I was 14 years old, back in '54', when I last saw old Sam Barton. Was living with my grandfather in a smalll town in SW Washington when Sam first showed up at my grandfathers gas station. It was in the fall of 1950 that he stopped for gas and they started BS-ing - he never left until the next spring, to return to his gold claim in Ak. For the next 4-5 years he would show up in early Oct and work the winter as our mechanic then leave the following spring to return to Ak. Then, in the fall of '54', he failed to show up, even tho the previous spring when he left he'd said "se ya next fall".
My grandfather contacted his sister living in California, I believe, and she hadn't heard from him either. We never heard from Sam again, nor did his sister, to my knowledge.
A bit about him - I'm thinking he would have been in his late 40's or early 50's, tall, thin, dark hair, dark complexion. Drove a light green 1948 Chrysler New Yorker and always wore dark green gaberdeen suits that were popular in that era. I believe he'd said his claim was in the Fairbanks district.
If any of you old timers remember or has pictures of someone of this name or description I'd appreciate hearing from you. Since retiring in 2002 I've been spending my summers around Fairbanks and would like to do some enquiring into whatever may have happened to old Sam.
Thanks for any help or advice any of you may have.
Chuck
My grandfather contacted his sister living in California, I believe, and she hadn't heard from him either. We never heard from Sam again, nor did his sister, to my knowledge.
A bit about him - I'm thinking he would have been in his late 40's or early 50's, tall, thin, dark hair, dark complexion. Drove a light green 1948 Chrysler New Yorker and always wore dark green gaberdeen suits that were popular in that era. I believe he'd said his claim was in the Fairbanks district.
If any of you old timers remember or has pictures of someone of this name or description I'd appreciate hearing from you. Since retiring in 2002 I've been spending my summers around Fairbanks and would like to do some enquiring into whatever may have happened to old Sam.
Thanks for any help or advice any of you may have.
Chuck
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