When Snively’s men were disbanded in New Mexico in 1843, they came back
to the Texas settlements more eager than ever for Mexican prey. About
the time of their return a Mexican train was going across the Republic
with a cargo of money for St. Louis. By agreement with the Texas
authorities it was accompanied by a detachment of Texas Rangers, who
traveled nearly a day’s ride behind. The Mexicans distrusted them; yet
they wanted them, for they were afraid of the Snively gang. At Red
River they expected to be met by United States troops, who could not
cross into Texas. When the advance scout of the train came in sight of
Red River, he saw two men riding towards him, and at once concluded
that they were Snively bandits. He galloped back and reported them as
such to the train. The Mexicans at once began a retreat and a safe
disposition of their precious cargo.
On a hill about a mile south of a cottonwood tree that grew on the bank
of Red River, four or five hundred yards below an old Spanish crossing,
they buried five hundred dollars. On the top of the next hill south of
that they buried five hundred more. These two deposits were to be
markers and were buried in shallow holes. On the third hill they buried
the remainder of their money, many thousands. Then they destroyed their
wagons and beat back towards the Rio Grande as best they could. They
had become convinced that their escort, even though kept a day’s ride
behind, was in collusion with the supposed Snively gang. Very shortly
after this event the Mexican War broke out, and by the time it was over
and affairs had settled down in Texas so that Mexicans could travel
inland with security, most of the little band of gold transporters had
died or had been killed in battle. The remnant had forgotten the
location of the money. Men, though, still look for the tree on Red
River bank, below an old crossing, with a line of three hills to the
south.
Mr. Tom L. Walker of Montague County, which fronts on Red River, has
supplied me a legend somewhat similar to the foregoing. He says that it
is current in the county. About 1856 four white men and six Mexicans
were transporting a wagon load of gold bullion across Texas from Mexico
to St. Louis. Near the Illinois Bend of Red River they were set on by
Comanches, and dumped their gold into a lake. Only one of them, a
Mexican named Gonzales, survived the attack. He would never return to
the site of his terrible experience. In 1890 some men went from
Montague County to Mexico City to interview the old man. They found
him, but he was blind, crippled, and feeble. He could only tell them
that the gold was “on the south side of the largest of the lakes.” Time
had so shifted the positions of the lakes, however, that the men who
got the information could never determine where to make a thorough
excavation.