Kate Carmack – Discovering Gold in the Klondike – Legends of America
The Klondike Gold Rush, a period of intense excitement and opportunity, drew people from all walks of life to the remote Yukon Territory in search of fortune. Among the many figures who played a pivotal role in this historical event, Shaaw Tláa, also known as Kate Carmack, stands out. While often overshadowed by her husband, George Carmack, Kate’s presence and contributions were essential to the discovery that ignited the Klondike Gold Rush.
Early Life and Cultural Background
Born around 1857 near Bennett Lake in the Yukon Territory, Shaaw Tláa was a proud member of the Tagish First Nation. Her father, Kaachgaawáa, was the head of the Tlingit crow clan, while her mother, Gus’duteen, belonged to the Tagish wolf clan. Growing up near Carcross, Yukon, Kate was immersed in the rich cultural traditions and deep connection to the land that characterized her people. She learned the skills necessary for survival in the harsh northern environment, including hunting, fishing, and crafting clothing from animal hides.
Marriage and Partnership with George Carmack
In her early years, Shaaw Tláa married her first cousin, a Tlingit man named Kult’ús. Tragically, both he and their infant daughter succumbed to influenza in Alaska in the early 1880s. Widowed and grieving, she returned to her village in Yukon. In 1887, her life took a new turn when her brother, Keish (known as Skookum Jim Mason), and her nephew, K’áa Goox (known as Dawson Charlie), formed a partnership with an American prospector named George Washington Carmack.
Within a year, Shaaw Tláa and George Carmack entered into a common-law marriage. She adopted the name Kate Carmack and began traveling with George, Skookum Jim, and Dawson Charlie. This marked the beginning of a significant chapter in her life, as she became deeply involved in the world of prospecting and exploration.
Life in the Yukon Wilderness
From 1889 to 1895, Kate and George lived in the Forty Mile region of Yukon, a remote and rugged area that tested their resilience and resourcefulness. George prospected, trapped, and traded, while Kate played a vital role in their survival. She skillfully crafted winter clothing that she sold to miners, contributing to their income and ensuring they were well-equipped to face the harsh climate. In 1893, Kate gave birth to their daughter, Graphie Grace Carmack, at Fort Selkirk, further solidifying their family bond amidst the challenges of frontier life.
The Discovery at Bonanza Creek
The event that would forever change their lives occurred in August 1896. Kate, George, Skookum Jim, and Dawson Charlie were traveling through the remote Canadian wilderness. On August 17, they stopped to rest by Bonanza Creek, a small stream that flowed into the Klondike River. As Skookum Jim bent down to take a drink, he noticed something extraordinary: flecks of gold glistening on the creek bed.
This discovery set off a chain of events that would trigger the Klondike Gold Rush. While George Carmack is often credited as the sole discoverer, it is important to recognize that Kate, Skookum Jim, and Dawson Charlie were all present and played a role in the find. Their collective knowledge of the land and their keen eyes were essential to recognizing the significance of the gold.
Life After the Discovery
For the next two years, Kate and George worked their claims alongside Skookum Jim and Dawson Charlie. Life continued much as before, with Kate managing the household and supporting their mining efforts. However, the immense wealth they were accumulating would soon transform their lives in ways they could not have imagined.
Adjusting to Wealth and Fame
As the Klondike Gold Rush gained momentum, the Carmacks found themselves thrust into the spotlight. They traveled to Seattle and visited George’s sister, Rose, on her ranch in Cambria, California, in the fall of 1898. George, reveling in his newfound wealth, flaunted his status, riding around town in a carriage emblazoned with the words "Geo. Carmack, Discoverer of Gold in the Klondike" and tossing coins to the crowds.
However, adjusting to big city life proved difficult for Kate. Accustomed to the quiet and solitude of the Yukon wilderness, she struggled to adapt to the social norms and expectations of urban society. In one instance, she was arrested for causing a public disturbance, a story that was quickly sensationalized by the Seattle Times. The newspaper reported that "Mrs. George W. Carmack, the Indian wife of the discoverer of the Klondike, who is probably the richest Indian woman in the world, was fined $3.60 by Judge Cann this morning for drunkenness." This incident highlights the cultural clashes and prejudices that Kate faced as she navigated a world far removed from her traditional Tagish upbringing.
Divorce and Loss
The pressures of wealth and fame took a toll on Kate and George’s marriage. Within a year of their arrival in Seattle, their relationship began to crumble. George sent Kate and Graphie to live with his sister, Rose, in California, effectively abandoning them.
George returned to Dawson, Yukon, where he continued to bask in his "discoverer" status. He soon became involved with Marguerite Saftig Laimee, a woman who owned a brothel. George asked his sister Rose to send Kate back to her clan, informing them that he intended to marry Laimee.
Kate refused to be cast aside so easily. She launched a legal battle to claim her share of the couple’s $1.5 million fortune. She sued for divorce on the grounds of desertion and adultery. However, the court did not recognize their common-law marriage, leaving Kate without legal recourse.
Later Life and Legacy
In July 1900, Kate and Graphie returned to Carcross. Her brother, Skookum Jim, built her a cabin near his, and Graphie attended mission and residential schools. Later that year, George Carmack married Marguerite Laimee in Olympia, Washington.
Kate never received any of the riches from the gold mine. She lived off a government pension and earned a small income from selling needlework to tourists. She held firmly to the Tagish belief that children belong with their mother’s clan. When her daughter Graphie was 16, George lured her to Seattle, which was a devastating loss for Kate. She lived the rest of her life in Carcross and died during a flu epidemic on March 29, 1920. She was buried in the Carcross cemetery at the age of 63.
George died a rich man in Vancouver, Canada, in 1922. Marguerite inherited his wealth and died in California in 1949.
Graphie married Jacob Saftig, the brother of George’s wife, Marguerite Laimee, when she was 17. The couple lived in Seattle, Washington, and had three children. She never saw her mother again. Later, she divorced Jacob, moved to California, and remarried twice. She died at the age of 70 in 1963 in California.
Kate Carmack’s story is a reminder of the complex human stories behind historical events. She was a woman of strength, resilience, and deep cultural roots who played a vital role in one of the most significant events in Canadian history. While her contributions have often been overlooked, her legacy as one of the original discoverers of gold in the Klondike deserves recognition and remembrance.