore. Accompanied by a silversmith named Swift, they traveled many miles, crossing mountains and rocky regions, and passing through great mountain gaps. Finally, after much climbing of crags, perilous paths, and gorge-like ravines, they reached the mine, where they found the ore...the richest ever mined. They succeeded in coining the rich metal into French Crowns, enough for two horses, and then returned home. Three months elapsed, and they returned once more to the mine, but could find no trace of their previous workings. |
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