dents run treasure

[schieftain]

Sarge–

You still following this thread? I live about an hour south of the Dent's Run area, and we frequently camp and hike in the Hick's Run and Quehana areas. I've been doing some research into this legend, all online so far, and starting to contact some of the local historical/genealogical societies to see what original accounts I can turn up. My interest is not in finding the treasure, but in writing a short book about the legend. I've followed Mr. Parada's progress, and the things I've learned on this thread are really interesting. Sounds like you've made some valuable contacts, and turned up a lot of clues. I'm hoping to get up to the Bell Draft Trail soon, maybe this weekend and do some scouting around to see what the ambush area looks like. I did have a few questions I'd like to ask if you'll permit me.

From what I've read, it sounds like the Bell Draft Trail starts at the sharp bend at the north-most point of the BD road. I have a topo map, and State Forest map, but there is no trail indicated. I'm assuming the trail follows the stream uphill? Can you give me some idea how far up the trail it is to the logging camp/ambush site? Are they one in the same? Also wondering about the wagons. How far from this site were they found? From what I've read, they were up on the ridge, I'm guessing north/north-east of the ambush site? I read that the county survey crew found the skeletons near a spring on the headwaters of Bell Draft. But that seems north-west of where I'm guessing the ambush site was? (Assuming this was somewhere near where the county line intersects Bell Draft Hollow. Are the skeletons site and ambush site the same location? I'm fuzzy on that detail.

Supposedly the Pinkertons found two bars under a pine stump, has anyone learned where this was?

Any info you would be willing to share I would appreciate. Also, if you can suggest any historical source material worth reading that would be great. There are a few county histories I'm trying to get my hands on, but knowing which ones are really worth the effort would be helpful.

 

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[simonds]

Glad to see someone posting on this one. I have been researching this one for awhile now. I did gain some information this Winter from an old gentleman who has also been collecting material on this for many years. I haven't had time to sort through his notes yet. Might run into you over there this year. Be glad to share a cup a coffee and talk treasure.
I'm just an old cowboy now, but still get around pretty good.

 

[schieftain]

Mr. Parada, I'm looking forward to seeing this on History someday! I hope you find it!

Is the poison idea your thinking or did you find evidence for that?

Can any of you guys tell me where the dead mules were found?
Has anyone ever turned up first names on Castleton, Connors and O'rourke?
Ever turn up names of any of the other men in the patrol?

One account said they had 2 wagons and an ambulance wagon. That doesn't make sense, unless it was for Castleton, and they were anticipating he would need it for the malaria, but if they were that concerned about it who would have given him the assignment? Perhaps it was another part of the deception about the real cargo? Anybody know what they used as a cover story? What was the decoy freight?

Anyone ever research the packet boat they rendezvoused with? Name was the River Queen, but there is no River Queen on the Ohio in the registries from those years. Interesting.

I've been at looking at the maps a little closer. According to the 1870 map of Cameron County, current Rt. 120 was not there as any kind of road in 1870, so to come from St. Marys, they would have followed what is now West Creek Road. There is no "road" approximately 1 mile east of Truman (Sanford back then) on the 1870 map running south. So it must have been a real trail, or further west (in Elk County), and that is one steep mountain to climb with wagons. Unless that part of the account is wrong.

 

[schieftain]

Mr. Parada– Just wanted to make sure you know– I am not Sarge.

 

[doverturtle]

I suspect that Finderskeepers may have located something other than the Civil War gold. Burying such a large amount of gold would have left telltale signs that the Pinkertons surely would have discovered, unless maybe if the gold is buried under rocks.

 

[schieftain]

Guess we won't know until they get permission to dig. Could be another Al Capone's Vault, or a really incredible find. FK has found other treasure.

 

[schieftain]

Anybody have any thoughts on there being an ambulance wagon along with the two freight wagons as mentioned in one account?

 

[simonds]

Denny, are you working the Dent's Run site now? Anything new that you can let us know about?

 

[schieftain]

I don't understand Dennis... if you found it (whatever "it" is), why you don't want to dig it?

 

[schieftain]

Got'cha.

Well, I look forward to hearing about your results.

The digging itself doesn't seem like it would be that expensive relative to the value of the gold, if it is the CW stash.
What's current value, around $62,000,000 if it's 52 bars...
Could probably contract someone to do that for less than $25,000

But the bond and litigation costs... yeah, ugly. DANG!

 

[simonds]

Dennis, When you mentioned possible Spanish Treasure it set of a bell in my mind. I have a very old news article about a Turtle Carving in rock not to far away from Dent's Run. I haven't gone to the site yet. I often wondered if it could be Spanish or Native Indians. There were Indian tribes in that area, but I also think that the Spanish came exploring up the river.
Interesting, Clayton

 

[kudo623]

Hello
Please let us know if you hit paydirt at the Dents site.
And what is the volume of traffic at the site--is there a lot
of spectators?
Thanks, and good find !

 

[kudo623]

Hey thanks for the update.
If and when you dig is it possible
for onlookers? I'd like to witness
that in real time,
Thanks,
Karl

 

[kudo623]

Hey, Dennis, you mentioned they got cameras--do you mean surveilance cameras?
Also, has your team made any videos of the work you did and are doing up to this point?
Also, you guys were in the trenches for 6+ years up there and so should get the credit.
Thanks
Karl

 

[kudo623]

There's nothing else it could be. 6-8 foot sounds like a good depth for the gold, no problem for a dozen men to dig.
What has me puzzled are the two bars just sticking out of the ground--is this a known true story?
I wonder what happened there? Any ideas?

 

[schieftain]

You guys ever try digging a 6-8' hole in these mountains? It's nothing but rock. Very thin layer of leaf mold/humus on top, not much topsoil. Not easy digging. If they hid it 8' down, it would have to be in a crevice or natural cave. This area is not limestone, caves are not formed like limestone caves here. Caves in this area would be from frost fracturing the rock layers. You can get to softer shale and bit. coal in some places.

 

[kudo623]

I think Dennis was saying they will need a backhoe. From the sound of it, seems like he's real busy up there?--I think they may have hit the mother load?

 

[schieftain]

I was talking about the original patrol, digging an 8' deep hole in that kind of rock would have been extremely difficult without the right tools. Excavating was not their primary mission, unlikely they would have brought that equipment with them as a supply train escort. If it's that deep, they must have found a crack or cave, which they then sealed up. I think this is what Dennis has alluded to in his posts.

Any updates Dennis?

 

[kudo623]

Dennis--you handled everything the right way since day one. The reputation of your business precedes you and your patience will eventually pay off for abiding with all the laws. What was once the case back then (no digging or jail) has gotten better now because you have earned their trust.
Just keep up the good work and get that GOLD!

 

[kudo623]

dennis:
any updates at Dents Run site?
how are you guys doing?
Thanks,
Karl