William Allman, 73, disappeared after being flown to his mining claim on Tom Gray Creek in early summer 1983. He’d been dropped off by floatplane with plans to be picked up at a rendezvous on July 18, but when the pilot returned the scheduled day Allman was gone and never found.

An extensive search followed: Alaska State Troopers, the National Guard, local villagers, and family and friends combed the area by air and on foot. Searchers found one small survival cabin burned with corrugated roofing salvaged and neatly stacked nearby, and another trail cabin boarded up as if for winter. No clothing, torn gear, or other physical traces of Allman were located, and investigators discounted a bear attack as the likely cause.

Allman was a long‑time Alaskan prospector and pioneer who wintered in North Carolina and had survived previous plane crashes and wildlife encounters. The official search was called off pending any new information.

If anyone knew William Allman, visited Tom Gray Creek in 1983, or has information about those cabins, please share what is known.