New Mexico's "Tesoro del Alma" (Part 3)

Before I continue with the third post in this series, I'd like to bring the following to your attention:

There are a number of varying accounts of the "Tesoro del Alma" treasure legend out there and nearly all of them state that many different individuals and groups have tried to locate this treasure in the Caballo Mountains of southern New Mexico over the course of decades. However, details are lacking for most of these treasure hunts and unfortunately many of the "players" have faded into history without so much as a mention.

A Large Mass of Non-Ferrous Metal

But in 1972 two erstwhile treasure hunters, Troy Jacobsen and Thayer Snipes, decided to make an aerial survey of the Caballos with what has been described as a "heat sensing device." With this device they purportedly were able to locate a large mass of non-ferrous metal to the east of Caballo Lake.

(Note: I'm not entirely certain as to what this piece of aerial surveying gear really was. Forgive my ignorance here, but using a "heat sensing" device to discover or detect non-ferrous metal doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Gold and silver do not, to my knowledge, put out heat signatures unless they are actually heated up. In cold weather, precious metal would remain cold. Perhaps this was some form of ground penetrating radar or a magnetometer? I'm open to explanations, by the way. J.R.)

Nick Fleming Hits the Big One (?)

Evidently not much else was done after this discovery until 1990 when Thayer Snipes brought another individual named Nick Fleming into the picture. Fleming, in turn, began searching for the "Tesoro del Alma" with the help of two other individuals who used some sort of pulse induction (PI) detection unit to narrow the treasure search down to 3 distinct sites in the Caballos.

Treasure Hunting

Nick Fleming returned to search the Caballo Mountains again in the 1992-1994 time frame. During the latter part of this period he came across a cave entrance that he claims contained a vast treasure trove of roughly cast dore bullion bars in a stack that Fleming estimated to be 5 feet in height, 30 feet wide, and 50 feet long. If this is all true, Nick Fleming did indeed hit the "big one" in 1994.

Fleming Files a Treasure Claim

Not long after, Fleming filed a treasure trove claim on his discovery at the Truth or Consequences, New Mexico courthouse. The timeline here is somewhat confusing however, because Fleming is said to have filed his treasure claim in 1993 and the treasure itself was supposedly found in April 1994. Like you, I too am confused.

At any rate, if Nick Fleming did indeed find the bulk of the "Tesoro del Alma" in the form of crude dores containing around 60% gold, 20% silver, and 20% base metals, he is a very rich man based on his description of the sheer number of bullion bars in his treasure cave. But as in nearly all treasure tales where other parties are involved, the story doesn't end here....

There's more to come so stay tuned. Good hunting to you in the meantime.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "New Mexico's 'Tesoro del Alma' (Part 2)

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-mexicos-tesoro-del-alma-part-2.html

(c) J.R. 2010

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

New Mexico's "Tesoro del Alma" (Part 2)

(Map of south-central New Mexico showing the location of the Caballo Mountains.)

I now continue with New Mexico's "Tesoro del Alma" treasure legend:

What Sort of "Goodies?"

Depredations against and robberies of slow-moving Spanish supply columns and small groups of travelers in and near the Caballo Mountains did not end simply because Pedro Navarez's life ended. Attacks against the Spanish continued unabated, although somewhat less frequent and much less well organized.

Treasure Hunting

What sort of "goodies" were taken in these raids, ambushes and robberies? All sorts, including foodstuffs, clothing, arms and armor, swords, firearms, gold and silver coin, jewelry, religious items made of precious metal, and last but not least, crudely cast "dore" bars containing gold and silver.

Hidden Treasure and Numerous Gold Deposits

According to legend (and even a few first-hand accounts) much of this booty was safely hidden away in caves or buried in locations where geologic or other natural formations acted as "signposts" to be followed later when it was time to recover a cache of these ill-gotten gains. The Caballo Mountains were conducive to this sort of treasure trove enterprise due to their location near the Camino Real and the Jornada del Muerte and the simple fact that they were a harsh and forbidding place to be terrain-wise.

It should be noted here that the Caballos themselves are highly mineralized and that numerous placer (stream or drywash ) and lode gold deposits have been discovered and worked there, including those discovered and worked in the Pittsburg Mining District in the early 1900s. There is good reason to suspect (if not confirm) that the Spanish were extracting gold in the Caballos as early as the 1600s and continuing into the early 19th Century.

The Pueblos Revolt

In 1680 the New Mexico Pueblo Indian tribes that had been abused and essentially enslaved by the Spanish "conquistadores" or elements of the "colonistas" (colonists) revolted en masse in a bloody uprising and drove the Spanish out of New Mexico and back into Old Mexico for a good 10 years. During that time the Pueblo tribes did everything thing could to erase all vestiges of the Spanish "occupation" of their lands.

This included burning and razing farms, homesteads, ranches, villages, and missions and churches, from what is now northern New Mexico all the way down to the Caballo Mountains and points south and west. The Indians also did their best to seal up and camouflage old mine workings as well as stashing large amounts of captured goods in caves or other repositories that were well hidden and whose locations were known to only a few.

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As you can readily see and understand, the possibility of a large (or more than one) treasure trove located in the Caballos is not only probable, but quite likely. It is this fact along with certain associated details that form the basis for the legend of the "Tesoro del Alma."

There's more to come later. Be safe out there and good hunting to you.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "New Mexico's 'Tesoro del Alma' (Part 1)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-mexico.html

(c) J.R. 2010

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

New Mexico's "Tesoro del Alma" (Part 1)

( A view of New Mexico's Caballo Mountains, the setting for the "Tesoro del Alma" treasure legend.)

Tesoro del Alma

As I've stated in other posts on the subject, New Mexico is no stranger to treasure tales, with many significant treasure legends centered in the "Land of Enchantment." Included among these are the "Lost Adams Diggings," the "Lost Nuggets of Red Hill," and one of the most controversial, the "Victorio Peak Treasure."

But I am not here to rehash those well-know treasure legends. I wish instead to bring to your attention another New Mexico treasure, the "Tesoro del Alma" (literal translation: the Treasure of the Soul).

The Camino Real and Jornada del Muerte

Like some of its better-known treasure trove counterparts, the Tesoro del Alma treasure is said to be in the Caballo Mountains of south-central New Mexico. These nearly barren and somewhat foreboding mountains have long played a prominent role in Southwestern treasure tales and there is good cause for this fact.

Metal Detectors

The main route through the Caballos was used by the Spanish beginning in late 1500s and for many years after. Although this route was officially known as the Camino Real (King's Road) the harshest parts of it soon gained a new name, Jornada del Muerte (Journey of Death). Along the Jornada water was scarce, Indian depredations frequent, and the carcasses of horses and draft animals (as well as human remains) lay scattered along its length.

But I digress. This merely sets the stage for this treasure tale which goes something like this:

Substantial Amounts of Precious Metals

Driven by the desire for conquest, colonization, and the lust for precious metals, the Spanish moved north from the Chihuahan Desert of northern Mexico into what is now the State of New Mexico using the Camino Real as their main route between the new colony at Santa Fe and Mexico City. Supplies and amenities were not the only items transported north and south, but substantial amounts of gold and silver coinage and thousands of crudely cast bullion bars known as dores also made their way along the Camino Real and through the Jornada del Muerte.

Mining Equipment

(Note: Dores were composed of varying amounts of copper, gold, silver, and occasionally base metals like iron. For example, a typical dore bar of gold might contain 70% gold, 20% silver, and 10% copper. This was the result of the crude processing and smelting methods used at the time. J.R.)

Pedro Navarez, Renegade

As legend has it, in 1639 one Pedro Navarez (alternately described as a renegade Spaniard or a mestizo with Indian and Spanish blood in his veins) became the leader of a group of hostile Native Americans who made a habit of raiding slow-moving supply columns and wagon trains along the Camino Real. Pedro and crew must have been very good at what they did, because their robberies, lootings, and assorted and sundry depredations continued for a full 10 years.

But like they say, "All good things come to an end." And they ended for Pedro Navarez with a great deal of indignity after the Spanish finally captured him, beat him severely about the head and shoulders, trussed him up like a Thanksgiving turkey, and ultimately shipped him off to Mexico City to account for his crimes against humanity (and the King of Spain's treasure coffers).

10 Years' Worth of Treasure

In short order poor Pedro was sentenced to death (just how his execution was carried out remains a mystery). Feeling a certain measure of remorse and knowing he was headed for the darker, hotter regions, Pedro made a full confession to a Catholic priest.

What he told the priest created quite a stir among his captors and would-be executioners, as well as everyone else within earshot. Pedro spoke of large and extremely rich caches of silver and gold coins, jewelry, religious artifacts, and large stacks of dores hidden at various locations in the Caballos.

In other words, 10 years' worth treasure lay stashed in the Caballos, just waiting to be recovered and Pedro, if allowed to live, could show the way. But it was not to be. The Spanish resorted to torture to force Pedro to reveal the locations of all his stolen loot but Pedro crossed the River Styx without uttering a single word about treasure locations.

That's all for this round. There's more to come on the Tesoro del Alma in my next post.

Good hunting in the meantime.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "More on Treasure Hunting Signs and Symbols: the Circle (Part 2)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2010/11/more-on-treasure-hunting-signs-and.html

(c) J.R. 2010

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

More on Treasure Hunting Signs and Symbols: the Circle (Part 2)

(Circle symbols, top-to-bottom: Spoked Wheel; Star of David [Mogen David]; Horizontal Oval; Crossed Ovals; Equal-Armed Cross; Crescent; Basic Circle.)

Sidetracked Yet Again

At times here at "Treasure Trove Dreams" I get sidetracked and at times I forget to finish a post sequence or series. This is one of those times and I have a sharp-eyed reader/treasure hunter out there named M.C. to thank for bringing this to my attention.

I originally wrote and published Part 1 of this series back in August of 2010. At that time I left off my discussion of circle signs/symbols after discussing the horizontal oval treasure symbol. I now continue with more circle symbol interpretations.

Crossed Ovals ("Four-Pointed Star"): A fairly common circular treasure sign is what is known as the "four-pointed star" or crossed ovals symbol (fourth from the top above). Oftentimes this symbol is enclosed within a circle, but not in every instance so keep this fact in mind when you're out and about. An obvious aspect of this symbol are the 4 compass directions: north, south, east, and west. Sometimes they are shown equidistant (as they are in this example) but I have seen crude versions of this symbol where one of the directional points is smaller or shorter than the rest. If this is the case, that can mean that this is the implied direction of a cache or trove. Or, alternately, it can mean that treasure is buried a short(er) distance away in this direction. The dot in the center of the crossed ovals can mean "treasure is here," equidistant from all compass points, but in many crossed oval signs this dot or "X" marks the spot reference is missing.

"Gunsight" or Target Circle: This symbol is not unusual in the Western and Southwestern United States but I have not seen any instances where this symbol was used by the Spanish, so chances are it refers to more modern era troves or caches (late 1800s-early 1900s). It derives its name from the fact it zeroes in on (or targets) the location of a cache or trove. If you come across this one out in the field, try and determine the limits of the circle referenced first, because this is critical to finding any potential trove. The circle forming the outer ring of this sign/symbol could be only a short distance (a matter of mere feet or yards) or miles and miles. Finally, the circular area alluded to could be a man-made indicator ( a corral, a circle of stones, etc.) or broader geological or terrain features.

Crescent Circle: You probably won't run into this particular treasure sign or symbol in the Americas (North, Central, South, or Mexico) very often. The only proven instances I know of where the crescent (or the crescent by itself) has been associated with recovered troves has been in Eastern Europe, parts of Asia, and the Middle East (due its association with Islam??). In fact, one mid-sized trove that used the crescent circle as an indicator was found in Turkey. If you do come across this one in the United States make sure you document it properly because of its overall rarity here. My understanding is that the interior crescent line is the path along which a cache or trove will be found (again, within a circular context or configuration).

Treasure Hunting

Basic Circle: I am almost reluctant to touch upon this last circular symbol since it is so widespread and so difficult to interpret from a treasure trove standpoint. The basic circle has been with humankind from time immemorial and has so many connotations that it is, at best, bewildering to try and decipher. If the circle has "rays" that indicate a sun symbol then you are off and running because sun symbols have been used many times in many different cultures to indicate the presence of treasure. But a plain old circle? All you can hope for is a circular area again, either man-made or natural, whose limits may contain a cache or trove.

That's for circle symbols and signs. Take care and, as always, good hunting to you.

(c) J.R. 2010

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

Beach and Water Treasure Hunting Articles (Part 3)

Here's my third post on valuable and informative beach and water hunting (beachcombing) articles from treasure magazines. Remember, some of these magazines are out of print these days but copies can be found and purchased online from various vendors.

Georgia

"Treasures of Lake Raymond," Treasure, December 1989. (Remember, it's not only ocean beaches that carry good jewelry and coin values. Back bay areas, lakes, ponds, and the old "swimming holes" that many of us grew up with contain great amounts of lost personal treasure as well.)

Treasure Hunting

Hawaii

 "Beachcombing in Waikiki," Western & Eastern Treasures, October 1980.

"Detecting in Paradise," Western & Eastern Treasures, November 1991.

"Hawaiian Beach Coinshooting," Western & Eastern Treasures, March 1987.

"Hawaiian Beachcombing," Lost Treasure, December 1980.

"Maui is Hot!," Western & Eastern Treasures, July 1994.

"Oahu, Treasure Island," Western & Eastern Treasures, January 1994. (I spent close to two years on the island of Oahu and I can tell you right now that the sheer numbers of tourists, locals, surfers, etc., clogging its surf and beaches are staggering. Think of all the jewelry being lost by those folks...should make your mouth water. But there may be problems in "Paradise" for non-locals.)

"Treasure in Paradise," True Treasure, June 1975.

"Tricks of a Modern Beachcomber," Western & Eastern Treasures, September 1992.

"Waikiki Wonderland," Treasure, February 1990.
 
Louisiana

"Coin Shooting at Carnival Beach," Treasure World, March 1972.

"Louisiana Gold," Treasure, July 1989.


Maryland

"Maryland's Coin Beach," Treasure Search, February 1988.

"Maryland's Shore: Great Possibilities," Lost Treasure, June 1985.

"Ocean City," Lost Treasure, April 1990.

That's all for this round. I won't be doing any more posts on this topic but if you have questions about articles for other states, please e-mail me.

Good hunting to one and all...

Metal Detectors

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Beach and Water Treasure Hunting Articles (Part 2)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2010/11/beach-and-water-treasure-hunting.html

(c) J.R. 2010

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

Beach and Water Treasure Hunting Articles (Part 2)

Unfortunately, some of the best info regarding beach and water hunting is no longer in print and it will take a bit of effort and research on your part to track these old articles down. Some of the magazines they were first printed in no longer exist but others are still going strong, so there is hope after all!.

Treasure Hunting

(Note: Be advised that many of these old treasure magazines can be purchased from various sources online. J.R.)


Florida

"Beach Trenching Pays Off," Treasure, January 1988.

"Coin Hunting the Beach Undercut," Western & Eastern Treasures, September 1981.

"(Beachcombing) Daytona Beach," Western & Eastern Treasures, July 1989.

"Florida Treasure Hunting," Western & Eastern Treasures, October 1975.

"Foul Weather Finds," Treasure, April 1985. (Regardless of which coastline you live on or are near, foul weather is often the catalyst for exceptional beach hunting. Always remember this fact.)

"1733 Treasure on the Beach," Treasure, January 1978. (One great asset to Florida beach and water hunting is the chance of finding old Spanish silver or gold coins and artifacts.)

"Grandmother Finds $2,200 Spanish Coin," Treasure Found, Summer 1984.

"High Winds, Huge Waves," Western & Eastern Treasures, November 1990.

"Hunting Up a Storm," Treasure Search, February 1980.

"Hurricane Finds," Treasure Found, Summer 1980.

"Hurricane Hunting Tips," Western & Eastern Treasures, August 1995. (The tips in this article are also applicable to beach hunting after any large or significant storm event.)

"Isand of Gold Coins," Treasure, July 1975. (I wouldn't mind knowing where this island and its beaches are! If you track this article down and find out, be a "pard" and shoot me an e-mail to let me know the "general location." Or, maybe not!)

"Key Biscayne Beachcombing," Western & Eastern Treasures, September 1992.

"Money Machine," Lost Treasure, June 1981.

"Pirate Booty of Pavilion Key," True West, Summer 1977.

"Silver in Florida Sands," Western & Eastern Treasures, November 1983.

"Treasure from the Sea," Western & Eastern Treasures, June 1978.

Good hunting on those beaches!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "'Treasure Trove Dreams' Reader Finds Jesse James Cache (?)"

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2010/11/bedrock-dreams-reader-finds-jesse-james.html

(c) J.R. 2010

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

"Treasure Trove Dreams" Reader Finds Jesse James Cache (?)

(Three "Js" carved in limestone. These are not the initials mentioned by Jared C. in this post, but are good examples of Jesse James/KGC "sign.")

Jared C.'s Recovery

If you're wondering why I placed the question mark in parentheses at the end of the title to this post I have a simple answer for you in response. There is no way I can 100% verify the following information, but at the same time, I have no good reason to discount it.

Treasure Hunting

A reader whose name is Jared C. claims to have found a small Jesse James/Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC) treasure cache in western Kentucky. Here is what Jared had to say to me about his find (with slight editorial changes and my own notes in regular type thrown in to increase readability/understanding):

"Two months ago I found a KGC cache in Western Kentucky. The (recovery) spot was on a farm in the area that is now long gone. In the cache I found 3 gold teeth, two (2) pure silver ingots, a ruby, and some silver coins. The museum (local museum perhaps?) has put it on display (I assume Jared means the cache) and I have had the site authenticated as a known hiding point for John T. Baker, a former Confederate soldier. In his autobiography Baker talked about a secret society he belonged to but did not give a name for that secret society."

"I walked for 9 miles and never saw another sign. So I took my metal detector out and started scanning from the rock (with the initials?) till I found the cache. It was found in an old rusty metal box about 12" long by 10" wide by 5" deep. Inside it I found the 'paycheck.'"

Again, I have no reason to doubt Jared's recovery claim. Intriguing aspects that seem to substantiate his story are the items in the cache, especially 3 gold teeth. (the cache) by looking for (treasure) 'signs.' Just like in the show (I think Jared is talking here about a popular Discovery Channel program on Jesse and KGC treasure that has been aired on TV numerous times) it showed the 2 Js (the initials 'J.J.'). Mine (meaning his recovery) showed a rock carved with an eagle facing south and a '9.' I took this to either mean nine paces or nine feet."

If someone was telling a tall tale about recovering a trove or cache they probably wouldn't be talking about recovering 3 gold teeth, a couple of silver ingots, a few silver coins, and a single ruby. I'm sure we'd be hearing instead about gold bars and coins, fancy jewelry, and a big-dollar value attached to the "find."

Anyway, I want to thank Jared for sharing his find with me (and with you). I wish him continued success in locating and recovering Jesse James/KGC caches.

Good hunting to all of you.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Beach and Water Treasure Hunting Articles (Part 1)"

(c) J.R. 2010

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

http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2010/10/beach-and-water-treasure-hunting.html