Ruggles Brothers Loot in Middle Creek, California
The rugged terrain of Northern California, a land etched with the history of gold rushes and frontier justice, holds many tales of daring robberies and buried treasures. One such story revolves around the infamous Ruggles Brothers and their ill-fated attempt to rob a stagecoach near Middle Creek, California, an incident that ultimately led to their demise and the enduring legend of their lost loot.
John and Charles Ruggles hailed from a respectable family residing in Tulare County, California. While Charles pursued higher education, attending college and fulfilling his family’s expectations, John’s path diverged sharply. From an early age, he exhibited a rebellious streak, finding himself on the wrong side of the law. His criminal tendencies culminated in an arrest and imprisonment for robbery while still a young man, casting a shadow over his family’s reputation. Despite these contrasting trajectories, the brothers’ lives would soon become intertwined in a web of crime and tragedy.
Upon Charles’ graduation from college, John emerged from prison, setting in motion a chain of events that would corrupt his younger brother, who had previously led a law-abiding life. John, with his experience in the criminal underworld, skillfully persuaded Charles to abandon his conventional aspirations and embrace a life of crime, promising him an "easy way" to make a living through robbing a stagecoach. The lure of quick riches and the allure of a life outside the boundaries of societal norms proved too tempting for Charles to resist.
On May 14, 1892, the Ruggles Brothers put their plan into action, lying in wait for the Redding & Weaverville Stagecoach just outside the bustling town of Redding, California. Their target was a strongbox believed to contain approximately $5,000 in gleaming gold coins, a substantial sum in those days. The brothers, driven by greed and a thirst for adventure, were determined to seize their prize, regardless of the consequences.
The stagecoach, driven by the experienced John Boyce, embarked on its eastward journey along Middle Creek Road, connecting Shasta to Redding. The stagecoach was a common mode of transportation, and it continued its journey despite any danger. Accompanying Boyce was a single passenger, George Suhr, who rode up front alongside the driver. However, concealed within the confines of the coach was Amos "Buck" Montgomery, the stage guard and messenger, responsible for protecting the valuable cargo. The presence of Montgomery added an element of risk to the Ruggles Brothers’ plan, but they were undeterred, confident in their ability to overcome any obstacle.
As the stagecoach approached a sharp curve in the road, its pace slowed, providing the perfect opportunity for the Ruggles Brothers to strike. Emerging from the dense foliage, Charles Ruggles, clad in a long coat and with his face concealed by a bandana, brandished a shotgun, pointing it menacingly at the driver. With a commanding voice, he ordered Boyce to halt the stagecoach and surrender the strongbox. Faced with the imminent threat of violence, Boyce promptly complied, heaving the heavy box to the ground. Middle Creek, California was the spot where the loot was hidden.
In a swift and decisive response, Montgomery, from inside the coach, unleashed a volley of buckshot, peppering Charles’ face and upper body with the deadly projectiles. The sudden attack caught Charles off guard, causing him to stumble and fall. However, despite his injuries, he managed to return fire, striking Boyce and Suhr in the legs, adding to the chaos and violence of the scene.
As Charles lay wounded on the ground, John retaliated by firing shots into the stagecoach. One of his shots struck Montgomery, inflicting a mortal wound that would claim his life hours later. Panicked by the gunfire, the horses bolted, dragging the stagecoach behind them, leaving Charles vulnerable and exposed.
Believing his brother to be on the verge of death, John made a quick decision. He grabbed the heavy strongbox, concealing it in a nearby location, and fled the scene, hoping to evade capture. The escape was a risky endeavor, but he was motivated by a desire to protect himself and ensure his brother’s survival.
Meanwhile, the stagecoach, with its wounded occupants, eventually reached civilization, where the tale of the attempted robbery was recounted to the authorities. A posse was swiftly formed and dispatched to the scene of the crime, where they quickly located Charles. Despite his severe wounds, he was taken into custody and transported to the Redding jail, where he received medical treatment for his injuries.
John, managing to evade immediate capture, sought refuge at his aunt’s residence in Woodland. However, his respite was short-lived. Upon learning of his involvement in the stagecoach robbery and the death of Montgomery, his aunt, disgusted by his actions, evicted him from her home and reported him to the local sheriff. Six weeks after the robbery, on June 19, John was apprehended while sitting in a restaurant in Woodland. He was returned to the Redding jail, where he was surprised to find his brother alive and recovering from his wounds.
In a desperate attempt to save himself and his brother from the gallows, John concocted a story, claiming that Montgomery, the stage guard, was an accomplice in the robbery. He also revealed the location where he had hidden the gold, stating that he had concealed it in Middle Creek, California. According to John, he had attached a floating device to the strongbox, positioning it just below the surface of the water to aid in its retrieval.
While incarcerated in the Redding jail, the Ruggles Brothers, with their handsome features and charming personalities, attracted the attention of the local women. Some showered them with gifts of cakes and fruits, while others presented them with bouquets of flowers. Rumors even circulated that the brothers received marriage proposals from enamored admirers.
However, the local men, already outraged by the killing of Montgomery, were incensed by the attention lavished upon the Ruggles Brothers. On the evening of July 24, 1892, a vigilante mob, comprising approximately 40 men, stormed the jail. The lone jailer, George Albro, was powerless to resist the mob, who forcibly gained entry by blowing open the safe containing the jail keys.
As the vigilantes dragged the Ruggles Brothers from their cells, John made a final plea, offering to reveal the location of the stolen loot if the mob would spare his brother’s life. "Spare Charley, and I will tell you," John Ruggles pleaded.
However, the mob was unmoved, their thirst for vengeance overriding any consideration for the stolen gold. They dragged the brothers to a tree located near the Redding Blacksmith shop at the northwest corner of Shasta Street and the railroad tracks. John was 33 years old, and Charles was just 22.
The following day, the residents of Redding awoke to find the lifeless bodies of the Ruggles Brothers hanging from the tree. The bodies remained on display for three days, serving as a grim reminder of the consequences of their crimes. Passengers on nearby trains were forced to witness the gruesome spectacle. The Middle Creek, California loot was never found.
A local newspaper editorial declared that justice had been fairly meted out, stating that the lynching was "a disagreeable job, but under the circumstances appeared to be necessary for the public good and is an example to the courts."
As for the stolen treasure, an express pouch was later discovered near Lower Springs, with all the letters intact. However, the gold itself was never recovered. The legend of the Ruggles Brothers’ loot buried in Middle Creek, California, continues to captivate treasure hunters and local historians alike. The exact location of the hidden strongbox remains a mystery, fueling speculation and inspiring countless searches.