Ruggles Brothers Strongbox — Middle Creek

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Ruggles Brothers Strongbox — Middle Creek

Lost Treasure CA • Shasta County County
Description
1892 stagecoach robbery legend — John and Charles Ruggles hid a $5,000 gold-coin strongbox in Middle Creek west of Redding; John died on the lynch tree before recovery despite claiming a floating marker.
Historical Notes
The Ruggles brothers held up the Redding & Weaverville stage on Middle Creek Road in May 1892, killing guard Amos "Buck" Montgomery in the gunfight. John Ruggles hid the strongbox in the creek with a near-surface float device but was lynched with his brother in July before authorities could recover the gold. Express letters were later found near Lower Springs intact, but the coin strongbox was never located — about six miles west of Redding per Legends of America.
Status / Verification legend — Legendary or approximate

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