When Sam Bass, the Notorious Texas Bandit Was Killed, by Capt. Many believe that Bass hid out in a cave south of Denton. I have been researching treasure stories in Texas for my history students for an upcoming section. Glenmoril Wyrd Treasure Map: Shadowfen. Reckon you got what it takes to solve the mystery to #GetSamsGold? The Texas Rangers, A Century of Frontier Defense. In June, a posse challenged the gang to a gunfight in which Arkansas Johnson was killed and Henry Underwood rode off never to return to the gang (Centennial Commission). As a legend, the accounts of Sams life are as varied as the number of individuals telling the tale. Heck, we honestly dont know, but hunting for secret treasure sure can be fun! Before long, one of the privates had killed the other. Today, we're launching a QR code scavenger hunt on the square. After being mortally wounded in a Round Rock TX shootout and dying on his 27th birthday in 1878, Sam left everyone wondering what happened to his fortune in gold. Frank left his horse with Sam and hid his saddle in the brush nearby; after a tearful farewell Frank rode off. Now, with Jim Murphy looking to betray the gang to the Rangers, the gang decided to head to calmer areas in the southern part of the state. Back in Round Rock, Jim Murphy went into New Town and identified the body of Seaborn Barnes. It is believed that the ambush may have been set into motion by a member of Bass own gang who had cut a deal with law enforcement. There is a shootout on Casey train and two men are dead. Ware and Jones were also joined in the fight for a time by a one-armed man named Stubbs, who had picked up Grimes gun and opened fire on the bandits (When Sam Bass). Only the first robbery resulted in any significant payoff for the gang and the style of these robberies was highly amateurish; prompting some observers to speculate that the robbers were either extremely nervous or drunk at the time of the holdups due to the fact that during two of the holdups the gang missed large stashes of money that had been hurriedly hidden by the express messengers (Smith 33). In association with Jack Davis and another man known as Nixon, they held up seven stages over the next few months (Ibid. A few of the men were later captured or killed. In 1878, Sam Bass and his gang held up several more trains, which caused the people of North Texas to worry and call for action. Still others claim that he lived out his life on a ranch in New Mexico (Webb Century of Frontier Defense 390). So finish that cup of coffee, put on your pants, turn your brain on and get to work. You must log in or register to reply here. The following year, He killed himself by taking poison on June 7, 1879 (Ibid.). Your email address will not be published. Another account mentioned that Grimes was concerned because he thought that Sam was wearing two pistols, which was one more than the law permitted in Round Rock (Round Rock Remembers). Lost Treasure of John Singer on Padre Island. This racehorse was fast and soon earned Sam enough money for him to quit his job with Sheriff Eagan and retire to a life of horse racing, gambling and saloon patronizing. ), and other accounts say that he became a prosperous West Texas rancher (Round Rock Remembers). There are also local legends that Bass used a cave located near Grapevine Lake. The legend of Sam Bass has grown way out of proportion in relation to his actual deeds. While getting away, Bass was shot again in the back. The Sam Bass Gang in Round Rock. True West. Why was he not true? This monument has long since been chipped away by souvenir hunters and has now been replaced with a granite tombstone erected by the Sam Bass Centennial Commission. Where it remains today. Also Read: Metal Detecting in Texas Coins, Relics & Buried Treasure, And: 7 Things to Consider When Searching for Buried Treasure Caches. Sam and Jack Davis rode south in a one horse buggy and made their way back to Denton. However, instead of returning to Texas to pay off the notes, they headed to the gold-filled hills of Deadwood, South Dakota. Victoria Peak Located in the Sierra Diablo Mountains. Published by the Sam Bass Centennial Commission, Round Rock, Texas. But most folks figured he had buried his stolen gold in secret troves that he could access while on the run, and thus began the legends of Sam Bass hidden gold. It gave citizens something to identify with and it gave the town something to distinguish itself. Texas Rangers caught up with him in a nearby pasture. Sam began working for the sheriff as a farmhand and teamster, which acquainted him to the country trails and back roads that he would later use as a bandit. In July, Sam and his gang made it down to Round Rock, just north of Austin. The Historic Round Rock Collection is a project documenting Round Rocks history, funded in part with a grant from the Texas Historical Commission. He later recalled that he passed the bandits at this point without realizing who they were (When Sam Bass). The maps stated that the location of Bass' treasure was in a hollow tree on what is now called Sam Bass Road, roughly two miles west of Round Rock. Smith, Helena Huntington. Nonetheless, the previous successes of the gang and the hype surrounding them led people to fear that the gang was a great force that would pose a significant threat to any pursuers (England). Bassalso took a bullet, but was still on his feet. He made a map of the site, showing that it was buried five feet underground, close to an oak tree with two eagle wings carved on it. You are using an out of date browser. The Sabine River could potentially hold a $2 million fortune in stolen silver. Why Are America's Food Processing Plants Suddenly Exploding. The treasure has never been recovered and is said to be in a hollow tree. Which Immunity-Boosting Foods are Best for You? As the bandits were fleeing through Old Town, Frank, concerned about gunfire, had the presence of mind to warn a little girl who was playing in a tree to get in the house (Reed and Tate 221). Mary Matson, a black woman who had been employed by Sam Bass to cook some meals earlier in the week, observed the funeral from a cotton patch. Several years ago, a tree that was noted to be similar to the one that was described in the map was found by those seeking Bass' treasure was chopped down and the men came up with nothing. Moore, who had been waiting outside the door of Kopperals Store, entered and opened fire on the bandits, shooting Bass through the hand. Aug. 12, 1902. May 8, 1976: 1B+. One of Round Rocks major streets bears his name as do several businesses. The location was said to be in a hollow tree on what is now the Sam Bass Road, about two miles west of Round Rock. Ifn you come across any of the real deal, youll give us a cut, right? Good luck with your hunt! If anyone ever found the Bass Gold they never reported it. Another legend appeared several years after Bass died when maps leading to alleged treasures began to surface. He and his siblings went to live with their uncle and his nine children, where they received no formal schooling. Its said that John Singer discovered a wooden chest containing $80,000 in Spanish coins and jewelry on the Texas coast and buried it in the sand dunes to protect his treasure from looters. The Story of the Texas Rangers. Sam's treasure map in NW part of map I received a letter from Sam that she had a treasure map - said it could be a prank. Once in Denton, Sam explained his new found wealth from a strike he had made prospecting in the Black Hills. We expect to re-stock our Prospector rounds very shortly, with plans to expand the line of products as well. This resulted in the arrests of both Jim Murphy and his father Henderson. Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny,, Pennsylvania, Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. No one can figure out who the men where or why the shootout occurs. So how knows what could be hidden around this area. He and his siblings went to live with their uncle and his nine children, where they received no formal schooling. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; By the late 1870s Bass and his gang had both the Pinkerton Detectives and the Texas Rangers hot on his trail. Copyright 2023 Provident Metals Corp. All Rights Reserved. Espaol - Latinoamrica (Spanish - Latin America), https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mytimeatportia/images/e/e3/Saint%27s_Set_Rock.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20190613011732, https://mytimeatportia.fandom.com/wiki/Saint%27s_Top. Legendary outlaw Sam Bass is said to have buried his bounty from stagecoach, train and bank robberies near Round Rock. As they were casing the bank and finalizing their course of action, they were recognized and a gun fight broke out. The Texas and Pacific Railroad was hit on April 4th at Eagle Ford and again on the 10th at Mesquite. All rights reserved. But theres some pretty darn convincing evidence that Sams loot, if there was any left, is somewhere around Denton! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After a few more robberies, including at least one more involving a train, Bass met his demise in Round Rock, Texas on July 19th, 1878. Originally printed in the El Paso Herald. Some say the treasure was found by a Mexican laborer, hired by a local rancher to cut fence posts on Packsaddle Mountain. You must log in or register to reply here. The gangs success in avoiding capture can be ascribed to both the difficulties of the terrain and ineptness of their pursuers (Smith 33). Some have speculated that Murphy did not really kill himself but was in fact killed by Jackson, but the truth will never be known (Centennial Commission). Allegedly, the robber hid canvas sacks marked U.S. and filled with gold in a cave on Packsaddle Mountain. But well get to that a little later in this tale. Born in 1851 on a farm in Indiana, Sam Bass was orphaned by age 13. They send a probe down and it hit metal just before a giant storm hit, destroying the raft and any other evidence, according to OnlyInYourState.com. It was here that Sam learned how to handle a pistol and honed his card playing skills. How could he have spent $10,000 in less than four months? 373). Ifyado, well seeya at the secret hideout! Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Greed set in, however. They chose Bass to be their example, and they set out to capture him at any cost. While one man held the horses on the west side of the tracks, one man boarded the engine and held a pistol on the engineer. Shootout At Round Rock. San Antonio Express News. No treasure was ever recovered, and today there is little remaining of the original McNeil, located in the northern part of Travis County near Round Rock. With his death went the knowledge of the location of his treasure caches at Cove Hollow. Hi Russell, Required fields are marked *. Texas has more buried treasure than any other state, with 229 sites within the states borders. He had told his buddy to continue the retreat without him. Take that, Jesse James! Sam gave him all of his money, guns, ammunition and his big bay horse, which was superior to Franks. Why? Because of Big Techs recent banning, receiving email notification circumvents their censorship. Texas, the Lone Star state that Provident calls home, contains an estimated $340 million in hidden treasure, which is a higher sum than any other US state. They uncovered $60,000 worth of freshly minted $20. To offset their losses, they turned to robbing stages. They then walked up the street to Kopperals General Store, located at the southeast corner of Mays and Georgetown Avenue. During the gun fight it has been said that there were two men firing at the gang as they attempted to flee. About 229 treasure sites are spread across the Lone Star State, and some are accessible to the public with permission from the landowners. For several months, there were moviesque chases with the bandits narrowly escaping the Rangers grasp. Glenmoril Wyrd Treasure Map: Reaper's March. Yet this fast turnaround led to future stories of Sam hiding his stash in various places around Texas while he went out and committed more robberies. In 1860, Larimore took a last trip to the mine with a man named Jim Rowland. A book collector claims that he has over 200 titles that deal with Sam Bass in some way (Carmack 1B). The bandits boarded and used violence against anyone who tried to stop them. He then rode to Round Rock with deputy sheriff Morris Moore of Travis County (When Sam Bass). Sheriff Eagan employed Sam not as a deputy but as a farmhand; he curried the horses, milked the cows, cut firewood, but, most importantly, Sam spent some time as a teamster. Two searchers, Tucker and Lane, spotted a man propped up against a tree but assumed that he was only one of the railroad workers who were constructing the line of the Georgetown Railroad at the time. Or email jackdennistexas@yahoo.com with your name (pin name, handle, alter ego) with Subscribe in the Reference Title. Bass reportedly stole 3,000 gold bars from Union Pacific Railroad, some of which have been recovered, but there are gold bars that have still not been recovered, according to OnlyInYourState.com. Ranger Ware claimed that he later saw him in the Arizona State Prison, using the name of Downing (Centennial Commission). SAN ANTONIO You could find buried treasure in the Texas Hill Country -- an estimated $340 million worth. Pirate Jean Laffite's Lost Silver Load. Born on a farm two miles from Mitchell, Indiana on July 21, 1851, he was soon orphaned and he and his brother and sisters moved to a nearby farm to live with their uncle and his nine children. Reconstruction had just ended and the state government was still weak. Sam was found still alive the next day, forced to stop due to his injuries. The whereabouts of the loot is said to be in a hollow tree on what is now Sam Bass Road located about two miles west of Round Rock. The end result would be the death and capture of Sam and the renewed faith and financial support for the Rangers (Centennial Commission). That is till Casey's son finds an intriguing clue Born in 1851 on a farm in Indiana, Sam Bass was orphaned by age 13. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ Larry D. Moore For him it was mere sport, the reality that people often were injured, either physically or financially, appears to have never surfaced on his shallow conscience (Smith 34). Sam Bass and five others took over the train depot and destroyed the telegraph. There's a cache of silver said to be buried outside Leander. Sam was brought to a small shack for questioning, but he did not divulge any information about the members of his gang. Day two they go into C. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. In April, there was a gunfire scuffle and Sam was struck in his cartridge belt and his rifle stock, but he escaped without a scratch. Born in 1851 on a farm in Indiana, Sam Bass was orphaned by age 13. Grimes never even had the opportunity to draw his gun; six bullet holes were found in his dead body (DiGesualdo and Thompson 113). Rumor has it that some of the money is hidden in Cove Hollow, near Denton. After 1875, Sam never again had permanent full-time work. Another Bass treasure location, if the rumors are true, is Cove Hollow, near Denton. SAM BASS On Friday, February 22, 1878, possibly the first train robbery in Texas occurred in Allen. You can imagine someone responding to the statement, I am from Round Rock with Oh, the place where Sam Bass was killed.. Of course the truth was that the actual Sam Bass Gang at this point was composed of only four individuals, one of whom was now dead and another having deserted the gang. The Black Hills Bandits, as the gang was known, tired of the puny payoffs from the stage robberies, turned their attention to the more lucrative crime of train robbing. Sam and one of his gang members were able to flee on horseback. Texas is estimated to have $340 million in buried treasure, more than another other state in the U.S., according to TexasHillCountry.com. Sam Bass 1851-1878 Died at age 27 Timeline Sam Bass, outlaw, was born on a farm near Mitchell, Indiana, on July 21, 1851, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Jane (Sheeks) Bass. Sam Bass Cave Near Pilot Knob Description Exterior view of Sam Bass Cave located near Pilot Knob. As for his alleged hidden loot, there are many theories as to where it might be hidden. One of Sam Bass' hideout caves near Pilot Knob, amongst hundreds of purported spots scoured for hidden gold. The tale started many years following the death of Bass. The prizes are very real, with a grand prize of $100 to the first treasure hunter who can chase down and complete the QR clues, but runner-up rewards (including a pass to this year's 35 Denton and much more) to the next 10 who are able to finish the challenge! Land of Good Water. As we've previously written, the Texas outlaw Sam Bass got his start in Denton as a stable boy and hired hand when he arrived in 1870, but quickly achieved notoriety racing his famously fast Denton Mare around the territories. Other theories mention additional locations of the supposed treasure. One cave that is believed to have been frequented by Bass and his gang is located in Longhorn Caverns State Park in Burnet County, about 63 miles northwest of Austin. In modern days Jimi Hendrix, Curt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Robert Johnson, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, and Amy Winehouse are renowned members.. You are using an out of date browser. They had plans to rob a bank there. This is the story of Bass and the treasure that may still be out there waiting to be discovered. In that spirit, Shaun Treat has collaborated with We Denton Do It to create a treasure hunt keeping with the historical legend. New clues to the $60,000 in newly minted gold coins from the train robbery that Sam Bass buried just before he died in a bank hold up in Round rock Texas. Required fields are marked *. Learn how your comment data is processed. 34). Finding some wooden boxes, the bandits broke them open revealing $60,000 worth of freshly minted $20 gold pieces headed from the San Francisco Mint to an Eastern bank (Smith 32). To follow is an account of his 27-year life, focusing mostly on his final days in Round Rock. One tale involves who else but Sam Bass, who allegedly used the cavern as a hide-out following nearby robberies. One of the more popular legends of Bass hidden loot is that it is hidden in an old tree by the outlaw himself.

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