Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 13/01) - Leone Waugh Townsend of Port Sydney, Ont., was in the area recently in search of information about a man well known in her family.

Harry Waugh was a miner and promoter. He arrived in the Yukon in 1896 and was one of the first to stake a claim in the Klondike. He also started a placer mine on the creek that bears his name in the Yukon, and in 1909 he shipped equipment via the Mackenzie and Peel rivers.

Waugh, who died in 1910, was a half-brother to Townsend's father. Townsend was actually born in a house built by Waugh in Douglas, N.B.

Townsend said that Waugh did strike gold, and that he's highly regarded within the family. "It's a part of our history," she said.

Townsend said several of Waugh's possessions are at her home, including a gold pan and a gold watch. "We've got some nuggets at home."

She said it's still unclear where Waugh went, but that it was a worthwhile trip, especially since she'd always wanted to visit this area from hearing stories about her uncle.

"One of the reasons I really wanted to come this way was to find out more about him."

Townsend said she found out a fair amount of information about Waugh in Dawson. "There's a lot to be learned at the archives there."