Quest for Treasure in the Missouri River
The Missouri River, a waterway steeped in history and shrouded in mystique, has long been a silent witness to tales of adventure, hardship, and the enduring allure of hidden riches. Among the countless stories whispered along its banks, one particular narrative stands out: the ill-fated attempt to recover the steamboat Pontiac, a vessel that met its watery demise in 1859, laden with what was rumored to be a valuable cargo.
This captivating episode, rooted in the annals of local lore, is brought to life through the personal recollections of William Aldon Baker, whose memoirs offer a glimpse into the past. As recounted by his son-in-law, Jerry L. Walker Sr., the story of the Pontiac and the Baker family’s ambitious salvage operation is a testament to the human spirit’s unyielding pursuit of fortune and the challenges posed by the unpredictable forces of nature.
A Family’s Connection to the River
The Baker family’s entanglement with the Missouri River began with Abner Baker’s grand vision of establishing a new life in the Dakota territory. Eschewing the conventional covered wagon, Abner conceived an audacious plan: to navigate the river upstream aboard a self-built boat, transporting his family and belongings to their promised land.
However, their riverine journey was short-lived. After a mere few miles of arduous progress, the family found themselves stranded on what they initially mistook for a sandbar. To their surprise, it was an island inhabited by a solitary resident who offered them a vacant cabin and a plot of partially cleared land. Seizing the opportunity, the Bakers settled on the island, their dreams of Dakota temporarily put on hold.
Life on the island was a blend of hard work and resourcefulness. Abner sustained his family through farming, cutting firewood for the residents of Doniphan, Kansas, and fishing in the river that had brought them to this unexpected haven. It was during one of these fishing expeditions, when the river’s water level reached an unprecedented low, that the Bakers stumbled upon a remarkable discovery: the skeletal remains of a steamboat, partially submerged in the riverbed.
The Discovery of the Pontiac
The exposed timbers piqued Abner’s curiosity, and upon closer inspection, he concluded that they belonged to the legendary Pontiac, a steamboat that had sunk in that very stretch of the Missouri River nearly two decades earlier. The Pontiac‘s sinking had been a significant event in the region, and rumors of its valuable cargo had lingered for years.
Driven by a sense of adventure and the prospect of untold riches, Abner, along with his brother Captain David Baker, embarked on a mission to raise the sunken steamboat. The Pontiac‘s watery grave lay between Atchison, Kansas, and St. Joseph, Missouri, a location known for its treacherous currents and shifting sands.
An Unsuccessful Salvage Attempt
The Baker brothers invested considerable time and resources into their salvage operation. They faced numerous obstacles, including the Missouri River’s notorious quicksand, which proved to be an insurmountable barrier. Despite their best efforts, the brothers lacked the necessary equipment and expertise to overcome the river’s challenges.
The attempt to raise the Pontiac ultimately ended in failure. The steamboat remained entombed in the riverbed, its secrets guarded by the relentless currents and shifting sands. The Baker family’s dreams of instant wealth were dashed, but their story became a part of the Missouri River’s rich tapestry of legends.
The Legend of the Whiskey Barrels
Adding a layer of intrigue to the story is the persistent rumor of the Pontiac‘s cargo: a shipment of 600 barrels of whiskey. According to local lore, the whiskey belonged to J. P. Coffman & Co., the original owners of the liquor. The legend further claims that the company even sent a claim for the lost cargo, accompanied by the original bill of lading and a statement from the Pontiac‘s captain.
An article published in the Atchison Globe on January 27, 1883, fueled the speculation, reporting that the Bakers had penetrated the Pontiac‘s hold and recovered two barrels of whiskey. However, this claim was later refuted, adding to the mystery surrounding the sunken steamboat.
According to William Aldon Baker, the newspaper story was a fabrication concocted by his Uncle David in an attempt to attract investors to fund the salvage operation. David hoped that the allure of recovered whiskey would entice potential backers to contribute the necessary capital to complete the project.
A Moral Dilemma
Interestingly, both Abner and David Baker were staunch teetotalers, actively opposing the sale and consumption of alcohol. Despite their aversion to whiskey, they were not immune to the lure of potential riches. However, Abner later expressed relief that they had failed to raise the Pontiac, stating that he would not have wanted to be responsible for unleashing such a large quantity of whiskey upon the world.
The Enduring Allure of the Missouri River
The story of the Pontiac and the Baker family’s quest for treasure is a microcosm of the Missouri River’s allure. For centuries, the river has drawn adventurers, dreamers, and fortune seekers to its banks. Its unpredictable nature and hidden depths have spawned countless legends, tales of lost riches, and daring expeditions.
While the Pontiac remains entombed in the Missouri River’s depths, its story continues to captivate the imagination. It serves as a reminder of the human spirit’s relentless pursuit of dreams, the challenges posed by the natural world, and the enduring power of legends.