The Lost Maxwell Loot
It was in September 1880 that Clark Maxwell, who was a unsuccessful prospector and poor cattle rancher along with two other men were hiding in wait behind some boulders along the stage route that went from Phoenix to Prescott. The Stage was carrying passengers, miners and a lawman with a strongbox filled with a payroll of $20,000 in gold & silver coins with paper money as well.
When the stage rounded a sharp bend in the road and had to slow down, Maxwell and the others approached the stage and relieved everyone of their valuables and made off with the contents of the strong box. But before the outlaws could get away, the lawman shot and killed one of the bandits dropping him from his saddle and mortally wounded another.
The stage eventually made it to a mining camp near today’s Black Canyon City and a Vigilante group was made and deputized by the lawman to hunt down these last two thieves. They were soon on the trail.
Maxwell and the wounded outlaw made it to the Verde river and crossed to the eastern bank when the wounded man breathed his last breath. Maxwell laid him along the bank and took his horse, rifle & his share of the loot from the hold up and made for the hills near Four Peaks. Two days passed before the posse found Maxwell.
They found Maxwells lifeless body in a alcove that was in a narrow northward canyon. He had been captured by the Apache and tortured to death. He was stripped of his clothing and tied to a post in the ground. A cholla cactus bulb shoved in his mouth and a fire had been made on his stomach, essentially cooking his insides. No evidence of any of the loot was found by the posse. Not a single gold coin or peace of jewelry could be found.
They buried Maxwell on a hillside and after several days of searching for the loot and not finding a single coin everyone disbanded and went their separate ways.
This treasure is still out there and waiting to be found!
If while on your adventures this week you are hiking near Four Peaks keep your eyes open, you never know what you might find!
I hope everyone has a great week.
Stay Safe,Stay Alive & Keep Treasure Hunting!
