Missouri River Gold Cache — Morton County

Sun shading (lidar)

Adjust simulated sun direction on the lidar hillshade. Azimuth = compass bearing of the light (0° north, 90° east). Altitude = height above the horizon (low = long shadows).

Historical map overlays

USGS scanned historical topographic maps. Enable an overlay and adjust its opacity. Works in 2D and 3D.

Sun azimuth: 315°   Sun altitude: 45°   Z factor: 1   Lidar opacity: 1
center: —   mouse: —   zoom: —

Missouri River Gold Cache — Morton County

Lost Treasure ND • Morton County County
Description
1863 Heart River legend of Idaho-bound miners' gold dust and a false-bottom boat compartment at the Missouri confluence — with additional bullion possibly cached ashore after the massacre.
Historical Notes
In August 1863 eighteen miners, one woman, and three children armed a mackinaw boat at the Heart River mouth near present Mandan. Dakota warriors attacked after the party refused trader Fred Gerard's warning; cannon recoil cracked the boat bottom and pouch gold spilled to the sandbar. Horatio M. Larned claimed a concealed compartment held far more bullion than warriors recovered from scattered pouches — and that a survivor buried part ashore while appearing suddenly flush with pocket gold. Treasure hunters have searched the shifting Heart–Missouri confluence for more than 160 years. Coordinates mark the historic mouth of the Heart River in Morton County.
Status / Verification legend — Legendary or approximate

Take Add Data / Take Notes

Log in or create an account to save private field notes for this location. Your notes are only visible to you.

Forgot password?
or

Enter your email and we'll send you a link to reset your password.

Back to log in
or