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Buried Gold: How the FBI Got Involved In a Treasure Hunt

By Spotify Studios

In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, the disappearance of Union gold during the Civil War leads to a modern-day treasure hunt in Pennsylvania. The summary explores how Dennis Parada and his company, Finders Keepers USA, spent 30 years searching for 26 gold bars that vanished in 1863 when two Union soldiers mysteriously disappeared during a convoy mission to Philadelphia.

The story takes an unexpected turn when the FBI becomes involved in the excavation after Parada's team discovers evidence of a large underground anomaly. The summary details the subsequent investigation, including contradictions between the FBI's official statements and eyewitness accounts, disputed findings at the dig site, and the Freedom of Information Act lawsuit that followed, raising questions about what was actually discovered at Dent's Run.

Buried Gold: How the FBI Got Involved In a Treasure Hunt

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Buried Gold: How the FBI Got Involved In a Treasure Hunt

1-Page Summary

Legend and History of Lost Civil War Gold

A fascinating tale of lost Civil War gold has emerged from Elk County, Pennsylvania. According to legend, in 1863, a Union convoy transporting 26 gold ingots to Philadelphia met with tragedy when Lieutenant Castleton succumbed to malaria. Both Castleton and Sergeant O'Rourke vanished mysteriously with the gold, leading to an investigation that recovered only part of the treasure. Some theorists suggest the Knights of the Golden Circle, a secret society aiming to establish a slave-holding empire, may have used this story as a coded map to their hidden treasure cache.

Search Efforts by Dennis Parada and Finders Keepers

Dennis Parada's treasure hunt began with a psychic's guidance, who provided a specific location and drew a map indicating underwater gold in a cave. After 30 years of unsuccessful searching, Parada and his son's company, Finders Keepers USA, discovered a promising cave entrance. With permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, they conducted approximately 300 expeditions to the site.

The FBI's Investigation and Excavation

Parada, his son, and journalist Warren Gettler approached the FBI with evidence of a substantial underground anomaly, potentially 8.5-9 tons of gold, detected by ground-penetrating equipment. The FBI obtained a warrant and began excavation, but largely excluded Parada's team from the process. While the FBI maintained they only worked during permitted hours, neighbors reported nighttime activity and sightings of heavily loaded armored vehicles, contradicting official statements.

The Dispute and Unanswered Questions Around the Findings

The FBI officially reported finding nothing valuable at Dent's Run, despite earlier scans indicating a high-density mass below the surface. Parada noted that his subsequent searches still showed promising readings, contradicting the FBI's findings. In response, Finders Keepers filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the FBI. Despite the release of hundreds of pages of documents, questions persist about the excavation's true outcome, particularly given eyewitness accounts of armored vehicles leaving the site and discrepancies in how Parada's team was treated during the dig.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The legend of Lieutenant Castleton and Sergeant O'Rourke could be a myth or exaggerated, as often happens with stories passed down over time.
  • The involvement of the Knights of the Golden Circle might be speculative and not based on concrete evidence.
  • Using a psychic's guidance as a basis for a treasure hunt lacks scientific credibility and could be seen as an unreliable method.
  • Discovering a cave entrance does not necessarily indicate the presence of gold; it could be coincidental or unrelated to the legend.
  • Ground-penetrating radar and other detection equipment can sometimes give false positives or be misinterpreted, leading to incorrect conclusions about what is underground.
  • The FBI's exclusion of Parada's team from the excavation process could be standard procedure for maintaining the integrity of the investigation.
  • Reports of nighttime activity and sightings of armored vehicles could have explanations unrelated to the treasure, such as regular FBI operations or misinterpretations by the neighbors.
  • The FBI's report of finding nothing valuable could be accurate, and the initial scans might have been misleading or misinterpreted.
  • The Freedom of Information Act lawsuit might not yield additional information if the documents are classified for national security or ongoing investigation reasons.
  • Eyewitness accounts can be unreliable, and discrepancies in findings could be due to a variety of factors, including human error or changes in the environment.

Actionables

  • You can explore local history by visiting nearby historical sites to learn about events similar to the Castleton and O'Rourke disappearance. By engaging with your local historical society or visiting museums, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and might even stumble upon unsolved mysteries in your own area.
  • Start a metal detecting hobby to uncover hidden artifacts and possibly lost treasures in your community. This activity doesn't require expert knowledge and can be a fun way to connect with history. You might find old coins, jewelry, or relics that can be researched further for historical significance.
  • Engage in critical thinking exercises by analyzing conflicting reports and accounts of events, much like the discrepancies in the Dent's Run excavation. Practice by reading different news articles on the same event and compare the reports to identify biases, missing information, and potential inaccuracies. This will sharpen your analytical skills and help you assess information critically in daily life.

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Buried Gold: How the FBI Got Involved In a Treasure Hunt

Legend and History of Lost Civil War Gold

The enduring legend of lost Civil War gold has captured imaginations for generations, woven into the history of Elk County, Pennsylvania, with a blend of fact and folklore.

Lost Union Gold Convoy, Elk County, Pa, 1863

The series of events that have fed the legend of the lost gold began in the summer of 1863 when a small convoy of Union soldiers was tasked with a clandestine operation.

Union Officers Vanish With 26 Gold Ingots

According to the legend, a Union lieutenant named Castleton and his sergeant O'Rourke, along with a handful of soldiers, were navigating the thick wilderness of Pennsylvania. Their mission was to transport a trove of 26 gold ingots to the US Mint in Philadelphia. As the tale goes, tragedy struck when Castleton succumbed to malaria, and the party became lost. Mysteriously, Castleton and O'Rourke, along with the gold, vanished without a trace. The remaining party told their story, which led to an investigation, but only partial recovery of the gold and the remains of some of the men were ever found.

Legend Fuels Theory: Knights of the Golden Circle Stole the Gold For a Slave-Holding Empire

Fictional Account by Knights as a Coded Treasure Map

Building on the mysterious disappearance, Warren brings forward the theory that the lost gold story, known locally as the Lost Gold Ingot treasure, might be intertwined with the narratives of the secret society called the Knights of the Golden Ci ...

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Legend and History of Lost Civil War Gold

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The story of the lost gold may be exaggerated or entirely fabricated, as often happens with legends, and there may be no factual basis for the tale of Lieutenant Castleton and Sergeant O'Rourke.
  • Historical records from the Civil War era are often incomplete or lost, making it difficult to verify the truth of such legends.
  • The involvement of the Knights of the Golden Circle could be a later addition to the story, as there is little evidence to directly connect them with the lost gold.
  • The idea that the legend serves as a coded map is speculative and may be an example of people reading too much into historical events or folklore.
  • Treasure hunting based on such legends can lead to illegal activities, such as unauthorized excavation and destruction of historical sites, and should be approache ...

Actionables

  • You can explore local history by researching the Civil War events in your area and visiting related historical sites to connect with the past in a tangible way. By doing this, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the history that unfolded in your own backyard and possibly uncover lesser-known stories similar to the lost gold legend. For example, you might find a local museum with Civil War artifacts or a battlefield that offers guided tours.
  • Start a metal detecting hobby to engage with history hands-on, using the story of the lost gold as inspiration. Metal detecting can be a fun and educational outdoor activity that allows you to search for historical relics. You don't need to aim for gold ingots; even finding old coins or military buttons can provide a direct link to the past. Remember to always seek permission from landowners and adhere to local laws regarding metal detecting and historical artifact recovery.
  • Create a fictional narrative or a ...

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Buried Gold: How the FBI Got Involved In a Treasure Hunt

Search Efforts by Dennis Parada and Finders Keepers

Dennis Parada's search for a legendary hidden treasure, driven by a psychic’s vision, saw no success for many years, however, the discovery of a cave entrance has revived their efforts.

Psychic Led Dennis Parada To Dent's Run; Years of Searching Revealed No Gold

Dennis Parada’s quest for treasure at Dent’s Run began with guidance from a psychic during a store event. The psychic provided a precise location on a map for Dennis to investigate and directed him to bring back dirt samples for validation. After Dennis provided samples from various locations—the psychic accurately identified which ones were connected to the treasure. The psychic then drew a crude map indicating that the gold was in a cave underwater and within 500 feet of one specific dirt sample’s spot.

Despite searching all summer, Dennis and his friends could not locate a cave matching the description provided by the psychic and subsequently abandoned the quest for 30 years.

Dennis Parada and Son's company, Finders Keepers USA, made approximately 300 trips to the cave described by the psychic, searching for the elusive gold. They used metal detectors and other equipment but failed to find any trace of gold in the small, wildlife-infested cave.

Years after their initial search, Dennis and his son serendipitously located an entrance to a cave tha ...

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Search Efforts by Dennis Parada and Finders Keepers

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • Skepticism towards psychic abilities: There is no scientific evidence to support the existence of psychic abilities, and many claims of psychics have been debunked as cold reading or guesswork.
  • Confirmation bias: The accuracy of the psychic's identification of dirt samples could be due to chance or the use of leading questions, and the belief in their accuracy may be influenced by confirmation bias.
  • The role of serendipity: The discovery of the cave entrance years later could be purely coincidental and not related to the psychic's directions.
  • The effectiveness of the search methods: The use of metal detectors and other equipment without finding gold could suggest that the treasure does not exist or that the equipment used was not suitable for the conditions.
  • The reliability of historical legends: The existence of the treasure itself is based on legend, which may not be a reliable source of information.
  • The potential for environmental impact: The text does not address the environmental impact of repeated explorations and potential drilling oper ...

Actionables

  • You can explore local history by visiting your community museum to discover any legends or lost treasures in your area. By learning about these stories, you might find a new hobby in historical research or metal detecting, which can be a fun and educational outdoor activity.
  • Start a hobbyist exploration group with friends or family to investigate local mysteries or historical sites, ensuring you always get the necessary permissions and follow safety guidelines. This can be a great way to bond, learn about your local area, and potentially contribute to historical knowledge.
  • You can practice responsible exploration by info ...

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Buried Gold: How the FBI Got Involved In a Treasure Hunt

The FBI's Investigation and Excavation

Parada, His Son, and Journalist Gettler Contact FBI About Dent's Run Gold

Dennis Parada, his son, and journalist Warren Gettler contacted the FBI to discuss the possibility of a substantial amount of gold at Dent's Run. They demonstrated promising signs of this with a ground penetrating locator, indicating an underground anomaly consistent with around 8.5-9 tons of material believed to be gold.

Scan Detects 8.5-9 Tons of Gold Underground Anomaly

The FBI acted on this information and contracted a geophysics service that used a gravimeter to scan the area. The results confirmed the initial suspicion, detecting an underground anomaly with the density and mass that could potentially be gold. This was supported by an Associated Press journalist, Michael Rubenkam, who sent the report for external review.

FBI Obtained Warrant For Excavation, but Parada's Team Excluded From Most of Dig

An FBI agent applied for a warrant claiming the right to seize "one or more tons of United States gold" if found at Dent's Run. A Pennsylvania judge granted the warrant, stipulating the search to occur within two weeks, specifically between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The excavation began on March 13th, but Parada and his team were kept away for most of the dig. They were allowed on the site briefly in the late afternoon and were asked to leave after an hour. Similarly, on the next day, they were only allowed on the site after the FBI had finished digging for the day.

Parada Claims FBI Worked Off-hours, Used Armored Vehicles, Contrary to Stateme ...

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The FBI's Investigation and Excavation

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore local history to identify potential hidden treasures in your area by visiting your town's historical society or library and researching old maps and documents. This could lead to discovering stories of lost valuables or historical artifacts that have been forgotten over time, similar to the legend of the gold at Dent's Run.
  • Start a hobby in metal detecting to uncover hidden items in your own backyard or community parks, which can be a fun and educational way to learn about the history beneath your feet. Metal detecting clubs often offer beginner sessions and group hunts, which can provide a social aspect to the treasure-hunting experience.
  • Engage with local journalism by following and supporting investigative reporters in your co ...

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Buried Gold: How the FBI Got Involved In a Treasure Hunt

The Dispute and Unanswered Questions Around the Findings

The FBI's involvement at the Dent's Run excavation site has led to a dispute marked by substantial unanswered questions and skepticism from treasure hunters at Finders Keepers.

Fbi Finds Nothing Valuable; Parada's Team Questions Closure

The FBI officially reported finding nothing of value—only dirt and debris—after their Dent's Run excavation, which has provoked Dennis Parada and his team to raise crucial questions regarding the outcome. Even though various ground scans indicated a high-density mass below the surface, the FBI's files and provided evidence, including sign-in sheets, photographs, and detailed timelines, do not suggest any wrongdoing, as the Bureau maintains they discovered no gold.

Parada Couldn't Detect Underground Anomalies, Raising Suspicions About Fbi Discoveries

Furthering suspicions, Parada noted inconsistencies in the findings: previous scans suggested a significant metallic and high-density anomaly, yet the FBI only unearthed dirt. This disparity, along with the sight of three armored vehicles—one appearing heavily laden—departing the area, intensified doubts about the FBI's findings. Parada's continued searches with his equipment at the site also identified some promising readings, contradicting the FBI's results.

Finders Keepers Sues Fbi to Disclose More Under Freedom of Information Act

Seeking transparency, Finders Keepers initiated a lawsuit against the FBI under the Freedom of Information Act. Despite the FBI releasing hundreds of pages of documents related to the excavation, Finders Keepers, led by Dennis and Kim Parada, suggested essential details remain undisclosed. They acknowledge the FBI's legal right to withhold certain records, which adds ...

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The Dispute and Unanswered Questions Around the Findings

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The FBI's findings of "nothing valuable" could be accurate, and the high-density mass indicated by ground scans might have been a natural mineral deposit or a false positive, which are common in geophysical surveys.
  • The FBI's extensive documentation and transparency in releasing files could be seen as an effort to be open about their activities, suggesting there may not be any undisclosed essential details.
  • The presence of armored vehicles at the site does not necessarily imply that something valuable was found and removed; they could have been standard protocol for the security of the operation.
  • Discrepancies in findings and eyewitness accounts can sometimes be attributed to differences in equipment sensitivity, human error, or misinterpretation of data.
  • The lack of further filings in the lawsuit since March 2024 might indicate that the case has reached a legal standstill or that all available information has already been provided, rather than suggesting ongoin ...

Actionables

  • You can explore local history by visiting nearby historical sites and conducting your own informal research to satisfy curiosity and learn about potential historical discrepancies. Start by identifying locations with a rich history in your area, then visit local libraries or historical societies to gather information. Document your findings in a journal or blog, comparing them with official accounts to spot any inconsistencies or unanswered questions, much like the discrepancies noted at Dent's Run.
  • Engage in citizen journalism by writing articles or blog posts about local mysteries or historical disputes in your community. Research by interviewing locals, reviewing public records, and using online forums to gather different perspectives. Your writing could shed light on lesser-known stories and provide a platform for community members to share their experiences, similar to the eyewitness accounts at Dent's Run.
  • You can practice ...

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