English: One of Deadwood's most colorful characters, John Perrett, more often referred to as "Potato Creek Johnny,” is credited with finding one of the world’s largest gold nuggets. Though many say the nugget was actually several nuggets melted together, the tale persists, along with stories of Perrett’s other eccentricities.

Hailing from across the pond in Wales, Perrett immigrated to the United States in 1883 when he was just 17 and before long had made his way to Deadwood, South Dakota to seek his fortune.

The impish, just over four foot man, first worked a variety of odd jobs when he came to the area. However by the time he reached 25, he decided to set out on his own in order to find gold. Though by this time, most of the gold was being hauled out of the hills by large mining companies, Perrett was not deterred and soon headed out with his gold pan. Also using sluice boxes, he was determined to find yet another mother lode in the streams around the Northern Hills.