US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
This hidden stone had a mysterious, frantic message. But was it all a hoax?
The Thoen Stone's disputed origin fuels debate over a possible 1833 gold prospecting party; handwriting analysis suggests the artifact may be an 1880s hoax, researchers say.
- On March 22, 1888, the Thoen Stone was already called "famous" in the Black Hills and it is now kept at the Adams Museum in Deadwood, South Dakota.
- The inscription itself records a last message from Ezra Kind, saying `Came to these hills in 1833 seven of us` and links to prospectors Louis Thoen and Ivan Thoen near Lookout Mountain, South Dakota.
- Researcher Wynn Parks in the early 2000s revived scrutiny, conducted genealogical research, photographed the stone, and graphologist Marion Briggs ruled out the Thoen brothers and John Cashner.
- The Adams Museum presents the stone as a contested object and encourages visitors to decide its authenticity, while if verified, the Thoen Stone's tale would be historically notable and intersects with the Black Hills' significance to Indigenous residents of the Black Hills.
- Local commemorations such as 'Thoen Stone Day' followed from Frank Thomson's work, and the stone is now displayed in the 'Black Hills Believe it or Not' exhibit.
Insights by Ground AI
15 Articles
15 Articles
Post Bulletin+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
This hidden stone had a mysterious, frantic message. But was it all a hoax?
The Thoen Stone from the Black Hills of South Dakota appears to be a gold prospector's desperate final message, but it remains an enigma
·Cherokee County, United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left0Leaning Right8Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Right
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Right
62% Right
C 38%
R 62%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
