Friday, September 12, 2008

Graves Creek near Wetumka, Oklahoma

If you are looking for a spot to hunt for a cache or two of treasure and civil war relics all in one then this may be the spot for you. Grave’s Creek in Oklahoma has it’s share of history and yes, the creek gets it’s name from what you imagine although the graves are a bit older than you think.

Graves Creek is located about four miles south of present day Wetumka, Oklahoma and connects to Wewoka Creek. This area is full of stories and legends of battles and buried treasure. The most prominent story is about a battle that took place just after or maybe right at the end of the Civil War. The battle is said to have been between General Ben McCullock’s men and those of Zeke Proctor’s “loyal Indians”. General McCullock and his men were heading from Texas back to Missouri when the battle occurred. The number of deaths during this battle has been estimated between 50 and as many as 150 men.

Strangely enough, Grave’s Creek did not get its name from these deaths. The creek was already known as Grave’s Creek because of the numerous Indian graves along the creek. This was apparently a burial ground for the bodies of the Indians that had died from disease.

According to legend, General McCullock and his men were transporting a “barrel of coins” and buried this barrel just before the battle began. As with most treasure legends, the barrel was apparently never recovered. The battle took place on the east side of the creek so you might want to start your search in that area. Grave’s Creek is located just west of Highway 75. The battle most likely took place either is Section 4 or Section 9 and my bet would be Section 9 but do some more of your own research if you decide to check this one out!

If a barrel of coins isn’t enough to get you interested then maybe the “Twin Hills” overlooking the creek to the west will peak your interest. Different outlaws used these two hills during their time as a look out post and numerous carvings have been found in the area of the Twin Hills. The locals have said the “marks and signs” were known to be from the outlaws and thought to mark their territory. You just have to love the locals!

This is a spot that would be worth a walk through at least, just to see what carvings and marks are still there. You may just be lucky enough to come across a carved map that will lead you to a treasure. I will warn you ahead of time, the name “Twin Hills” is apparently a local name because I couldn’t find them named on a topographical map of the area. These will probably be like the Buzzard’s Roost near Cement, Oklahoma, everyone out there will know where they are but the name doesn’t show up on a map. I’m sure one of those “locals” can point you right to them.

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