Curious Tree Markings (Updated: More Photos)

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

How about this for irony....shortly after taking the photograph, I found another Beech tree a couple hundred yards away with three names on it, Bertha being one of them. There are three sets of numbers that I couldn't make out well but I'm guessing it's the date. Last number was "20". Written like this xx-xx-20. Could be their ages I guess. Someone had a lot of time on their hands....lol.

 

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[poorfarm]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

maybe while searching in mo there was several people
that spelled sikeston mo sexton in the 1800s ?humm

 

[Shortstack]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

I'm looking at that photo and wondering why the carver would make make the "h" in Bertha as a lower case letter when all of the rest are UPPER case. I mean, an upper case "H" would be easier to carve than the "R", yet the "R" is upper case. Then the "E" in the second word has waaay short cross bars when the "E" in Bertha has normal length crossbars. As far as separating the 2 words with a "dot"..............why? Normally a carver would just leave more space between the words OR drop down and carve the second word directly below "Bertha" or off-set to the right a little and below. Then, the "T"s are completely different in the 2 words. The one in Bertha is about like what most of us would make when when just messing around, carving someone's name. But, the second "T" has more formal down-turned serifs on the ends of the crossbar. That "X" also has serifs on the ends of both crossbars. That "O" in the second word sure is perfectly round while the roundy parts of "B" and "R" are pretty sloppy. That "BERT" may have already been on the tree and then someone else came along an put the "ha.SEXTON" on for some unknown reason.

Questions, questions. Anyone have any answers??

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Dang it Shortstack, now I have to go clean that other tree up! I gotta hand it to you though, I was thinking along the same lines in regard to the styles of carving. Indeed it looks hi jacked. The period was what first gave me the thought. It just doesn't make sense. I had to look and relook at it before I colored it in order to make sure it belonged to the carving...it does.

Could the size and shape of the tree at the time of the carving dictate style? For what it's worth the circumference of the tree is 125 inches (measurement taken 50 inches above ground level). I was going to try to estimate it's age but I found two different formulas and came up with two very different ages.

 

[Shortstack]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

1320:
Here's a couple of things I forgot to mention in my previous post. They may not mean anything, but that "A" has a slanting crossbar and that "N" looks like 2 "V"s with a common leg. A "V" has a value of "5" and a double "V" would be a value of "20"...............a doubled letter "doubles" the value of the sum of the two.

Just for "grins"; go out 20 inches; then 20 feet in the direction the slanted bar of the "A" is pointing and see if there is a flat stone or some other object laying on the ground. If it is, there could be more info on that object. If nothing is on the surface of the ground, gently dig or probe the ground in that area and see if there's something buried shallow there. You'll be looking for more info so don't automatically MOVE anything you find. This might be a waste of time, but it is one of those things that has to be done to either eliminate one possibility or find the next clues.

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

1320:
Here's a couple of things I forgot to mention in my previous post. They may not mean anything, but that "A" has a slanting crossbar and that "N" looks like 2 "V"s with a common leg. A "V" has a value of "5" and a double "V" would be a value of "20"...............a doubled letter "doubles" the value of the sum of the two.

Just for "grins"; go out 20 inches; then 20 feet in the direction the slanted bar of the "A" is pointing and see if there is a flat stone or some other object laying on the ground. If it is, there could be more info on that object. If nothing is on the surface of the ground, gently dig or probe the ground in that area and see if there's something buried shallow there. You'll be looking for more info so don't automatically MOVE anything you find. This might be a waste of time, but it is one of those things that has to be done to either eliminate one possibility or find the next clues.

I think you are assuming that this is Spanish Bill,
I would be more inclined to think it is something else.
KGC or something else

 

[Shortstack]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Thom,
I'm thinking that the KGC used bits and pieces of older codes in their stuff. How many Spanish trail signs were destroyed or mutilated by KGC trail makers in the west and southwest, which illustrates that they were aware of the Spanish codes. Or at least, SOME of them.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

1320:
Here's a couple of things I forgot to mention in my previous post. They may not mean anything, but that "A" has a slanting crossbar and that "N" looks like 2 "V"s with a common leg. A "V" has a value of "5" and a double "V" would be a value of "20"...............a doubled letter "doubles" the value of the sum of the two.

Just for "grins"; go out 20 inches; then 20 feet in the direction the slanted bar of the "A" is pointing and see if there is a flat stone or some other object laying on the ground. If it is, there could be more info on that object. If nothing is on the surface of the ground, gently dig or probe the ground in that area and see if there's something buried shallow there. You'll be looking for more info so don't automatically MOVE anything you find. This might be a waste of time, but it is one of those things that has to be done to either eliminate one possibility or find the next clues.

Interesting....and I was ready to write this carving off as just that, a carving. Thanks for reigniting my interest. I must admit, the "N" looks very funky and out of place. I thought that the tree growth over the years might have exaggerated that letter...hmmmm. The crossbar in A that points right does in fact point in the direction of the other tree that I found with the three names on it. The left side of the crossbar points toward a cliff line with some shallow rock shelters, also about 200 yards away, roughly......

The other tree that I found is about 200 yards away, that's just a rough guess though, I wasn't thinking about it too much at the time. Is there anyway to get a "200" out of the carving? Or, could a clue exist on the "new" tree that points toward the one with Bertha on it?

Oh man, this is really good stuff. Thank you all for sharing your ideas. The possibility of a KGC or Spanish clue will help me get thru the long winter. I'm going to try and get back up there this weekend with my detector. Also going to clean up that other tree! Are there any other things that I should be visually looking for? Last thing I want to do is miss or ruin a possible clue.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

I failed to mention this, may not mean anything but now that my curiosity is running high, there are some additional hash like lines to the left of letter "B" expressed like this ________
________
________

I'm not sure if they are carved or just natural. The lines are fairly straight though. In my last photo, you can just barely make them out....

 

[10claw]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

thank you 1320 for the pictures. looking good. of course you know now how to manage the other tree, and the suspect lines.
also when you clean the tree, clean more than you suspect is signs. something you don't see can show up.
another thing is, you might have stumbled up on the middle of a trail. think about which sign is sending you to the other one if possible, then backtrack to see what else you can find. also metal detect between the trees for buried clues. i assume you already know how to handle that, if found. look up 8-10 feet high in the trees too for signs. if it is true treasure signs you may find a limb with a notch cut out in the top side, or it is also possible to have roots with direction notches etc, etc. just remember to have fun and that folks on t-net have fun with you.
have a very good thanksgiving day tomorrow and encourage all to be truly thankful and put all thanks in prayers.

1st. Timothy 4: 4-5.

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

1320,

there are two things that you will find when you study these marks
1. straight lines
2. perfect circles

Ma Nature doesn't make either one.

 

[tapoutking]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Very interesting.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

I'm still trying to get back up there but the dang creek is still running to high to make an attempt. The only other way in is about a 4 mile hike.....

 

[cw0909]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

i checked kentucky for bertha sexton,from 1790-1920 census,the 1930,is not complete
BERTHA SEXTON,
there is only one,she is 11 yrs old in,1920,and no age given in 1910,
the census for 1920 was in jan. the 1910 was taken april she was prob,born in late 1899,
or early 1910,bertha was living with her parents and 5 yr old brother,and grandma
sexton,in 1910,and in 1920 she was living with,her grand parents,by the name of shaker
who were in their late 50s,a aunt 17yr,a boarder,14yr old,i looked at random names in
the county,and there seems to be quiet a few under the age of 18 that are boarders,as
well as uncles,and grandparents,taking in young children,maybe there was an epidemic
i would md the area,maybe she left hints to something she buried,and if there was an
epidemic there may be a lost hoard or 2,HH

Surname GivenName Age Sex Race Birthplace State County Location Year

SEXTON BERTHA M 11 F W KY KY LEWIS VANCEBURG 1920

Surname GivenName Age Sex Race Birthplace State County Location Year

SEXTON BERTHA F W KY KY LEWIS MARTIN 1910

 

[tapoutking]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

1900 United States Federal Census
about Bertha Sexton
Name: Bertha Sexton
Home in 1900: Hilburn, Madison, Arkansas
[Mill Creek, Madison, Arkansas]
Age: 6
Birth Date: Sep 1893
Birthplace: Arkansas
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter
Father's name: Winwright Sexton
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky
Mother's name: Brillia Sexton
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Marital Status: Single
Household Members: Name Age
Winwright Sexton 38
Brillia Sexton 21
Andrew Sexton 20
Leonard Sexton 16
Mary Sexton 15
Elisha Sexton 10
Ada Sexton 8
Bertha Sexton 6
Ethel Sexton 5
William Sexton 3

 

[tapoutking]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

John Morton Baker
and Bertha Sexton


L-R: Bertha (Sexton) Baker, Creeda Joyce (Baker) Isaacs and John Morton Baker

John Morton Baker b 11 Dec 1888 Beaver Dam Creek, Colson, Letcher Co KY d 3 Apr 1962 Colson, Letcher Co KY, buried Cain Baker Cemetery, Beaver Dam Creek, Letcher Co KY, s/o Elcaney Baker and Minnie Melvina Lane. John Morton Baker m. 21 Sept 1913 Letcher Co KY to Bertha Sexton b 25 Apr 1893 Jenny's Creek, KY d 21 Nov 1962 Beaver Dam Creek, Colson, Letcher Co KY, buried Cain Baker Cemetery, Beaver Dam Creek, Letcher Co KY, d/o Leander Sexton and Laura Alice Pratt. Children of John Morton Baker and Bertha Sexton;

Possible picture of your carver?? far left in photo.

 

[Shortstack]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Man. Miss Joyce is CUTE !!

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

This is some great information gentleman, thank you! I can hardly wait to clean up the other tree that has the three names on it, I hope all three are Sextons and if so, it would be very cool if we have a match.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Man. Miss Joyce is CUTE !!

Comparatively speaking....LOL She has some nice brow tines!

 

[Shortstack]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Man. Miss Joyce is CUTE !!

Comparatively speaking....LOL She has some nice brow tines!

What?? She's not so cute because she didn't shave her eyebrows? I put that into the same envelope of "useless ideas" along with the idea so many of today's women (?) who think men should have hairless chests and legs. When I was growing up, a man who had no hair on his a.. was a punk.

Well. let's not highjack this thread any further.