Thanks, Dog!
Wasn't blasting anyone - just had noted the vehemence with which some were ready to attack others and descended into personal attacks. Likely to happen when folks are passionate about the same subject. I know first hand that our investment of time and effort in searching and researching treasure legends often results in a proprietary feeling towards the subject. But until the treasure is recovered, nobody has a "right" to them.
In reading this thread I see that Cpt. Bill was hot on the trail of one of these Tumac. mines and intended to spend up to a year in the area to recover the treasure - from March 08 to March 09 - in the new malpais down by the AZ/Mexico border. Sure wish I had found this site sooner, as I'd have taken him up on his offer to go along.
Question is - did he ever resurface? Haven't seen any recent posts of his. Do we need to form a rescue team? Is he squishing his toes in the sand in Cancun, spending a silver bar a week? Anybody know?
Oro - You and I have so much in common it's incredible. Hate to admit it, but I did read your top secret classified, your eyes only, double secret probation, forbidden blog. "Didn't understand a single word" ( quote from the Indian chief that captured Gene Wilder in 'The Frisco Kid') !! lol Most important is a preference for fresh veggies! lol I've been less fortunate than you I think in dodging the bullets of life,perhaps, and in the last few years though I haven't been exactly homeless, it's only recently that my wife and I have found a place where we could start to think about having a garden. I might be tempted to pull the trigger on a sasquatch if the reward was to be a peck of homegrown tomatoes - in other words - I'd kill for one!! lol Maybe next spring.
I empathize with your frustration in searching for the Raspberry Mine. This is the third - and I hope final time - that I've lived in AZ. It's MY state. I just let everyone else live here! You all needn't thank me - I reckon it's the least I can do for you. I've never been truly successful at treasure hunting but have a couple of accomplishments of which I'm proud.
1. In Thomas Terry's AZ treasure atlas there's a couple of entries re: Providence, AZ - "the wickedest town in the West" from it's founding until 1913 when the railroad quit servicing the town. It's in Yavapai County near Poland Junction."just over the hill from McCabe". Not,of course, on any map today. Found it. "Trove"? An Ex-lax tin with a hand drawn map inside indicating a claim marker on nearby Big Bug Creek, imploring whoever found the map to "please don't destroy this marker". lol Ironically, when, after WEEKS of searching I finally located the townsite, there was a National Forestry Service marker there which gave a bit of history about the town at nearby the NFS day use area which was closed - looks like it was built and closed within the era from 1950's to 1960's based on things I found there.
2. Believe I have found the area where the incidents related in John Mitchell's story of The Lost Pick Mine occurred. I have filed a mineral claim at that point. Not because it would entitle me to the treasure, but because there is placer gold on the claim - all small so far - and just as importantly, drinkable water year round. As you and others know, Oro, water in Arizona is more rare than gold. I mention this find, Oro, because it occurred in a place where the place-name in the story no longer exists. If I ever find the treasure (estimated at $70-80,000 at the time of the incident - roughly $3.5 million at todays gold prices) it will be strictly by accident, because now when I go up there I spend the available time digging and processing.
Don't mean to turn this thread into a discussion of The Lost Pick. Sorry for the rambling. Thanks, again for the welcome guys.
Oro - nobody filed the necessary forms for you to exit Arizona with my office. I'm certain you are the kind of partner I need out here. People don't really have to live in that extended ice and snow filled winter, ya know? Move back soon and I'll overlook the attendant f.ine for exiting the state with improper procedures.
