These are all great points too, especially the quickly evacuating. Think of the Sioux Uprising in Minnesota when the settlers of the Minnesota River Valley got word of the Sioux uprising sweeping down the valley killing settlers (150 were killed), some of them may have quickly buried their loot (many were dirt poor, but some may have had some), so rather then risk carrying it and getting caught with it on their persons, they may have quickly buried it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_War_of_1862
As far as my methods, they are what i would call a "mental consideration". Take what is known of the facts, landscape, history and credibility of the story and make a mental consideration if a treasure may be lying there. Then there is no replacement for boots on the ground and a good metal detector.
Any advice you ask? The biggest piece of advice is one we all know, research and boots on the ground. As Treasure Hunters, one thing we all know is great research pays off, separating the facts from he legends so we aren't wasting our time stuck in fantasy land, while entertaining, it's a time suck when you could be out in the field. If you actually look at the history of found treasures, most of them were actually stumbled upon and no one had any clue they were there, so you need to be out in the field putting in the work.
Another thing, we all know this, often an image on google earth looks WAY different when you are on the ground actually at the spot!
