LOST TREASURE USA

THE TREASURE HUNTER'S NEWSLETTER

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FLOYD MANN
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LostTreasureUSA1@AOL.COM
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www.LostTreasureUSA.com
www.KnightsOfTheGoldenCircle-KGC.com

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. -- The secrets of a prehistoric village that once stood in Decatur County may remain locked away forever after thousands of ancient axes, arrowheads and other primitive tools were dug up and carted away.

Three southern Indiana men have been arrested in the case after conservation officers, following a tip, found the men digging with shovels, picks and garden hoes, said Steve Reinholt, a state Department of Natural Resources field officer.

Investigators found thousands of artifacts in the men's homes worth potentially tens of thousands of dollars, DNR officials said.

The looting is especially significant because once a site is disturbed, it's extremely difficult for archeologists to conduct a scientific survey.

"This is just like robbing an Egyptian tomb," Reinholt said.

DNR officials said Franklin P. Everman, 59, of North Vernon, and Carl Haas, 55, and Robin Sturdivant, 40, both of Westport, were arrested Aug. 17 on a preliminary charge of disturbing the ground in search of artifacts. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to one year in jail.

If the artifacts include human remains, the penalty is stiffer -- a Class D felony. That could mean up to 18 months in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Everman and Sturdivant could not be reached for comment Monday. Haas declined comment except to say "they are blowing this out of proportion."

In Indiana, it is illegal for anyone to conduct archeological digs without the permission of the DNR. Anyone who discovers artifacts must report their findings to the agency within two days.

Investigators say the men conducted digs in at least two places. Authorities did not divulge the locations.

The men apparently had collected the artifacts for years and kept them throughout their homes. State officials on Monday showed reporters many of the items they had seized.

Investigators have not turned up any evidence that the men were trying to sell the artifacts, but similar items often sell for hundreds of dollars on the Internet. Authorities said they did not know the exact value of the men's collections.

A stone ax found in one of the men's homes is worth about $1,000, said James Mohow, a DNR archeologist. Others axes found are worth between $200 and $300, he said.

No formal charges have been filed in the case, but the men remain suspects in the investigation, Decatur County Prosecutor William Smith said. Smith would not say why he has not authorized charges.

Following a tip, conservation officers found the men digging. They were wearing backpacks and had brought food and water so they could spend the day searching for artifacts, he said.

The suspects, who are friends, told authorities that they had gone to multiple sites for years to search for the artifacts, Reinholt said.

Investigators would not divulge where they arrested the men or where else they collected the artifacts because they feared others would attempt to loot the sites if they disclosed the locations.

DNR officers said that in addition to the boxes of stone artifacts, they found bone fragments that appear to be human during their search of the men's homes.

Authorities confiscated part of a wall from one residence that had a map of the county. Pinpointed on the map were locations where authorities believe the men thought there were artifacts.

The digging likely has ruined any chance to prove the artifacts are remnants of a Native American village scientists believe once was in Decatur County, Mohow said.

Digging has done "extraordinary damage," he said.

Looting cases are rare in Indiana. But Mohow said those who pursue the artifacts can go to great lengths to obtain them.

"I have seen where they come out at night in fatigues and use flashlights," he said. "Some (collectors) hire people to collect the items for them."

The case in Decatur County is a great loss for science, said Colleen Boyd, an anthropology professor at Ball State University.

Looting ancient, undiscovered Indian burial grounds and other sites is a lucrative black-market nationwide, Boyd said.

American Indians frequently buried a dead person's belongings with their body, Boyd said.

Many of the items end up for sale on the Internet. A search of an Internet auction site Monday found Indiana artifacts selling for as much as $142 each.

Many people want to collect burial remains and artifacts because "Indian remains have been mystified," Boyd said. "A lot of people feel they are spiritual."

Call Star reporter Fred Kelly at (317) 444-6491.

     Here it is, time for another issue of lost treasure and devious characters who hid them.  In this issue, I'm going to spread out the range a bit to include some other caches put down by outlaws, confederates and other savory groups in order to help you find some loot and live the kind of life you've envisioned over the years. By the way, let me know your finds and keep me informed of your searches. Maybe I can lend you a hand on some of these secret locations.

     One reader sent me an email and asked me to put my address in upcoming issues. Well, here it is, tsumpter9066@charter.net and email me with your questions or comments. Please stick only to the stories posted here and not other places we have not covered yet. I'll only answer those emails that deal directly with those stories published here.

                   TEXAS LOOT

     Texas is a big state so what I'm about to do here is focus on certain areas that might prove to be productive to those who like to search.

     Albert Pike, Jesse & Frank James, Willian Clarke Quantrill, Sam Bass and others were known to pass through Texas in early days. The Spanish made many expeditions intot he Lone Star state in quest of gold and silver. Pirates used the soutehrn portions as headquarters and burial grounds where many caches are located. The mexican Army under the leadership of Santa Anna is even connected to some buried loot. The legendary Knights of the Golden Circle placed down many caches and a few so-called depositories. All in all, this state has many good spots for an avid treasure hunter to pursue.

      A large cache of treasure is buried is buried along the old Buda road to the North of San Marcos.  A rich cattle dealer buried a wooden box and a crock jar full of gold coins about 15 miles SW of San Antonio. A cache of treasure is buried in a cave near the old San Antonio Road crossing on the Brazos River West of Bryan.

     A detachment of Mexican soldiers buried 5 mule loads of silver worth $200,000 Northwest of Katy near a large black granite rock in an area where there are few rocks. (should be easy to find) Pirates stuffed an old cannon with gold and hid it in a marsh North of Houston.  2 Confederate cannons filled with gold coins were buried during the Civil War near the junction of Bray and Buffalo Bayous in Houston. White Oak Bayou is also another spot where some Mexican paychests are buried.

GREGG COUNTY TEXAS:

     In 1874, a wagon train left Tucson with $3 million in gold bullion. Near the area of Willow Springs, the wagon train was attacked and everyone was killed.  An old Indian claimed to know where the spot was where the gold was buried and actually showed a couple of cow-hands. The men were killed along with the Indian from other Indians in that area.

DALLAS COUNTY LOOT:

     Sam Bass and Jesse James shared an old farm located in North Dallas at Schnault Springs at the base of Flag Pole Hill. Much legends surround this area of buried loot and some coins have been found over the years.

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      During and after the Civil War, many Confederates migrated to Texas and set up homesteads. It was also during this time the famous Knights of the Golden Circle were operating freely in the state. Many rumors have persisted over the years about the KGC building underground depositories and tunnels in certain places of safety where they stored massive amounts of gold and weapons. Albert Pike, the famous Mason visited many Texas locations during his travels and it was reported he was checking in on these locations to make sure everything was in place. Jesse James and William Quantrill even buried millions near the Three River area which has not been located. The old south had a very good stronghold in place and there are even rumors that a large depository near San Antonio has been looted over the years. All in all, legend, rumor and fact play into the bloody past of Texas and maybe someday more will come to light about this state and those who hid caches of loot and those who are now in search of it.

Jesse James