Journey into Indiana's criminal history at the legendary hideouts of the Reno Brothers, America's first train robbing gang who terrorized railroads in the 1860s. These historic cave sites and remote locations hold the secrets of millions in stolen loot that may still be hidden today. Follow in Josh Gates' footsteps as you explore the rugged terrain where the notorious gang once evaded capture and potentially buried their ill-gotten gains.
Indiana is a Midwestern state spanning 38th-largest by area in the U.S., with a population of over 6.8 million making it the 17th-most populous state. The state's diverse landscape ranges from Lake Michigan's shores in the northwest to the Ohio River valley in the south, with Indianapolis serving as both capital and largest city. Josh Gates investigated Indiana's southern cave systems and rural backroads while tracking the lost fortune of the Reno Gang, America's first train robbers who terrorized the state's railroads in the 1860s. The investigation focused on potential cave hideouts where millions in stolen gold and currency might remain hidden since the gang's violent end in 1868.
Indiana admitted to the Union as the 19th state on December 11
Battle of Tippecanoe breaks Indigenous resistance to American settlement
Reno Brothers gang operates across Indiana, committing first train robbery in U.S. history
Vigilantes lynch several Reno Gang members; stolen treasure allegedly hidden
Gates investigates Reno Gang cave hideouts and treasure sites in Expedition Unknown S14E04
The Reno Brothers gang holds a notorious place in American criminal history as perpetrators of the nation's first peacetime train robbery in October 1866, when they boarded an Ohio & Mississippi Railway train near Seymour, Indiana, and made off with thousands of dollars from an Adams Express Company safe. Historians have documented how the gang terrorized Indiana railroads for approximately two years, stealing what some estimates suggest could total millions in today's currency from trains and county treasury offices. The gang's reign ended violently in 1868 when vigilantes lynched several members, including brothers Frank, William, and Simeon Reno, before they could stand trial.
The question of what happened to the Reno Gang's accumulated wealth has intrigued treasure hunters and local historians for over 150 years. Unlike gangs that spent lavishly, the Renos appeared to cache their takings, leading to persistent theories about hidden treasure in southern Indiana's extensive cave systems. Mainstream historians acknowledge the gang successfully stole significant sums but remain skeptical about specific cache locations, noting that much of the "treasure" may have been spent on legal defense, bribes, and day-to-day operations before the gang's demise.
Gates' investigation brought modern technology and historical research to bear on this enduring mystery, examining caves that local tradition has long associated with the gang's activities. The episode consulted with experts on Indiana's outlaw history and explored the challenges of searching terrain that has been picked over by amateur treasure hunters for generations. While the caves themselves are historically significant as potential gang hideouts, definitive proof of cached treasure remains elusive.
The Reno Gang case represents a foundational chapter in American crime history, establishing patterns that later outlaws like Jesse James would follow. Their story also reflects the tensions of post-Civil War America, where vigilante justice often superseded legal proceedings and newly vulnerable railroads became targets for organized criminal enterprises. Gates' investigation highlighted both the historical importance of the gang's activities and the difficulty of verifying treasure legends that have grown for over a century.
Indiana was admitted to the Union as the 19th state on December 11, 1816, making it one of the earliest Midwestern states.
The state is nicknamed "the Hoosier State," though the origin of the term "Hoosier" remains debated among historians.
Indiana's gross state product reached $404.3 billion in 2023, reflecting its diverse economy ranging from agriculture to advanced manufacturing.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the Indianapolis 500, one of the world's most famous automobile races, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators annually.
Indiana's cave systems and historical sites related to the Reno Gang are scattered across the southern portion of the state, with many on private property requiring permission to access. Seymour, Indiana, where the first train robbery occurred, offers historical markers and local museums documenting the gang's activities. Visitors interested in the treasure hunt aspect should check current access regulations for cave systems and respect private property boundaries.
Indianapolis, the state capital, is approximately 60 miles north of the primary Reno Gang activity areas around Seymour.
Spring through fall (April-October) offers the most accessible conditions for exploring southern Indiana's rural areas and cave systems, with mild weather and safer ground conditions. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter may limit access to remote sites.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
Another Gates investigation into American outlaw history and legendary hidden treasure from criminal enterprises
Coffeyville, Kansas
Site of another famous American outlaw incident where Gates investigated the Dalton Gang's 1892 bank robbery attempt
Bannack State Park
Ghost town and former gold rush site representing similar frontier justice and outlaw activity from America's western expansion era
Best time to visit: Spring through fall offers the best conditions for exploring caves and outdoor historical sites, with mild weather and accessible terrain.
Travel tip: Bring sturdy hiking boots and flashlights when exploring cave sites, and check with local authorities about access permissions for historical locations on private property.
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia