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River City Mystery - Exploring the darker corners of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky - Buried Treasure in the Tri-State?

Buried Treasure in the Tri-State?

08/01/23 • 12 min

River City Mystery - Exploring the darker corners of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky

This episode explores the fascinating topic of buried treasure legends and stories in the Tri-State area, encompassing Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky.

Here are some of the key treasures and legends discussed:

  • Kentucky Cornfield Gold: The episode begins with the exciting recent discovery of over 700 rare US gold coins in a Kentucky cornfield, estimated to be worth more than $2 million, highlighting the real possibility of finding buried treasure. [00:08]
  • Why People Buried Treasure: The host provides historical context, explaining that before the establishment of the FDIC, people often chose to bury their valuable possessions as a safer alternative to banks. [01:45]
  • Farmersburg Gold (Indiana): This episode recounts a 1987 report detailing the alleged burial of gold by soldiers near Farmersburg, Indiana. [04:22]
  • Pirate Treasure at Cave-in-Rock (Illinois): Listeners are introduced to the enduring legends of pirate treasure supposedly hidden within the caves of Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. [07:04]
  • Riverboat Silver near Golconda (Illinois): The episode shares tales of silver dollars lost from a wrecked riverboat near the town of Golconda, Illinois. [08:17]
  • Harp Brothers' Gold near Dixon (Kentucky): The notorious Harp brothers, infamous outlaws, are linked to rumors of hidden gold coins near Dixon, Kentucky. [09:02]
  • The Possibility of More: The show concludes with Matt expressing a strong belief that more buried and sunken treasure awaits discovery in the Tri-State area, using the recent Kentucky find as compelling evidence. [11:36]
  • Important Reminder: The episode ends with a crucial reminder for anyone interested in treasure hunting to always obtain permission before searching on private property. [11:58]

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/12

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

https://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/folklore/id/3872/rec/10

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/cave-in-rock-and-americas-river-pirates/146392#:~:text=From%20the%20late%201700s%20to,cave%20(although%20there%20is%20no

https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/12/millions-rare-gold-coins-unearthed-kentucky-cornfield/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Kentucky_Hoard#:~:text=The%20Great%20Kentucky%20Hoard%20is,the%20hoard%20has%20remained%20anonymous.&text=The%20coins%20found%20are%20U.S.%20Civil%20War%2Dera%20coins.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpe_brothers

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This episode explores the fascinating topic of buried treasure legends and stories in the Tri-State area, encompassing Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky.

Here are some of the key treasures and legends discussed:

  • Kentucky Cornfield Gold: The episode begins with the exciting recent discovery of over 700 rare US gold coins in a Kentucky cornfield, estimated to be worth more than $2 million, highlighting the real possibility of finding buried treasure. [00:08]
  • Why People Buried Treasure: The host provides historical context, explaining that before the establishment of the FDIC, people often chose to bury their valuable possessions as a safer alternative to banks. [01:45]
  • Farmersburg Gold (Indiana): This episode recounts a 1987 report detailing the alleged burial of gold by soldiers near Farmersburg, Indiana. [04:22]
  • Pirate Treasure at Cave-in-Rock (Illinois): Listeners are introduced to the enduring legends of pirate treasure supposedly hidden within the caves of Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. [07:04]
  • Riverboat Silver near Golconda (Illinois): The episode shares tales of silver dollars lost from a wrecked riverboat near the town of Golconda, Illinois. [08:17]
  • Harp Brothers' Gold near Dixon (Kentucky): The notorious Harp brothers, infamous outlaws, are linked to rumors of hidden gold coins near Dixon, Kentucky. [09:02]
  • The Possibility of More: The show concludes with Matt expressing a strong belief that more buried and sunken treasure awaits discovery in the Tri-State area, using the recent Kentucky find as compelling evidence. [11:36]
  • Important Reminder: The episode ends with a crucial reminder for anyone interested in treasure hunting to always obtain permission before searching on private property. [11:58]

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/12

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

https://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/folklore/id/3872/rec/10

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/cave-in-rock-and-americas-river-pirates/146392#:~:text=From%20the%20late%201700s%20to,cave%20(although%20there%20is%20no

https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/12/millions-rare-gold-coins-unearthed-kentucky-cornfield/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Kentucky_Hoard#:~:text=The%20Great%20Kentucky%20Hoard%20is,the%20hoard%20has%20remained%20anonymous.&text=The%20coins%20found%20are%20U.S.%20Civil%20War%2Dera%20coins.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpe_brothers

Previous Episode

undefined - Where is Andi?

Where is Andi?

This episode focuses on the ongoing search for 24-year-old Andi Wagner, who was last seen in Evansville, Indiana, on August 6, 2022.

Here's a summary of the key information discussed:

  • The Search Efforts: The episode highlights the active involvement of Andi's family and friends in the search, including their efforts on the "Where is Andi?" Facebook page. [02:52]
  • Community Collaboration: Learn about the collaboration between Rick White, the former Emergency Management Director in Union County, Kentucky, and YouTubers Trey and Ronnie, who organized searches in local waterways. [04:21]
  • Family Insights: Hear a clip from an interview with Andi's cousin, Frankie Lee, who discusses the unusual circumstances surrounding Andi's disappearance and mentions a neighbor's involvement with ring camera footage. [06:02]
  • Search Updates and Theories: The host interviews Rick White about the planned search efforts and his perspectives on the case, including potential reasons for the lack of progress in the investigation. [18:21]
  • Call for Information: The episode concludes with a direct appeal to anyone who may have information about Andi's whereabouts to contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7979. [32:44]

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/11

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Where is Andi - Facebook Group

Andi's GoFundMe page

*****

In this episode:

Interview with Rick White, former Emergency Management Director in Union County, Kentucky.

Rick's TikTok: Front Porch America

JuJu's Rabbit Hole - Interview with Franky Lee (Andi's cousin)

Narked Divers

Brother's Underwater Recovery

WEVV-44 - Family searching for missing woman Andi Wagner

Next Episode

undefined - The Murder of Troy DeWayne Smith

The Murder of Troy DeWayne Smith

This episode investigates the murder of 50-year-old Troy DeWayne Smith, who was found dead in his Evansville, Indiana, apartment on May 24, 2020.

Here's a summary of the key details discussed:

  • The Discovery: Learn about the discovery of Troy's body by his brother, TaRon, and the initial misclassification of the death as an overdose. [01:04], [01:12], [01:37]
  • TaRon's Account: Hear TaRon's emotional account of receiving a concerning call from Troy's acquaintances, finding his brother, and his suspicions about the individuals who contacted him. [02:54], [04:03], [05:39]
  • The Investigation Unfolds: Understand how the case was eventually recognized as a murder after an autopsy revealed a gunshot wound to the back of Troy's head. [05:23]
  • Detective Involvement: Learn about the initial detective on the case and the subsequent involvement of a new detective who confirmed the case remains open after pressure from Troy's family. [07:11], [08:05]
  • Potential Suspects: TaRon shares his suspicions about a specific individual who had a prior altercation with Troy, believing this person may be responsible for the murder. [10:04]
  • Troy's Life: Gain insight into Troy's character as a quiet man who may have struggled with drug issues and associated with a dangerous crowd. [13:37]
  • Call for Information and Reward: The episode concludes with an appeal to the public for any information related to Troy's murder. Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution. [15:04]

If you have any information that could help solve this case, please contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-4025, or leave an anonymous tip at 800-78-CRIME. A $5,000 reward is being offered by Troy’s mother for information leading to a successful prosecution.

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/13

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Troy's obituary

Smith Family Offering Reward to Catch Killer

Reward being offered for info in Spring 2020 homicide case

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