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Genius ain't nothing more than plain old common sense. --Jason Billings

Here's the Scoop

This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting America's only diamond mining operation and the 8th largest in the world.

Something akin to a 35-acre hog lot, Crater of Diamonds in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, is a jewel in its own right. Situated within the boundaries of a state park, the surrounding riverfront scenery is magnificent, and for $5 each, people from all over the world can dig until their heart's content in search of a diamond.

Not only is the site an inexpensive place to visit, it is the perfect place to take a rowdy boy, or any other child who likes to dig in the dirt. I observed plenty of children who appeared to be having the time of their lives, particularly one little fellow who dug up the only diamond of the day and became the latest member of the park's Finders Keepers Club.

Although I didn't unearth one of the precious gems, I did get the opportunity to visit with one of Lost Treasure's freelance writers, Launa Morphew, who lives in the area. A wife and mother who still cooks family meals on a wood stove,  a very active member of her  community,  as well as a published author, Launa somehow squeezes out the time to visit with property owners and get permission to hunt, something she does every day. She has found some terrific relics in those Arkansas hills and will share those experiences with us in future issues of Lost Treasure. 

I might not have returned with a diamond big enough for Hillary to wear, but I surely was inspired by meeting this Arkansas jewel. Launa Morphew's enthusiastic zest for living life to its fullest spills forth to all those with whom she comes in contact. She is a fine ambassador of the metal detecting world.

Managing Editor

A Little Help From Our Friends

As you can see, one rock contains Desoto's name with a date on it. The other rock located nearby has been described as a Spanish Benchmark rock.

What I need is information on who might be interested in telling if this is a real time period inscription or possibly a hoax. My friends and I have not had much luck in obtaining the services of a college or individuals who can help us. If anyone can tell me who to contact for help, please write me.

Steve Cargill stevegc@cox-internet.com 

Steve Cargill needs help finding out if these carvings are actually from Hernando deSoto or a hoax.

This rock has been described to Steve as a Spanish Benchmark.

Editor's note: During a telephone conversation with Mr. Cargill, he indicated that local residents he'd spoken with say they could recall seeing the rock carvings since the 1930s, but couldn't remember any pertinent information prior to that time period. The location is overlooking  a stream with a vertical climb approximately 60-70 feet. 

As an added side note, Mr. Cargill said he remembered a local gentleman found a Spanish helmet during the 1970s. However, the old timer has since passed away and Mr. Cargill has been unable to find out what happened to the helmet. --Janet Warford-Perry

Hi,   I have a Nautilus DMC ll with a 10" coil, and even though I have read the very thin instruction manual at least 50 times, I feel like I don't know how to use it properly. Not getting the ground balance set properly at the start may be my first or biggest mistake. I dug several holes in black top soil from 6" to 18 " and put in civil war bullets and brass buttons.  I left the post hole size holes uncovered and the detector would not detect anything past 7".  At the beach, most of the time it goes crazy, even away from the water or wet sand. I beach hunt with a 72-year-old friend who uses a Bounty Hunter (Pioneer) 202 and he races along real fast skipping around and I go slow. Most of the time he finds more coins than I do. In almost 2 years he has found 18 gold and silver rings, and I have only found 3 silver rings, 2 cheap and broken. Can anyone help me learn how to use this machine or tell me of a better detector to buy?

Ken Broxton ebroxton@ec.rr.com

Indiana has a lot of history but I have gotten nowhere as to find a good place to start looking.  I've tried the local history room at our local library.  I have asked the old timers where the old lover's lanes were but for some reason none seem to remember or want to remember. Indians didn't use or have a lot of metal so old camps are hard to find.  If you have any suggestions I would like to know where to start looking.  Sure love this website and check it out every day.  Your magazine is great too.  Thanks a bunch for any ideas you might have.

George GeoSarahAdd@aol.com

August
2-3—The Central Coast Treasure Hunters Association hosts its annual Treasure Hunt at Myres Training Stables in Casmalia, Calif. (near Santa Maria). For more info call Bill at (805) 773-1405 or John at (805) 489-1079 or email Winstonskinner@aol.com or write  CCTHA, P.O. Box 13405, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.
2-3—The Black Diamond Treasure Hunters Club will be sponsoring the 21st annual Black Diamond Treasure Weekend in Moonlake Park, Pennsylvania. For more details send and self-addressed stamped envelope to: BDTHC, PO Box 1523, Kingston, PA 18704 or email treasure1@ aol.com 
9-10—Illinois-Iowa Treasure Hunter’s Club will host the 31st Annual Treasure Hunt at Illiniwek Forest Preserve, Route 84, Hampton, IL. Contact Daryl Mitchell, 55 Geneva Drive, Muscatine, IA 52761-3612, phone/fax (319) 263-2749, email Mitchell.daryl@mcleodusa.net 
30-31—Foresthill Heritage Celebration, Gold Miner’s Gathering and California State Gold Panning Championships. For info contact Mother Lode Goldhound Assoc., P.O. Box 149, Foresthill, Calif., www.goldhounds.com  or email golddust@starband.net 

September
6-7—18th Annual Hunt sponsored by the Niagara Frontier Relic Hunters Association at Wendt Beach Park, Derby, New York. Kid’s hunt added this year. Contact Joe Cartonia (716) 632-6129 or Bob Weber (716) 633-7151 or log on to: http://members.aol.com/nfrhaclub/nfrha.htm 
6—Michigan Treasure Hunters 30th Annual Open Hunt held at the KC Campground, Milan, Michigan. For more information contact Barbara Whitman, 29135 King Rd., Huron Twp., MI 48174, (734) 789-8294 or email ross.soderberg@worldnet.att.net 
20-21—Midwest Coinshooters and Historical Club of St. Louis, Mo. will host the 3rd Annual Open Ultimate Beach and Waterhunt, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Dewitt, Ill. Contact via email abeach01@sbcglobal.net  or send SASE to James Wurth, 67 Kings Dr., Florissant, MO 63034.

Stumped on a treasure related question? Is your non-profit group hosting an upcoming event? Get the word out to readers around the world. Email the question to: managingeditor@losttreasure.com

Classified Ads

GOLD PANNING CONCENTRATES $7.50 per bag. Send check or M.O. to: Joseph Sokoloski, 541 Alter St., Hazleton, PA 18201 (570) 459-1275 11/03

For sale: RESEARCH compiled by Michael Paul Henson (deceased), 20 pages per U.S. state, all 50 states, $5 per state. Send check or money order to Mrs. M.P. Henson, P.O. Box 980, Jeffersonville, IN 47131-0980. RIGHT HERE IN THE USA—Fields available where diamonds can be picked up for FREE. Send $2 for info. Contact Society, P.O. Box 23321, Santa Barbara, CA 93121 11/03 

TREASURE TAPES FOR SALE- All States. For more information call Carroll Basil at (812) 282-9986 or send a letter requesting information to 226 Short Street, Carksville, IN 47129

THOUSANDS BACK ISSUES MAGAZINES. TREASURE, DESERT, TREASURE HUNTING BOOKS. SEND $1.00 FOR LISTS. BILL HENDRICKSON, 2019 CENTER, CORTEZ, CO 81321. 11/03
LARGE COLLECTIONS OF OLD TREASURE MAGAZINES. SEND $1 WITH SASE TO MERLE KELLY, 794 LOCHAVEN, SPRINGFIELD, OR 97477 

SLING your detector. Purchase a shoulder sling to carry your detector. Sling is 36” long and will fit up to a 1” diameter shaft. Get one for your sand scoop, too! Send $11.95 each, check or M.O to: “Leonardo”, 101 Austin Ave., Old Bridge, NJ 08857 09/03

LEARN TO DOWSE $5 POSTAGE PAID. Will dowse lost items, end complete description. Rechey, 10040 Private Road 3814, Quinlan, TX 75474 or recheyd@hawkpci.net  10/03

FREE VALUABLE BROCHURE Dowsing rods, books, map dowsing. Fred Stewart, P.O. Box 267, Johnson City, TN 37605 09/03

MAP DOWSING 40 years experience. Gold, silver, all metals, guns, water. If it’s in the ground, I can find it. Send $40 money order to: Map Dowsing, 1347 Elkhart Circle, Tavares, FL 32778 or mapdowing@cs.com  12/03

WOULD YOU like to have a topographic map dowsed for a treasure cache site? Be sure to include information on treasure. It’s $20 for one map. Mail to: Mr. Francis Zarnowski, Mod 9, 1 Veterans Drive, Spring City, PA 19475-1241 10/03

FIREARMS, Ammunition, Archery Products, Hunting Equipment, Scopes, Tools, Electronics, Leather Wear, Household Items and Gifts. Wholesale Pricing!! www.mbkunlimited.com  or www.mbkunlimited.net  12/03 

TREASURE LIGHTS An Ultra Light Weight Flashlight Attachment that holds a solitaire Mag-Lite. Can be clamped onto most any detector and adjusted in all directions for night time treasure hunting. To order visit: http://treasure_lights.tripod.com 12/03

DOUG’S LOST-N-FOUND METAL DETECTORS New and used. Buying metal detector finds. Write 507 Irvine Ave. NW, Bemidji, MN 56601-2926. Call (218) 751-3819 after 5 p.m. 11/03

PREDATOR TOOLS, The highest quality digging tools made, designed by George Lesche. For information contact Pamela Lesche Enterprises, Inc., 35 South Woodruff Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302, phone (856) 455-3790, fax (856) 455-6604, web www.predatortools.com  09/03

PRE-1900 DOG LICENSES--Top Dollar paid by serious collector. Also wanted 1900-1920 Washington D.C. tags and numerals. Diane Bandy (412) 635-9439 03/04

MINELAB LONG SLEEVE JACKET XL Excellent condition, Give price. Call Bob (301) 390-6022. 10/03

DONATE your unwanted and broken metal detectors to the Girl and Boy Scout and local church groups. J.H. Kytle, P.O. Box 535, Colbert, GA 30628 11/03