Treasure Cache of Prostitutes Gold Coins

[Gypsy Heart]

In Galena Kansas there is a Treasure Cache of Prostitutes Gold Coins

Ill-gotten gains ,in more ways than one, has lead many treasure seekers to Galena Kansas. Madam Steffleback decided that she could make just as much money on her feet,rather than her back and in less time. Her 2 story bordello in the 1890's was the most popular place in town,filled to the rafters with miners,gamblers and businessmen. Even though wealthy, she couldn't help but notice the prospectors who paid for their drinks and their ladies in gold coins. With the aid of her son, she was soon eliminating miners of their gold and lives. Growing bolder and richer by the minute,she got away with these murders for a long time. She never deposited any of this money,yet squirreled it away ...somewhere. After a heated argument with one of her 'girls' ,the girl went to the authorities and spilled the beans on Madam Steffleback. She was arrested the next day .They searched the Steffelback property ,but nothing was found. Then searched nearby mine shafts ,where the bound remains of 13 miners were found.

She was tried and sent to the State Woman's Prison in Lansing Kansas, but never admitted her guilt,nor hiding place for the treasure. Officials watched her carefully ,believing she would reveal the hiding spot,but she never did. She died in 1909 ,taking the secret with her.

Over the years treasure seekers have flocked to the galena area in search of this gold,even ripping up the walls and floors of the old bordello...but in vain.

[Kentucky Kache]

I like it. The story, that is. That would be one worth searching for.

[Gypsy Heart]

I kind thought it might be easier on Stan "Burdie" than falling down wells.........

[The-Hangman]

Hey GH,
Hello again. Do you have anymore background on this? Would you be OK if the story was published?

Just curious,

The-Hangman

[diggemall]

Probability is that the coins were stashed someplace convenient and shallow / easy to access (in a crock under a flat stone, etc.)

1) because after offing a 'donor' she would not want to stay at any one location for long - had to make her deposit quickly

2) because she would have needed to be able to readily access the spot after each 'donation' and for withdrawels

3) because she wouldn't have been stashing it as one lump sum to be retrieved sometime down the road

My bet is somewhere along the path between the bordello and the mine, but nearer the mine than the bordello.

Diggem'

[Gypsy Heart]

Hey Hangman...This is a legend...its been published in several treasure books,magazines, Galena history and also is on several internet sites. Do with it what you may...its a legend ...to be retold until someone finds it! Good Luck.

[stefen]

On a recent trip to Northern California, we visited a restaurant that was a former bordelo. Apparently this 1880's building was being renovated recently and coins and bags of gold dust were found between the wall studs. Will be returning in a week or so and will try to get a copy of the story.

[musstag]

Whats the story about her SONS (S)? If one was willing to split someones head open with an axe, he surely was evil enough to find out were she was putting the loot, even if he had to get a a brother to watch her if one son took the body off to bury or hide it . Were any of them ever found and locked up? But evenSalon owners buried their loot. That has gotten me interested in Ghost towns lately. So even if the sons got some of the loot there could be more that they never found. AND there were other Saloons in the town, and some miners could have buried their extra gold around the area before going into town..

[Gold Seeker]

Hey gypsy --

This one does sound like a good one to go try and find. Does anyone have any idea where the old place was? I know it burned down and that the place may have (or was) filled in. Apparently when people started sifting through the burned out cellar, they came across some bones (no doubt the victims... ). There was no further search of the area. I think to this day no one knows exactly where the place stood.

delhomme17