The Story of Lame Johnny
Lame Johnny (Cornelius Donahue)
Despite being orphaned at a young age and having two malformed legs that hindered his walking ability, Cornelius Donahue was an inspiring young man who achieved outstanding academic success and lived out his dreams of becoming a cowboy. Born in 1850 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he attended Girard College until graduation with scores far above average due to his strong will and desire to prove people wrong - no barrier could obstruct him from achieving what he wanted.
In 1872 when 22 years old, the driven work-ethic-fueled individual made way for Texas to take on the rodeo life - something which suited him down to the letter, given it helped lessen any visibility regarding those all too familiar limps caused by either one nasty fall or possibly even polio! Cornelius was pushed to his limits when other cowboys treated him poorly, and revenge became a priority.
Abandoning his honest life, he succeeded as an outlaw horse thief in 1874 at age 24. He retaliated against those same cowboys by stealing over 100 horses from them - all under their noses. He then took off with this sizable herd of horses before anyone could respond. Where they ended up remains unknown even today. Throughout the next two years, Cornelius continued thieving--primarily targeting local Apache tribespeople & cowboys on open-range land.
After a life of crime, Cornelius Donahue heard whispers that sparkled brighter than any diamond - tales of gold to be found in the Dakota Territories. So, yearning for redemption and wealth, he set out northward from Texas at 26. Once there, he took on the name of John Hurley in Deadwood, cleverly concealing his past. Next, he began panning Castle Creek just south of town but was ultimately unsuccessful, with no fortune made. Nevertheless, this adventure marked the start of something new!
In 1877, John took on a daring venture as the Custer County deputy. Little did he know that wanted posters with his face and real name would soon appear in the Dakotas! After trying one last time to make an honest living working as a bookkeeper at Homestake Mining Company--the largest gold operation in the western hemisphere--John finally gave into his old lifestyle of horse thievery.
He was joined by a ragtag group who began robbing stagecoaches around Deadwood; stunned at their success rate, they hatched what became one of South Dakota's greatest heists ever!
John had an intimate understanding of the Homestake mine. He knew about their financial operations and the workings of their transportation system, including its imported coaches and firearms measures. To protect shipments from threats on the road, handsomely-paid gunmen escorted stagecoaches packed with armaments - guns for drivers plus a shotgun passenger to ensure security at every turn.
For further reassurance against danger or burglars that may have attempted to access cargo en route, each coach was also encased in two inches of steel armor inside!
The Monitor
The legend of the Monitor had spread far and wide, its fortified steel walls smattered with porthole windows for outlaws to aim their guns through. But, inside sat an invaluable treasure trove containing a hefty load of gold that held a lock combination that would unlock only after it arrived in Cheyenne on Sept 26th, 1878.
With 3 guards, a driver, and 2 passengers manning this impenetrable coach, little did they know that as soon as they set off from Deadwood Canyon Springs Station were harboring bandits just waiting to rob them! When the Monitor arrived at its destination, a fierce gunfight ensued - claiming the lives of three passengers and one guard. However, thanks to an unlikely hero with a shotgun, they managed to take out Big Nose McLaughlin before suffering further casualties.
The outlaws then made off with the ill-fated Monitor - but only by unlocking their supposed unbreakable safe in suspicious ease! Could this have had anything to do with that notorious hobbled man seen fleeing from the scene? We may never know. After successfully scoring a fistful of riches to the tune of $18.5 million, John Hurley vanished into thin air with his ill-gotten gains, an epic loot hauls including currency, diamonds, and jewelry - not forgetting 700lbs worth of gold nuggets and bullion!
Unfortunately, with this daring feat under his belt, he was destined for darkness as Cornelius Donahue, otherwise known by many as 'Lame Johnny,' master brain behind one legendary Homestake Heist.
The Investigation Begins
Investigators were sent to locate the Monitor. After days of tracking their way through rugged terrain, they stumbled upon Canyon Springs Station. A gruesome sight awaited them; Homestake employees tied up helplessly as chilling reminders that Lame Johnny's outlaw band had been here. But, with immense anger over what had transpired in this quiet town came a great reward - an impressive bounty was placed on surrendering any members of this elusive crew!
Soon enough, posses flooded the area eager for redemption – 60% of stolen treasure was recovered during these manhunts. Still, none could find solid leads leading to Lame Johnny himself: crippled yet cunning, he escaped justice with all his ill-gotten gains.
The Capture of Lame Johnny
Ready for a wild and daring journey? Johnny, the notorious raid leader of modern-day Pine Ridge Reservation, was facing trial in Deadwood. To ensure his transport wouldn't be interrupted by any runaways, an investigator named Frank Smith took extra precautions - he had Jesse Brown and Boone May act as sharpshooters to escort the stagecoach while Lame Johnny was securely shackled, handcuffed, and even hogtied!
Even more astonishingly, they riveted his leg braces directly onto the coach's steel frame, so there wasn't any hope of escape on this 145-mile trek into justice. Near Buffalo Gap, the sharpshooters left the coach for reasons still unknown –8 miles after the separation, The Monitor came to a rolling stop as Frank Smith was confronted by 'several' masked riders. These riders surrounded the coach without saying a word.
Then, the man standing right before Frank pulled his pistol and shot him in cold blood. Inside the Monitor, John could hear the events unfolding. Thinking he was about to be saved, he yelled out for help. He shouted out the combination code, and soon the door was opened.
John looked up to see masked bandits looking down at him. But something wasn't right – they pointed a gun at him. He soon realized this wasn't a mission for his rescue but a mission to interrogate Lame Johnny for his gold before he inevitably goes to jail.
John looked up to see masked bandits looking down at him. But something wasn't right – they pointed a gun at him. He soon realized this wasn't a mission for his rescue but a mission to interrogate Lame Johnny for his gold before he inevitably goes to jail.
Death, Tribute and Mystery
The legend of Lame Johnny, a man shackled in cuffs and chains yet still determined to pursue his justice, lives on forever. With the suddenness only death can bring, he was discovered swaying from a tree branch. This eerie sight left passers-by mystified until they buried him beneath an elm's shade with due respect. Over time Nature crafted her own tribute: A gravestone inscribed:
"Pilgrim Pause! You're standing on
The molding clay of Limping John.
Tread lightly stranger upon this sod
For if he moves you'll be robbed by God."
"Pilgrim Pause! You're standing on
The molding clay of Limping John.
Tread lightly stranger upon this sod
For if he moves you'll be robbed by God."
Despite meeting such a dismal end, even centuries later, we honor bold lost souls like Lame Johnny, who never gave up their search for truth against all odds.
Lame Johnny lived a short, troubled life of only 29 years. His unfortunate end at the hand of an unknown person left his fate hanging in more ways than one, quite literally from a tree near what is now known as Lame Johnny Creek before being buried under an elm nearby. Unsatisfied with this outcome, some opportunistic grave-robbing individuals dug him up twice - first to take his gold teeth and again for shackles now proudly on display in various museums across South Dakota.
When it became clear he needed further protection against these intruders, they moved his body again. Hence, his actual resting place remains shrouded in mystery. Yet, there were still remnants of tragedy surrounding it till 2017, when even the infamous tree was burned down by the Legion Lake fire!
Legend of the Hidden Gold
Following the capture of notorious outlaw Lame Johnny and his gang, locals were left wondering what became of their loot - a staggering 400 pounds in gold bars with an estimated value now worth nearly $10.5 million! Most surmised he had stashed it away in one or more box caves found along the limestone cliffs known as "Lame Johnny Road" within Custer State Park. However, tales also spread that perhaps he distributed pieces around other areas throughout the Black Hills region to play safe and ensure none would find all his treasure at once.
For over a century, adventurers have searched for the legendary treasure of Lame Johnny – 400 pounds of gold considered worth an estimated 10.5 million dollars today! The haul is said to still sit somewhere in the Black Hills and has evaded discovery since it was stashed away 130 years ago - even off of Lame Johnny Road itself! Will you be the one who finally unravels this longstanding mystery?
