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[MiddenMonster]

It was probably just a general interest piece to help sell newspapers. If the coins were found just north of Donner Lake, from what I understand from maps on the "Donner Party" they never even camped at that location?
The coins were probably loot from a robbery somewhere possibly from Yerba Buena, or possibly even Sutters Fort.
Probably not a bad place to hide them, a lake would be a pretty good landmark, to pick your loot up after the heats died down.
Indians must of got him. Either that or he was caught red handed and hung.

Well this is quite a reversal, isn't it? We start with the Donner Party hiding a treasure, then running guns and the treasure you mentioned is perfectly described in the article you posted and all of a sudden it's just a random treasure from who knows where? What am I missing here?

 

[MiddenMonster]

Nothing, Who knows? It May be Donner Gold? And the Reported Route is Wrong? To tell you the Truth, I am not that interested. Since it is doubtfull anything known about the Donner Party would produce gold so. I would make more money on opening a Welding Business. Mostly working on that. I have no time for Donners.

Really?

"Would be willing to bet some of that party burried some of their gold before they got wasted by the indians.
I think I am going to start in this area, right here."

"and if there is some old timers burried hoard there, I am going to find it."

"I don't care what anybody says I'm going to get me some of those Pre49er Donner Party River Nuggets."

"I am going to get that Donner Party River Gold.
And I know just where to look"

"When I get my River Gold nuggets I am going to put it in my mason jar."

Like I said, quite a reversal, isn't it?