Thoughts on the Victorio Peak Treasure (Part 3)

(The late Ova "Babe" Noss posing with artifacts from Victorio Peak.)

Most Intriguing Aspect

Ultimately, I find the cast of characters involved in the Victorio Peak Treasure one of the most intriguing aspects of this entire legend. You see, treasure hunters are an altogether different breed often far removed from the unwashed masses who are perfectly content to spend their lives cemented to a couch watching the latest contrived reality TV show.

Ova "Babe" Noss

Victorio Peak treasure discoverer Milton "Doc" Noss may have been an enigma to some, but his wife Ova (better known as "Babe") certainly was not. From everything I've read, researched, or been told by other Victorio Peak treasure hunters, "Babe" was about as up front as they come.

Treasure Hunting

In truth, this is an understatement. "Babe" didn't suffer fools gladly and this scrappy bundle of energy would take on all comers, especially if she felt they threatened her claim to the Peak's treasure trove. She wasn't highly educated, born with a silver spoon, or connected to influential power brokers, but that never prevented "Babe" from pursuing her (and her family's) "right" to the Victorio Peak Treasure with a relentless persistence that was both admirable and more than a bit obsessive.

One Hell of a Woman

That said, who wouldn't become obsessive if they had actually been there when "Doc" Noss recovered gold and silver from the Peak? As far as "Babe" was concerned, all that treasure inside Victorio Peak belonged to her and "Doc" and by God, no one was going to come between them and their find. Not claim jumpers, not the Army, not even the U.S. Government in all its tarnished power and glory.

 (This somewhat idealized illustration shows the discovery of the Peak's main treasure chamber.)

You have to admire determination and pluck like that. I know I do. I also wish I could have met "Babe" before she joined "Doc" on the other side of that great divide. Without a doubt "Babe" would have "pooh-pooh'd" any concerns I may have had about the treasure's existence and she would've set me straight in no uncertain terms, waving her index finger at me the whole time. (She was one hell of a woman despite her little eccentricities.)

Metal Detectors

I truly hope that "Babe" has found a mountain of golden treasure where she rests now. And...there's no doubt in my heart and mind that if the Good Lord above or any of His angels tried to take that gold away from her...well, they'd have one heck of a fight on their hands!

Rest easy "Babe."

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Thoughts on the Victorio Peak Treasure (Part 2)"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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