Potato Creek Johnny
The annals of Deadwood, South Dakota, a town steeped in the lore of the Wild West, are populated with a vibrant cast of characters. Among these figures, one stands out for his diminutive stature, his tenacious spirit, and the legendary discovery that forever cemented his place in the region’s history: John Perrett, affectionately known as "Potato Creek Johnny." His story, interwoven with the allure of gold and the rugged individualism of the frontier, continues to captivate visitors and residents alike. This is the tale of Potato Creek Johnny, a Welsh immigrant who struck more than just gold; he struck legend.
John Perrett’s journey began far from the American West, across the Atlantic in the rolling hills of Wales. Born in 1866, he immigrated to the United States in 1883 at the tender age of 17, driven by the same dreams of fortune and adventure that lured countless others to these shores. The promise of gold, specifically, drew him to Deadwood, South Dakota, a boomtown teeming with prospectors eager to carve their own destinies from the earth. The year was a pivotal one for the Black Hills, still relatively young in its development as a gold-mining region, yet already attracting prospectors and entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe. Deadwood, with its rough-and-tumble atmosphere and burgeoning economy, was a magnet for those seeking quick riches or a fresh start.
Upon arriving in Deadwood, the young Perrett found himself in a landscape vastly different from his native Wales. The rugged terrain of the Black Hills, with its pine-clad mountains and fast-flowing streams, presented both challenges and opportunities. Initially, he took on a variety of odd jobs, typical for newcomers in a mining town. He worked as a laborer, a teamster, and likely even tried his hand at various other tasks to earn a living. However, his ambition was not to remain a mere wage earner. By the time he reached the age of 25, Perrett resolved to strike out on his own, fueled by the unwavering belief that he, too, could unearth a fortune in gold.
Undeterred by the fact that large mining companies were increasingly dominating the gold extraction efforts, Potato Creek Johnny armed himself with a gold pan and a determined spirit. He ventured into the hills, seeking to uncover a new mother lode in the streams that snaked through the landscape. He also used sluice boxes, a more efficient method of separating gold from sediment than panning alone. The sluice box, a long, inclined trough with riffles along the bottom, allowed water to flow through while trapping heavier materials like gold. Perrett’s choice of tools reflected his commitment to the prospecting life, despite the odds stacked against individual miners.
He chose to focus his efforts on Potato Creek, a tributary of Spearfish Creek, and it was here that the legend of Potato Creek Johnny began to take shape. As he toiled in the creek, panning and sluicing for gold, Perrett gradually transformed into the stereotypical image of a prospector. He allowed his hair and beard to grow long and unkempt, a practical choice for a man living outdoors and dedicating his time to the arduous task of mining. This physical transformation, coupled with his chosen location, earned him the now-famous moniker "Potato Creek Johnny." The name stuck, becoming synonymous with his identity and his unwavering pursuit of gold.
However, the path to striking it rich was far from easy. Years passed without the significant discovery he so desperately sought. During this time, on March 13, 1907, he married a woman named Molly Hamilton of Belle Fourche. The marriage, however, was reportedly tumultuous from the outset. Despite the challenges, they remained married for nearly two decades before finally divorcing in 1928. The relationship, though ultimately unsuccessful, provides a glimpse into the personal life of the man behind the legend, illustrating the complexities and hardships he faced beyond his prospecting endeavors.
Then, in 1929, came the moment that would forever define Potato Creek Johnny and etch his name into the annals of Deadwood history. He allegedly discovered a large gold nugget, a find that immediately sparked both excitement and controversy. While the exact circumstances of the discovery remain shrouded in some mystery, the nugget itself became a focal point of intense speculation.
Almost immediately, rumors began to circulate that the nugget was not a single, naturally formed piece of gold, but rather a melted mass of smaller nuggets, perhaps even gold stolen from a neighboring miner. These claims, while never definitively substantiated, added to the mystique surrounding Potato Creek Johnny and his legendary find. Whether a single nugget or a composite, the discovery brought Perrett fame, if not immediate fortune.
The "leg-shaped" nugget, as it was often described, weighed a hefty 7 ¾ troy ounces. Perrett sold it to W.E. Adams for $250, a sum that, while not insignificant, was likely less than its true market value. Adams, recognizing the nugget’s potential as a tourist attraction, promptly put it on display at the Adams Museum in Deadwood. The nugget instantly became a popular draw, attracting visitors eager to see the remarkable find and learn about the man who had unearthed it.
The gold nugget’s display at the Adams Museum also catapulted Potato Creek Johnny himself into the limelight. Deadwood visitors, intrigued by the story of the diminutive prospector who had struck gold, flocked to hear his tales of prospecting and life in the Wild West. Perrett, ever the showman, readily obliged.
During the 1930s and early 1940s, visitors regularly made their way to his cabin, where Johnny would entertain them with stories of his prospecting adventures and colorful anecdotes about Deadwood’s past. He would often demonstrate his gold panning techniques, captivating his audience with the simple yet captivating process of extracting gold from the earth. When asked about the famous nugget, he would often reply with a wry smile, "I have been looking for the rest of the leg ever since." This humorous response became one of his signature lines, adding to his folksy charm. Beyond entertaining tourists, Perrett was also actively involved in the Deadwood community. He participated in local parades and other community events, further solidifying his status as a beloved local character.
Potato Creek Johnny continued to promote Deadwood and its rich history until his death in February 1943, at the age of 77. His passing marked the end of an era for the town, a reminder of the days when individual prospectors could still strike it rich in the Black Hills.
John Perrett was laid to rest in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, a historic burial ground that serves as the final resting place for many of Deadwood’s most famous and infamous figures, including Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok, and Seth Bullock. As the funeral procession made its way past the Adams Museum, the museum’s carillon chimes tolled 77 times, once for each year of his life, a poignant tribute to a man who had become an integral part of Deadwood’s identity.
Today, Potato Creek Johnny‘s legacy lives on. His story and photographs, along with a replica of the original nugget, are on display at the Adams Museum in Deadwood, ensuring that his legend continues to captivate future generations. The original nugget, a symbol of both luck and controversy, is carefully stored in a safe deposit box at a local bank, a testament to its enduring value and historical significance. The tale of John Perrett serves as a reminder of the allure of the American West, the enduring power of dreams, and the lasting impact of even the smallest of individuals on the grand tapestry of history. He may have been just over four feet tall, but Potato Creek Johnny‘s legend stands tall in the heart of Deadwood.