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The Devil’s Tombstone Treasure is found! Congrats to the finders (JonlyBonly and Ronvanbeek – MW Discord usernames) – And congrats to John Parslow jr for hosting a successful hunt and ending! The Devil’s Tombstone treasure hunt was released in the spring of 2025. Clues were in a book which included a lot of interesting history of the area (available on Amazon). There was also a poem which contained clues to the hidden treasure cache.
The location was known to be in the Catskills, but exactly where kept searchers looking for a few months! It was found over this last weekend (January 2025) along Becker Hollow Trail – off route 214 – famous for the Devil’s Tombstone! Let’s learn more about how it was solved and what all went down!
Questions with John (Creator):
- 1Q) Congrats on managing the successful hunt – The Devil’s Tombstone! Please share your favorite moments from time of release to time of discovery!
I would say that there was not just one moment that was my favorite, the whole hunt, interaction and being able to see people enjoying the Catskills.
- 2Q) Were there any surprises in the hunt? Do you have any other books or hunts in the works?
There were many twists and turns with this hunt, weather, animals, near misses and other natural and unexpected twists. I am just happy that the hunt went off without any injuries or incidents, that is the real payoff for me.
I do have another hunt in the works and the book with a more in depth history of the Devils Tombstone, the Stony clove notch and more about Dutch Schultz and the hidden millions. Launch should be in March.
Thank you to you Jenny and all the treasure hunters who made this an exciting and fun quest. Looking forward to giving a more challenging quest in the next few months. I made mistakes, gave too easy of clues, but I learned from this and will do a better job next time.
Questions with Ronvanbeek and JonlyBonly (the finders):
- 3Q) When did you first hear about the hunt? What inspired you to set out and look for it?
JonlyBonly answers: I first heard about the hunt through Mysterious Writings. I saw a link to Jenny’s Six Questions interview with John Parslow Jr. I was immediately intrigued because I had researched the Devil’s Tombstone with its possible connection to the Dutch Schultz treasure. But I was all-in when John clued that his treasure was hidden in the Phoenicia, NY area.
My sister lives in Phoenicia and I would be visiting her for Thanksgiving. So I knew I would be searching for it and hopefully we might make it a family affair. We did! I also loved that in the MW Discord channel, John was very communicative with the searchers there.
- 4Q) What clues led you to the location? What made you believe you were searching in the right place?
Ronvanbeek answers: When I first heard about the treasure hunt, and my brother in law read the clues he had, I knew instinctual that it was at Becker Hollow. But we looked there multiple times, so we started looking at other trails.
After receiving some more clues, like the photos of trail markers and no camping signs, and last but not least the clue of a natural arch, it was relatively easy to find the location. The poem in the book was not really helpful alone. Luckily John was helpful with posting clues online.
- 5Q) Was the actual treasure cache difficult to find? Had you looked there previously?
Ronvanbeek answers: The actual treasure (ammo box) was not there when I found the location. We matched the photo posted online with John’s photo and everything matched like roots and twigs, but no box.
John then talked to the forest ranger and he had found it by following John’s footsteps in the snow. But he never opened the box so John didn’t know it was found. The ranger gave the box to John, and he gave it to us. In the end it was all good. It was frustrating that we found the location, but not the treasure.
- 6Q) What advice would you give other BOTG searchers or those involved in other treasure hunts? Were there any lessons gained from the experience? (things like: don’t give up, try a different perspective on a clue interpretation, have confidence, just get out there, etc/whatever)
JonlyBonly answers: We did all our searching between Thanksgiving and early January. So my first advice is always: dress appropriately for any potential weather or terrain. Expect to be outside longer than you think; we all know we are reluctant to leave the hunt. Before you are BOTG, always have a search plan, as well as an end time and try to stick to it.
Safety for you and your team is paramount. But once you have developed a solve theory, get out there and diligently try to execute it without getting sidelined. That way, if it doesn’t pan out, it will be easier to walk away from that line of inquiry.
Don’t forget, bias confirmation is a monster that can lead you into physical and mental danger. Be willing to give up an idea, take a step back (maybe give it some time), and approach the hunt again with fresh eyes.
Finally, always stay aware of your surroundings: you’ll have a better sense of how you are feeling, you will better appreciate Mother Nature, and maybe you’ll spot the treasure!
