The Vanished Silver of the Spokane Highlands Bandits

The Vanished Silver of the Spokane Highlands Bandits

The tale of the Spokane Highlands Bandits and their elusive treasure has captivated treasure hunters and history enthusiasts alike for over a century.

The Spokane Highlands: Historical Context

The Spokane Highlands, located in eastern Washington, is a region characterized by its rugged beauty and rich natural resources. During the 19th century, specifically the 1860s to 1890s, this area witnessed a population explosion due to the discovery of gold and silver in the nearby mountains. The combination of the Gold Rush and the transcontinental railroad created a boomtown atmosphere, leading to an influx of miners, settlers, and crooks alike.

At the time, the population of Spokane, then a small settlement, grew from a mere 20 residents in 1873 to over 20,000 by This chaotic environment established fertile ground for criminal activity. Competing interests, lack of law enforcement, and the promise of easy riches motivated outlaws to operate in the area. It was during this period that the Spokane Highlands Bandits would come to notoriety.

Origin of the Spokane Highlands Bandits

The Spokane Highlands Bandits comprised a loosely organized group of thieves, largely active from 1885 to While exact membership remains murky, several key figures have been identified historically:

• Frank “Silver” Decker: The alleged leader, notorious for his charm and ruthlessness.
• Tommy “Two-Gun” Jackson: Known for his marksmanship and fearsome reputation.
• Emma “Dynamite” McFadden: The only female member, infamous for her guerrilla tactics and fierce loyalty.

The bandits primarily targeted silver shipments from the rich mines around the Coeur d’Alene area, notorious for their cunning and strategic planning. Decker’s charisma allowed him to gather a diverse crew united by the promise of wealth screened under the guise of loyalty and adventure.

The Great Silver Heist of 1888

The nadir of the Spokane Highlands Bandits’ notoriety came in the summer of 1888 during what became known as the Great Silver Heist. The bandits meticulously planned to rob a heavily guarded train transporting silver ingots from the Thunder Mountain Mine to Spokane.

On June 22, 1888, the bandits ambushed the train near the confluence of the Spokane River and Latah Creek. Utilizing stolen horses and intelligent sabotage of the tracks, they successfully halted the train and subdued the guards, seizing approximately two tons of pure silver. The estimated worth of this haul would exceed $100,000 today.

After the robbery, instead of immediately dispersing, the bandits kept the silver in a hidden cave known as Devil’s Den, located in the foothills of the nearby Spokane Highlands. This decision ultimately proved disastrous for the gang, as it led to glitches in their planned escape routes and sowed discord among its members.

The Disappearance of the Silver

After the robbery, the bandits remained a step ahead of local law enforcement and bounty hunters. However, internal strife began to surface, particularly due to greed, leading to surprising betrayal. In late July of 1888, just a month after the heist, one of their own, Tommy “Two-Gun” Jackson, disappeared unexpectedly. Later, a search revealed that he had taken a significant portion of the stolen silver with him.

Following Jackson’s betrayal, a series of misfortunes beset the remaining bandits. With paranoia running high, Decker decided to relocate the remaining silver from Devil’s Den. In late August, while attempting to move the treasure to a new location, the bandits were ambushed by a posse of local miners and lawmen. Although the majority escaped, Decker and Emma McFadden reportedly fled deeper into the woods, leaving behind the bulk of the silver in the chaos.

Legends of the Lost Silver

As decades passed, the bandits’ story transformed into a legend of lost treasure, drawing countless treasure hunters to the Spokane Highlands. Reports of sightings and hearsay about the remaining silver evolved into folklore, with various claims attributing caches of silver to the region.

Theories on Its Location

Many theories about the hidden silver have emerged over the years, with treasure hunters combing the mountainous terrain of the Spokane Highlands. Some of the most popular hypotheses include:

• Cave of Murders: A theory posits that Decker and McFadden buried the remaining silver in a series of caves southeast of the Spokane River, where they believed it would ultimately stay hidden forever.
• Stillwater Creek: Others suggest they may have concealed their treasure near Stillwater Creek, a less-traveled area that would offer a natural barrier to prying eyes.
• The Ghost Town of Libby: Some believe the silver rests among the remnants of Libby, a nearby ghost town rife with thefts and buried secrets.

The Aftermath of the Heist

The fallout from the Great Silver Heist reverberated throughout the local community for years, affecting law enforcement and the citizenry deeply. Following the robbery, local authorities launched an aggressive manhunt for the Spokane Highlands Bandits, pooling resources from multiple jurisdictions.

Law Enforcement Response

Local law enforcement agencies employed an array of tactics to apprehend the bandits, including:

• Increased Patrols: Police established heightened patrols along known travel routes to intercept suspected bandit movements.
• Investigative Networks: Authorities formed investigative networks that collaborated across counties to track brewing rumors and sightings.
• Bounty Hunts: Significant bounties were placed on the known bandits, drawing professional hunters and mercenaries from afar.

Nevertheless, the physical threats posed by the Spokane Highlands Bandits remained elusive, and no significant arrests were made in the months following the heist. By March 1889, the urgency began to wane, and eventually, the case grew cold.

Resolution of the Bandits’ Fates

Amid growing pressures from the law, Frank Decker and Emma McFadden went underground. Allegedly, they integrated into a logging community across the Canadian border, disappearing into the anonymity of working-class life. Subsequent rumors circulated regarding their potential return to banditry, but they never materialized. Only fragments of history and folklore remain chronicling their lives post-robbery.

Tommy “Two-Gun” Jackson, the turncoat, faded into obscurity, possibly taking a portion of the silver with him into parts unknown. Some claim he eventually settled in California, where the gold rush still lured fortune seekers.

Modern Treasure Hunters and Searches

The legend of the Spokane Highlands Bandits and their stolen silver continues to lure modern treasure hunters eager to uncover the lost fortune. The fascination with the treasure has prompted numerous expeditions, rallies, and search parties over the past century, resulting in a rich tapestry of stories and claims.

Popular Search Expeditions

Recurring searches for the lost silver have been fueled by local lore, and several notable treasure hunts include:

• The Silver Hunt of 1985: Organized by amateur treasure enthusiasts, this expedition drew participants from across the Pacific Northwest, utilizing metal detectors and ground-penetrating radar along potential sites.
• Modern Expedition Teams: In the 21st century, professional teams fitted with advanced technology conducted serious archaeological studies in the Spokane Highlands, often yielding artifacts from the era but no silver.
• Historical Society Initiatives: Local historical societies frequently host events and exhibitions aimed at preserving the lore of the Spokane Highlands Bandits, engaging the public’s interest in discovering hidden treasures.

Legislation and Licensure

Present-day treasure hunters must also navigate various regulations concerning treasure retrieval in Washington State. The prospect of finding old silver is attractive, but hunters must consider:

• State Laws: Regulations dictate how to obtain permits for searches on public land, and private property requires explicit permission from landowners.
• Historic Preservation: Sites of potential interest may also be protected under federal or state historic preservation laws, adding a layer of complexity to treasure hunting activities.

Conclusion: The Allure of the Spokane Highlands

The story of the vanished silver of the Spokane Highlands Bandits is a fascinating blend of history, lore, and the aching human desire for discovery. While many have trekked the rugged terrains of the Spokane Highlands in pursuit of lost treasure, the story itself embodies themes of ambition, betrayal, hope, and the inexorable passage of time.

Today, the legends endure as enthusiasts continue to investigate, remembering those who sought fortunes amid beauty and chaos. And while the silver may remain hidden, its significance as part of the region’s history persists, offering inspiration for both amateur adventurers and dedicated historians seeking to uncover the past.