The Disappeared Riches of the Butterfield Stage Line

Introduction

The Butterfield Stage Line, launched in 1858, was a critical component of the transportation network in the American West. Founded by John Butterfield, this stagecoach service was instrumental in connecting the East and West coasts, offering unparalleled access to remote areas of the newly expanding nation. However, among its storied legacy lies the legend of its “disappeared riches” — treasure lost during perilous journeys through a rugged landscape, rife with bandits and natural obstacles.

The Origins of the Butterfield Stage Line

Establishment and Operations

The Butterfield Overland Mail Company was established following the passage of the 1857 Overland Mail Act, aimed at increasing mail distribution and communication across the United States. John Butterfield, an experienced stage line owner from New York, embraced this opportunity. On September 15, 1858, the Butterfield Stage Line began operations, making it possible to send mail from St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in a remarkable 25 days.

The route stretched approximately 2,727 miles through diverse terrains, from deserts to mountain ranges. Stagecoaches traveled through regions including Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, facing challenges such as harsh weather, scarce water supplies, and attacks from outlaws. To maintain communication and service, the line relied on strategically placed relay stations, where horses could be exchanged and passengers accommodated.

The Route and Key Locations

The Butterfield Stage Line took a southern route, which was more unpredictable but offered the benefit of mild winter weather. Some of the notable key locations included:

Fort Smith, Arkansas: The first major stop west of the Mississippi River.
El Paso, Texas: Noted for its crucial role as a water stop, and a hub of trade activities.
Yuma, Arizona: A perilous crossing point, often cited in tales of stampedes and shootouts.
Los Angeles, California: Marked as a crucial destination, signalling the end of a demanding journey.

The company successfully operated the stage line until the onset of the Civil War, which disrupted services and limited economic activity in the region.

The Riches of the Butterfield Stage Line

Carrying Treasure Through the West

As the Butterfield Stage Line established itself, it became a significant courier for not only mail but also precious cargo, which included gold, silver, and other valuables. With California becoming a focal point for the Gold Rush in 1849, wealth flowed generously, finding its way into the pockets of officials and businesspeople who utilized the stage line to transport their riches.

Historical records estimate that each stagecoach could carry an impressive haul, including:

Gold and silver coins worth thousands of dollars.
Government payrolls destined for military outposts across the West.
Other valuable goods, such as rare gems and trade silver.

Notable Incidents Involving Riches

Throughout its operations, several notorious incidents illustrated the potential for the Butterfield Stage Line’s riches to disappear. Some of the most infamous tales include:

The Overland Stage Robbery of 1860: A gang of bandits intercepted a Butterfield stage carrying gold in northern California. The robber’s success led to increased vigilance along the routes.
The Lost Treasure of Treasure Valley: En route to a relay station, a stagecoach containing a government payroll vanished without a trace. The contents of the coach, valued at $30,000 in gold, were never recovered.

Mysteries of the Lost Riches

The Vanishing Acts

Some treasure was not merely forgotten or robbed but thought to be lost through a combination of accidents and unreported events. Several coaches encountered disasters that left their rich cargoes strewn across remote landscapes:

The Wagon Train Spill: In 1864, a Butterfield Stage coach overturned near the Sierra Nevada, scattering gold and valuables. Historians speculate that many items could lie undiscovered in the surrounding wilderness.
The Desert Mirage: Stories abound regarding a coach that disappeared during a sandstorm in the Mojave Desert, carrying thousands in gold ingots destined for government payroll.

Folklore and Legend

As time passed, the stories of lost treasures grew into folklore, with numerous treasure hunters attempting to recover the purported riches of the Butterfield Stage Line. Local legends spoke of hidden caches and lost treasure maps, many believed to include symbols or clues aimed at luring adventurers into dangerous terrain.

Historical Impacts of the Butterfield Stage Line

Economic Contributions

The Butterfield Stage Line played a substantial role in facilitating commerce in the West, allowing businesses to thrive by linking eastern suppliers with western markets. Taming the vast wilderness using efficient transport methods altered the landscape of trade:

Supply routes were established, enabling the transatlantic transport of goods.
New towns emerged around stagecoach stops, fostering growth in agriculture and trade.

Social Changes

The influence of the Butterfield Stage Line extended beyond commerce, spurring social transformations. As communication improved, travel became more accessible, leading to:

Increased migration, as settlers moved to California for opportunities.
The establishment of community connections, as families were separated and could finally stay in touch.

The Decline of the Butterfield Stage Line

Factors Leading to Closure

The thriving monopoly of the Butterfield Overland Mail Company began to crumble during the early 1860s due to a variety of factors:

The onset of the American Civil War, which diverted resources and attention.
The advent of the telegraph, which rendered the long travel times of stagecoaches obsolete.
The rise of railroads throughout the region began to overshadow stagecoach transportation due to their efficiency.

Final Days

The final Butterfield Stage Line journey rolled to a close on March 17, With its closure, countless tales of lost riches would take on a life of their own among treasure hunters and historians alike.

Treasure Hunters and Modern Day Discoveries

Young and Old Seekers

The intrigue surrounding the Butterfield Stage Line’s lost treasures evokes considerable interest even today. Many treasure hunters, both amateur and professional, have sought to uncover forgotten riches over the years. Some notable examples include:

The Lost Butterfield Treasure Society, established in the 1990s; conducted numerous searches in Arizona and New Mexico.
Documented efforts by local historians who retraced the legendary routes, frequently leading them to rich gold deposits and artifacts.

Recent discoveries have yielded items such as coins, personal belongings of travelers, and stagecoach hardware, hinting at the presence of much greater wealth still buried in the American West’s unforgiving terrain.

Ongoing Mysteries

The stories of the Butterfield Stage Line treasures continue to captivate a diverse audience. Much speculation arises around various sites rumored to lie along the route, including:

The famed Lost Stagecoach Trail, a route riddled with dangerous cliffs and potentially forgotten cargo.
Private lands where disputes hinder searches, leaving countless artifacts undisturbed.

Conclusion

The Butterfield Stage Line occupies an important chapter in America’s transportation and economic history. Its adventures, losses, and the treasure it supposedly carried extend beyond mere historical accounts into the realms of folklore and legend. The continuing quest for its “disappeared riches” reflects an enduring human fascination with the past, treasure hunts, and the timeless allure of untold wealth hidden away in the vast wilderness. The romantic notion of gold buried beneath the American West enlivens the imagination, promising that, perhaps, the lost riches of the Butterfield Stage Line are yet to be discovered.