Deadman’s Cave Treasure, Colorado
The rugged landscape of Colorado, a state synonymous with towering peaks and untamed wilderness, has long been a fertile ground for tales of lost fortunes and hidden riches. Among these captivating narratives, the legend of Deadman’s Cave Treasure stands out, a tantalizing enigma that has lured prospectors and treasure hunters for over a century. This account, rooted in the harsh winter of 1880, tells the story of three men, a blizzard, and a discovery that would forever etch their names into the lore of the Wet Mountain Valley. The mystery of Deadman’s Cave Treasure continues to captivate those drawn to the allure of the unknown, promising untold riches to those who dare to seek it.
The tale begins in the depths of winter, a season that tests the mettle of even the most seasoned outdoorsmen. In 1880, E.J. Oliver, S.J. Harkman, and H.A. Melton, three intrepid prospectors, were diligently working claims approximately two miles north of what would eventually be known as Dead Man Camp. Their days were spent scouring the land, their hopes pinned on striking it rich in the silver-laden hills of Colorado. As the three men worked tirelessly, the weather took a sudden turn for the worse. The sky, once a clear, expansive blue, rapidly darkened, and the air grew heavy with the promise of an impending blizzard. Recognizing the imminent danger, the trio knew they needed to find shelter quickly.
Their eyes scanned the unforgiving terrain, searching for any sign of respite from the approaching storm. Fortune, it seemed, was on their side. Across the canyon, nestled within a sheer rock wall, they spotted a small, dark opening. The prospectors, driven by the instinct for self-preservation, wasted no time in making their way toward the potential sanctuary. With the blizzard closing in, Oliver, Harkman, and Melton scrambled across the rugged terrain, their determination fueled by the hope of finding refuge.
Upon reaching the opening, they discovered that it was indeed an entrance, though a rather unassuming one. The passageway was narrow and low, barely four feet in height, forcing them to stoop as they ventured inside. Armed with several crude torches, they lit the way, their flickering flames casting eerie shadows on the damp rock walls. Despite the cramped conditions, the prospectors pressed onward, eager to escape the wrath of the approaching blizzard.
As they moved deeper into the mountainside, the narrow passageway unexpectedly opened into a large room, a cavern of considerable size, measuring approximately twenty feet in length. The sudden expansion of space offered a welcome relief from the claustrophobic tunnel. Shining their torches around the cavern, the three men began to take stock of their surroundings, seeking a safe haven from the storm that raged outside.
It was Oliver who made the first startling discovery. Scattered around the dusty, dark cavern, he spotted the skeletal remains of five individuals. The sight was both eerie and unsettling, lending an air of mystery to the already strange location. The skeletons, lying in disarray, hinted at a long-forgotten tragedy, a story lost to the annals of time.
Despite the macabre discovery, the prospectors continued their exploration of the cave. As they ventured deeper, they noticed several tight passageways branching off into the gloom of the mountain. Driven by a combination of curiosity and the desire to find a more secure shelter, they chose one of the tunnels and cautiously made their way forward.
The chosen passageway led them further into the heart of the mountain, winding and twisting through the rock. The air grew colder and damper, and the silence was broken only by the sound of their own breathing and the drip, drip, drip of water. After what seemed like an eternity, the tunnel finally opened into another chamber, this one resembling a large vault.
Melton, while carefully illuminating the vault-like chamber with his torch, noticed a series of shelves carved into the western wall. His curiosity piqued, he approached the shelves, his torch casting its light upon the strange formations. As he drew closer, he noticed several odd-looking stones stacked neatly on one of the shelves. Intrigued, Melton reached out and picked one up. To his astonishment, the stone was surprisingly heavy.
Upon closer examination, Melton and his partners realized that the stones were not stones at all. They were crude bars of gold! The weight, the texture, and the telltale glint of the precious metal left no doubt in their minds. They had stumbled upon a treasure of immense value, hidden deep within the bowels of the mountain. The discovery of what is now known as the Deadman’s Cave Treasure would change their lives forever.
With the blizzard subsiding, the three men, now filled with excitement and anticipation, gathered five of the gold bars. They knew they had to get the gold assayed and see how much it was worth. They left the cave and headed over the pass to Silvercliff, a bustling town in the Wet Mountain Valley.
Upon arriving in Silvercliff, they immediately sought out an assayer to determine the value of their discovery. The results were astounding. Each bar was worth an estimated $900, a significant sum of money in 1880. Overnight, the three prospectors became local celebrities. The story of their discovery spread like wildfire, and they were bombarded with questions about the location of the Deadman’s Cave Treasure.
Despite the intense scrutiny and the relentless questioning, Oliver, Harkman, and Melton remained tight-lipped about the cave’s exact location. They knew that if word got out, the area would be overrun with prospectors, and the treasure could be lost forever. Instead, they made plans to return to the Deadman’s Cave in the spring, intending to retrieve the rest of the gold.
When spring arrived, the three men eagerly set out to relocate the cave, but they found themselves facing an unexpected challenge. The landscape had changed dramatically with the melting snow, and the familiar landmarks were no longer easily identifiable. They thought the cave would be easy to find again, but they couldn’t remember the exact location. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to find the entrance to the cave.
Over the years, the three prospectors frequently returned to the area, hoping to rediscover the Deadman’s Cave Treasure. They scoured the mountainside, retracing their steps and searching for any sign of the hidden entrance. But despite their persistent efforts, the cave remained elusive. The legend of Deadman’s Cave Treasure began to grow, fueled by the mystery of its disappearance.
The story of these three prospectors and their remarkable discovery was reported in two prominent newspapers of the time: The Fairplay Flume and The Denver Post. These articles helped to solidify the legend of Deadman’s Cave Treasure in the public imagination. The news coverage sparked the interest of countless treasure hunters, many of whom have since attempted to locate the lost cave.
To this day, the gold of Deadman’s Cave Treasure has never been found. The cave remains lost to time, its secrets guarded by the rugged mountains of Colorado. The legend continues to captivate those who are drawn to the allure of lost riches, and the search for the Deadman’s Cave Treasure persists, fueled by the hope that one day, someone will finally unlock its secrets.
The mystery of the Deadman’s Cave Treasure serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal of lost fortunes and hidden treasures. It speaks to the human desire for adventure, the thrill of the unknown, and the dream of striking it rich. The legend of Deadman’s Cave Treasure, Colorado, is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring allure of the American West. The story of the Deadman’s Cave Treasure also reminds us of the unpredictable nature of fortune and the challenges of navigating the rugged landscape of the American West. The search for the Deadman’s Cave Treasure continues to this day, captivating treasure hunters and history buffs alike.