Could it be possible that there is buried treasure in Hot Spring County? Arkadelphia’s Southern Standard newspaper reported the disappearance of over one thousand dollars in gold and silver back in 1891, which would make it worth much, much, more in today’s dollars. The valuable gold and silver vanished following a theft on a train. According to the newspaper, the story of the daring robbery went this way:

“At Malvern, on Tuesday last, an old man by the name of Davy Walker boarded the northbound train for Little Rock, where he was going to deposit his money in a bank, of which it is claimed he possessed upwards of a thousand dollars in gold and silver. He had saved up his hard earnings for a number of years, and was also drawing a pension from the government. He had thereby accumulated a snug sum, and upon the advice of friends had concluded to place it in bank. Two young men of unsavory reputation, who were evidently posted in regard to Walker’s mission, also boarded the train and selected a convenient seat. While going up Gifford’s Hill, one of the young men seized the sack and threw it out the window, when he and his cohort rushed out and jumped from the slowly moving train. Walker discovered the bold game and informed the conductor, who immediately stopped the train, then he gave chase and overhauled the young man a few hundred yards distant. Walker attacked the younger man with a knife, demanding his money. The young man, after a short struggle, escaped from the old man’s clutches, while his pal made off through the woods with the money.

“City Marshal Hawkins of this place was notified of the occurrence, and, with deputies P.W. Meador, Jr., W.M. Hawkins, and L.M. Bledsoe, laid their plans for the capture of the culprits. The posse stationed themselves on the railroad, about two miles above this city [Arkadelphia], when at about 10 o’clock, one of the young men walked up. Meadows “got the drop” on him and commanded him to throw up his hands. The fellow was armed with a fine, improved revolver, but did not get an opportunity to use it. He was brought to town and had his wound dressed by Dr. Fleming, which was painful, though not serious. T.R. McHenry, the sheriff of Hot Spring County, with the City Marshal of Malvern, arrived and took the young man back to that place.

“Meadows and Will Hawkins went in search of the missing money, and on Wednesday found $180, near where the man was arrested. The balance of the money has been secreted, but will probably be found.”