Misc data and adventures of a Tayopa treasure hunter

Ed T said:
Why his mine of course...hehehe...Or is it his mind???

Ed T :)
Click to expand...

Ooops, who stepped in on that one, you guys are too humble an' modest,
thot we were talking big mines, bigger minds, large sombrero hats, biggest BBQ dillo,
and the hugest wild Texas pig ribs, all Arkansas hog size hillbilly name callin' aside... :laughing7:
 

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BTW, in N/W Arkansas is a horse ranch. We stayed there in a cabin a few nights
a couple of years ago there in the Ozark mountains. I think the previous owner's
grandfather was a Mason, and a local historian told them at a lumber yard there
were stories of big Masonic meetings, and speculation of big money being buried there.

My friend did find signs of Spanish activity, like a hole through a large boulder, and
a nice turtle rock. We had a great time there, riding through and over them old
mysterious hills where huge maybe 2 hundred yr. old trees with bent or pointing
branches add to the mystery.

I had visited with the local horse shoer and took several pictures of him working.
He had also ridden bulls in rodeos and wore a nice buckle.
We talked about that kind of nerve, he did 3 horses that day, did a very nice job.

A couple of months later heard he was working there under one of those big trees
like always, a branch fell down injuring the horse he was shoeing, killing him.
He was just in his early 30's. His family was told of the photos I took,
and requested. I gave them several of them that they liked. I had met
his son, a very nice teen age boy.

You never know, but I would never have thought he
would have died like that. Young, hard working, tough,
and in excellent shape, he was a pleasant young man... :cross:
 

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I think Loke it was, started the gross sin talk.
Maybe he will repent of this line of mining...
I tried to change the subject, to get your
mines on horses, and life is often too short, etc.
 

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G''''afternoon, B deer, coffe break ?? No, Tayopa does not carry apreciable Iron, but it does have a Pt. But then Tayopa is just one of many mines in the area, most still not located.

Don Jose de La Mancha
 

I remember it vividly , my editor had sent me to interview a rough charatcer that was popularly called ORO

?I remember turning into a scruffy area that I had been warned ot stay clear of, but alas one has to eat no? This seedy charaster sorta shuffled out into the sunlight blinking his bloodshot eyes - I think that they were blue ??- but he was squinting as over a rifle sight _ he was a LDM die-hard and it was rumored to have ---- flanked by two huge,starving huskies, I don't know which smelled worse, he or the dogs.I do remember that his hand was inside his shirt scratching away

"Whatcha want " he mumbled ."I just wanted to interview you for my magazine'. His eyes brightened and he sorta made an unsuccessful effort to straighten up "Whatcha got there" He mumbled, eying my gallon thermos and scratching.. "Coffee" I answered, his kinda fidgeted and grumbled "Ya flat landers don't know how to make reai trail coffee"

Thus began what was to rule my life, he started to talk and he never had to slow donw for a breath,.He tallked from assays to Zinbabwe,intimatecare and comforting of sheep.

What was interesting was when ------ sorry it's too late I have to go to bed, but if the good Lord is willing I wil post on how I met the indescribable Oro' and his lovely wife Beth --h9w he managed to talk her into it I'll never jnow.

Don Jose De La Mancha
 

Hola Don Jose,

Your encounter with Oro seemed to trigger all your senses, makes me wonder what kind of impression you made on him? Can't wait to read your book on Tayopa. Who needs pictures when you can scribble like that? :notworthy: :occasion14:

Homar
 

How can one describe what it is like, to meet a man whom is a living legend like Don Jose, Real de Tayopa, after over twenty years wait?

Mrs O and I were in camp in the Santa Ritas when we got word that it might be possible to meet up with the famous Don Jose, so we dropped everything to get to the appointed meeting place as quickly as possible. It was rather a shock to see Real de Tayopa quietly petting a dog known to bite strangers instantly, but as to appearances, it was like seeing a real old west frontiersman in the flesh. I could hardly believe my eyes. Real de Tayopa has the look of a lawman, a fellow you would be wise NOT to cross, despite that winning smile of his. I had finally gotten to meet a real, personal hero of mine, a man whom I had only spoken with over the internet for two decades (and a very few times on the phone, which reminds me I need to pester you some evening so I can talk about Infosponge and Cactusjumper behind their backs without the risks of dislocated teeth that might otherwise result - I am kidding for those that did not figure it out) and not only did I get to meet the famous man of Tayopa but El Tigre as well!

El Tigre is every bit as lovely and charming as has been mentioned, more so in fact, though how she has managed to keep the wild spirit of Don Jose reined in I cannot explain.

These two people I count as my closest friends, and I truly HOPE to meet them again one day - perhaps at the next Dutch hunters rendezvous, if Tayopa and other businesses will allow.

BTW I am highly insulted and deeply offended - you know danged well that I am among those whom believe that cleanliness is next to godliness, and I am SO in the habit of bathing that I take a bath once a year, whether I need it or not! :tongue3: <not really offended of course>

Tayopa, Tyopa, Teopa, Tayope,Taiopa, the stuff dreams are made of, heck I think that Don Jose's life would make a great true-story movie!
Oroblanco
 

CROSS DE SIGN, THE FARRIER THAT YOU POSTED ABOUT IN YOUR LAST POST.... WAS THAT NEAR THE TOWN OF EUREKA SPRINGS? I REMEMBER HEARING SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE STORY THAT YOU RELATED. SINCE MY HEAT STROKE, I HAVE A HARD TIME REMEMBERING THINGS LIKE THAT. IT IS STUCK IN MY HEAD, SOMEWHERE IN A HOLE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET IT TO THE SURFACE SO I CAN USE THAT SPACE FOR OTHER LOST MEMORIES.
I MENTIONED EUREKA SPRINGS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE MANY CABINS FOR TOURIST, AND SEVERAL HAVE HORSES FOR RIDING. I SPENT A DAY ON A CATTLE DRIVE, SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE FOLKS THAT RAN THE OPERATION WERE OF EXCEPTIONAL HOSPITALITY AND FED US LIKE KINGS. I CAN ALMOST TASTE THE RIB-EYE AND SMELL THE PEACH COBBLER. YET I CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE PROPERTY.

IF YOU CAN SHARE THE INFO, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.

MIKEL
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PROSPECTORMIKEL said:
CROSS DE SIGN, THE FARRIER THAT YOU POSTED ABOUT IN YOUR LAST POST.... WAS THAT NEAR THE TOWN OF EUREKA SPRINGS? I REMEMBER HEARING SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE STORY THAT YOU RELATED. SINCE MY HEAT STROKE, I HAVE A HARD TIME REMEMBERING THINGS LIKE THAT. IT IS STUCK IN MY HEAD, SOMEWHERE IN A HOLE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET IT TO THE SURFACE SO I CAN USE THAT SPACE FOR OTHER LOST MEMORIES.
I MENTIONED EUREKA SPRINGS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE MANY CABINS FOR TOURIST, AND SEVERAL HAVE HORSES FOR RIDING. I SPENT A DAY ON A CATTLE DRIVE, SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE FOLKS THAT RAN THE OPERATION WERE OF EXCEPTIONAL HOSPITALITY AND FED US LIKE KINGS. I CAN ALMOST TASTE THE RIB-EYE AND SMELL THE PEACH COBBLER. YET I CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE PROPERTY.

IF YOU CAN SHARE THE INFO, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.
THANKS IN ADVANCE.

MIKEL
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Click to expand...

Yes, my friend PROSPECTORMIKEL; No problem, and as the radio
commentator, Paul Harvey used to say: Here's "The rest of the story"...

The property is just west of Eureka Springs, a few miles (not sure exactly).
The farrier was well known throughout the area, and was likely one of the best.

When I said he was tough, and in excellent shape, that's because he
was working hard and very skillfully. Worked up a little sweat in March,
while doing "Duke", a large horse, I rode some (very smooth) they told me,
was a Belgium.

But it made me tired just watching him, and though I tried,
in his modesty I guess, I never could get him to look at the camera,
though he never acted like he minded the photos, and we talked lowly
most of the time he was working, except when one of
the other horses (not Duke) he shod, acted real uneasy,
and actually acted up, at which time Danny had to stand
up quickly, grab the reigns and confidently said: "whoa easy now",
and the spirited one seemed to quickly calm down...

I thought she would rear up or kick, but responded to Danny's firmness.
We determined the talk, however calm, was the reason that particular
horse was getting spooked (Philly). So, we were quiet while he finished
that one...

All this time, we were all standing around under this huge-sycamore,
I think? I don't believe it was Beech, as the bark was not smooth enough,
though they appeared not to be native to the area, seems there are a few,
along the creek but planted long ago, maybe along the time, or even
before the Civil War.

Anyway, this tree is right in front of the first barn, there before you get
to the ranch manager's house. Perhaps MIKEL, you have been there,
though I didn't know that they recently ran cattle, who knows,
was told the place (property) was much bigger at one time.

I think the original property (several thousands of acres),
was supposed to have included land all of the way over to,
and including part of which is now the
Beaver Lake Dam location...

I also was told that the previous owner was among a group
of sort of elite Doctors, maybe (likely) also Lawyers too,
and possibly several, or maybe all Freemasons...

Also, that some of the Senior highly accomplished gentlemen,
were nationally well known, largely because of their innovative
development of radiation technology, including the frst X-ray
machines, and also the first experimental radiation
treatment of cancer in the U.S. ...

It must have been fun for the well refined men, of excellent social
reputation and high esteem, as they were apparently among the group
of millionaires, that started and funded space projects that was to become
NASA, supposedly before congress had authorized and budgeted funding,
of such a new and expensive, explorative type, of then unknown science.

They, individually, and apparently as a planned group, supposedly bought up a
lot of land in N/W Arkansas back in the day, and the Hidden Valley Ranch,
was a private getaway, and second home, sort of a private resort,
for the good doctor and his family, and to entertain his good
Masonic Brothers, and friends.

Interestingly, the address and phone #'s both have 777,
included in sequence. Masonic?, or good luck numbers?
Some special knowledge, or superstitious in nature?

Back on the subject of the accident, we had all, and I'm sure lots of people,
stood around under that same tree, which also towered over the fire pit,
just a few, maybe fifteen feet away from where the re-shoeing had
apparently always taken place...

I hope this reply is informative, maybe a kind of tribute to Danny Williams. [EDIT]
And also, as a memory of distinguished "The Quintessential Texans", excellent gentlemen, who were among the scientists and space pioneers that excelled, in the quest that President John F. Kennedy had challenged his generation to accomplish, and
they did, go to the Moon...

The last thing Danny said to me before he left was, "Nice to meet you".
I responded with "Yes, Take it easy"... And that is at least some of,
"The rest of the story" I hope this helps you out PROSPECTORMIKEL ...Crosse :cross:
 

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THANK YOU, CROSSE DE SIGN. YOUR STORY IS SAD AND GOOD AT THE SAME TIME. QUALITY FOLKS LIKE THAT ARE RARE AND WELL WORTH KNOWING.
WHEN YOU MENTIONED THE NAME OF THE PLACE, I REMEMBERED THE NAME OF THE TRAIL THAT WE WORKED. I WAS THE
"DOGWOOD TRAIL", THEY WERE VERY HOSPITABLE AS WELL. WE WENT AS A GROUP, THE FOLKS IN MY DEPARTMENT AT WORK. IT WAS A THANK YOU GIFT FROM THE OWNER OF OUR DEPARTMENT FOR KEEPING UP THE PACE , UNDER HARD CONDITIONS.
OUR JOB WAS TO SUPPLY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR ALL JOBS, EVEN WHEN THE CALL WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THEY CHECKED AROUND AND GAVE US A FEW CHOICES AND WE CHOSE THAT ONE. I'M GLAD WE ALL AGREED, IT WAS AN ALL DAY JOB TO ROUND UP THE CATTLE FROM A WOODED AREA AND DRIVE THEM TO THE OTHER END OF THE PROPERTY. ABOUT HALF THE WAY WE LEFT THEM IN A LARGE FLAT FIELD. AND LEAVE THEM FOR A LUNCH BREAK. OURS WAS UP WIND AND THE SMELL WAS INTOXICATING, RIB-EYE STEAK WITH ALL THE FIXIN'SN AND HOME MADE PEACH COBBLER WITH A BIG SCOOP OF HOME MADE ICE CREAM. AND COFFEE OF COARSE. I HEARD AT LEAST THREE MARRIAGE PROPOSALS JUST OVER THE COBBLER. GREAT FOOD COOKED ON THE TRAIL BY GREAT COOKS, SERVED UNDER A LARGE OPEN HAY BARN. WE LEARNED HOW TO ROPE A CALF AND PLAYED HORSE SHOES, AND RESTED, THE TRIP BACK WAS UP A MOUNTAIN, AND THE HORSES KNEW THAT THEY WOULD GET UNSADDLED WHEN WE GOT THERE.THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE THE LAST TO GET THERE. THEY DIDN'T HOLD BACK. EVERYONE THERE TREATED US LIKE ROYALTY.
EUREKA IS ALL ABOUT FRIENDLY. I WAS IN PAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS, BUT EXPECTED IT, I DIDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE AND I PLENTY OF MEDICATIONS FOR THE PAIN.
I HAD FORGOTTEN THE NAME, BUT WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE RIDE.

WELL WE WEREN'T IN THE SAME PLACE, JUST THE SAME TERRITORY.
I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR STORY.

I HOPE TO HEAR MORE OF YOUR EXPERIENCES.

MIKEL
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IF IT'S OKAY, I'M GOING TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF SUBJECT JUST A LITTLE BIT.

LAST MONDAY I MADE A TRIP BACK TO THE MINE SITE, NOT UP THE MOUNTAIN TOP, BUT ON A PARALLEL HILLSIDE THAT I WORKED ALMOST TO THE DAY BUT, TEN YEARS AGO. I HAD MARKED THE TWO SPOTS WITH MY GPS. THE BATTERIES WERE DEAD IN MY CAMERA AND I FAILED TO CHECK MY SPARES. A ROOKIE MISTAKE THAT I WILL NOT MAKE AGAIN. I'M CHANGING ALL OF MY BATTERIES OVER TO RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES, A FEW EACH MONTH SO THEY DON'T ALL DIE AT ONCE.
I COULD HAVE MOVED THE GPS BATTERIES AND MOVE THEM BACK AND FORTH, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO RISK LOSING ANY OF MY DATA.

SO, LAST MONDAY ME AND A YOUNG MAN THAT I HAVE SPENT SOME TIME WITH OVER THE SUMMER, WHO WANTED LEARN ABOUT TREASURE HUNTING AND HISTORY MADE OUR FIRST OUTING. HE SHOWED A LOT OF INTEREST IN HISTORY AND HE WAS TAUGHT A GREAT DEAL ABOUT GETTING AROUND IN THE WOODS, DOWN TO HOW TO SURVIVE OFF OF THE FOREST.

IT WAS TIME TO TAKE HIM UNDER MY WING. WE DROVE UP THE MOUNTAIN AS HIGH AS IT WAS SAFE. WITH NEW BATTERIES IN MY CAMERA AND EXTRA BATTERIES FOR THE GPS, WE SET OUT WITH AS LITTLE WEIGHT AS WE COULD GET BY WITH. WE MADE OUR WAY BACK TO THE SPOT WHERE I HAD FOUND A THIRTY TO FORTY YEAR OLD TREE THAT HAD A HOLE THRU IT, JUST ABOUT THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF A SMALL FOOTBALL. IT LOOKED LIKE THE TREE HAD SPLIT AND THEN GROWN BACK TOGETHER ABOUT TEN INCHES ABOVE THE SPLIT. WE HAD TAKEN A HEADING BY SHOOTING THRU THE HOLE AND IT POINTED BACK TO THE KEYSTONE THAT STARTED THE SEARCH. LAST MONDAY, WHEN WE RETURNED, WE FOUND THAT THE SPLIT HAD GROWN IN LENGTH OF ABOUT THREE FEET. I WILL BE POSTING THE PHOTOS AS SOON AS I GET THE WORK DONE ON MY TOPO MAP.

WE MOVED ON TO THE NEXT GPS POINT AT THE TREE THAT WAS SHAPED LIKE A LARGE "N" SHAPE. IT GREW UP, TO ABOUT THREE FEET AND DOWN ALMOST TO THE GROUND, THEN BACK STRAIGHT UP. IT WAS POINTING DOWN THE HILL STRAIGHT AT THE BIG STONE WITH THE TURKEY TRACK. WHEN WE FOUND THE SPOT WHERE THE GPS LED US.

THERE WAS NO SIGN OF IT. I KNEW THAT IT HAD TO BE VERY CLOSE TO US, SO WE LOOKED FOR IT IN THE WORST CASE THAT IT COULD BE AND WE FOUND IT, DEAD AND ROTTING ON THE GROUND AND GROWN OVER BY WEEDS. WE PUSHED THE WEEDS BACK TO GET THE PHOTO, ONLY TO SEE THAT THE MIDDLE PART HAD BROKEN NEAR THE MIDDLE. IT PHOTOGRAPHED IT JUST THE WAY WE FOUND IT. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ICE AND SNOW STORMS IN THE AREA OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.

AS I STOOD, LOOKING AT THE REMAINS OF THE TREE, MY HELPER SAT DOWN TO REST. HE WAS LOOKING AT A ROCK, STANDING ON IT'S EDGE. HE ASKED ME IF IT WAS A COINCIDENCE THAT THE ROCK SHOWED THE PROFILE OF THE HILL GOING DOWN. I TOLD HIM "THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES ANYWHERE ON THE SITE." HE LOOKED DOWN THE ROCK AND SAID "IT POINTS TO THOSE TWO SQUARE ROCKS NEAR YOUR FOOT?" I STEPPED ON THE SECOND ROCK AND TURNED AROUND AND THERE WAS A PATH OF ROCKS GOING DOWN THE HILL.

I TOLD HIM THAT IT COULD BE GOING EITHER DIRECTION AND THERE SHOULD BE A POINTER ON OR NEAR THE STONE AND HE GOT UP TO LOOK FOR A POINTER ON THAT ROCK, AND WHEN HE GOT UP HE UNCOVERED A LARGE POINTER THAT HE WAS LEANING ON. THE TIP HAD BEEN CHIPPED OFF AND WE FOUND IT A FEW INCHES FROM THE TIP AND UNDER SOME LEAVES. I SET THE GPS FOR THE TURKEY TRACK ROCK AND WE STARTED DOWN THE PATH. IT LED US DOWN TWO SMALL WATER FALLS, THEN THE TERRAIN DROPPED ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN.

WE HAD TO GET OFF OF THE PATH AND CRAWL ACROSS ANOTHER WATERFALL (ALL OF THEM, DRY, EXCEPT ONE SMALL ROCK) I MANAGED TO STEP ON THE ONLY WET SPOT AND SLIP ABOUT SIX INCHES AND REGAINED MY STEP JUST AS HE REACHED TO GRAB ME. FORTUNATELY I HAD REGAINED MY BALANCE BEFORE I PULLED HIM OFF OF THE LEDGE. THE SUDDEN JERK TO STOP THE DOWNHILL MOVEMENT RATTLED ALL OF MY BONES. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT WAS TIME TO START IN TAKING MY PAIN MEDICINE. I HAVE BEEN MAXING OUT MY DAILY AMOUNT EVERY DAY SINCE.

WE WENT LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE OUT OF THE WAY TO GET DOWN TO THE CREEK BED AND WORKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR TRYING TO LOCATE THE TURKEY TRACK STONE. THE WALLS OF THE VALLEY ARE STEEP IN THE AREA, AND APPARENTLY THE WALLS WERE CAUSING SOME KIND OF SIGNAL SKIP. I FOLLOWED THE LINES AND DISTANCES FROM THE GPS, BUT EACH TIME IT PICKED UP A NEW DISTANCE AND LENGTH.

WE FAILED TO FIND IT. THAT WAS THE BIGGEST PART OF THE TRIP, BECAUSE I WANTED TO VERIFY THE EXISTENCE OF A GOOSE HEAD AND NECK CARVED INTO IT AND A FEW OTHER TESTS ON THE SURFACE. THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR NOW. WE HAD TO GET BACK TO THE TRUCK. I NEEDED MORE WATER AND MEDICINE, NOT TO MENTION REST AND EAT.
I DROVE THE TRUCK UP THE VALLEY TOWARD THE AREA OF THE STONE AND TRIED AGAIN TO FIND IT WITHOUT USING THE GPS. WE STILL HAD NO LUCK. AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE, WE HAD TO GET MY OLD BONES BACK HOME FOR A HOT SHOWER AND A LONG NAP.

WE WILL BE BACK. THIS YOUNG MAN HAS A GREAT EYE FOR SEEING THINGS THAT DON'T LOOK NATURAL IN THE FOREST. HE IS GOING TO BE A GREAT HELP TO ME AND I WILL TEACH HIM EVERYTHING THAT I CAN ABOUT TREASURE HUNTING.

MY SONS HAVE NOT FOLLOWED MY PATH AND IT WILL BE THEIR LOSS, AND HIS GAIN. WHEN I AM LONG GONE, THERE WILL BE SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE MY PLACE. THAT MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO THIS OLD MUTT.

MIKEL
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I THINK THAT IT MAY BE EASIER TO POST THE PICS HERE, THAN TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

Kingmine1 002.jpg
Kingmine1 004.jpg

Kingmine1 005.jpg


YEAH, THAT WAS MUCH EASIER THAN LEARNING SOMETHING NEW.

MIKEL
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DON JOSE, I JUST DID THE MATH ON THAT. I THINK THAT IF I LIVE THAT LONG, (ASSUMING THAT YOU ARE NOT YET 100, AND THAT THE COST OF MY MONTHLY MEDS WILL NOT DOUBLE OVER THE NEXT 50 YEARS) I WILL HAVE SPENT JUST UNDER $200,000 ON PRESCRIPTIONS ALONE. I WILL HAVE TO OPEN THE MINE JUST TO STAY ALIVE.
IF I MAKE IT, THE HOOTCH IS ON ME!

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I HAVE COPIED MY POST (#888) FROM BELOW, TO MY THREAD "TWO SIGNS LEFT TO I.D. MINE, SPANISH, FRENCH, OR JESUIT"
I HAVE NOT USED THE TRACKBACK YET, AND DIDN'T WANT TO OPEN A DOOR THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO CLOSE.

I POSTED THE PICTURES THERE.


IF ANYONE WANTS TO SEE THEM...
I WILL TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THE RIGHT LINK TOOL TO USE FOR FUTURE COMMUNITY POSTS.
 

JudyH ,:coffee2::director:tell it like it is woman, Ed T doesn't think about any thing that he writes, I think he is in a lot of lonely spiritual pain. its from carrying that stone tablet from post to post.np:cat:
 

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Ma Pa mine of Tayopa has been found

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