Cherokee Badman’s Hidden Loot in Kansas
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring outlaws, audacious robberies, and legendary hidden treasures. Among these figures, Henry Starr, a nephew of the infamous Belle Starr, stands out as a particularly intriguing character. Known as the "Cherokee Bad Boy," Starr’s criminal career spanned nearly three decades, during which he amassed a considerable fortune through a series of bank robberies, train heists, and other illicit activities. While Starr’s exploits are well-documented, the fate of much of his ill-gotten gains remains a mystery, fueling speculation and treasure hunts to this day. The story of Cherokee Badman’s Hidden Loot in Kansas continues to captivate those fascinated by the Wild West.
Henry Starr’s journey into the world of crime began in Oklahoma in 1892. He quickly assembled a gang of like-minded individuals, including the notorious Kid Wilson, Frank Cheney, and a jovial gunman known only as Happy Jack. Together, they terrorized the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, targeting stores, train depots, and banks with remarkable efficiency. Their brazen attacks often left communities in fear, and law enforcement struggled to keep pace with their relentless pursuit of wealth.
The year 1892 proved particularly eventful for Starr. In December, he encountered U.S. Deputy Marshal Floyd Wilson, who attempted to arrest him. The confrontation turned deadly, with Starr shooting and killing the lawman. This act further cemented his reputation as a dangerous outlaw and placed him squarely in the crosshairs of law enforcement agencies across the region. By the summer of 1893, just a little over a year after the start of Starr’s career, five of the seven-gang members were dead, leaving only Henry Starr and Kid Wilson surviving.
Despite his growing notoriety, Starr’s criminal career was relatively short-lived. On July 3, 1893, he and Kid Wilson were apprehended while vacationing in Colorado Springs with Starr’s new bride. The authorities managed to recover only a fraction of the gang’s ill-gotten gains – a mere $1,460 in greenbacks and $500 in gold – from the more than $20,000 they had stolen. Starr was subsequently sentenced to hang for murder and robbery. However, in a surprising turn of events, President Theodore Roosevelt commuted his sentence in 1904, allowing him to return to Indian Territory.
Though he attempted to settle down for a while, the allure of his former life proved too strong to resist. When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, surrounding states sought to extradite him, but Starr, fearing extradition to Arkansas, sought refuge in the Osage Hills, quickly reconnecting with his old criminal associates. The familiar rhythm of bank robberies resumed, leading to his eventual arrest and a prison sentence of 7-25 years.
In 1913, Starr was granted parole on the condition that he never return to Oklahoma. However, he disregarded this restriction and secretly returned to Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1914, the state experienced an unprecedented surge in bank robberies, with dozens of banks falling victim to Starr and his gang, sometimes within a few weeks of each other. In March 1915, Starr and his gang robbed two banks in Stroud, Oklahoma, but this time Starr was not so lucky – he was shot and arrested. He was sentenced to up to 25 years, Starr was paroled just four years later.
Upon his release from prison, Starr took an unexpected turn, venturing into the world of filmmaking. He produced a movie about the Stroud robbery, which proved to be a commercial success, spawning two imitation flicks. This newfound success led to offers from other movie companies, who enlisted Starr to stage bank robberies for their films. However, Starr’s past continued to haunt him, and he seemingly could not resist the temptation of his former life. While filming in Stroud, he robbed the bank at Chandler and then another in Davenport, Oklahoma. While in negotiations with a California movie company, he was shot and killed during a bank robbery in Harrison, Arkansas, on February 23, 1921.
During his 32 years as a criminal, Henry Starr claimed to have robbed more banks than both the James-Younger Gang and the Doolin-Dalton Gang combined, a staggering total of 21 banks, amassing nearly $60,000. While Starr’s exploits are well-documented, the fate of much of his ill-gotten gains remains a mystery, fueling speculation and treasure hunts to this day.
The location of Starr’s hidden loot has become the subject of much speculation and treasure hunting. According to Starr himself, the loot from his earlier crimes was hidden "near the border in a place nobody could find it in a million years." This cryptic statement has led many researchers to believe that the cache is hidden along the Cimarron River in Stevens County, Kansas.
Stevens County, situated in the extreme southwest corner of Kansas, encompasses approximately 729 square miles. The county is home to two communities: Moscow and Hugoton, the county seat, located at the intersections of U.S. Highway 56 and Kansas Highways 51 and 25. The Cimarron River flows through the extreme northwest portion of the county, making it a potential area for treasure hunters to explore.
The allure of Cherokee Badman’s Hidden Loot in Kansas lies not only in the potential riches but also in the historical context of the story. Henry Starr’s life was a reflection of the turbulent times of the Wild West, a period marked by lawlessness, opportunity, and the clash between Native American cultures and westward expansion. His story serves as a reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of the American frontier.
Finding Cherokee Badman’s Hidden Loot in Kansas would undoubtedly be a significant discovery, but the search itself offers a unique opportunity to connect with the history and landscape of the American West. As treasure hunters scour the Cimarron River in Stevens County, they are not only seeking gold and silver but also a glimpse into the life and legacy of one of the most intriguing outlaws of the era.
The legend of Cherokee Badman’s Hidden Loot in Kansas endures, capturing the imagination of treasure hunters and history enthusiasts alike. The possibility of unearthing a forgotten cache of stolen wealth continues to inspire exploration and research, ensuring that the story of Henry Starr and his hidden loot will remain a part of the folklore of the American West. The mystery surrounding the location of Cherokee Badman’s Hidden Loot in Kansas only adds to the romanticism of the old west.
The search for Cherokee Badman’s Hidden Loot in Kansas is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Wild West and the enduring human fascination with hidden treasure. The story of Henry Starr, the Cherokee Bad Boy, and his ill-gotten gains continues to captivate and inspire, reminding us of the adventurous spirit and the untamed landscape of a bygone era. Even today, the legend of Cherokee Badman’s Hidden Loot in Kansas continues to draw treasure hunters.