Colorado's "Ten-Cent" Treasure

(This uncirculated "Seated Liberty" dime is worth $450.00.)

Dimes Used to Have an Intrinsic Value

Normally we don't think much of the dimes jingling in our pants pockets. Especially those cheap, base-metal "clad" coins we now call dimes here in the United States.

But right from the beginning of formal U.S. coinage through the 1964 issues, all of our ten-cent pieces were made of precious metal (90% silver and 10% alloy). This meant that dimes once had an intrinsic "value" above and beyond their lowly denomination.

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How Can a Dime be Treasure?

But I digress here somewhat. This post is about treasure. In fact, it's about Colorado's "Ten-Cent" Treasure.

I know what you are wondering. Just how the heck can there be a treasure worth ten cents? Well in this particular case we're not talking about a solitary ten-cent piece, but lots of dimes. In fact, thousands upon thousands of freshly minted dimes from the United States Mint at Denver, Colorado.

How Colorado's "Ten-Cent" Treasure Came to Be

Here's how Colorado's "Ten-Cent" Treasure trove came to be. In the latter part of the 1800s (probably the 1880s) 6 large wooden kegs (similar in size to wine kegs) of freshly minted Seated Liberty dimes were loaded onto wagons for shipment to Phoenix, Arizona. The shipment included a small escort since many outlaws, thieves, and various and sundry other types of "n'er-do-wells" plagued the American West at the time.

Despite this latter precaution the entire wagon train, including drivers and escort, and its entire load of new ten-cent pieces went missing somewhere between Montrose, Colorado and what was then known as the Crawford Ranch. Vanished into thin air without a trace, including wagons, men, and the thousands (perhaps tens of thousands?) of Seated Liberty dimes.

A Small Part of the Treasure is Found

Near the Turn of the Century a small group of treasure hunters decided to try and locate the "Ten-Cent" hoard. In this enterprise they were partially successful, finding the remains of the wagons near the North Rim of Black Canyon. More importantly, they were able to recover "several gallons" of dimes along the Gunnison River below. However, they were not able to find or recover the bulk of the treasure trove.

Three Points to Consider

If this little treasure tale has piqued your interest here are three points to consider:

Timeline: I am a bit wary of the timeline involved in this treasure tale since accurate dates about the shipment are difficult to come by. Direct research into US Mint records should reveal some hard and fast dates and facts though.

Recovery: Additional thorough research should yield information on whether the treasure seeking group really found "gallons" of dimes along the Gunnison River. A good spot to start would be the records or archives of local or community newspapers of the day.

Value: Some folks are going to take a look at this treasure legend and roll their eyes simply because we are talking about dimes here and not silver dollars or gold 20-dollar Double Eagles. My response is simply one word, numismatics.

Remember, these dimes were in "mint" condition (today they might be called "brilliant uncirculated") and the numismatic (or coin collecting) value of each dime today may be 1,000, or even 10,000 times or more than its "face" value (check the current selling price for the uncirculated Seated Liberty dime in the photograph). Get the picture here?

So there you have it. Into silver dimes? Then you may want to head for Colorado.

Happy hunting!

If you liked this post, then you may want to read: Recent "Big Money" Treasure Finds

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-money-treasure-finds-of-2008.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Basic Treasure Trove Laws

What is a Treasure Trove?

Most treasure trove laws view a treasure trove as any significant amount of gold, silver, jewelry, currency, or artifacts found that were lost or buried in the ground, underwater, or even hidden in the basement, attic, or within the walls of a home (including your own or the one you rent). Typically, treasure troves are very old historically, the original owners are dead or unknown, and their heirs cannot be found.




Treasure Troves Laws Vary Widely

The basic laws governing the recovery rights and ultimate ownership of treasure troves vary widely, both here in the United States and elsewhere in the world at large. Here in the U.S., the states themselves appear to have the most control over treasure trove laws but in every instance of treasure trove recovery, the Federal government is always close at hand, particularly the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS views all treasure recoveries as part of your gross income and therefore must be claimed as such.

In countries such as Great Britain however, treasure trove laws are much more clearly defined and applied. The same holds true for our friends "Down Under" in Australia. In both countries, any and all treasure troves found ultimately belong to the Crown (their version of our own Federal government). Ultimately, it is the Crown that makes the final ruling on the disposition of any and all treasure troves.

Who Gets the Treasure?

This too varies widely from country-to-country and state-to-state. In most instances, if a treasure trove find is made on someone else's property and you have not made a deal in advance with the land or property owner, guess what? Yep. The treasure belongs to the property owner and not you.

A recent and highly publicized find by a construction worker of a trove of gold coins on computer guru Jan Wenner's property in Idaho turned out badly for the finder. The State decided that "finder's keepers" and "possession is nine-tenths of the law" did not apply here and the worker's claims on the gold were dismissed. However, had this discovery taken place in another U.S. state, the reverse might be true. Sad to say, you'll never know until you get there my friend.

Also note that if you recover a treasure trove surreptitiously or "on the sly" from someone else's property and are subsequently found out, you can be held liable for trespassing and prosecuted for theft, and any "goodies" you recovered will be taken away from you, one way or the other. Much the same holds true of public lands or water areas belonging to state, Federal, or local governments.

"Keep It Zipped!"

In light of these little tidbits of information regarding treasure trove laws, may I suggest something to you? "Keep it zipped!" Keep what zipped, you ask? Your mouth my friend, your mouth. Now don't get me wrong here. I don't recommend breaking any laws, anytime, anywhere, but one of the most basic and most important rules of treasure hunting is KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.

And if you require further explanation of why that is, then sorry. In all honesty you have no business treasure hunting.

Take care out there and be safe....

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "3 Key Tips for Successful Treasure Hunters"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/3-key-tips-for-successful-treasure.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

A Louisiana Treasure Tale

(Calcasieu Parish is in the pink-colored area.)

Here is a treasure tale from Calcasieu Parish in the southwestern part of Louisiana near the Texas border. In case you're wondering about its potential viability, this story is based in fact and (in my opinion) merits additional research and study by serious treasure hunters:

Battle in the Bayous

Although the American Civil War is noted primarily for its grand battles in the East, many small-scale actions were fought elsewhere, including on or near the rivers and bayous of southwestern Louisiana. One such battle took place on May 6, 1864 when 2 Union gunboats led by Lt. Benjamin Loring in the U.S.S. Wave were attacked on the Calcasieu River near what is now the community of Cameron.

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The attackers were the Confederates garrisoned at Sabine Pass, Texas. The "Rebs" did not take this intrusion by the "Yankees" lightly and brought along their artillery pieces to ensure the enemy was taught a lesson. In the subsequent battle about 20 Federal soldiers and sailors were killed in action, many more were wounded, and both vessels eventually ran up the white flag of surrender.

$9,000 in Gold is Dumped Overboard

Before the jubilant Confederates could board the U.S.S. Wing however, Lt. Loring ordered the surviving crew members to throw everything of value overboard. The "dumped" items not only included weapons, ammunition, and supplies, but also the gunboat's iron safe which contained important documents and over $9,000 in U.S. gold specie meant as payment for horses and feed provided by a local band of thugs and thieves who styled themselves after the murderous Kansas "Jayhawkers."

For many days afterward, enterprising Johnny Rebs free dived on the site of the dumped safe to no avail. The murky water was too deep and visibility was poor. A short while later the disappointed Confederates went on their way and the Civil War ended a year later, with the safe of the U.S.S. Wing still buried in the mud and muck of the Calcasieu.

A Well-Documented Treasure Tale

The lost safe full of gold from the U.S.S. Wing is not your typical "will-o'-the-wisp" treasure myth with little fact supporting it and even less to go on. This treasure tale is well-documented and includes statements from Union prisoners of war who, after the fact, verified the safe's contents and approximate dumping location. Lt. Loring himself wrote a highly detailed and accurate account of the battle and after actions. This was eventually published in The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies," Volume XXI, pages 256-259.

So there you have it. An excellent starting point for historical treasure research and the potential for gaining more viable treasure leads. This won't be an easy hunt of course. Not only will many additional hours of research be required, but a decent watercraft, magnetometer, and professional diving skills and gear will be necessities as well I imagine.

Good hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Legends of Lost Gold: Pegleg's Gold Found? (Part 2)"http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/10/legends-of-lost-gold-peglegs-gold-found_23.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Dowsing Rods, "Treasure" Locators, Pendulums, and "Psychic" Treasure Hunting

(A self-proclaimed "scientific" treasure locating rod.)

Pseudo Science is Big Business These Days

Dowsing for water or water witching using a forked tree branch has been around since the dawn of recorded history. As a child, I had an uncle who claimed the ability to dowse water and who showed us kids how to do so as well. We never found an underground river or well but we sure had many hours of fun "dowsing" the yard and immediate neighborhood with our hand-cut forked sticks.



All fun aside and at the risk of angering some of you out there, dowsing rods, "treasure" locating rods, and psychic treasure hunting have become big business these days and have kept apace with the proliferation of other "New Age" crazy and pseudo-scientific beliefs, theories, and practices out there. Why do I use the term "pseudo-scientific?" Simply because there isn't a shred of true scientific evidence to support the efficacy of these items or their promoters.

What is behind their slogans and sales pitches, however, is big money (most "fancy" treasure locating rods or antennae cost in the thousands with some as high as $30,000 or more) and the certain knowledge that P.T. Barnum was correct. A sucker IS born every minute.

Some Questionable "Treasure Finders"

Let's examine some of these questionable "treasure finders" being marketed today:

Dowsing Rods: The classic dowsing rod is a simple forked stick cut from a tree branch or bush which is held in both hands with the single and longer branch part or "pointer" facing outward. When water (or treasure) is located, the pointer will drift downward until it is pointing directly at the ground, marking the spot to dig or search. The "treasure" dowsing rods being sold online these days are typically L-shaped brass rods (they look better than bent coat hangers) that the user grasps lightly in both fists with the longer portions of the rods pointing outward. When gold, silver, or other treasure is detected, the 2 rods will cross over one another, with the center of the crossing point being the "X marks the spot" for buried treasure. Cost? Anywhere from $10.00 on up to hundreds of dollars.

Treasure Rods or Locators: These are big items these days, with many (if not all) of these so-called locators having a chamber that can be opened and filled with a piece or specimen of the type of mineral or metal sought (see the locating rod in the photograph above), thereby ensuring that the rod or locator will ONLY indicate on that specific mineral or metal. Held in one hand or both, these sorts of locators (some of which are claimed to find or locate gold, silver, or other treasure at distances of many miles) will swing to and fro until they point out exactly where the target is. Cost? Anywhere from hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

Pendulums: These nifty little treasure-locating devices have been around as long as dowsing rods if not longer. Constructed simply of a weighted and pointed pendulum attached to a line, chain, or string, these magical hand-held treasure tools will swing in various patterns until they point out where treasure lays beneath your feet. Or, alternately, they can be used over topographic maps or satellite images to narrow down treasure search areas. Take your pick. Cost? A few dollars on up to hundreds of dollars.

"Psychic" Treasure Hunting: This approach to treasure hunting has become increasingly popular over the past 20 years or so and continues to gain momentum. Here's how it works. Essentially a "medium" or psychically adept individual will use their "special" or paranormal abilities (often in conjunction with a pendulum or other pointing device) to locate and point out treasure areas to a client. This can be done via maps or photographs, or if necessary, on scene. I had one such individual approach me a few years back offering to locate rich placer gold ground for me via maps. My cost? $150.00 per session (quite cheap when some individuals require "earnest" money up front and fees of a $1,000 or more). I politely declined, needless to say.

Unsubstantiated Claims

Here are just a few unsubstantiated and untested claims taken from online advertising for these types of items: "has the power of a vibrational antenna," "finds water, oil, silver, gold, coins, buried treasure," "answers personal questions," "predicts the future," "connects with the Higher Power," "responds to electromagnetic energy and vibrations," "detects gold and silver up to 50 miles," etc., etc., ad nauseum.

Claims that are scientifically tested or proven under laboratory regimens? Absolutely not. Pseudo-scientific claims that prey on our willingness to believe and the hope of a quick fix or easy path to riches? Absolutely. (And you were actually thinking of buying one of these things? Sigh.....)

Use Your Common Sense

I know as sure as I write this that some of you out there are "true believers" who can provide countless testimonials to the "amazing" capabilities and efficiency of these items. Perhaps you yourself have consistently found treasure with these fantastic treasure locating tools. More power to you my friend, but in all honesty I seriously doubt your claims or anyone else's, for that matter. Maybe it's time for a reality check.

Use your common sense. If these things really work as well as their purveyors say they do, why would they sell such a device to you (and for big money to boot)? Moreover, if you or I had such a fantastic item that could easily point us to riches, why in the world would we let others know about it?

Want a bit of advice from an oldtimer? Spend your money more wisely. Use it to fund a treasure hunting expedition, buy a new metal detector or gold pan, or even pay an outstanding bill or two. Above all, please don't become one of P.T. Barnum's "suckers born every minute."

Shame on You!

Finally, shame on those prospecting, mining, and metal detector shops that advertise and sell these sorts of items online and elsewhere. And you know who you are. What the hell is wrong with you guys? Is money always the bottom line, even to the point of using false or misleading advertising to "rip off" your less wary or more gullible customers? Again, shame on you! It's time to get your minds right and start conducting your business honestly in all respects.

There it is...

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Spanish Silver and Gold in Cass County, Missouri"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/spanish-silver-and-gold-in-cass-county.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Chief Wabasis's Buried Gold

A Questionable Treasure Trove?

One of the most persistent tales of lost treasure in the State of Michigan is the legend of Chief Wabasis's lost pot of gold. Over the years many would-be treasure hunters have hunted in vain for this questionable trove, but still the hunt goes on. Why do I use the term "questionable?"

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Simply because I have been unable to come up with hard facts supporting the validity of this legend, or better yet, treasure myth. However, there may be a number of salient bits of information regarding Wabasis's lost gold that I have missed in my own research and that other, perhaps more knowledgeable, treasure hunters are aware of. (Remember, there is always at least one element of truth in every lost mine or treasure legend....)

Chief Wabasis's Story

Chief Wabasis ("White Swan") must have been a V.I.P. of sorts since a number of locales in West-Central Michigan (the Grand River Valley and Grand Rapids environs) have been named after him, including Wabasis Hill, Wabasis Creek, and Little Wabasis Lake. For what it's worth, Wabasis was reputed to be part white and arrived in the Michigan area from Canada.

Since he could speak English quite well and understood the "ways of the white man" Wabasis was chosen to act as tribal spokesman when it came time to negotiate a deal with the whites involving the sale of tribal lands for gold specie. Wabasis fared so well that when the situation arose to choose a tribal member to bring back the gold from the land sale, Wabasis was selected.

Things Go South for Wabasis

Things started going south for Wabasis when he returned to the tribe. The small amount of gold given to each tribal member from the land sale was far below general expectations. Many tribal members became angry and suspicious that somehow Wabasis had "shortchanged" them. Despite his protestations to the contrary, some tribal members wanted Wabasis put to death.

But cooler heads prevailed and instead he was banished from the tribe and forced to live alone along the shores of a nearby lake (Little Wabasis Lake?) where he was not allowed to travel for more than a mile in any direction. For 2 years Wabasis obeyed the rules of his forced banishment but then made the mistake of attending a tribal function. There he was accosted by younger tribal members and slain after a violent argument.

Where is Wibasis's Gold?

Over the years many enterprsing Michigan treasure hunters surmised that sometime during his banishment Wibasis buried his "lion's share" of the gold in a iron kettle in one of 2 locations: along the shores of the lake bearing his name or not far from the Plainfield Bridge near present-day Grand Rapids. Starting in the late 1800s many searches have taken place near these locales, all to no avail.

Where is Wabasis's gold? To tell the truth I haven't a clue and, moreover, I have my doubts about the overall validity of this treasure tale. However I am always open to correction and if you can prove me wrong, more power to you. While you're at it though, can I ask a favor? Would you send me a photograph of that iron kettle filled with gold?

Be safe and keep hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Basic Treasure Hunting Equipment"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/basic-treasure-hunting-equipment.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

A Hoard of Gold and Silver in a Cast-Iron Washpot

A Haul of Silver and Gold Coins

Many of North Carolina's treasure most famous and popular trove tales and legends deal with the coastal communities, sunken ships, and Blackbeard's buried pirate caches. But the Tarheel State has a long and proud history and its treasures (both lost and recovered) can be found throughout the state and not just along its beautiful coastlines.

The treasure tale I am about to impart to you may not enjoy the status of other, more popular treasure legends, but what it does have is a cast iron wash pot filled with silver and gold coins from the late 1700s and early 1800s. How many coins, you ask? Probably quite a haul, considering the fact that cast iron wash pots of the period were very large items indeed.

Abe Kuykendall's Tavern

Abraham Kuykendall was a prominent citizen of Rutherford County, North Carolina, serving as a captain of militiamen during the American Revolutionary War as well as County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. Eventually Abe married and settled down on 1,000 acres of land in Henderson County near Asheville, North Carolina. The location became known as Flat Rock and it was here that Abe build a tavern and waystation to service travelers along the Old State Road nearby.

Abe's tavern soon developed a sterling reputation among weary travelers as "the" place to stop and rest. Not only were the accommodations excellent as were the food and drink, but a weary and frugal traveler could expect to pay a fair price for all. Abe had one important stipulation for all his customers though. They had to pay him in silver and or gold coin. Nothing else would be accepted. Needless to say, Abe's tavern soon made him a very wealthy man.

A Buried Hoard and a Stern Warning

As his hoard of silver and gold coins increased in number and volume Abe began to worry about the safety of his treasure. Banks were non-existent in the area at the time and he was fearful of burying his wealth in the standard of the day, large trunks made of oak bound with leather straps. For Abe Kuykendall, such an item would not do at all. No way, no how.

So one dark night Abe stashed all his gold and silver inside a large, cast-iron washpot. He blindfolded 2 young male servants and directed their movements to a location deep into the dense woods nearby. Removing their blindfolds he had them dig a deep pit under a bent white oak nearby and had them lower the cast-iron wash pot into it. Before they buried the hoard of gold and silver Abe warned his servants on the pain of miserable death to never reveal what they knew. Then he blindfolded them once again and led them back to the tavern.

A Treasure Tale is Born

Many years later when Abe Kuykendall was 104 years of age, he decided to retrieve part of his stash to complete a business deal. Unfortunately, Abe failed to return from the woods and was later found face down in a stream, deader than a doornail. One of the servants knowing that he could now speak freely, told Abe's family members about the buried cache of coins, and the hunt was on as frantic men and women dug up the surrounding area searching for Abe's treasure. In this endeavor they were unsuccessful and a North Carolina treasure tale was born.

Facts to Consider

This is one treasure tale that is no "will-o'-the-wisp." Serious searchers for Abe Kuykendall's buried hoard of silver and gold coins should know that:

Abraham Kuykendall was a real person.

Abe's tavern actually existed.

Descendants of Abe Kuykendall still reside in North Carolina.

Numerous documentary records exist concerning Abe's life and his tavern.

These are all important facts to consider when attempting to decide if this treasure legend has merit (and it does, in my opinion). Research should focus on Abe Kuykendall's life and times in the area, with an emphasis placed on the Flat Rock and Pheasant Run areas.

Good luck and good hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Legends of Lost Gold: Pegleg's Gold Found? (Conclusion)"

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Pueblo Revolt Treasure Caches in New Mexico?

Intrepid Adventurers but Cruel Taskmasters

By 1598 the Spanish had already established a number of small colonies in New Mexico with those at modern-day Albuquerque (Central New Mexico) and Santa Fe (Northern New Mexico) being the most significant. Always intrepid adventurers and fearless warriors, the Spanish could be (and in many instances were) harshly cruel taskmasters who held native peoples in low regard and often did their best to stamp out native Indian religions and culture.

In Northern and Central New Mexico the Spanish seized Indian land and crops, controlling the local Pueblo tribes with an iron fist and embarking them on a sad journey that often included forced labor (if not outright enslavement in certain instances) and a range of cultural and personal depredations. Early attempts at revolt by the various Pueblo tribes strung out along the Rio Grande River were suppressed quickly, efficiently, and brutally by the Spanish.

The Pueblo Revolt of 1680

On August 10, 1680, all the Pueblo tribes except one revolted under Pope's plan and leadership. They attacked all the northern settlements, killed every Spaniard they came across (including women and children), destroyed homes and farms, took horses and guns, and burned churches along the way. For a short while Spanish survivors huddled within the adobe walls of the larger settlement at Santa Fe, but fled south when the Indians approached.

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It would be another 12 years before the Spanish returned in force to Central and Northern New Mexico, but this time they had learned a hard lesson and were not so quick to assume their previous extraordinarily harsh rule over the Pueblos.

Many Small Caches were Buried

Although the Spanish living in the smaller settlements of Northern and Central New Mexico were mostly poor and living on hunting and subsistence farming, there were "wealthier" citizens (including the governor) living in Santa Fe and in Albuquerque. As Pope and his warriors approached everyone fled south, each individual carrying only what they could on their person or, if they were more fortunate, what items could be lashed to a horse or a carreta, or cart.

Undoubtedly, the Spanish settlers buried many small-to-medium sized caches near homesites or other nearby locations in their haste to flee the vengeful Pueblo tribes. What sort of caches? Heirlooms brought from Spain, some jewelry, a few silver and gold coins, personal items of meaning and value, documents, you name it. Granted, nothing on the monetary scale of, say, a Victorio Peak treasure, but from the archaeological and historical perspectives such items could prove "priceless" to those who ultimately hold possession of them.

Where to Look

The obvious question to ask about the possibility of finding a Pueblo Revolt treasure cache is "where do I look?" Obviously, the odds of coming across such a cache by sheer luck is slim indeed without the prime ingredient for any treasure hunt. Research. Yep, there's that word again. But like it or not, research is once again the key to success, especially in this context.

If I were interested (and I am) in researching leads for a possible Pueblo Revolt treasure cache where would I start my research? In the State of New Mexico Archives and Library in Santa Fe (by the way, the Historical Archives contain records dating back to 1621). Can't drive, fly, or walk to my neck of the woods (I live just outside Santa Fe)? Then follow this link (sorry, but you'll have to copy and paste this URL):

http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/archives/archives_hm.htm

Who knows what you may turn up through diligent research on the subject of the Pueblo Revolt and the rapid flight of the Spanish from Northern and Central New Mexico....

Good hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Spanish Silver and Gold in Cass County, Missouri"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/spanish-silver-and-gold-in-cass-county.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Spanish Treasure Symbols

Spanish Impact was Significant

The impact of the Spanish explorers, conquistadores, and colonists in the New World was significant and long-lived. One of the main drivers that brought the Spanish to Central, South, and North America and the Caribbean (as well as other world locales) was the pursuit of wealth. Or treasure, to put it bluntly.

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Not only were the Spanish excellent record keepers, but over time they developed a sophisticated and extensive treasure symbol "library" with which to document, mark, and point the way to the location of buried treasure caches. For example, the carved heart symbol in the photo above marks a treasure trail to gold and is a commonly found Spanish treasure symbol here in the United States.

Treasure Symbols Abound

The Spanish covered tremendous amounts of territory during their explorations and searches for treasure, but nowhere is this more true than the American West and Southwest where vestiges of their passage is everywhere. Spanish treasure symbols abound in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and can also be found in Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma and other locations in the U.S.

So a key question for aspiring treasure hunters on the trail of lost or buried Spanish loot is not whether these treasures exist (in most instances they do) but rather how to decipher or "read" the legion of physical makers the Spanish left behind that point the way to potential caches. All the research and knowledge in the world won't do you a bit of good in the field if you don't know how to read Spanish treasure "signs."

Many Resources are Available

Fortunately there are many good resources available to us on the subject of Spanish treasure symbols and signs. No small number of these can be found online while others can be purchased in the form of books or other printed materials. Here are just a few of these books and websites:

"Turtles Lead to Treasure" at http://www.turtlesleadtotreasure.com/

Treasure Hunters University at http://www.treasurehuntersuniversity.com/spanish.html

Research Unlimited at http://www.research-unlimited.com/signs_and_symbols.html

TreasureNet Forum at http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?board=82.0

There are many other material resources out there on the subject as well. Just take the time to do a bit of research online.

Cautionary Note

Not only were the Spanish adept at developing and employing a wide range of treasure symbols but they were also quite good at "boobie trapping" many of their buried treasure locations. These traps are also indicated by certain symbols and you should familiarize yourself with them, if you are seriously committed to searching out and recovering an abandoned Spanish treasure cache.

No, I am not joking here. An unwary treasure hunter could be trapped, seriously injured, or even killed by a Spanish treasure trap. To learn more about these dangers and the symbols associated with them see: http://www.treasurehuntersuniversity.com/death.html

Take care out there and the best of luck to you in your treasure hunts.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "5 Famous Lost Mines and Treasures"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/5-famous-lost-mines-and-treasures.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

3 Lost Treasures in Texas

It's said that everything is bigger in Texas and treasure legends are no exception. Here are 3 persistent treasure tales from the Lone Star State for your perusal:

Sam Bass' 20-Dollar Gold Pieces: Sam Bass made himself famous (or notorious?) in the 1870s by robbing stagecoaches and trains in various parts of the Southern and Upper Plains, including the Dakotas and Nebraska. After he and his partner pulled a successful heist of a Union Pacific train in 1877, Sam ended up with over 1,250 gold "double eagles" (20 dollar gold pieces) and assorted jewelry odds and ends. After the robbery, Sam hightailed it south into Texas where he supposedly buried his loot near Cove Hollow, about 30 miles north of Denton.

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Red River Gold: In 1894 the First National Bank of Bowie, Texas was relieved of over $10,000 in gold coins and nearly double that amount in paper currency by a gang of n'er-do-well desperadoes. As the gang reached the Red River they found that watercourse swollen by Spring storms. Since the gold coins were bulky and very heavy, the robbers decided to bury the gold nearby and try to make it across the river with their paper loot. All of these hapless crooks were later hunted down, captured, and then hung. Legend has it that they buried the gold specie in a stand of cottonwoods near the confluence of the Red River and the Little Wichita River.

Maximillian's Gold: Arguably one of the most famous Texas treasure legends, Maximilian's gold has kept treasure hunters busy researching and digging for many years. As the self-proclaimed Emperor of Mexico, the French-born Maximilian and his wife Carlota went much the same way as the ruling aristocracy did during the French Revolution. But instead of meeting his fate under a guillotine, Maximilian ended up in front of a firing squad.

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Before his timely demise, Maximilian had amassed a huge fortune in gold, silver, and other valuables from the backs of Mexico's people. A small party of his followers fled north into Texas hauling a significant portion of this loot, looking to meet up with a group of disgruntled ex-Confederate soldiers who were hired to help protect the party and their ill-gotten goods. Somewhere along the way, the Maximilianos were killed by their rebel protectors and the entire 15 wagon loads of loot went missing. All of this occurred somewhere in the vicinity of Castle Gap and Horsehead Crossing.

I have only scratched the surface here when it comes to the sheer volume of Texas treasure tales out there. There are many, many more that can be researched and examined for potential leads. Of the 3 I have listed above, I think that Maximilian's lost treasure holds the best possibilities for a disciplined treasure hunter as much of Maximilian's reign and fall in Mexico is very well documented.

Good hunting to all of you!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Spanish Silver and Gold in Cass County, Missouri?"

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Bumblebee's Lost Gold

Bumblebee, Arizona

It should come as no surprise to anyone that lost gold mine and treasure tales are part and parcel of Arizona's tumultuous history. For example, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine is arguably the most famous and persistent lost mine or treasure tale in the United States.

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But the famed Lost Dutchman Mine is not the topic of this post. I am here to relate to you the story of Bumblebee's Lost Gold.

Bumblebee? Yes Bumblebee, Arizona, a small ghost town tucked away in the Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona's Yavapai County. Named for a nearby creek of the same name, Bumblebee started as a stage station in 1863 and went on to service the U.S. Army as well as miners heading to and from the mines and diggings in the Bradshaws.

Two Miners and 200 Pounds of Gold in Quartz

Although many went home broke, some miners did quite well for themselves in the various gold discoveries and subsequent mining enterprises that took place in the Bradshaws during the latter part of the 1800s. The legend of Bumblebee's Lost Gold centers around two of these miners, partners who struck a rich quartz vein at an undisclosed location in the nearby mountains. How rich? Well, the ore the two "pards" mined out was so riddled with gold that it literally held the quartz rock together.

After mining out approximately 200 pounds of this fabulously rich gold in quartz and with the bitterly cold nights of winter rapidly approaching, the two miners made the decision to leave their diggings for civilization where they could sell off their ore and spend the winter in leisure, warm and well-fed. Before packing their gear the pair buried their gold nearby as a safety precaution just in case strangers with prying eyes straggled by.

Apaches, Death, and Lost Gold

After packing and camouflaging their diggings to the best of their ability, the mining "pards" prepared to depart. Without warning they were suddenly set upon by Apaches, the most ferocious and feared Native American warriors in the entire Southwest. In the ensuing struggle one of the miners was killed and the other just managed to escape, making it to the stage station at Bumblebee. There the surviving miner described the attack and the demise of his partner, but said nothing of the gold.

With fear of miserable death outweighing greed, the survivor departed the Bradshaws for safer climes. It wasn't until he was old and on his deathbed that he finally told those close to him about the 200 pounds of gold ore and what happened that fateful day. With his memory and his breath failing, the oldtimer gave directions to the treasure from a fading and somewhat cloudy memory. Despite this, no one to date has been able to locate Bumblebee's Lost Gold.

Where is the Gold?

Obviously, If I could answer that question I wouldn't be writing this post. And, chances are, I would be a man of means and wealth. But the legend of Bumblebee's Lost Gold does contain the general location of all that gold in quartz:

The gold is buried near a small wash or creek near the confluence of Slate and Squaw Creek, 3-5 miles east of Bumblebee.

There you have it. Find this location and break out your metal detector or 2-boxer. Who knows, you might just be the person who finds Bumblebee's Lost Gold.

I hope you do.

Good hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "The Lost Nuggets of Red Hill"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/lost-nuggets-of-red-hill.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

California's Lost Cement Mine, Part 2

(Aerial view of the Eastern Sierra Nevadas near Bishop, CA.)

Where to Search?

In Part 1 of these 2 posts on the legend of the Lost Cement mine, I mentioned that Hans and Ulrich found their gold-rich ledge of red lava "somewhere in the Mono Lake Region near the Owens River" (most historic accounts of the lost gold give few additional details). Obviously, this is a highly generalized potential search area that covers a large (and often rugged) expanse of territory on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas.



If I were a betting man (which I can be under certain circumstances) I would put my money on a more northwesterly search area from Mono Lake that includes the Upper Owens River and Mammoth Lakes Region, perhaps even extending as far as the Sierras west of Bishop. Although few historically significant gold mining locations other than Bodie and the Dogtown Placers can be found in this region, the potential for precious metals mineralization does exists.

As an aside, there is a rest area along California Highway 395 not far south of Mammoth Lakes that has a small monument and plaque describing the Lost Cement Mine. So if you're ever travelling that stretch of the eastern Sierras (which I did just this past June), stop and take a look.

Inconsistencies and Issues

1. Gold Ore in Red Lava: Although vulcanism is often a significant factor in gold ore genesis and mineralization, these changes typically occur only after extensive metamorphic alteration. Red lava (or black lava, for that matter) is not geologically recognized as a gold "producer" or host for metallic gold. Additionally, the odds that a flow of red lava would overrun or "cement" free-milling gold ore into its matrix is slim indeed.

2. Travelling South to Millerton: I also have a bit of a problem with the legend's premise that the two erstwhile prospectors would head south to Millerton. In fact, Millerton Lake (and the small community of Millerton) lie some distance to the west and south across the mountains from the supposed general Lost Cement Mine location. Why go there? Of course California was not highly populated in the 1850s, so this may have been one of the few alternatives open. But if I were seriously ill and struggling, I doubt I would attempt to cross the Sierra Nevadas at that location, if at all.

Where is the Evidence?

Generally speaking, there is at least a kernel of truth existent in each and every lost mine or lost treasure legend. What is the truth about the Lost Cement Mine? Does it really exist or did it ever exist? Was there a hand-drawn map of the red lava ledge and the abandoned gold? I don't know for certain.

What I do know is that I have not been able to come across or unveil any real documentary evidence that reveals details about the the two Germans or that verifies these individuals ever existed. A likely starting point for research would be the good doctor, Millerton's Doc Randall. If you can establish that he himself existed and that he attempted to find the Lost Cement Mine and the abandoned gold ore, then you'd be off to a very good start.

One thing is certain however. If you're hiking, camping, prospecting, or fishing along the eastern Sierras, keep an eye peeled for a red lava ledge with chunks of shiny rock cemented in it.

Good hunting.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Florida Getting Tougher for Treasure Hunters"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/florida-getting-tougher-for-treasure.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

California's Lost Cement Mine, Part 1

(Tufa formations at Mono Lake.)

Red Lava and Lumps of Gold Ore

In early 1850s tens of thousands of would-be argonauts left their homes and headed for the California goldfields where great wealth still lay unrecovered in the Sierra Nevada foothills. California's Lost Cement Mine legend emerged from the passage of two such individuals, prospectors of German extraction who, upon reaching the east face of the Sierras, decided to follow the mountain range north before crossing over.

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Somewhere in the Mono Lake region near the Owens River, the duo (whom we'll call Hans and Ulrich for the sake of readability) rested along a small mountain stream dominated by an unusual terrain feature, a ledge of red lava. Intrigued, Hans walked over to the ledge to get a better look at it. As he did so, he noticed what appeared to be a lump of rock containing shiny metal cemented within the lava. In fact, the ledge was full of these unusual rocks.

The Story Diverges

Calling Ulrich over, Hans pointed out the shiny rocks. Ulrich, the more experienced of the two, recognized immediately that the metallic lumps were gold ore, in fact, very rich gold ore containing more gold than rock. Here the story diverges a bit, however.

One account has Hans scoffing at Ulrich and refusing to believe that the shiny rocks cemented in the red lava contain gold. In fact, he sits on his rear and watches Ulrich mine out nearly 10 troy pounds of gold ore, ridiculing his partner all the while. Then as the pair are heading south to civilization, Hans sickens and dies along the trail.

The second, more plausible account, has both partners frenziedly digging out as much of the red lava gold ore as they could realistically pack out. On their way south both become ill, Hans dies and Ulrich abandons the gold because he is too infirm and weak to carry it. Eventually, the seriously ill Ulrich stumbles into the small community of Millerton, California.

Birth of a Lost Mine Legend

After arriving at Millerton, Ulrich is diagnosed as having tuberculosis by the local physician, Doctor Randall. Realizing that Ulrich's only hope of beating the odds is to be treated in San Francisco, Doc Randall makes arrangements to have the ailing prospector transported there.

Ulrich has nothing with which to pay the kind doctor for his efforts except a small map he drew of the area where he abandoned the gold ore and, most importantly, the approximate location of the red lava ledge. Then Ulrich fades from history and the account, although it is usually told that he perishes in San Francisco despite all medical efforts.

In 1861 Doc Randall finally mounts an expedition to locate and recover both the abandoned gold and the red lava ledge filled with gold ore. He and his cohorts are unsuccessful (as are many later attempts by others) and the legend of the Lost Cement Mine is born.

Inconsistencies, Possibilities, and Theories

In my follow-up post on the Lost Cement Mine I'll discuss both the inconsistencies and the possibilities contained within this lost mine tale, and perhaps expand on a theory or two about the reality of its existence and potential search areas.

Until then, good hunting to you!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "5 Famous Lost Mines and Treasures"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2008/11/5-famous-lost-mines-and-treasures.html

(c) J.R. 2008

Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com