jamey
laptopguy1 said:
hey guys i was just wondering hot old everyone is because i am just getting into TH and i have found that a lot of people are older. Which is cool because of the experience but i was wondering why there is not very many younger people like me. I am 20 years old. just thought it would be interesting!
Hey Jamey,
I take it, that by reposting the initial post, you are asking the same question. I'll answer it the best I can.
What exactly do you mean by Treasure Hunting? Do you mean Metal Detecting? Prospecting? Hiking the desert, looking for Spanish Mines?
The best reason I can think of is that in the 1940s and 1950s, most of the VERY popular movies to go see were Westerns (and WWII movies). Back then tales of Cowboys, Indians, Lost Mines and Hidden Treasure became the dreams of many young boys (and yes, some girls). A lot of people back then took up treasure hunting as a hobby (and sometimes a profession). Later, because of Political Correctness, and everyone feeling guilty about what we did to the Indians, the old Westerns fell out of style, and so did those dreams of finding hidden treasures. When the most popular movies became anti-war, car racing, sexy, and about self involved people, the younger guys and girls didn't care about going out to the desert to be Cowboys, and search for hidden treasures. They wanted to get those cars and drag race. You get the idea. So, what you have now are a bunch of old treasure hunters who were kids in the 1940s and 1950s, and a few odd younger people who have gotten the bug.
It's a shame too, because many of those older VERY experienced Treasure Hunters have already died, taking much of their knowledge with them......Frank Fish, George Mroczkowski, Charles Kenworthy, Mel Fisher, Karl Von Mueller, Thomas Penfield, Milton Rose, and many more than I can think of right now. Three of the greatest LAND treasure hunters of all time, many people have never heard of (Frank Fish, George Mroczkowski (pronounced merch-kowski), and Karl Von Mueller). Between the three of them, they could fill a bookshelf with the stories of all their finds. Many of them, they never admitted to being the finders (Frank Fish did that a lot in his books. When you see that notation in his story, that particular cache had been found, you can bet he was the one who found it). Below, is an image many people have seen, but c=few can say who it is. It is Frank Fish (Left) after finding one of two stage coach robbery caches near Robber's Roost (in the Mojave Desert).
So....don't discount the old timers. Talk to them, and most of the time they will be glad to share what they know. I can't begin to say how many verifiable stories I have been told, that aren't in any Treasure Hunting books or magazines. You hear a story, then go to a local library, and study the microfiches for that time period and verify it. You will be amazed at the knowledge you will get.
Best,
Mike
