On June 4, this photograph appeared in my column under the caption “A tragic story.”
I was sure the photograph was of the lost patrol, but I searched for confirmation in books and other media and even sent a copy of my column to a Dawson City writer who wrote a book on the Lost McPherson Patrol, to no avail.
But just recently I was shuffling through some of my old postcards and was surprised to find exactly the same photograph (as above) with the caption “the Lost McPherson Patrol.”
On December 10, 1910, Inspector Fitzgerald set out from Fort McPherson with Constables George Francis Kinney and Richard O’Hara Taylor and a guide, former Constable Sam Carter.
The party became lost and was plagued by bad luck, inadequate supply of food, bad weather, sparse game and an inexperienced guide. (They actually picked up a more experienced guide along the way, but sent him back. That was a mistake.)
Ironically they perished within 35 miles of Fort McPherson.
If you can add to this story or offer any comments, please write:
Jim Robb, the Colourful Five Per Cent Scrapbook — Can You Identify? c/o the Yukon News, 211 Wood Street, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2E4 or go to www.yukon-news.com.