Oliver Millet
Oliver Millett owned a sawmill before selling out to be among the first to go north in early August 1897. Millett obtained a lay, or lease, from “Big Alex” McDonald on Claim 41 on Eldorado Creek with J. Hegg and Young Fritz. The claim proved to have no paying gold. Millet had observed a difference in the look of Bonanza and Eldorado gold. He imagined that they might have different sources and that the Eldorado Creek paystreak might continue along the left limit, high on the bench above Bonanza Creek. Despite the laughter of the experienced miners, Millett started digging exploratory shafts on the steep hill across the valley from the Bonanza Discovery claim. He had discovered what was to be one of the best producing areas in the Dawson district. Millett recovered $20,000 (at $20 oz) that season and sold the claim for $60,000 when he contracted scurvy and typhoid. After he recovered in 1899, Millett joined the rush to Nome and several other Alaska mining areas.1)