Willow Springs, ILL, HIDDEN Civil WAR ERA Gold

[jeff of pa]

The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.), 31 May 1906.






The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, May 31, 1906, Image 6 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress

 

[ARC]

I actually really like this one...
and have a "feeling" this could be a worthy research.

I don't say that often...
And If lived in that area would check old railroad lines...
especially ones that have bridges etc...
Small rural bridges... that the foundations date to this period...

RR's with "anomalies... near a bridge etc.
Small streams... or off intersections.

Defiantly worth "scouting" for a week after research...
Tracks are easy to walk without perms.

 

[White Stash]

WOW this IS very interesting since I live in Lombard....
Do you have any more info you might want to share? ja

 

[Ogre1190]

I wonder if they originally meant Willow Creek...not Springs? I live in the Willow Creek area and the Banditti's base of operations was only a few miles west of my place. Hmmm?

 

[morbiusandneo]

I DO NOT what to make of this story!! Vinita is a town in Oklahoma(over 700 miles away!!)!! The story is published in a town more than 50 miles EAST of the IL/IN border. Willow Springs, IL (JEFF posted this in IL section of TN) is like 50 miles WEST of the IL/IN border!! Fort Gibson, again is way down in OKLAHOMA!! Also, the only other Willows Springs is in MO!! I guess this writer was drunk when he wrote this piece of garbage. Makes no other sense to me...

 

[jeff of pa]

the article was apparently filler copied from the "Vinita Chieftan"
So perhaps it does belong in Oklahoma
then again ... the Indiana paper picked it up
and published it without explanation so perhaps they felt it was of interest to their readers

Willow Springs appears to be in Illinois



they were searching in the "Willow Springs Country"
which by my reckoning may be the green area south of town.



the article is in an Illinois Paper , therefore by my Deduction it is in the right area

I would also wonder if they were concentrating in the area
that is now between Flavin road & rt. 45. hence the possible reason someone turned it into a nature preserve
to stop the treasure Hunters.

 

[morbiusandneo]

I searched those woods heavily for several years in the 90's. 200 hours total minimum.

Yet, back in those days of this story, it was all forested, what was not cleared farmland. That development started in late 60's you see all around there, expansion outward from Chicago-proper. I was born and raised in Chi-town. GREAT lead, though Jeff!! But, the Fort is the actual lead. We'd need to start there, and work backwards. From the Fort, yet coming from Willow Springs by horseback (soldiers empty handed) makes no sense to me. That's at least a 3 week ride via horseback!!

 

[jeff of pa]

Me not being from anywhere close, I have do Defer
any other comment to your Knowledge

Thanks for your input

 

[morbiusandneo]

I wonder if the Vinita Chieftain ever did a follow up story. Plus, I wonder what the original article in their paper actually stated, too.