Portneuf Canyon, Idaho stage cache

[Tuberale]

From: Oregon Trail: The Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, By Federal Writers’ Project, c. 1939, p. 106:

(Idaho) At 97m. US 30N turns north and follows the Portneuf River and Canyon, With its abrupt walls and innumerable crevices cut in limestone and shales, the canyon was formerly a favorite hide-out for bandits as well as Indians. It was here in 1865 that a stage carrying several passengers and $60,000 was betrayed by its driver to a gang led by Jim Locket, a notorious bandit. Two passengers were killed and their bodies buried in a gulch near the scene of the crime. Another robbery of the period occurred not far south of Pocatello in a grove of trees near the Big Elbow of the river; ten robbers held up the Wells-Fargo stage, murdered six of the seven passengers, and escaped with $110,000 in gold dust.

[Ads]

TreasureNet.com is the premier Treasure Hunting Forum on the internet. Registered Users do not see these ads. Please Register - It's Free!

[TheRandyMan]

Hmm...how much would $110,000 in gold dust weigh?

[Tuberale]

I believe that gold dust was worth about $18/ounce in 1865, so this cache would have weighed nearly 400 pounds. Not something that could be easily concealed or hid.