Knights of the Golden Circle after the Civil War

[cccalco]

There are a few internet fan based KGC sites on the web.
By far the most expansive of these are the ones created by Gary Smith
or are associated with him.
For a list of these sites with a brief history see below:
(Note that this list was compiled October 2009 and the numbers may not be current
nor does the editor concur that these represent any authenctic + Order of the KGC +)

KnightsoftheGoldenCircle · Knights of the Golden Circle
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnightsoftheGoldenCircle/
Members: 151
Category: Confederates
Founded: Oct 9, 2008

KGCResearchandManagers · KGC Research and Managers Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KGCResearchandManagers/
Members: 8
Category: Confederates
Founded: Nov 8, 2008

KGCMC (Bikers - Now defunct)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnightsofGoldenCircleMC/
Category: Confederates
Founded: Jan 3, 2009

KGCConfederateRaiders · KGC Confederate Raiders
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KGCConfederateRaiders/
Members: 14
Category: Confederates
Founded: Jan 8, 2009

KnightsoftheGoldenCircle100 · Knights of the Golden Circle 100
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnightsoftheGoldenCircle100/
Members: 11
Category: Confederates
Founded: Feb 3, 2009

KnightsoftheGoldenCircle120 · Knights of the Golden Circle 120
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnightsoftheGoldenCircle120/
Members: 7
Category: Confederates
Founded: Feb 3, 2009

ConfederateChicagoCSA · Confederate Chicago CSA
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ConfederateChicagoCSA/
Members: 4
Category: Living History
Founded: Mar 7, 2009

KGC4Dixie Home
KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE DOWNLOAD PAGE
http://kgc4dixie.wetpaint.com/
Members: 6
First activity: Aug 9 2009

Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC)
http://kgcdixie.com/
NEW PHPBB FORUM:
http://kgcdixie.com/kgcforumhtml/index.php
Total posts 75 • Total topics 24 • Total members 30

KGC4Dixie Web Page
http://kgc4dixie.webs.com/

KnightsoftheGoldenCircle4Dixie · Knights of the Golden Circle 4Dixie
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnightsoftheGoldenCircle4Dixie/
Members: 2
Category: Confederates
Founded: Aug 15, 2009

KGCWear
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KGCWear
Members: 5
Category: Confederates
Founded: Aug 25, 2009

There are no links, files or photos and there is but one message from Sept.
2009.

KGC4Dixie MySpace.com
Knights Golden circle
http://www.myspace.com/kgc4dixie
Created Aug 31, 2009
Knights of the Golden Circle has 86 friends

http://knightsofthegoldencircle.blogspot.com/
Created September 12, 2009
There are no followers yet
Profile Views 6

Two other internet fan based groups that previously existed but are now defunct were:

newUNITED_NORTH_SOUTH_KNIGHTSoftheGOLDENCIRCLE · UNITED KNIGHTS of the GOLDEN CIRCLE
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newUNITED_NORTH_SOUTH_KNIGHTSoftheGOLDENCIRCLE

Description
for the preservation of american principles and sovereignty from external
aggression and influence,by communist/socialist/marxist/leninist/maoist
doctrines and philosophies...to uphold American sea and land routes of
import/export channels
2.the preservation of U.S.BORDERS.SEA SHIPPING LANES AND FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
NATIONS WITHIN THE "GOLDEN CIRCLE" INCLUDING THE GULF OF MEXICO,AND CARIBBEAN

Group Information
Members: 1
Category: Politics
Founded: Oct 21, 2008

and

UNITED NORTHERN/SOUTHERN KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE - now defunct-
formerly existed as an MSN group. It's last homepage read:

"WELCOME MEMBERS OF THIS OUR "BROTHEROOD" IN THE "ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED
RITES"...I WELCOME YOU INTO THIS RANK AND FILE..OUR PURPOSE FOR CREATING THIS
MSN SITE, IS TO PROMOTE THE AMERICAN "QUALITY WAY OF LIFE" AND THE PRESERVATION
OF AMERICAN NORTHERN/SOUTHERN UNITY FROM THE INFILTRATION OF HOSTILE COMMUNIST
SOCIALIST DOCTRINE AND PROGRAMS,...AND TO PRESERVE OUR UNITED STATES GULF OF
MEXICO, CARIBBEAN SEA IMPORT/EXPORT LANES AND BOUNDERIES, OUR MAIN AREA OF
OPERATIONS ARE KNOWN AS THE "GOLDEN CIRCLE" AND WE ARE THE MAJORITY "19"
SOUTHERN CONFEDERATE STATES , THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS , MEXICO, PARTS OF CENTRAL
AMERICA, HONDURAS, CUBA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, PUERTO RICO...THIS ORGANIZATION HAS
BEEN RECOGNIZED AS THE "KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE" ...BUT NOW A MODERATION
HAS BEEN ADDED, OUR NORTHERN AMERICAN BROTHERS...WHICH IS NOTHING NEW, AND IN
FACT OLD AS THE "ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION" OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE, MY NAME IS "RAVEN"
AND I AM THIS BRANCHES CHAPTER MANAGER AND GRANDMASTER, I HOLD A "33" OF THE
"ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITES" ...I WILL ON A TIME TO TIME BASIS MAINTAIN THIS
BRANCH INFORMED ON CURRENT EVENTS, ...YOU ARE WELCOMED TO JOIN THIS GROUP, BE
RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS WHILE YOU ARE HERE OR YOU WILL BE BANNED ENTIRELY FROM THE
GROUP....FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS GROUP I HAVE INSTALLED "KING-FISHER " AS MY
MODERATOR AND MANAGER OF THIS "GOLDEN CIRCLE" SITE...HE WILL BE MY "O.I.C "IN
CHARGE TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH ALL OF YOU....THANK YOU AGAIN AND WELCOME TO THE
"UNITED NORTHERN/SOUTHERN KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE".....signed "RAVEN""

 

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[Tnwoods]

I found an article in the NYT archives a few years back about it. One lone General, out of everyone around Davis at the end, said that Davis had I think it was 1 Million when they fled. He could not account for about 3/4 of it, and after the war was demanding, maybe during the trial, to know what Davis did with the remaining 3/4 of a million. Been a while so I son't remember the details, but you are free to search their archives for it.

Bottom line is, it never gained any tracking back then, I believe everyone thought this General had a big chip on his shoulder. No one else could verify his claims, And Davis didn't even bother to respond to them.

So I you can decide for yourself, I suggest you find the article in the archives before making any conclusions that Davis hid 3/4 of a Million during his escape. If it was just the ranting of one disgruntled General, there may not be any truth to it. I could not find it ever mentioned again anywhere. Maybe you'll have better luck finding more information.

I think Alec and I would both love for the KGC mega vaults to be true, I know I would. We just can't find any credible evidence of them. It's really easy to say "rich southerners", Ok, which "rich Southerners"? It is easy to say they "buried these massive treasures after the war", fine, who buried them? And where did the money come from?

I have been running down tales for years, gold in my wide eye's, only to find the real evidence points to the tales being bogus.

Small cashes definitely. Some big ones where an entire town buried their valuables before the town was razed and ever one killed, yes. I actually think there is a lot of these still out there, pretty sure I know where one of these is, and it is a BIG alleged KGC legend. Can't get at it, so move on to the next. Very unhelpful landowner there now. Following KGC legends took me there.

Now since the town buried it, and members of the town were likely KGC, does it now become a KGC treasure? To me no, you may see it differently.

If the confederates loot a town and bury the goodies because they realistically can't be marching around carrying all that stuff, is that now a KGC treasure? Many soldiers were members after all. Again, to me no, but you may see it differently.

Let me modify my question: The boy scout motto is Be Prepared

I am a good boy scout, and to me being prepared means burying my allowance ( which I get in gold because my folks are survivalists) in the back yard, so does that make it a boy scout treasure?

I'm not picking and choosing facts, but if the facts lead nowhere, there is no reason to pursue them, unless new information comes up. Unless anything besides one General claims Davis had more money, than I suspect he didn't. Even if he did, I doubt if he left it for the "cause" A lot of the treasury was spread out amongst the starving soldiers in GA before Davis was captured. How much no one is certain, as they were basically tossing money off the train to guys. History is your friend.

 

[Kentucky Kache]

You're saying that money was given out in GA, etc...then you ask "what money?" "Who was the rich old guys?" I suspect that if you know who gave the money to GA, etc., then you'll know who the rich old guys were and where the money came from. Were they KGC members? I don't know. If they were KGC members, does that mean they hid large amounts of money in vaults? No. Is it possible they did? I think so. You said whole towns buried money in a common place. Why would it be impossible for a group which had so much in common to have done the same thing? I'm not a KGC hunter and don't know that much about it, but I do know a little bit about caches, and I know that cache hunting goes largely on possibilities. History is indeed my friend. I have proved (to myself, at least) the existence of a cache by searching historical records.

 

[olepossum]

comparing a kids club to the kgc koc kt scb is ludicris it is just a opinion stated though but the hand shakes hand signs and a whole lot of similarities of uniforms regelia and signs makes me think pretty damned close to being the same associated just my opinion but before you call me wrong look at pictures of all 4 groups very very similar and yes they are all secret societys every one knows who they are but only members are allowed in to the temples ,castles and lodges during ceremony if you anit a member just try and get in

 

[Tnwoods]

Olpossum sez:

and yes they are all secret societys every one knows who they are

Then they are not a secret if everyone knows who they are.

You nee a card to get into Costco, does that make them a secret society too? Not everyone is allowed in.

comparing a kids club to the kgc koc kt scb is ludicris

No, the concept that every group that uses special handshakes are KGC related is ludicrous, as was alluded to in a previous post.

Kentucky K sez:

You're saying that money was given out in GA, etc...then you ask "what money?" "Who was the rich old guys?" I suspect that if you know who gave the money to GA,

You misunderstood what I said.

The train carrying what little was left of the Confederate treasury, was handing out money to the starving soldiers that were surrounding and accosting the train at a stop. There were no “rich old guys” giving out money, And they did not give it to GA.

It was handed out by the men on Jefferson Davis's train as he made his escape, and only to the soldiers that accosted his train at a stop. And it wasn't because of generosity, it was because they were afraid the starving soldiers would seize the train and murder them. They were fearing for their lives at the time, and that is why they started handing out money. It quieted the angry mob, and allowed them to continue.,

I don't know of any “rich Guys” giving out money or hiding it for the KGC, or anyone else for that matter.

I hope that clears it up.

Cache hunting does go on “possibilities”, you are right. And as you yourself said, research goes a long way to either validate your hunch, or or make you decide it either isn't there, or has already been found.

My point is not every cache made in the south from 1860 on is related to the KGC. I don't know why that is such a hard concept for some to grasp, but oh well.

And I am still waiting for Texas Jay to enlighten me on where AFTER the war all these grand treasures came form that he says were hidden, AFTER the war. Which was my question in the first place.

 

[Tnwoods]

I know the KGC survived for a while after the war. I have ancestors who were members. But I think by 1880 it was pretty much a done deal.

i wish they would have left some crytpic clues for me to follow to find their goodies! But, as far as I know, they didn't leave much to be found.

One of them did ride with Quantrill, and became good enough friends with the James to be part of the gang in the early years, ans would ride with them from time to time til the late 1870's.

Stayed in touch with them, and went to at least one of the Raider reunions that I could find proof of.

But there's no family legends of old buried booty tucked away for the KGC during or after the war. So I am not a big JJ was a KGC operative follower.

So that is why I am wondering where this alleged money came from. I like treasure stories. Not like I am asking for a map to anything.

 

[Hoss KGC]

SWR,
Since you do concede that the KGC did actually exist, then you must have actually done enough research to know where the largest membership was located...where the most activity was. Is that right? Or will you continue to choose to ignore my posts. Hint, Rebel has said the answer many times before in his posts. Please tell us the answer.
Boattow

 

[Kentucky Kache]

I didn't say anyone handed out money. But I know that a LOT of money existed down there, and if you can call slavery "smart" then I guess they got rich being smart. Truth is, we simply don't know for sure, either way. So why bother those who wish to search a different way than you?

 

[Kentucky Kache]

We better take it easy on SWR. Pretty soon he won't have anywhere to run.

 

[Hoss KGC]

SWR wrote:
Boattow...I really don't mind having civil, adult conversations about the topics I post in. However, your sarcastic approach to incite me into conversation in this thread, as well as previous/past threads holds no hope for the aforementioned (civil, adult).

If you want to rephrase your queries, in a non-offensive or "I'm gonna one-up SWR" fashion...I would be more than happy to oblige ya. I'm not that good at theses kinds of guessing games. Plausible evidence is appreciated, too
========================================================

Well, actually I can show you post after post of yours that are sarcastic and that is why I finally decided to take that approach since you decided to ignore my previous non-sarcastic questions posed to you. As you know, I don't post often on the forums but decided to only because of your scarcastic, condescending tone.

This is your typical method. You have already done your best to avoid the question. Now you want to take this in a different direction. You know I have something up my sleeve. You see, you may get this answer wrong. That will not look good on you. You might get this answer right, and then I will take your previous post and show you how that one was silly.

So are you interested in playing my game now?
Boattow

 

[Hoss KGC]

See Jim, this is typical. Still no answers. If you have done any research at all, and I'm pretty sure you have stated that you have before, then this is an easy one. But you continue not to answer the question. That's OK, I've made you look silly....yay me.

I really wasn't interested, when I started this, in making you look silly, I wanted to show you that maybe, just maybe, you do have something to learn. Nevermind, you've made up your mind and no amount of truth will ever change it.
Boattow

 

[Tnwoods]

I didn't say anyone handed out money. But I know that a LOT of money existed down there, and if you can call slavery "smart" then I guess they got rich being smart. Truth is, we simply don't know for sure, either way. So why bother those who wish to search a different way than you?

i'm not trying to bother anyone searching anything. Over the years I have just seen none sense posted as "fact". I want to deal in facts, that's all.....

And when someone makes broad blanket statements, like a certain member who is ignoring me does, I want to know where his version of the "fact" are coming from.

I had a professor who liked to say:

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the facts will still be the facts.

I encougare different opinions. I just want them to be based in facts. Or at least semi-facts. But when a statement like X,Y,and Z, were KGC leaders............and no background to support it, I want to know why you think that.

When some one says the KGC hid their mega treasure vaults after the war, I want to know why you think that. Where did the information come from?

But I don't get any answers from the ones making the statements. I wind up debating with you folks, and that is fine. But it also makes me think there are no facts to back up the grand statements.

Because I will look into them. And if I am wrong I will admit it.

Believe what you want. What I think or want should have no bearing on your searches.

 

[Kentucky Kache]

I didn't say anyone handed out money. But I know that a LOT of money existed down there, and if you can call slavery "smart" then I guess they got rich being smart. Truth is, we simply don't know for sure, either way. So why bother those who wish to search a different way than you?

i'm not trying to bother anyone searching anything. Over the years I have just seen none sense posted as "fact". I want to deal in facts, that's all.....

And when someone makes broad blanket statements, like a certain member who is ignoring me does, I want to know where his version of the "fact" are coming from.

I had a professor who liked to say:

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the facts will still be the facts.

I encougare different opinions. I just want them to be based in facts. Or at least semi-facts. But when a statement like X,Y,and Z, were KGC leaders............and no background to support it, I want to know why you think that.

When some one says the KGC hid their mega treasure vaults after the war, I want to know why you think that. Where did the information come from?

But I don't get any answers from the ones making the statements. I wind up debating with you folks, and that is fine. But it also makes me think there are no facts to back up the grand statements.

Because I will look into them. And if I am wrong I will admit it.

Believe what you want. What I think or want should have no bearing on your searches.

As I said earlier, I'm not a KGC searcher. I just can't figure out why someone who don't believe in what others believe spend 90% of their time trying to disprove them. Just for the argument, maybe?
There are supposed treasure caches that people on here believe in that I think is silly, but I let them do their thing and I do mine.

 

[Hoss KGC]

Civil and adult conversation avoided...yay you.

And I bet you are going to say it's my fault eh? I suppose you are going to say that wasn't sarcastic? I suppose you feel pretty good 3 posts later and you still haven't answered my question. Yeah, yay me!

 

[Tnwoods]

As I said earlier, I'm not a KGC searcher. I just can't figure out why someone who don't believe in what others believe spend 90% of their time trying to disprove them. Just for the argument, maybe?
There are supposed treasure caches that people on here believe in that I think is silly, but I let them do their thing and I do mine.

Who said I don't believe? I didn't. Apparently you think I don't, because I am looking for facts.

And youhaven't really read what I have said.

I spend 90% of my time trying to disprove them?

I spend 90% of my time doing other things. I don't see how trying to get to the truth is spending my time trying to disprove things.

The truth is the truth.

If I spend 100% of my time here trying to get to the truth - than I guess you are right, if there is no truth in all the claims. I am not trying to disprove anything, I am looking to prove something, but I have yet to be told anything I can check on - on my own and away from here - that would prove anything.

Still Texas Jay hasn't offered me any proof for his claims about the mega treasures hidden after the war. He boldly made that statement, not I. Nor has he offered any reason on why I should take his word on why some folks were big shots in the KGC.

One of his big shots died at age 21 - kind of young to be running a secret society.

It's really not that hard. think I have asked one question.

I want the truth. If you don't, then fine. Believe what you want. I said that before, I am not trying to change your mind.

But i guess Texas Jay still has me on ignore.

 

[Kentucky Kache]

Tnwoods, sorry if I misunderstood you. Some on here won't leave others alone when they post, and it gets on the nerves after awhile. If you can't find proof of what people are saying, just mark it down as bad or unlikely.

 

[Shortstack]

Tnwoods said: One of his big shots died at age 21 - kind of young to be running a secret society.

No, this would not be too young if the person knew what he was doing. You forget, a ripe old age back then was 50; girls were marrying at 13-14 and starting families. During WW 2, there were 21 and 22 year old "Bird" Colonels commanding bomber squadrons and groups in Europe.

Knowledge and abilities were far more important than age. Prove the first 2; get past the last.

As far a proving everything one writes on this forum; if you don't believe something someone writes, then keep your own council and run your own research. Why should you wish to correct everyone one their posts? Cull the info and build up your own treasure leads while that "other person" goes off on, what you believe to be, a wrong course. You see, that's what a true professional treasure hunter does. They do not engage in public debates on the validity of some information presented by someone else. THAT'S the main reason no one is taking you and SWR seriously. You both come across as people who simply like to argue and muddy up the situation. If you do a search on SWR's posts, I'll bet you'll find that for each "positive" post, you'll find at least 20 negative ones. That is not helpfulness; that is hatefulness. In my NEVER humble opinion.

 

[Tnwoods]

Well, I don't see how trying to get to the truth muddies up anything. Nor do I understand how trying to separate BS from fact would make anyone upset. Unless, someone is knowingly trying to sell BS as fact.

I said before, everyone can believe what they want, I have no intention of changing anyone's mind.

When people make blanket statements as "fact", I want to know what they base it on. Not trying to be argumentative. Are not forums for debate and discussion? Or are they simply outlets for theories and allegations?

Shortstack, I think folks are ignoring me because I want facts, and behind many of the statements, there aren't many to be found.

No one seems to say - hey this is my opinion, or I think this, or this might be tied in somehow. They say Blank Blank blank is blank. Always as statement of fact.

There is a lot of conspiracy theories, legends, myths, stories etc. Many of these can be traced back to Orvous Houk for their origin. Now, if everyone's facts are based on J J was one of his names, then fair enough, that is all anyone has to say.

I would think any serious treasure hunter or amateur historian would want to get to the truth. Maybe that is just me. If no one wants to talk to me or take me seriously because of that, well so be it.

But thank you for the advice

 

[Tnwoods]

A quick side note. When I said I think 21 is young for a KGC big shot - that is my opinion. I didn't say he wasn't, or could not have been.

Cheers

 

[Kentucky Kache]

What was left in tact after the war war utterly destroyed during reconstruction. There was mass poverty. The only folks who didn't surrender were living in Mexico in poverty.

Do you know all that for a FACT? EVERYTHING was destroyed...? EVERYONE who didn't surrender went to mexico and lived in poverty?

It is really easy to make claims or statements about things. But you should have something to back it up that is traceable in fact. Something besides old Houk saying they are there. He had the maps, and he couldn't find any of it.