sdcfia
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- Sep 28, 2014
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Ya know, I have to confess, I fully recognized that many treasure stories really gained prominence during the 1930s but always felt that was more of a by-product of the Great Depression than the Gold Act. The assumption being that with so many people out of work more of them were spending time looking for these types of things hoping to hit it big. Similarly, many stories feature finds by individuals working for the CCC and such. Truth is many of these stories were at least a half a century old during the Depression but gained new prominence (I think) as day dream fodder. To be fair, there's no reason that both the Gold Act and the Depression could play roles in the upswing of treasure lore in the 1930s, to say nothing of the potential of other influences.
The LUE would be rather interesting because in its current form, if it did come forth in the 1930s it would be one of very few stories that emerged in this tiem period from nothing. the only other significant story I can think of that didn't have a strong foundation in the late 1800s would be Victorio Peak.
Treasure of the Valley of Secrets has always bothered me on a number of points. While KvM mentions the LUE, it seems shoe-horned in, particularly since he makes it clear that the cave of gold and the LUE are not the same treasure. My biggest complaint is his use of Hurt's Scarlet Shadow which he approaches as a legitimate historical recording rather than a bit of political propaganda disguised as fiction.
Another LUE crossover (and a far more likely one I think than the Nazis) is that the LUE caches might be related to the French miners at Treasure Mountain. In that case you have a map and on site treasure markings. The one shortcoming of the LUE (not the only one I suppose) is that even if it can put you close to a site you'd need something on the ground to get more precise and closer to the target with. Treasure Mountain would appear on the surface to satisfy both of these concerns. Keep in mind too that the Treasure Mountain story came into prominence in the mid 1910's.
Good points Randy - most of which I've pondered myself. Regarding the often repeated explanation that the Great Depression spawned the avalanche of interest in treasure tales during the 30s, I would say that - especially in the mineral districts of the American west following the California gold rush - there has always been keen interest in prospecting, finding "old Spanish mines", etc. Human nature rules, and people respond to get-rich ideas. The California gold rush of 1849 ignited a mania that persisted for decades in the West until a series of recessions greatly slowed activity in prospecting and mining, as metals prices were weak. When you read the old newspapers beginning ca Civil War period, more or less, you'll find no lack of adventure-slanted yarns alleging hidden treasure, lost mines, Jesuit sites, etc.
Now, the legends that existed prior to the 20s to 40s era. Where better to hide a cache of bullion and link it to a lost Spanish mine than in an area that already has a history of rumors and legends? Makes things easier, no? As a conspiracy analyst (not a theorist - there's a big difference), one thing I've recognized that seems to be a Universal Natural Law is, "follow the money to the truth." That begs the question - where did the money come from?
Re "Spanish treasure", yes, there was some Spanish mining activity in today's USA, but there were far more and better and cheaper and safer and easier opportunities for contractors in Mexico than beyond the Northern Frontier. Same today as then. That being the case, if there are all these alleged caches scattered across the West, where did they originate? Better still, if they do exist, why were they left behind here? Did the King agree that his fifth share tax be buried somewhere in the northern wilderness to be maybe recovered later? Not a good deal for him, eh?
Treasure Mountain. I have some ideas about that too. Here's my latest working model. As always, I reserve the right to change my mind when additional facts become available. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...tain-co-lost-frenchmens-gold.html#post5836343