San Juan County, New Mexico Treasure
The arid landscapes of New Mexico, etched with ancient canyons and whispering tales of the Old West, are fertile ground for legends of lost treasure. Among the most enduring of these narratives is the story of a stolen army payroll, buried somewhere in the rugged terrain of San Juan County, awaiting rediscovery. This tale, steeped in the lore of stagecoach robberies, desperate fugitives, and a lifetime spent searching, continues to captivate the imaginations of treasure hunters and history buffs alike. The story of San Juan County, New Mexico Treasure echoes through time.
The narrative begins with the Star Line Nail and Transportation Company, a vital artery of commerce and military support in the late 19th century. This stagecoach line maintained a regular route connecting Prescott, Arizona, with Santa Fe, New Mexico, traversing hundreds of miles of challenging terrain. The company’s primary function was to serve the United States Army, transporting troops, essential supplies, and, most significantly for our story, the army’s payroll between Fort Wingate in New Mexico and Fort Whipple in Arizona. These payrolls, often consisting of substantial sums in gold coins, represented a tempting target for opportunistic outlaws.
In 1874, Samuel Wharton and Thomas Horton, two figures destined for infamy, conceived a daring plan to intercept one of these heavily guarded stagecoaches. Their target was a stage traveling northwest of Albuquerque, carrying a staggering $50,000 in gold coins – a fortune in that era. Successfully ambushing the stage, Wharton and Horton made off with their prize, leaving behind a scene of chaos and disbelief.
Their escape route led them north, utilizing horses stolen from a Navajo herd. The stolen horses gave them a temporary boost. The fugitives raced through the winding corridors of Largo Canyon, a landscape characterized by its towering sandstone cliffs and sparse vegetation. Their journey brought them to the banks of the San Juan River, near the settlement of Blanco, a crucial landmark in their flight from justice.
The pursuit was relentless. As Wharton and Horton pressed onward, covering a significant distance, they glanced back to discover the cavalry in hot pursuit. The sight of the approaching soldiers, their horses pounding the earth, instilled a sense of panic. In a desperate attempt to secure their ill-gotten gains, they hastily buried the gold near a distinctive rock formation – a natural arch that would later become a key element in the treasure’s enduring legend. This rock-shaped arch, a prominent feature of the landscape, was intended as a marker, a silent sentinel guarding their secret.
However, their reprieve was short-lived. The long arm of the law soon caught up with them. Identified by two Navajo guides as the perpetrators who had stolen the horses, Tom Horton and Samuel Wharton were apprehended. Their fate was sealed in the New Mexico Territorial Prison, where they were sentenced to forty years for their crime.
Inside the prison walls, time took its toll. Tom Horton succumbed to the harsh conditions, never seeing freedom again. Samuel Wharton, however, endured. After serving a substantial portion of his sentence, he was eventually released. The lure of the hidden treasure, the $50,000 in gold coins buried somewhere in the vastness of San Juan County, never faded from his mind.
Thirty-five years after the daring stagecoach robbery, Samuel Wharton, a changed man but still driven by the hope of recovering his lost fortune, returned to Aztec, New Mexico. He spent the entire summer meticulously searching the surrounding countryside, revisiting the landmarks he remembered from his desperate flight. He searched for the rock-shaped arch that marked the burial site. He scoured Slane’s Arroyo and Potter Arroyo, two prominent waterways between Aztec and Blanco, meticulously examining every rock formation and geological feature.
Despite his exhaustive efforts, Wharton’s search proved fruitless. The landscape had changed, memories had faded, or perhaps the arch was simply too well hidden. The exact location of the buried gold remained elusive. The San Juan County, New Mexico Treasure continued to beckon. The gold remained lost, adding another layer to the already rich tapestry of New Mexico’s treasure lore.
The legend of the San Juan County, New Mexico Treasure persists, fueled by the allure of untold riches and the enduring mystery of its location. The tale serves as a reminder of the turbulent history of the Old West, a time of daring heists, relentless pursuits, and the ever-present hope of striking it rich.
However, a critical perspective emerged in the early 2000s, casting doubt on the veracity of the legend. Douglas McCleary, a reader of historical accounts, conducted thorough research into the story, contacting the New Mexico State Archives. The archives were unable to locate any criminal cases related to a stagecoach robbery involving Wharton and Horton in any of the counties where the trial might have taken place. Further investigation revealed that the New Mexico Territorial Prison census of 1884 did not list any prisoners sentenced for stagecoach robbery.
This evidence suggests that the story of the San Juan County, New Mexico Treasure may be more fiction than fact. The absence of official records raises serious questions about the historical accuracy of the narrative.
Despite the lack of corroborating evidence, the legend of the San Juan County, New Mexico Treasure continues to thrive. It serves as a compelling example of how stories, once set in motion, can take on a life of their own, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Whether based on historical fact or simply a product of folklore, the tale remains a fascinating glimpse into the enduring fascination with lost treasure and the allure of the American West. The very mention of San Juan County, New Mexico Treasure excites treasure hunters.
The search for the San Juan County, New Mexico Treasure may be a fool’s errand. The tale may be based on a fictional account. The legend offers a captivating glimpse into the romanticized version of the Wild West.