I completely agree. Treasure hunting for the vast majority is primarily a sport, a hobby, a pass time. Witness the deluge of books, magazines, videos, clubs and reality TV shows that showcase the activity. It's fun stuff. Yes, Miller has been a cornerstone in the business of treasure hunting, and he should be admired for his accomplishments. I have no doubt he was a stand-up guy and someone memorable to have met - I would have loved to have chatted with him. Who wouldn't?
IMO, the "shadowy, secret realm" is by far the most intriguing aspect of the topic, where a vicarious adventurer may find himself in a serious reality. This is where some of the less acceptable aspects of human nature take control. I suspect that Miller may have been in those types of situations, and if so, acted appropriately. I suspect he leaked out some proprietary info to some searchers in his time, but if so, I'll repeat what I mentioned earlier - he very likely kept the best cards up his sleeve, and his circle of true knowing partners did the same. As George Carlin said on a different subject, "It's a big club, and we ain't in it."
Hello Sdcfia
I could not agree more. Treasure hunters are a lot like distillers of fine whiskey. they do not give out the top shelf stuff to just anyone. I have list of treasure all confirmed with documentation. no one gets to see. unless some proves to me they have integrity, practical experience and financial capacity to pull off a project.
That said I have given away heaps of maybe stories. some quite small. most you will have never heard of them, from all over the world. For one reason or another they are for me not high up on the list of making an effort.
The following yarn comes from down under. Few in USA realize today That the united states and Australia has a very strong links going back to the 1850's When the surface gold in California gold rush started to wane America gold seekers headed to the gold rush in NSW Australia and then followed the even bigger Victorian gold rush. It was Californian gold mining lessons was passed on from American diggers down under. Thousands past through in two way traffic from California to Sydney.
Getting back to the yarn just like American gold rushes came and went, some places prospered and other places withered and died. One such place withered to almost non existence after gold mining came and went. brink as you driving along the highway you will miss it.
The place was ghost of itself now a reflection of abandoned rural poverty. there was some very slapped together mining cottages dating back to 1860's and a pub that as far a I know is still open. I driven past only ever giving it a passing glance always reminding myself I should detect there one day. I never did.
Years ago I came across a newspaper story dating back into the 1930s and old man living in one of these tumbled down shacks met 2 geological surveyors passing through. The old prospector now in his 80s was still going out to the river panning for gold. he showed them a large beer bottle full of fine gold dust that he had spent almost a life time from panning. The twist of story the old prospector had buried his bottle in his front yard and had forgotten where he buried it?
The old guy died and people searched and soon people over time forgot about it. This was before the days of metal detectors. The story was soon forgotten from public memory.
Years later I found the mans name on electoral rolls and his address. looking on goggle earth the shack still existed. All be it different owners living there. It was well known passing through as the front yard had heaps of garden gnomes.
I cannot count the times I past that old shack and said to myself I should search there one day. I never did. Years later when busy with other projects and old work mining colleague I knew for years knew of my treasure hunting activities was now retired and was enthralled in finding treasure.
He was the type of guy I did not dislike buy did not like either. He was annoying but harmless. He kept on asking me whats is good place to search for treasure? He was super eager as all newbies are.
To get him out of my hair I told him the above story to get rid of him. I told him to see the land owner and ask him to detect and make 50/50 deal with him. He was delighted I had shared such information with him. He promised he would go half with me with his share with a 50/ 50 split with owner. I was not expecting or holding my breath much other than he might get a load buck shot in his ass. So off he went full of enthusiasm and out of my hair. presumably to annoy the crap out of the land holder.
I had completely forgotten about it. One morning he appeared at my house knocking the door smiling. My first thought here we go again he is after another treasure lead? Full of enthusiasm he placed 4500 dollars on my coffee table.
I looked at him and said what the hell is this?" He smiled and said your share? Share to what? He replied with that story you told me? Then I remembered and said I only told you that story to keep you out of my hair to get rid of you. I did not expect you to find anything?
He laughed and said at first I thought you had set me up? I met and old age pensioner who lived there. A Nice man loved his beer and football. I asked permission to search as he was interested in doing a fitly fifty split. The guy was not wealthy living from week to week so the chance of few extra bucks made him interested.
So the pensioner had never seen or used a metal detector. He asked me how the metal detector works? So I showed him how it works we was standing next to his front step. turning it on in seconds there was loud signal. and we dug up a bottle full of gold in less than five minutes right next to the door step. The gold dust added up to just shy of 18 thousand dollars So we split the gold 50/50 and my share was about 9000 so as promised I give 4500 Dollars for giving me a good lead.
As you can imagine I was bewildered in WTF mode . Old Crow had egg on my face. But in dropping on the coffee table 4500 is 4500. So I am not complaining.
But it goes to show not to under estimate these little stories. Some can become little gems.
Crow
