Homar,
Two thoughts, but let me preface them with my belief that what separates a really good investigator from an average one is guarding against the temptation to assume, to think you know, or to assume you know what happened. This is a lesson that I've had to learn again and again, not just research-wise, but also out in the field. I had been looking for a set of symbols in an area of interest and had completely overlooked a bluff that was right in front of me because it was one of the first areas that I had checked out while becoming acquainted with the area, and somehow my mind had just put a checkmark on that area and I neglected the realization that while it was the first I had explored, I had not searched it thoroughly, and for the symbols I was looking for.
You state that you doubt that Pegleg Tumlinson left his descendants anything, and anything contrary to that is an assumption. Why is that so? Is there anything that conclusively proves that Pegleg left his family nothing?
And as far as the neighborhood kids leaving their names on exposed sandstone, that may have been true, but Travis went way beyond that. He carved on the chimney of the family cabin, he carved a stone with a galleon on one side and a treasure chest on the other- and Garry, on the other site, made a good argument for the similarity of the lettering characteristics as far as this stone, and the H/P Stone Map. With the detailed comparison, Garry much pushes this tale beyond the realms of sheer coincidence. There was at least sort of inspiration if nothing else.
One other thing to consider- the Superstitions are not on the way from Texas to Oregon. They are a serious detour. And even if we were to suppose that Travis wanted to vary how he got back and forth between Oregon and Texas, and decided to go via Phoenix, he would have taken what today exists as the well known I-10 which passes through Tucson on its way up to Phoenix. While you still can see the Superstitions while driving north on I-10 (I have) they don't really stand out from any of the mountain ranges in that area, IMO.
Howdy deducer,
You question my opinion of doubting that Peg Leg left nothing related to the PSM's after I showed you how the assumptions that he did, came about. It was assumed that because he was a treasure hunter, he may have left something behind. It was assumed because of a fake diary put him searching in Arizona, and it was assumed because of a fake map created by Robert Tumlinson. A good investigator would question those assumptions instead of my opinion.
Peg Leg Tumlinson was from my neck of the woods. I have been to Espantosa Lake many times where he dug for treasure. In fact I have walked from Eagle Pass to Carrizo Springs, not in one day, but checking pipeline right of way. I have also been over it by plane, and chopper. I know every ranch around his stomping grounds. My wife grew up in what once was the Olmos Ranch where Peg Leg also dug for treasure. The largest rattler I have ever killed was on Estambel hill where Peg Leg searched. I was never in those places because Peg Leg dug there, I found out later that he did. I would go fishing on Espantosa Lake, and I hunted deer and arrowheads on the old Olmos Ranch. Now that I have an interest in treasure hunting, I want to go back to Estambel hill because of a story my wife told me out of the blue about a light they saw there one night while hog hunting.
One night my wife's dad, mom, and brother, and sister were sitting in the truck waiting for wild hogs to come to a cattle feeder in the pens of that hill (the old corral was replaced with oil field pipe). When they started to hear the hogs coming in, and were getting prepared with the spotlight, a light appeared. She said it didn't shine on them, or on anything like a spotlight, or car light, but that it looked round and bright like a car light. Needless to say, they got out of there. She said she remembers exactly where that light appeared, and I would like to check it out with a two box some day. The camino real from Laredo to San Antonio passed in front of the house my wife grew up in, as it makes it's way to the old Fort Ewell. That house is by a spring on the West side of Olmos creek.
Anyway, I have nothing against Peg Leg, or any Tumlinson, I just don't see anything that would put him in Arizona, or him having any waybill to the PSM's. Not even the Mexicans could find them, so how could they show anyone else how to find them, and why would they, it makes no sense.
As far as the chimney, carving your name once is enough. That was private property where only he could kill time. That chimney was a wall of inviting sandstone, after his name, he could only carve other things. The treasure chest/galleon stone was carved from his fascination of the PSM's.
Garry Cundiff is a great investigator, I have nothing but respect for him, and his work from which I have learned a lot. However, he is only human, capable of mistakes as we all are. His mistake was beyond his knowledge of the Spanish language. While you may say he fell to the temptation to assume, therefore he is not a great investigator, I just see it as simple lack of knowledge of the Spanish language which takes nothing away from his investigating skills.
The treasure chest/galleon stone only proves Travis's fascination of the PSM's, and his ignorance of the Spanish language. It proves Travis was not capable of having made the PSM's. This is not an assumption, it is a fact, and when you ignore the facts, you lose your credibility as an investigator.
I see no reason to question the route Travis took on his way to Texas, for there could be many. Quien sabe? Kemosabe!
Homar
