Story 2: Lost Gold Of Pioneer Creek
This was an interesting story simply due to most folks think the ghost town of Pioneer is by Deer Lodge, which it is. But the first town of that name is near the Idaho border in Beaverhead County. I remember reading up on it years ago. What made it stand out was the claim of prior mining operations that were very old, who made the evidence of prior mining? No white man was believed to have been here! Now the book this story is from is dated 1970, but let’s jump to the 1985 work of Terry. Terry claimed the group of miners worked it in the early 1800’s. Still Terry got the info somewhere, so it was either Moore’s work or early newspapers which carried stories of lore over the years and kept the tales alive. Mentioned is the Big Hole Basin, Pioneer Creek and ravine of gold, which are some interesting search terms to check out. Moore has 1 ¾ pages, Terry a surprising 8 lines.
So, the group of miners worked the gold discovered but were warned by one group of Indians that another tribe would kill them if caught. When they finally decided they had enough gold, they traveled out but were spotted and attacked. All were killed except one, who was gravely wounded. The pack horses scattered and no trace of them or the gold was ever found. The friendly Indians found the wounded man and cared for him. He later died, and supposedly this was how the story was kept alive. Still the report of prior workings seem to support the story to a degree. This story is said by some to be the real first discovery of gold in Montana!
