Possible Treasure Cache in Marion County, Illinois

(Marion County, Illinois.)

Sound Familiar?

For quite a few years until his death in 1925, James Gregory owned and operated a dry goods store not far from Hickory Hill in Marion County, Illinois. Business was very, very good for Gregory...you see, he was the only purveyor of dry goods around for many miles.

Treasure Hunting

Like many people of his generation, James Gregory distrusted banks and bankers. In fact, he blamed bankers and the politicians in their back pockets for most of the woes suffered by America and most Americans in general (sound familiar?).

Precious Metal Specie

As time went by, Gregory made a small fortune off his dry goods business. Since banks and bank vaults were out of the question, he had to find a safe place to stash all the silver and gold coins he took in as payment. 

Carhartt Wear
Wolverine Boots

Gold and silver and no paper money? Correct...just as he placed no trust in banks themselves, James Gregory despised paper currency and would only take payment for his goods in precious metal specie.

Gone to the Grave

Gregory had a small family, but he never confided in his wife or children about where he stashed his accumulated wealth. Occasionally however, family members and even a neighbor or two saw the dry goods entrepreneur ducking out of the house with cloth bags and hurriedly making his way across some nearby pastureland.

 (A buried cache of coins may await you near Hickory Hill.)

In 1925 the location of all James Gregory's stashed gold and silver coins went to the grave right along with him after he suffered a fatal stroke. Although his wife and children (as well as a number of his neighbors) hunted desperately for Gregory's hoard, none of them were able to locate it.

So there you have it. Further research is needed to either bolster this tale or refute it completely.

Best of luck and good hunting.

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

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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

New Mexico's Lost DuPont Mine

A Powerful Draw for Treasure Hunters

Although New Mexico is best known in treasure-hunting circles for the Victorio Peak and Lost Adams Diggings treasure tales, the "Land of Enchantment" is also home to a number of other lost mines and treasure troves. The Lost DuPont Mine is but one of these lesser treasure entities, but it still exerts a powerful draw for many would-be treasure hunters.

Gold Pans
Metal Detectors

New Mexico is no stranger to gold and silver strikes, with many areas of the state home to precious metals districts and old mining regions. In the early 1880s prospectors fanned out though much of the northern and northwestern portions of New Mexico and, in some instances, made significant strikes. One of these was an extensive placer gold strike in the Tusas Mountains near modern-day Hopewell Lake.

F.D Thompson and Harris Dupont


Two of the miners who participated in the Hopewell strike and worked at the so-called "Copper City" mines were F.D. Thompson and Harris DuPont. In 1883 unsubstantiated reports of rich gold quartz veins in the San Pedro Mountains* some 60 miles southwest of the Hopewell District filtered back to Thompson and DuPont. They decided to leave Copper City to prospect for better ground and perhaps a chance at hitting the "big one."

(*Note: These San Pedro Mountains are not the same San Pedros southeast of Santa Fe that were the scene of much placer gold activity in the 1830s during the "New Placers" strike. The San Pedros of the Lost Dupont Mine legend are found in the northwest quadrant of the state and are a good distance from the State Capital. J.R.)

(Landscape near Cuba, New Mexico.)

For all apparent purposes it appears that Thompson and DuPont were blessed, or at least extraordinarily lucky, because it didn't take very long for them to stumble upon a rich ledge that was literally more gold than quartz. Since both of the men showed up at various times in the villages of Cuba or Lagunitas for supplies and to sell small amounts of their rich ore, most treasure hunters think their mine was probably in the San Pedro Parks area.

Tension and Distrust


For over a year the "pards" worked their rich ledge of gold in the San Pedros without a hitch. But the long months of brutally hard work and isolation created unresolved tension and distrust. Thompson and DuPont began to argue constantly and dire threats were made. Eventually things boiled over and in a fit of rage, Thompson shot DuPont dead.

Carhartt Wear
Wolverine Boots

Filled with sadness and remorse, Thompson left the mountains and the immense wealth still unworked in the ledge of gold quartz. Although unverified, some say he returned to the San Pedro Mountains to rework the mine but was never able to find it again. Thus, the legend of the Lost DuPont Mine came into being.

A Legend With Possibilities


This lost mine legend has distinct possibilities since both Thompson and DuPont were actual persons who were prospecting and mining in northwestern New Mexico at the time (1883-1884). As always, further research is needed to uncover additional clues.

Who knows, perhaps I'll give this one a shot since I live in Northern New Mexico. But if you beat me to the Lost DuPont Mine, do me a favor will you? Leave me one chunk of rich gold ore so I know I at least made it to the right location.

Good hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "General Braddock's Gold"

(c) J.R. 2009

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

Four Possible James Gang Caches in Arkansas

Arkansas Home to Many Treasure Legends

Arkansas is home to many treasure legends, including tales of lost hoards of Spanish gold and silver, mysterious Knights of the Golden Circle hidden gold deposits, and numerous outlaw caches, including not a few attributed to Jesse James and his gang of robbers and ex-Confederate "bushwhackers."

Treasure Hunting

The sheer number of potential James Gang treasure caches in the State of Arkansas is staggering if one believes the hundreds of different stories and legends concerning Jesse and the boys. I suspect that many of these tales are mere "will-o-the-wisps" since the James Gang would have had to spend most of its days burying loot (and not committing robberies) to accommodate the multitude of treasure tales attributed to it.

That said, here are four James Gang treasure cache legends in Arkansas that I think may hold water:

Polk County


The quaint small town of Mena in southwestern Arkansas has a long history of interactions with Jesse James, both real and imagined. A number of James Gang caches are supposedly buried at various locations just outside Mena. To lend substance to this supposition you would do well to note that in 1998 a small hoard of gold coins in varying denominations and dating from the James Gang period was recovered near Mena by two treasure hunters from California.

Washington County

Jesse, his brother Frank, and the infamous female "desperado" Belle Starr (along with her lesser known husband, Pony Starr) made off with nearly $35,000.00 in greenbacks and silver and gold specie from a bank in Missouri and then scooted across the Arkansas line to evade pursuing lawmen. The small group holed up briefly near present-day Springdale, Arkansas where they divvied up the loot and buried in separate caches what they couldn't easily carry (probably the bulk of the silver and gold coin due to its excessive weight).

Wolverine Boots

Many treasure hunters believe that these caches were buried inside one or more caves that line the nearby flint bluffs. However, other treasure hunters don't agree. They think the caches were buried near unique rock formations or other distinctive terrain features that had human or animal characteristics to them when viewed from certain angles. One of these is supposedly the profile of an Indian warrior's head.

Clay County

There is evidence to support the claim that a number of James Gang caches, including over $60,000 in gold coin, were buried near Paragould, Arkansas. Possible search areas include the Black and St. Francis River areas.

Yell County

In 1874 the James Gang robbed a stage coach about five miles outside Hot Springs, Arkansas. Over $30,000 in greenbacks, silver and gold coin, and personal jewelry items was stolen from mail pouches and the unlucky passengers before the gang fled to evade pursuing lawmen.

Metal Detectors

Slipping into the Ouachita Mountains along little-known trails Jesse and the boys eventually made it to a location near modern-day Bluffton, Arkansas. Here they buried the majority of the loot somewhere close to Polluck's Bluff.

These few tidbits of James Gang treasure cache information pale when compared to the overall buried treasure potential in Arkansas. Many, many more tales of buried loot that have nothing to do with the James Gang can also be researched and developed with a bit of time and effort.

In the final analysis, Arkansas may well be a buried treasure hunter's paradise.

Good hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "New Mexico's Lost DuPont Mine"


(c) J.R. 2009

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

California's Lost Waterfall Mine

(Shasta County, California.)

Rich Diggings Above a High Waterfall

Tens of thousands of would-be argonauts flooded the California goldfields during the early years of the Gold Rush, including a small group of placer miners who pushed north from Sacramento seeking their fortunes in what would eventually become Shasta County. Despite the threat to life and limb from hostile Indians, the group pressed onward, crossing the Sacramento River at Cow Creek a scant 2 miles or so from Fort Reading (which would later become the City of Redding).

Carhartt Wear

The group pressed forward in an easterly direction for about 25-30 miles, following another (and still unnamed) creek until they came upon a high waterfall. Making their way around and above the waterfall, the miners discovered rich gold placers. How rich these diggings were is still a point of conjecture, but they were rich enough to make the group dismiss the Indian threat long enough to mine out as much gold as they could carry.

The Miners Abandon Their Strike

Upon returning to Fort Reading the group went straight to the military authorities, told them of their fabulous gold find, and asked if the Army could provide an escort back to the waterfall area and protection for the group. An emphatic "No!" was their answer. The military was stretched far too thin in California as it was.

The miners huddled together to discuss their options. After much angst and desperate discussion, they decided to abandon their strike and prospect elsewhere until the Indian situation improved. Eventually, according to the legend, all the miners returned to their homes in the eastern United States without ever having returned to the Lost Waterfall Mine.

A New Search 20 Years Later

20 years later one of the original discoverers of the Lost Waterfall Mine returned (along with a partner) to Shasta County convinced he could once again locate the rich placers that had been abandoned so many years before. Once ensconced in Redding, this gentleman began asking around about creeks with waterfalls in the area. He was told by the locals that, yes, some 20-30 miles to the southeast there was a high waterfall along Bear Creek near the community of Inwood.

Treasure Hunting

The miner and his partner departed Redding for Inwood that very day. Upon arriving in Inwood the partners began spreading their tale about the Lost Waterfall Mine, trying to drum up any additional information about the possible location of the spot. When that failed, they spent many weeks exploring the environs of Bear Creek searching for the lost mine and its rich placers. In the end the pair failed in their search and in disgust returned to their homes in the east, never to return.

Is this Treasure Tale True?

This is indeed the fundamental question that should be asked by anyone searching for lost or abandoned treasure. I would say this: it has its distinct possibilities. There are at least some details provided in the legend of the Lost Waterfall Mine. However, I am bothered by the fact that very few details are given about the individuals involved. No names or places of birth to trace and verify, that sort of thing.

 (Placer gold is at the heart of this legend.)

Additionally, do you think it plausible to abandon extremely rich diggings, just walk away from untold wealth, Indian threat or not? Finally, who in their right mind would enter a treasure-hunting location broadcasting to one and all their intent and the possible whereabouts of the treasure's location? Not me, that's for sure.

Potential Lead Information?

Potential lead information on this lost mine may be found via two key pieces of information:

1) Geologically speaking, the portion of Shasta County in and around Inwood is not conducive to placer gold formation or gold mineralization since it consists primarily of non-metamorphic volcanic rock.

2) Due to geological parameters and researched information factors, some individuals strongly believe that the Lost Waterfall Mine may be found somewhere above another waterfall on Clover Creek, about 30 miles due east of Redding.

Either way, no has found the Lost Waterfall Mine yet. Or at least, no one is claiming so.

Good hunting!

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

(c) J.R. 2008

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

Three Oklahoma Treasure Legends

Treasure Tales Abound in Oklahoma


Lost treasure tales abound in nearly every state of the Union, and the "Sooner" State of Oklahoma is no exception. Although Oklahoma's treasure legends may not be quite as famous as those in other states, they are just as persistent and many individuals continue to search for them.

Here are three Oklahoma lost treasure legends that you may find interesting:

1. Buried Gold Near Jennings

Legend has it that in the late mid-to-late 1800s an Army paymaster and cavalry escort headed for Fort Sill were attacked by an overwhelming force of hostile Indians west of Jennings near two rock-strewn hills known as (of all things) the "Twin Hills." Fearing the column would be overrun and massacred, the paymaster hurriedly buried over $10,000 in gold coin nearby.

Dickies Work Clothes

Subsequently, the paymaster and all but five of the escorting cavalrymen were killed. These fortunate souls didn't see where the paymaster buried the gold, but made a number of trips back to the location of the fight to try and recover the payroll. They were unsuccessful and the large cache of gold coins remains undiscovered.

2. Lost Spanish Gold Near Woodward

The early Spanish explorers and conquistadores covered an astonishing amount of ground that included not only the American Southwest, but parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Utah, to name but a few additional states. Invariably, the Spaniards sought precious metals, gold and silver, in any and all forms.

 (Spanish gold coins are at the heart of one Woodward treasure legend.)

As legend has it, there is buried Spanish treasure consisting of gold coins in a canyon southwest of the town of Woodward, Oklahoma. Supposedly the Spaniards were transiting the area with burros carrying large amounts of gold specie when they were set upon by Indians and wiped out, but not before burying their golden treasure nearby.

Human Remains, Gold Coins, and a Question

In or around 1900 human remains were dug up in a canyon southwest of Woodward, and it was generally assumed these were the remains of the unfortunate Spanish at the center of the treasure legend. Right before World War I some gold coins were reported to have been found in the canyon, but there are no further details of this purported discovery.

Metal Detectors

I have one burning question to ask concerning this treasure legend. If the Spaniards were all wiped out by the Indians, who was left to tell the tale of the buried gold? The Indians themselves? Not likely. So, as you can see, sometimes the truth is the first casualty when it comes to treasure myths and legends.

3. Chief Blackface's Plunder

This treasure legend has its origins in the eastern Oklahoma hills near Tahlequah. In the early 1800s a renegade Seminole named Chief Blackface carried out a number of depredations and attacks in the region. In one such attack a pack train of Mexican traders and merchants carrying silver and gold bullion and coins was overwhelmed by Chief Blackface and wiped out. According to local legend, Chief Blackface stashed his plunder in a cave in the hills near Tahlequah. To date, no trace of this lost treasure has been found.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "21 Tons of Gold"

Good hunting out there!

(c) Jim Rocha (J.R.) 2008

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

Not All Metal Detectors Are the Same

(Metal detectors have come a long way. Minelab's E-Trac pictured here.)

"Bells and Whistles"

Metal detectors have come a long way since the days when I used to swing my old Garrett Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) machine until it felt like my arm was ready to fall off. Back then metal detectors were all made of metal and very heavy to wield, not to mention the fact that they didn't have all the "bells and whistles" that are are part and parcel of newer machines.

I learned to discriminate by sound only with my BFO because the only other discriminating function on that machine was a needle indicator! Still, I found lots of "goodies" with that old Garrett, including many pieces of silver and lots of jewelry.

Hundreds of Detectors on the Market Today

What should this tell you? You can pay thousands of dollars for the fanciest machine out there and yet, if you don't learn how to use it properly and swing it to its greatest possible potential, you'll lost out to some guy or gal who comes along behind you with a seeming "inferior" machine and gets all the "goodies" you missed.

Metal Detectors

Although there are literally hundreds of metal detectors on the market today, not all of these are the same. This is especially true of those detectors that are most commonly used by coin and beach hunters, since most of the time these machines feature lots of those bells and whistles I mentioned, some very useful and some not.

What Might Be Junk Iron...

These features may be optimum for hunting coins in a park on along a stretch of beach, but they are not always an asset when searching for treasure caches. In fact, there have been numerous times in my own artifact and treasure hunting days where I turned off these types of features because they could potentially steer me away from important ferrous (iron) targets.

 (An old Garrett BFO like the one I used "back in the day.")

Getting the picture here? What might be a junk iron target in a park coin-hunting search may be an important target lead to a buried treasure cache, or perhaps part of the cache itself. The last thing you want to do in that context is be using discrimination circuitry that might blank out a ferrous target that may be an important clue or "pointer" to a cache.

So remember...not all metal detectors are the same. Neither are treasure hunters, for that matter...

Good hunting to you.

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

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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

Gold and Ghosts: the Wildcat Mountain Treasure

 


A Wagon Load of Gold

One of Wisconsin's best-known and most persistent lost treasure legends is the Wildcat Mountain Treasure. Wildcat Mountain is located inside the boundaries and jurisdiction of Wildcat Mountain State Park just a few miles outside Ontario, Wisconsin. Obviously, the fact that this trove may be buried inside a state park will probably make things problematic for most treasure hunters.

Treasure Hunting

The main treasure legend of Wildcat Mountain involves a wagon load of Montana placer gold and gold bullion that was being transported in secret to Chicago, Illinois when word leaked out about the nature of the shipment. It wasn't very long before every hustler, thief, and criminal within a few hundred miles was crawling out of the woodwork looking to make a big score.

Fearing the worst, the man in charge of the shipment stopped at Wildcat Mountain and that night had his crew bury the gold at a "high point covered by an odd formation of rocks." The party then made its way to Chicago. Here the story becomes a fit fuzzy and any sort of researchable details are missing. According to some, the gold was never recovered and every person involved with the shipment died of violent causes.

James-Younger Gang Loot?

Another treasure tale told about Wildcat Mountain involves Jesse James and Frank James and the James-Younger Gang. During their brief ascendancy as bank robbers, the James and Younger Boys robbed and pillaged throughout the lower Midwest, including parts of Iowa and Minnesota.

However, in 1876 the Boys bit off more than they could chew when they tried to take down the local bank at Northfield, Minnesota. Known forever after as the "Great Northfield Raid," this attempt by the James and Younger Boys to rob the local bank proved disastrous for them. The locals were expecting trouble and had armed themselves to the teeth. In the ensuing shootout at least one civilian was killed as well as two of the robbers.

Wisconsin legend has it that the James-Younger Gang often crossed over into the state from Minnesota to lay low and to stash some of their loot. Supposedly, a good deal of this ill-gained wealth was buried on or near Wildcat Mountain.

The "Sentinel"

Before you go rushing out the door to try and locate either of these lost treasures, be forewarned that the Wildcat Mountain Treasure is guarded by at least one ghost. He is known as the "Sentinel" and evidently is not a ghost to trifle with.

(A wagon load of placer gold like this may be buried on Wildcat Mountain.)

The "Sentinel" is said to stand directly atop the site of the Wildcat Mountain Treasure and is jealously aggressive about defending the gold buried there. Sometimes the "Sentinel" takes human form and wields a Bowie knife, at other times he transforms himself into a lynx (wildcat) of extraordinary size and ferocity. Either way, he doesn't like trespassers.

So if you decide to search  for one of these Wildcat Mountain treasure troves be wary of two things:

1) state park rangers, and

2) the "Sentinel."

Good hunting!

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Waybill to a Rhode Island Treasure Trove?"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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

Three Fundamental Keys to Treasure Hunting Success

 (The late Mel Fisher knew the value of thorough research in his hunt for the fabulous treasure of the Nuestra Senora de la Atocha.)

There are many factors that can make the difference between being a successful treasure hunter and drawing a blank, luck notwithstanding. Here are three tips I consider fundamental keys if you want to become a success at treasure hunting:

Metal Detectors

1. Do Your Research

This is the single most important aspect of any treasure hunting endeavor. Thorough and thoughtful research can mean the difference between success and failure, and separates the "men from the boys" and the "girls from the women" when it gets right down to the nuts and bolts of treasure hunting. Departing on an extensive treasure hunt without having done your research up front is like going into battle without a weapon in your hands. You may get lucky and survive, but chances are you won't.

A classic example of someone who understood the importance of research in treasure hunting was the late Mel Fisher, finder of the unbelievably rich Spanish treasure galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha. Without the help of a PhD historian who combed the Spanish Maritime Archives in Madrid for key information on the last known location of the Atocha, Mel would not have found this legendary sunken treasure.

2. Use Good Equipment

This can be a tough one because most treasure hunting gear such as metal detectors, ground-penetrating radars, magnetometers, and the like is often outrageously expensive these days. Granted, not all of us are embarking on large and elaborate treasure hunts involving research vessels, support crews, or underwater robots. But the essential principle remains the same.

Strapworks.com - any strap, any length, any color!

Before embarking on any serious treasure hunting endeavor you should make certain you have the right gear for the job on hand, but you should also do your level best to ensure it's the best equipment you can afford under the circumstances. One of the worst things you can do as a treasure hunter is to perform painstaking research, actually locate a cache or treasure, and then come up short because your equipment failed or was not up to the task. I know it's not always easy, but you must always strive to do the best you can in this regard.

3. Keep Your Mouth Shut

You may think I'm joking here but I'm definitely not. This is the first commandment of treasure hunting and you should sear it into your memory. Learning to keep your ego in check and your mouth closed are extremely important if you want to actually recover treasure troves, no matter how large or how small they may be. This means something as innocuous as a "posthole" bank or two, or a large cache of gold 20-dollar Double Eagles...it's all the same my friend.

Why? Simply because if you allow a fragile ego and a motormouth to take charge of the situation at hand regarding treasure finds, you'll soon find yourself in a world of hurt. How so, you ask? Use your head. If you go around broadcasting what you have accomplished and the financial successes associated with those treasure hunting accomplishments, every Tom, Dick, and Harriet is going to be actively and aggressively attempting to get a piece of your hard-earned treasure pie. Or worse yet, you'll lose the entire kit and kaboodle.

A few of the folks who will take your loose lips info and run with it include the following:

other treasure hunters

property and land owners

lawyers

con men (and women)

local and state governments as well as the Feds


Get the picture here? And this is just a partial list. Yes, sometimes publicity is unavoidable, particularly in the larger and more expensive treasure hunting expeditions where you are seeking investors or backers. However, even in those environments the less you say, the better off you'll be in the long run.

These three tips are pretty simple and straightforward and that's the way it should be. Let these simple tips guide you throughout your treasure hunting endeavors and, in the end, you'll come out on top.

Good hunting out there.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "West Virginia Troves Worth a Second Look"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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

Morgan's Raid in Ohio (Conclusion)

 

"Goodies" Stashed Along the Route

I've been sidetracked with my series of posts on Fisher's "Gold Bug Pro" metal detector, but now I'm ready to conclude my earlier series on on Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan's raid in Ohio in the summer of 1863. Remember, Colonel Basil Duke of Morgan's command stated after the end of the U.S Civil War that many stolen items, including gold and silver coins and artifacts, were hurriedly stashed along the route as Union forces closed in on the Confederate raiders.

Metal Detectors
Treasure Hunting

July 21, 1863: Weaving in their saddles from exhaustion, Morgan's remaining men rode all through the night, too tired to raid the community of Zaleski, Ohio which they bypassed in the wee hours of the morning.

July 22, 1863: Morgan and his raiders reached the Muskingum River via Nelsonville and New Straitsville. Here they rested and slept until the following morning.

( Reenactment of a battle between Union cavalry and Morgan's men. Photo by Wes Mayhle.)

July 23, 1863: The raiders crossed the Muskingum River just south of Taylorsville, Ohio. After scouts reported that the U.S. 86th Ohio Infantry was awaiting them ahead at Eaglesport they headed toward Cumberland, skirmishing with militia elements along the way.

July 24, 1863: At this point, regular Federal forces as well as Unionist militias were pressing Morgan and his raiders hard from nearly every direction. Morgan's men were nearly catatonic from exhaustion and their mounts were beginning to break down in some instances. They skirmished with Union elements at Old Washington and then doubled back to Antrim, Ohio where they managed a few hours rest.

July 25, 1863: Before daylight the raiders were back in the saddle and and headed toward Harrisville. They fought another skirmish near New Athens and then rode to Bergholz, Ohio bypassing Smithfield and Richmond along the way.

Wolverine Boots
Dickies Work Clothes

July 26, 1863: Morgan and his men were not even able to partake of breakfast before elements of the 9th Michigan Cavalry were upon them. In the ensuing battle over 270 of the Confederate raiders were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner by the Yankees. Morgan and the remainder of his men headed toward the Pennsylvania state line but were intercepted by two regiments of Union cavalry from Kentucky. Realizing that things had become hopeless, Morgan finally surrendered his command to Union forces at West Point, Ohio.

You treasure and artifact hunters in the Ohio area may want to do additional research on Morgan's raid in Ohio. If you do, who knows? You may find one of those stashes of "goodies" buried by Morgan's men.

Good hunting to you.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Kansas Treasure Caches"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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

Bench and Field Testing the "Gold Bug Pro" (Conclusion)

(Overall view of area where I conducted my "Gold Bug Pro" field tests.)

Field Testing

The area of New Mexico I chose to conduct my field tests of the "Gold Bug Pro" contains old bucket dredge tailings from sampling work done on the Rio Grande over a century ago. Most of the gold contained in these tailings ranges from microdot flour or flood gold to small and medium-sized flakes. Small nuggets may also be trapped in the tailings but if so, they are probably few and very far between.

Tips for Smart Miners

In light of this fact, I knew the chances of me finding placer gold nuggets or large, coarse pieces was pretty slim. My main intent was to see how my "Gold Bug Pro" functioned in the field under less than ideal conditions and with varying amounts of ground mineralization and the usual amounts of annoying metallic trash.

Small Gold

I began my field tests with the "Gold Bug Pro" operating in "All Metal" mode and using the standard "5" nugget coil that the machine comes standard equipped with. I used this smaller coil rather than my 11" simply because the size of the gold at this location is typically quite small.

(The old tailings contained a range of river rock types and sizes.)

I was able to ground balance the "GB Pro" easily but as soon as I began to sweep the old tailings I began picking up a certain type of hot rock that continually forced me to re-ground balance the machine while operating in "All Metal" mode. Interestingly enough, the "hot rocks" were formed of dark basalt from ancient volcanic activity in this region.

Basalt is not typically thought of as "problematic" when it comes to detecting, but it can contain as much as 15%-25% of iron oxides as well as aluminum in its composition. Whatever the case, the basalt drove me crazy and I had to decrease the sensitivity of the machine to be able to operate effectively in "All Metal" mode.

"Robbing Peter to Pay Paul"

Next I tried operating the "GB Pro" in "Discriminate" mode with my two-digit discrimination value set in the high 30s to about 40. This eliminated the "hot rock" issue for the most part.

Strapworks.com - any strap, any length, any color!

However, any time you decrease the sensitivity of a metal detector this way, you'll typically also have a corresponding loss in detection ability, especially with smaller or more deeply buried targets. This "robbing Peter to pay Paul" routine is always a trade off...and it doesn't matter if you're hunting for nuggets or coins or artifacts...it still applies.

Two Things are Needed

Did I find any nuggets or large flakes on my first field test of the "GB Pro?" No, I did not. However, I did find the usual suspects...small pieces of lead shot and bullets which tells me the machine was operating just fine.

There are two things I think I need in terms of finding a bit of gold with the "GB Pro:" 1) a decent area to search (i.e., one known to contain nuggets and coarse pieces) and 2) more experience using this nifty little machine from Fisher.

(Small pieces of lead came out of this hole, but no gold.)

I've been swinging all sorts of metal detectors since the late 1970s and one thing I've learned over time is that it takes a lot of field work to learn the capabilities and limitations of any machine. Based on a very limited test basis, I think the "GB Pro" has a lot of potential...not just for electronic prospecting and nugget shooting, but for coin and artifact hunting as well.

I may be deficient as an electronic prospector or nugget hunter, but that's no fault of this reasonably priced, hot little machine.

Good luck to all of you out there.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "'Don'ts' for Novice Treasure Hunters"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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

Bench and Field Testing the "Gold Bug Pro" (Part 3)

(Fisher's "Gold Bug Pro.")

Ideal Conditions

I conducted my bench testing of Fisher's "Gold Bug Pro" outside my home in very lightly mineralized soil. All of the tests were "air" tests, meaning none of the target placer gold pieces were buried. Instead, I taped them to a thin piece of cardboard which I then laid on the ground.

(Note: All bench tests were performed using the "GB Pro's" standard 5" nugget coil. J.R.)

Yes, I know this represents testing the "GB Pro's" abilities under ideal conditions. Truth, be told however, I wanted to see what my machine could do under those exact conditions to get an overall idea of its sensitivity to small pieces of placer gold. I figured my field tests would then provide a good comparison of the machine's abilities in less-than-ideal conditions.

(The smallest piece of placer gold I used in bench testing the "Gold Bug Pro.")

Easy Ground Balancing

In the photo just about this paragraph you can see the smallest piece of placer gold I used in my bench testing. This is a moderately thin flake just about as large in diameter as the flames coming from the torch on the back of a common U.S. dime.

Carhartt Wear
Wolverine Boots

Ground balancing my "GB Pro" in lightly mineralized conditions was a breeze...I simply pressed and held down the ground balancing touchpad button and pumped the coil up and down a few times and bingo! I really think the way the ground balancing works on the "GB Pro" is a big improvement over the constant fiddling with dials you must do when using the "GB 2" (meaning no slight to the latter machine which I've used a number of times out in the field).

No Loss in Sensitivity

I was consistently able to detect the small flake of gold at 3"-4" in "All Metal" mode (air testing). The two-digit target numerical indicator on the "GB Pro's" display correctly identified the target as gold about 80% of the time. In "Discriminate" mode there was no observed loss in detection sensitivity and the target was correctly ID'd as gold about 95% of the time.

(This nugget was the largest target used in my bench tests.)

On larger, heavier targets like the placer nugget pictured above, the "GB 2" was able to consistently detect the target at around 10"-12." I also bench tested the "GB Pro's" abilities on two other placer gold targets, a large flat flake and a smaller, but very dense nugget. The results were very encouraging on these targets as well.

Gold Panning Kits

Although I was swinging the "GB Pro" under ideal test conditions here, I was still very impressed with this light-weight, easy to use gold detector. Still, the proof of the pudding would be found out in the field.

There's more to come...

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "7 Burro Loads of Gold (Part 1)"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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

Bench and Field Testing the "Gold Bug Pro" (Part 2)

(Placer gold I used for bench testing the "Gold Bug Pro.")

In my previous  post on this topic I was discussing some of the features of Fisher's "Gold Bug Pro." I want to finish that up here before I proceed to the heart of the matter about testing this nifty little gold machine:

• 19 kHz operating frequency: I was actually a little skeptical when I first saw that the "GB Pro's" operating frequency was this low. Fisher's "GB 2," by comparison, operates at 71 kHz. Typically speaking, the higher the frequency (VHF, UHF ranges) the greater the sensitivity of the machine to small particles of gold. However, Fisher went the lower frequency direction for a number of reasons, including making the "GB Pro" a more versatile machine that could be used for artifact and coin hunting as well as electronic prospecting/nugget hunting. The truth of the matter is this: in my bench testing the "GB Pro" was every bit as sensitive to small pieces of gold as its better-known cousin, the "GB 2."

• Ultra-light weight: The "GB Pro" weighs in at an unbelievable 2.5 pounds, something you'll notice the first time you heft this machine and start swinging it. Without a doubt it's the lightest metal detector I've ever used in my 32 plus years of small-scale mining and treasure hunting. It should be readily apparent to one and all what a great asset the "GB Pro's" light weight can be out in the field...you could literally swing this machine all day long and not get tired. There is a drawback to the machine's light weight, however. The "GB Pro's" control housing is made of plastic or a light composite...one good drop of the machine on a big rock would likely ruin your day by cracking the housing or scrambling the electronics inside. Also, I noticed out in the field that the housing was very susceptible to dirt and grit...I think both of these issues are why you may want to buy a protective cover for the "GB Pro's" housing (yep, I've seem them for sale and plan on getting one myself).
• 5" standard coil: Back in the early 1980s Garrett Metal Detectors began selling a 3.5" coil for some if its VLF/TR machines for use in gold hunting and for getting into tight spaces. We used to call these small coils "nugget coils." The "GB Pro" comes standard equipped with a 5" nugget coil that is extremely sensitive to small pieces of gold (placer and otherwise) and that can get into some pretty tight spots.

(Fisher's "Gold Bug Pro" comes equipped with a 5" "nugget" coil.)

(11" coil for the "Gold Bug Pro.")
The "GB Pro" also utilizes an 11" search coil for greater depth and for covering larger areas. If you decide to buy this gold machine, I highly recommend you get this coil as well. You'll have to buy it separately (I paid about $120.00 for mine)..oh, and one more thing...be sure and buy coil covers for both search coils. Coil covers are a lot cheaper to replace than the coils themselves, right?
There's more to come my friends. Good luck to you until then.
If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Gold Mining Questions and Answers: Part 4"
(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012
Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com

Bench and Field Testing the Fisher "Gold Bug Pro" (Part 1)

(Fisher's "Gold Bug Pro" shown with the standard  5" nugget coil.)

 It took a while but I'm finally getting around to talking about a bit of bench and field testing I did with my new Fisher "Gold Bug Pro." I wrote in an earlier post (see close of this post) about how impressed I was with this newer addition to the "Gold Bug" (GB) series of gold machines, and now I'm back to try and finish the job.

Features and Comments

 Since I didn't list the features of the "GB Pro" before, let me do that for you now:

• V-Break, Variable break-point tone discrimination system
• Computerized ground grab
• Real-time computerized ground balancing
• V.C.O. audio in All Metal and Discrimination Mode
• Independent control over threshold and gain
• Continuous ground condition readouts

Placer Gold Locations

• Ground phase value indicates type of ground mineralization
• Fe3O4 graphic indicates amount of ground mineralization
• Static pinpoint with depth indicator
• Dual headphone jacks
• 19kHz operating frequency
• Ultra simple user interface
• Ultra-lightweight (2.5 lbs)
• 5" coil (11" coil also available)
• All-metal and discriminate modes

I won't cover all these features, but there are a few I'd like to touch on:

• Real-time computerized ground grab/ground balancing: Unlike other versions of the "GB" where you had to pump the coil up and down and then manually adjust various potentiometers to get the machine ground balanced, the "GB Pro" uses a simple touch-pad button. Just press and hold the button, give the machine a few quick pumps, and you're off and running.

• Independent control over threshold and gain: Adjusting the threshold sound and sensitivity (gain) are important functions for any gold detector. In my opinion these functions should always be manually set and the "GB Pro" gives you that option.

 (My "GB Pro" out in the field here in New Mexico.)

• Static pinpoint with depth indicator: Although this machine operates using movement (standard "sweeping" motion) to detect targets, once you've hit a target you can use the "GB Pro's" static pinpointing feature. You press and hold the pinpoint touch-pad button while the coil is over the target and the machine will display a numerical target ID as well as depth readout.

Metal Detectors  

Treasure Hunting

•  Dual headphone jacks: This feature may seem rather innocuous at first, but if you've ever had to keep switching out stereo headphone adapter jacks, it's a big plus in my book. The housing of the "GB Pro" has both of the standard-sized headphone jack receptacles, so you never have to carry adapters or switch them out.

Don't worry, I'll get to the start of my bench and field tests in my next post. I'll also finish up with my descriptions and comments of a few more of the "GB Pro's" features.

Good hunting to you in the mean time.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "Very Impressed With the 'Gold Bug Pro'"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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

Morgan's Raid in Ohio (Part 2)

 (Kentuckians of Morgan's Cavalry raiding Montgomery, Ohio. Painting by Mort Kuntsler.)

Here's the second part of my series on Confederate Brigadier John Hunt Morgan's raid in Ohio. Remember, according to one of their subordinate commanders, the raiders left a trail of stashed "goodies" along their route:

July 16, 1863: Morgan and his raiders head for the Scioto River after pillaging Jasper and Piketown, Ohio.

July 17, 1863: Despite their exhaustion Morgan and his men ride all night, traveling some 45 miles until they came to Jackson, Ohio. Here they looted the town and moved on to Vinton to try and rest for the night. However, the locals harassed the rebels in numerous ways, preventing them from gaining any real rest.

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July 18, 1863: After leaving the hostile citizens of Vinton, Morgan and his men rode for Fort Buffington at Portland, Ohio. Morgan's plan was to cross over into West Virginia via this route to escape pursuing Union forces. During the night of the 18th, the small Yankee garrison at the fort decided that discretion was the better part of valor and abandoned their entrenchments rather than face an assault by Morgan's raiders.

 (Map showing Confederate and Union movements at the battle near Fort Buffington.)

July 19, 1863: Morgan is just about to start crossing the Ohio River into West Virginia near Buffington when Federal gunboats and cavalry show up. Morgan detaches half of his force (1,200 men) under the command of Colonel Basil Duke to hold of the Yankees while he and the rest of his raiders try to escape upriver. In the ensuing battle, over 100 of Duke's men are killed in action while 700 others are taken prisoner, including Colonel Duke and Morgan's brother, Richard.

Metal Detectors

Fifteen miles upriver near Reedville, Ohio, Morgan and his remaining 1,200 men attempt to cross the Ohio river again. About 300 or so do make it to West Virginia and relative safety, but Union gunboats arrive yet again. Morgan remains on the Ohio side of the river with his main element of 900 men. During the night, however, Morgan's reduced force is able to elude the Federals and escape west.

July 20, 1863: Morgan doubles back to confuse the pursuing Federals. He and his men rest for the night near Valley Furnace, Ohio.

There's more to come on Morgan's daring raid through Ohio. Good hunting to you in the mean time.

If you liked this post, you may want to read: "More Treasures in Washington State"

(c)  Jim Rocha (J.R.)  2012

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