Where To Find Jesse James' Gold in Mulmur
A few years ago when I was doing some research at the Dufferin County Museum and Archives I came upon what I thought was an impossible story. The story of legendary outlaw Jesse James and his gold, buried in the hills of Mulmur. What??!! I thought....how can this be? This could be the best kept secret in Dufferin County! With a little more investigation and the driving along 10th Sideroad, I believe I have found where the gold is buried.
If you do a little history about Jesse James there are a few years or a period of time where he goes into hiding. And rightfully so, he was the most wanted and feared man in the United States. He robbed trains and banks, and killed those who got in the way. He and his brother started a gang and terrorized small town USA. Anyone driving a stagecoach was also on the lookout. The term "shotgun" to ride passenger front seat nowadays comes from the stages when literally another person road beside the driver with a shot gun to shoot at would-be robbers.
Just prior to Jesse James' temporary leave of absence from our history books, a Wells Fargo train was robbed carrying a bounty of gold. It was a botched robbery that could have been a turning point for the young outlaw. Perhaps this was the time when he considered turning over a new leaf and fled north. Boarders aren't what they are today, so no one knows when or where he crossed over into Canada. We do know however that a member of his gang was related to Simon Jelly of Dufferin County. Maybe it was a suggestion..."I know where we can go...my relatives", and that was that, he hopped on his horse and came up through Grand Valley. Eye witness accounts claim of a mysterious man paying in gold coins. Since the economy of the time was bartering, seeing cash or using cash was unusual and risky.
Jesse James stayed with this relative's family on a farm on the 10th Sideroad in Mulmur. It was a brick farmhouse that included a small blacksmith's shop. The story goes, it was buried behind the blacksmith's shop. Perhaps Jesse didn't want to carrying around heavy bags of loot or leave gold in the pouch of his leather saddle. It makes sense, he can't fill his pockets with gold coins and walk around, he'd have to put them somewhere safe where no one would find them or even suspect he was an outlaw.
So this brick farmhouse on the 10th Sideroad is now owned by the Great Grandson of a relative of the Jelly family. The infamous story has been passed down from generation to generation as to where the outlaw roomed and where the blacksmith shop still stands. I can imagine a young man barely in his twenties riding into Whitfield and taking a drink or so in the local tavern. No one would recognize him, but that was too much for his ego. He would tell people he was Jesse James and then pay for items with his gold coins. Surely that would raise eyebrows and before long, rumours spread across the hills and into neighbouring towns, and the law picked up his scent. So it was a short stay or length of time for Jesse in Mulmur and it is believed he left without getting all his gold.
Years later that family purchased stain glassed windows which would have been an extraordinary amount of money in those days. So where did that money come from? We can only speculate. So somewhere along the 10th Sideroad between Mansfield and Masonville you will find the farmhouse and if you are lucky, very lucky maybe you'll even find Jesse James' gold.
It is this amazingly, impossible story that we decided to design the Jesse James' shirt and will remain one of favourites for years to come. Check it here on our website or head to the Museum and see for yourself!