Treasure Tales: 5 Stories of Gold Discovery in California

In 1848, California became the backdrop for a pivotal historical event—the Gold Rush. This era began with James W. Marshall’s first major gold discovery at Sutter's Mill, near Coloma, California, sparking a massive influx of settlers and miners to the region. The ensuing gold fever transformed California, both economically and socially, as the state witnessed explosive population growth from less than 15,000 to 225,000 by 1852, and set the stage for numerous tales of lost treasures and undiscovered gold throughout the Sierra Nevada.

This article explores five captivating stories of gold discovery in California, unearthing the legend and lore of treasures that continue to intrigue and tantalize. From the Saddle Ridge Hoard to the elusive loot of Rattlesnake Dick, the Mormon Gold of Clear Creek, Black Bart's hidden fortune, and the unfound treasure of the Ruggles Brothers, each tale offers a glimpse into the adventurous spirit and the lure of untold wealth that have become inseparable from California's golden history.

The Saddle Ridge Hoard

In February 2013, a remarkable discovery dubbed the "Saddle Ridge Hoard" was made on private property in the Shasta Cascade region of Northern California. A couple, known only as John and Mary, stumbled upon this treasure while walking their dog on their rural property, where they had lived for several years without any inkling of the fortune beneath their feet.

Details of the Discovery:

Initial Find: The couple first found a metal canister using a metal detector, which led them to return and unearth seven more canisters.
Contents: The hoard contained 1,427 gold coins dating from 1847 to 1894, buried in eight metal canisters. The face value of the coins was $27,980, but they are estimated to be worth around $10 million today. The collection notably includes several extremely rare coins, such as the 1866-S $20 Double Eagle without motto, valued at approximately $1 million 4 5 8.

Significance and Theories:

Historical Value: The coins are believed to have been buried at the close of the 19th century. Theories about the original owner range from a miner to an outlaw like Jesse James or Black Bart. Despite extensive research by California Gold Rush specialist Dan Owens, the true identity of the person who buried the coins remains a mystery 6 7.
Numismatic Importance: The hoard is considered the largest buried treasure ever found in the United States. Thirteen of the coins are the finest known of their kind, enhancing their value significantly. The couple chose to sell the coins on Amazon with certificates of authenticity provided by the noted numismatics firm, Kagin, which also represented them in the sale 6 8.

Rattlesnake Dick and His Lost Loot

Richard Barter, better known as Rattlesnake Dick, emerged as a legendary figure during the California Gold Rush due to his notorious activities as a stagecoach robber. Originally from Quebec, Canada, Barter moved to the United States in 1850, eventually settling in California with his family in pursuit of gold.

Timeline of Barter's Criminal Endeavors:

1853: Convicted of grand larceny and served time at San Quentin 9.
Post-Release: Took over Tom Bell's gang, continuing a spree of robberies and horse rustling.
1856: Orchestrated a major heist, intercepting a gold shipment worth $80,600 from the Yreka and Klamath River Mines.
Late 1850s: Involved in multiple high-profile robberies, including the burglary of a Wells Fargo safe and several stagecoach heists totaling over $30,000.
1859: Killed in a shootout with a Wells Fargo posse in Auburn, California.

Despite his numerous heists, one of Barter's most elusive loot remains the gold stolen in 1856, which was never recovered. The gold, estimated to be around $40,000, was purportedly hidden in the Trinity Mountains near Redding and remains a tantalizing treasure that has never been found. The vast expanse of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, spanning over two million acres, adds to the difficulty of locating this lost treasure.

The Mormon Gold of Clear Creek

In the mid-19th century, the Mormon Gold of Clear Creek emerged as a fascinating chapter in the history of California's gold rush. This particular tale begins with a group of Mormon wagons navigating through Redding, California, en route to Horsetown in the 1850s.

Incident at Clear Creek:

Disaster Strikes: As the wagons reached Clear Creek, they encountered floodwaters that had transformed the creek into a raging torrent. During this tumultuous crossing, a critical incident occurred with Mr. Bishop's wagon.
Wagon Mishap: The wagon, unfortunately, tipped over, causing a wheel to fall into a deep hole. This accident resulted in the loss of the wagon and its valuable contents.
Lost Gold: Among the lost contents were gold coins, which, to this day, occasionally surface at Clear Creek, hinting at the hidden treasures still lying beneath its waters.

Historical Context and Significance:

Initial Discovery: The broader narrative of gold in California ties back to the Latter-day Saints at Captain John A. Sutter’s sawmill. The first sighting of gold flakes in the American River was reported by James Marshall, who was supervising the Saints at the mill.
Contribution of the Mormons: These early settlers, including discharged members of the Mormon Battalion, played a pivotal role in building the mill at Coloma, which was instrumental in the subsequent gold discoveries that fueled the 1849 Gold Rush.
Creek's Role in the Gold Rush: Clear Creek itself holds a significant place in the annals of Shasta County's history, being one of the numerous sites where gold was discovered during the iconic rush of 1849 14.

Black Bart's Hidden Fortune

Black Bart's Notorious Stagecoach Robberies:

Real Identity and Background: Known as Black Bart, Charles E. Boles was an infamous stagecoach robber in California during the late 1870s and early 1880s. Born in Norfolk, England, he immigrated to Jefferson County, New York at the age of two, and later joined the California Gold Rush in 1849.
Robbery Details: Over his criminal career, Black Bart was known for his unique method of committing robberies on foot, due to his fear of horses. He successfully robbed Wells Fargo stagecoaches at least 28 times between 1875 and 1883, often wearing a long linen duster coat, a bowler hat, and a flour sack mask with eye holes. Remarkably, he never fired a weapon during his robberies.

Capture and Conviction:

Final Robbery and Evidence Left Behind: Black Bart's criminal activities came to an end after his last robbery on November 3, 1883, near Copperopolis, California. During this incident, he left behind several personal items including eyeglasses, some food, and a distinctive handkerchief marked with 'F.X.O.7', which played a crucial role in his capture.
Arrest: Detective James B. Hume of Wells Fargo traced Boles to a boarding house in San Francisco using the laundry mark from the handkerchief. Boles was arrested and confessed to his crimes, though he claimed that the statute of limitations had expired on those he confessed to 17.
Prison Time: After pleading guilty, Black Bart was sentenced to six years in San Quentin Prison. He served his sentence under the pseudonym Bolton to protect his family's identity and wrote many letters to his wife during this time.

Post-Prison Life:

Life After Incarceration: Upon his release, Charles Boles, under the alias Charles Wells, sought a quiet life away from his notorious past. He settled in Marysville, California, where he worked as a pharmacist and lived a low-profile life until his death in 1914 18.
Legacy: Despite his criminal past, Black Bart is remembered for the poetic messages he left at the scenes of his robberies, adding a touch of intrigue to his legend. His life story continues to be a subject of fascination and exemplifies the complex personas of those involved in the Wild West era 17 18.

The Ruggles Brothers' Unfound Treasure

The Ruggles Brothers' Unfound Treasure

In the late 19th century, the Ruggles brothers, John and Charles, became notorious for their daring stagecoach robberies in California. Their most infamous heist, involving a significant amount of gold, remains a captivating mystery due to the treasure's elusive recovery.

Details of the Robbery:

Date and Location: On May 12, 1892, near a sharp bend on Middle Creek Road, Old Shasta in Shasta County, the brothers intercepted the Weaverville stagecoach.
Casualties and Injuries: The heist turned violent when John Ruggles shot and killed Amos "Buck" Montgomery, a Wells Fargo guard, while Charles was severely wounded by buckshot from another guard 21 22.
Loot: They managed to seize $5,000 in gold coins, a fortune at the time, equivalent to about $125,000 today.

Aftermath and Lynch Mob Justice:

Capture and Custody: Charles was captured shortly after the robbery and taken to jail in Redding. John was arrested six weeks later in Woodland and brought to the same jail.
Mob Action: Despite the public's fascination with the brothers, evidenced by gifts from local women, their fate was sealed by a lynch mob. The mob stormed the jail, forcibly took the brothers, and hanged them from a derrick at the corner of Shasta Street.
Hidden Treasure: Before his death, John revealed that he had hidden the stolen gold in Middle Creek, attached to a floating device. Despite extensive searches, the gold coins have never been recovered.

FAQs

1. Have gold coins been discovered in the Sierra Nevada mountains?
Yes, a couple in the Sierra Nevada discovered approximately $10 million worth of 19th century U.S. gold coins buried in their backyard. The coins were found in rusty cans, and this find is considered the largest hoard of gold coins ever unearthed in the United States.