Lame Johnny’s Lost Treasure

Cornelius “Lame Johnny” Donahue with his gang of outlaws pulled off a major stage robbery in 1878, seizing a massive amount of loot belonging to the Black Hills Homestake Mining Company, including diamonds, jewelry, currency, 700 pounds of gold nuggets, gold dust, and gold bars. Several of the thieves were caught and half of the treasure recovered, but when Johnny was captured and hung he didn’t have his share on him. Some believe it is still hidden near the old Canyon Springs Stage Station. Explore More

Mexican Ed’s Fortune in Jars at Dirty Woman Creek

Ed Sanchez was an early homesteader who left his life in Texas as a former cowboy and settled on land near the Grindstone Buttes. He operated a popular roadhouse where he got paid in silver dollars and gold by travelers who nicknamed him “Mexican Ed.” Fearful of thieves, before he died in 1902, he buried his substantial profits in fruit jars along Dirty Woman Creek. In his diary he described his favorite fishing spot as having three large rocks that formed a triangle, and some think he buried his fortune at or near that location. Explore More

The Old Wash Tub Filled with Gold Nuggets

Prospector Shafer and his partner hit the mother-load of gold at their Tigerville claim in the Black Hills. His partner headed back to Ohio and his family with his share. But Shafer had no family and continued prospecting, spending nothing, and buried at least one old wash tub filled with gold nuggets near Hill City where he lived out the rest of his days. It is said to be located not too far from his cabin along Newton Fork. Explore More