The Reynolds Gang Stolen Treasure
Southern sympathizers, the Reynolds Gang operated in South Park in 1864 and launched what would become the only invasion of the South during the Civil War.
Many Confederate soldiers formed into militia groups during the War for Southern Independence in Colorado. They included the Fairplay Unit, Leadville Unit, Denver Unit, and Mace's Hole. Col John Heffiner was the highest ranking Confederate to operate in the state. He and his officers were forming a regiment at Mace's Hole in 1862. They were attacked and driven out of the territory by Union forces from Ft. Garland.
Southern sympathizers, the Reynolds Gang operated in South Park in 1864. In July of that year, Jim Reynolds and eight Confederate "soldiers" launched, what would become, the only invasion of the South Park area during the Civil War. Their mission was to intercept gold shipments headed to the Union and redirect that wealth to the Confederate cause.
The gang robbed several stagecoaches and accumulated a sizeable treasure. But the Union Army was soon in pursuit. Rather than be captured with the loot, the gang buried the treasure somewhere in the South Park area—exactly where has been the subject of speculation ever since.
The gang was soon captured. Five of them, including Jim Reynolds, were shot "while trying to escape." The rest were taken to Denver for trial. But none of them ever revealed the location of the buried treasure.
John Reynolds, Jim's brother, survived the war and returned to Colorado to search for the treasure. But he was killed by Indians before he could find it. Many others have searched over the years, but the Reynolds Gang treasure remains lost to this day.
Johnny Walker
Johnny has been prospecting Colorado and Arizona for over 20 years. He runs Prospector Center with his wife Laurie, sharing practical knowledge gained from countless hours in the field.
