The first mention of Jackson (given name Walter) was by Wilbur Armstrong in 1915. The receiver of the letter was given as Andrew Hall. Armstrong was close to the creator of the Jackson letter and probably the author of the letter.
In 1925, Purkins revived the story--obviously still circulating among prospectors--using the name Shotwell for the author of the letter and the discoverer of the bonanza.
Not until 1939 did the story find it's way to the press again, this time with the name Jackson as the letter writer and the discover of the gold. His full name was now John Jackson rather than Walter Jackson. Shotwell (and some others) became the recipient of the letter and did or did not follow up on it, reportedly none with any success.
In 1973 Charles Miller introduced a man called Harrington to the legend as a companion to Shotwell. Coming out of the mountains they turned up at Ruskin in 1911 with a pouch of gold nuggets. The men proceeded to Seatlle where Shotwell died shortly after his arrival in the usual tradition of the legend.
Note: This Harrington not to be confused with Cog Harrington of Boston Bar who was born in 1913. Warning: There is no historical evidence that Jackson, Shotwell, Harrington, Hall, and any other players in the Jackson story ever existed. Believe at your own risk.
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