Mexican Gold in Little Cypress Creek, Texas
The tale of Mexican gold hidden within the muddy depths of Little Cypress Creek, a winding waterway nestled in Upshur County, Texas, north of Gilmer, is a captivating fragment of Texas history, interwoven with themes of revolution, betrayal, and the enduring allure of lost treasure. This legend arises from the tumultuous period following Texas’ declaration of independence from Mexico in 1836. While Texas had won its freedom on the battlefield, Mexico refused to acknowledge its sovereignty. The newly formed Republic of Texas found itself in a precarious position, constantly threatened by the possibility of Mexican re-invasion and internal strife.
One of Mexico’s strategies to undermine the fledgling republic was to instigate conflict between the Texan settlers and the Native American tribes inhabiting East Texas. The Mexican government focused specifically on the Cherokee, who had been migrating to the region since 1807. This migration intensified with the implementation of the United States’ Indian Removal Policy in 1830, which forced numerous tribes westward.
The Mexicans viewed the Cherokee presence as a buffer against the encroaching wave of Anglo-American settlers. They initiated negotiations with the Cherokee in the early 1820s, promising permanent land grants. While no formal grants were ever issued by the Mexican government, these promises held a certain appeal for the Cherokee. They seemed a more reliable prospect than the empty assurances offered by the influx of white settlers, who were steadily claiming the land.
As tensions between the Anglo-Texans and Mexican authorities escalated, culminating in the Texas Revolution of 1835, the Cherokee declared neutrality, as they still hadn’t received title to their lands from Mexico. However, a significant portion of the tribe maintained allegiance to the Mexican cause.
Following Texas’ victory over Mexico, Sam Houston, a prominent figure in the revolution and later president of the Republic of Texas, pledged to establish a reservation for the Cherokee in East Texas. Treaty negotiations commenced, and despite the proposed agreement significantly reducing the Cherokee’s landholdings, the tribe agreed, hoping for a permanent homeland at last. The treaty was signed in 1836, but it was never ratified by the Texas government, leaving the Cherokee’s fate uncertain.
Seizing upon this opportunity, the Mexican government intensified its efforts to incite rebellion among the East Texas Cherokee. They targeted militant factions within the tribe, promising them land and money in exchange for driving out the white settlers. By 1838, attacks on settlers in East Texas were attributed to a combined Cherokee-Mexican force. This further complicated the already fragile relationship between the Texans and the Cherokee and cast a shadow over the unratified treaty.
Sam Houston attempted to maintain peace by establishing a boundary line demarcating Cherokee territory before leaving office. However, this only fueled the anger of the Anglo-Texans, who coveted the land and viewed the Cherokee as allies of their enemies, the Mexicans. Houston’s successor, Mirabeau B. Lamar, adopted a dramatically different approach.
In 1839, Lamar announced a policy advocating for the complete removal of the Cherokee, whom he derisively referred to as "Sam Houston’s pet Indians." He dispatched the Texas Army to forcibly expel the tribe. Cherokee Chief Duwali initially resisted the Texan advance, prompting Lamar to issue an ultimatum: the Cherokee would be moved beyond the Red River, "peaceably if they would; forcibly if they must." The Cherokee chose to fight, leading to the conflict known as the Cherokee War.
The decisive clash occurred on July 15 and 16, 1839, at the Battle of the Neches, near present-day Tyler, Texas. A force of several hundred Cherokee warriors, led by Duwali, engaged the Texas forces. The battle resulted in a devastating defeat for the Cherokee. More than 100 Indians were killed, including Chiefs Duwali and Bowles. The remaining Cherokee were driven across the Red River into Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. Chief Bowles, a revered elder, carried a sword gifted to him by Sam Houston, a poignant symbol of the broken promises and shifting alliances that defined this era.
As the Cherokee retreated westward, they were accompanied by Mexican soldiers, who carried the gold and silver coins promised to the tribe in exchange for their rebellion. The weight of this treasure, intended to fund the uprising, would ultimately become a burden.
The Cherokee’s retreat took them through what is now Upshur County. Many scattered into the dense swamps and thick underbrush along Little Cypress Creek, seeking refuge from the pursuing Texans. The Mexican Gold in Little Cypress Creek, Texas legend truly begins here. The fleeing Mexicans, fearing for their lives and hindered by the heavy weight of the coins, made a fateful decision. To facilitate their escape, they allegedly hid the cache of gold and silver deep within the muddy waters and along the banks of Little Cypress Creek.
The story of the Mexican Gold in Little Cypress Creek, Texas spread quickly, igniting a flurry of treasure hunting activity. Dozens of people flocked to the area, hoping to strike it rich by uncovering the hidden coins. One particular story recounts the efforts of two Irishmen who, during a dry summer season, discovered two enclosed vessels in different locations within the creek. Despite their discovery, they failed to locate any gold or silver.
The Mexican Gold in Little Cypress Creek, Texas continues to capture the imagination of treasure hunters and history enthusiasts alike. Many believe that the treasure remains hidden beneath the mud and murky waters of Little Cypress Creek in Upshur County, awaiting discovery. The legend serves as a reminder of the complex and often brutal history of the region, a history marked by conflict, displacement, and the enduring allure of hidden wealth.
The Battle of the Neches effectively ended the Indian troubles in East Texas. The vast majority of the Cherokee had been driven into Indian Territory. A few renegades continued to live as fugitives in Texas, occasionally engaging in skirmishes with the Texans, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful. Others sought permanent refuge in Mexico.
When Sam Houston was elected to a second presidential term in 1841, he implemented a more conciliatory Indian policy aimed at preventing future conflicts with immigrant tribes. As a result of his peace initiatives, treaties were concluded with the remaining Texas Cherokee in 1843 and 1844, marking a tentative end to the hostilities.
The legend of the Mexican Gold in Little Cypress Creek, Texas is more than just a tale of buried treasure. It’s a story that reflects the broader historical context of the Texas Revolution, the displacement of Native American tribes, and the enduring human desire for wealth and a better future. The creek itself, with its winding course and muddy banks, stands as a silent witness to the events of the past, holding its secrets close, and perhaps, still guarding its hidden treasure.
The mystery of the Mexican Gold in Little Cypress Creek, Texas endures to this day, fueling speculation and inspiring the dreams of those who still search for the lost cache. Whether the gold is ever found or remains forever hidden, the legend will continue to be told, a testament to the enduring power of history and the allure of lost treasure. It serves as a reminder of the turbulent times in Texas’ past, and the many stories, both true and imagined, that have shaped its identity.