Potato Creek Johnny
Potato Creek Johnny’s real name was John Perrett. In 1883, when he was 17, he immigrated to the Black Hills from Wales. Potato Creek Johnny had various jobs in the area but at 25 decided that he would become a gold prospector. He began a claim on Potato Creek (part of Spearfish Creek), which gave him his nickname and eventually led to his claim to fame. In 1929, Potato Creek Johnny made history when he purportedly found one of the largest gold nuggets in the Black Hills. The weight of the leg-shaped nugget was 7-3/4 troy ounces. In later years W.E. Adams bought the nugget for $250 and put it on display in the Adams Museum. A replica of the nugget is on display at the Adams Museum and the original is stored in the museum safe deposit box.

The nugget made Potato Creek Johnny famous in Deadwood and in the late 1930’s, early 1940’s visitors would watch Johnny pan gold, hear him tell tales, get his autograph, or visit him at his cabin on Potato Creek. He was a particularly big attraction for children because Johnny was only 4 feet 3 inches tall. Potato Creek Johnny died at the age of 77 in Deadwood in February 1943. The funeral procession passed by the Adams Museum and carillon chimes tolled 77 times. Potato Creek Johnny is buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery alongside Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

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