Treasure on the Tug River?

[sonshine]

This came from an earlier post about civil war caches in wv:

Comes from Robert Marx's book, Buried Treasure of the United States: "In the early 1900s a Dennis Atkins is alleged to have buried about $200,000 in gold coins along the east bank of the Tug Fort River, near the toll bridge, just north of Kermit, State 52, Mingo Co."

Does anyone have more info on this? Was it ever rumored to have been found? I have family in that area and have heard a tale similar to this.

How would one go about researching this? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Sonshine

 

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[corklabus]

Search this site on this topic. I've seen it discussed many times. I just can't dig up the topics for you and make links. It's interesting. Check it out.

 

[Montana Jim]

I just did a search of the treasurenet posts... I could'nt find any other references to it by the name Tug or Tug River.

 

[sonshine]

Thanks for trying to search the forums for this tale. I have also heard it told that it was pirate treasure. Pirates on the Tug River? Hard to believe. I guess the river used to be heavily traveled, with locks and dams and such. I have also heard the name of Adams, instead of Adkins. Who knows?

I would love to know more.

Thanks,
Sonshine

 

[snake35]

I grew up between the Tug and Big Sandy rivers. I spent quite of bit of time looking for the John Swift silver mines, I think that's where the pirates come into this tale. Local experts think that John Swift was a pirate that only came to the area to melt his swag silver into English crowns. A John Swift was arrested in New York for counterfeiting, but was released because his crowns contained more silver than a real crown. That does not mean that they were the same person. This probably just adds more confusion to your search, but I hope that it helps.

 

[Philvis]

sonshine,
I have read about this treasure a few times. Mainly the same song and dance...Dennis Atkins and buried gold in Kermit. I have never run across anything else. A couple years back I did actually pull census records(if I remember correctly) and did see a Dennis Atkins, so I know that name is legitimate. Without anymore details, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Your best bet would be to locate property records to see where he lived and what land, if any he owned. I will warn you though, property records for that area are VERY sketchy. The deeds will describe the property with terminology like, "200 feet give or take from the hickory tree," and "just 50 feet from the coal shed," etc. My mom is from Gilbert Creek in Mingo county and all my family on that side is still there. I recently was sent the property description for my grandma's land and termilogy like that was used. I have plenty of family there still, so I can probably point you to someone if ever visiting. Be very careful though, strangers are not welcomed too much...big drug problems in the Mingo area.

 

[sonshine]

Thanks for the info (and the warning!). I am more curious than anything. I have a hard time believing there was ever $200,000 in gold in that area. But I have enjoyed this site! I have spent hours reading the posts and my work is not getting done. I think I will throttle the friend who turned me on to this site(wink, wink).

I do look forward to getting out soon to do some MDing. Even if its just on my own property. Come on Spring!

Thanks again,
Sonshine

 

[Montana Jim]

Thanks for the info (and the warning!). I am more curious than anything. I have a hard time believing there was ever $200,000 in gold in that area. But I have enjoyed this site! I have spent hours reading the posts and my work is not getting done. I think I will throttle the friend who turned me on to this site(wink, wink).

I remember thinking that too - a zillion posts ago...

 

[fishdaddy]

i live next to the tug fork river i grew up close to kermit and i know where the nolan toll bridge is.its closed now.i would like to know more about it

 

[Gaijun1]

God I Love Those Old Civil Wr Cematarys Lots Of Places To Hide Stuff Aound Them

 

[looking]

older bridge up river

Thanks for the info (and the warning!). I am more curious than anything. I have a hard time believing there was ever $200,000 in gold in that area. But I have enjoyed this site! I have spent hours reading the posts and my work is not getting done. I think I will throttle the friend who turned me on to this site(wink, wink).

I do look forward to getting out soon to do some MDing. Even if its just on my own property. Come on Spring!

Thanks again,
Sonshine

They was a older bridge further up river back then ,May have been close to borderland. I herd he dug gold and silver out of the river its self. But the river has changed alot ,More sand in river now than was back then.

 

[abowen3648@gmail.com]

Treasure on the tug river?

I have done many years of research on the subject of the gold coins berried on the bank of the tug river, and so far it is true! Dennis Atkins was actually a payroll currier in rout to deliver the payroll, when he noticed he was being pursued by bandits! In fear he would get caught, he hurriedly berried the payroll to prevent it from being stollen! He then hurried to his destination and told his commander what he had done but before he could return for the loot, he was killed during a skirmish! Gold prices during that time was around $400-450 an oz! In today's prices, the gold is worth around $1.2 million!! But historically the gold could be worth twice that!

 

[Treasureontug]

Any more research or interest on this topics

 

[Phil]

Crow started a thread recently called "Anatomy of a Treasure Legend" where he illustrates how to research legends.

It does not pertain to your legend, but it is worth taking the time to read.

 

[Treasureontug]

sonshine,
I have read about this treasure a few times. Mainly the same song and dance...Dennis Atkins and buried gold in Kermit. I have never run across anything else. A couple years back I did actually pull census records(if I remember correctly) and did see a Dennis Atkins, so I know that name is legitimate. Without anymore details, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Your best bet would be to locate property records to see where he lived and what land, if any he owned. I will warn you though, property records for that area are VERY sketchy. The deeds will describe the property with terminology like, "200 feet give or take from the hickory tree," and "just 50 feet from the coal shed," etc. My mom is from Gilbert Creek in Mingo county and all my family on that side is still there. I recently was sent the property description for my grandma's land and termilogy like that was used. I have plenty of family there still, so I can probably point you to someone if ever visiting. Be very careful though, strangers are not welcomed too much...big drug problems in the

IF you are interested in this contact me . I have access to a lot we would need to explore this situation and live near there and know the people personally. Especially a fellow that can put us into the exact direction of the property....Bill

 

[jeff of pa]

 

[Crow]

A lot different to rumors of civil; war gold or pirate treasure? it goes to show how far removed from the original story stories become with each retelling.

Crow

 

[Crow]

I have his will. below you can see for yourself he gave his property and all his possessions to his wife Rosa Atkins.

As you can see no mention in his will of buried money.

Crow

 

[Crow]

Digging deeper into the family in 1880 census Dennis aged 5 was some of Sara Atkins and James Atkins. Dennis had younger sister and brother. He was the oldest of three children.

The family business was hardware store in Kermit. The business existed for at least 60 years. First run by his father . by 120 his father had died and Dennis took over the family business. He lived there with his mum. His two siblings had gone died?

By the 1930 census Dennis Atkins was 55 and mother was 78.. By the 1940 census. His mother had passed away. Dennis Atkins had married he was 65Rosa was 30 year age difference. years old still working in the hardware store.

But he had married Rosa Atkins 35 who had a Daughter from another relationship Eula May Muncy 16 married to Lucian Muncy aged 19. Judging by the age discrepancy between Dennis and Rosa a 30 year age difference.

While it can never be certain that perhaps Rosa was after her older husbands money? So a mystery to if Dennis BS to his spouse that he was loaded or just a perception Rosa had.

The fact remains Dennis was hardworking store keeper that spent most of his life working in and eventually running the store. After his death as per newspapers belief at the time he had money tucked away that cannot be certain either.

What seems clean by the time of his death the store was not in operation. I think the perception of some being a unmarried he is loaded. it is not always the case. The business payed its way but by no means made him wealth either. Especially coming out of the great depression.

Stories about him was blown out proportions. However the site was searched after his death. There is no results as far as I am aware. the address of his house and hardware store was 93 Logan st Kermit.

The house and shop no longer exists. You see the lot below.

This is why it pays to do due diligence in researching such treasure stories. Stories like these can some times bare fruit. But sadly some are just unfounded rumors of thinking some one was wealthy during the great depression when he was most likely struggling to make ends meat himself.

Perhaps wealthy to those around him living close to poverty it would be easy for them to think he was wealthy. While it might be possible that some coins in the ground? I do not believe a great fortune lies there.

I like researching these offbeat treasure yarns as it opens up a window in a time and place largely forgotten memories of an America that once was.

Crow