Because of the overwhelming response to my latest book, Treasure Hunter, Caches, Curses, and Deadly Confrontations, there has arisen talk of a sequel and I have been asked several times if I am planning one.

At this point I am considering one but remain uncertain. To be sure, there are a number of additional treasure hunting accounts and adventures I could write about, but I am not sure how much I want to reveal about locations, sizes of caches, recoveries, and my role in what are likely illegal activities. I need to be careful about such things.

In the meantime, while I am thinking about whether or not to write a sequel, I am working under the schedules and deadlines of at least six book contracts. This has all been a great deal of fun and I look forward to each day of writing. The projects include:

• Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of Missouri

• Florida’s Lost and Buried Treasures

• Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of Tennessee

• Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of the Civil War

• Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of the Big Bend

• The Ultimate Field Guide to Locating Lost Treasure

 I’ll do my best to keep you posted on their releases over the nest several months.

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I have received several requests to produce and e-mail Professional Treasure Hunters Newsletter. People have suggested I get involved with such a thing so they can keep up with my projects (including book releases, television appearances, expeditions, etc), important discoveries and recoveries, and the latest goings-on in this strange business of treasure hunting.

If you are interested in receiving such a newsletter, drop me a note with your e-mail address along with suggestions on topics you would like to see treated. My e-mail address is jamesonwc@gmail.com.

If one finds and removes an historic treasure cache from private or government owned property without permission, it is technically stealing. For example, many lost and buried caches in this country are now located within the borders of national and state lands such as parks, wildlife areas, and historical sites. In almost every case, treasure hunting on these lands is illegal and fines and punishments are severe.

If one locates treasure in a foreign country and returns with it to the United States without declaring it, it becomes smuggling. The chances are if you declare what you find and recover, it will be confiscated. Other countries do not want their wealth, historical or otherwise, carried away to some other nation any more than the United States wants its treasures taken elsewhere.

Question #1:

Your latest book is Treasure Hunter: Caches, Curses, and Deadly Confrontations, a memoir of some of your most memorable expeditions. Why did you write this book?

At first I did not want to write Treasure Hunter. The principal reason is related to the fact that one of the best advantages a professional treasure hunter can have is that of anonymity. The truth is, most of what I do as a professional treasure hunter is illegal, therefore the less that is known about me and what I am involved with, the better.

My wife has encouraged me for years to write about my adventures as a treasure hunter. I finally gave in a few years ago for a couple of reasons. Because of age and increasing obligations relative to writing, speaking, and other things, I am no longer as active as I once was. The partners I worked with for years are either dead or have moved on to other things. Most of my recovery expeditions required the cooperation of several men – since they are no longer active, I have cut back on my own my involvement.

While I still have a couple of treasure recovery projects on the burner, neither is likely to be affected by the release of this book.

    Published over two decades ago, this book is still in print and still selling well, and is the most popular of the W.C. Jameson’s Buried Treasures of America Series. For this, I wish to thank my readers. This has been a writing and publishing adventure filled with joy and satisfaction, and you have been responsible for most of that. Thank you very much.

    Other books of the series with impressive numbers include Buried Treasures of the Ozarks and Lost Treasures in American History. A couple of reasons have been advanced for this. With regard to the Ozarks book, professional and amateur treasure hunters alike hare discovering the possibilities of some great treasure finds in the Ozark states of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. These states have not been picked over like others have and reports of some impressive discoveries from people who are using my books as a starting point for their research and expedition planning are coming in. Keep me posted.

    As you may recall, Lost Treasures in American History led an intrepid treasure hunter to the discovery of a huge Spanish treasure in gold and silver coins and ingots in a tributary to the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery generated weeks of national news and numerous interviews. Others are using the book to try to locate other treasures, and initial reports are encouraging.

    If interested, you can order autographed copies of these and other treasure books from this site. Or, go to www.amazon.com for some excellent deals.

First of all, the stories included in my book represent twenty-seven of what I consider the most compelling tales, those with some significant level of documentation, and those which stand a great chance of discovery and recovery. I have learned through the treasure hunting grapevine that at least two of the treasures I wrote about have been found. It id also my understanding that several treasures not included in the book have been located and many more being searched for.

It is possible that more have been found. Professional treasure hunters who make significant discoveries are generally careful not to announce their finds. None want to attract attention to their new-found wealth or to the location from which it came. The chances are great that some law was likely broken during the recovery of the treasure (trespassing, historical artifact. etc.) and most don’t care to alert the Internal Revenue Service and other pertinent agencies until they are ready.

Mountain man closed his communication with an important caution: When hunting in Colorado, particularly in the summer, be watchful of poisonous snakes.

This book is a collection of twelve incredible essays by some of the finest writers to call Colorado their home. I have compiled and edited four or five of these kinds of books. All were enjoyable in more ways than I can describe, but this one was the most fulfilling and satisfying. Much if this had to do with all of the fine writers involved. They included David Mason (Poet Laureate of Colorado), Mara Purl (author, publisher, actress, musician). Susan Tweit, Joe Stone, Larry Meredith, Mark and Kym Todd, Margaret Coel, Mario Acevedo, Laurie Wagner Buyer, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Kathy Brandt, and Dan Guenther. This is one of the most impressive line-ups of writing talent anywhere.

Most of the contributors to An Elevated View showed up at the readings and signings at Denver’s Tattered Cover, Woodland Park’s library, Salida’s The Book Haven, and at Western State College in Gunnison. The event at The Book Haven was catered, a local vintner provided wine, and David Tipton, an accomplished musician, supplied the entertainment. The crowds at all of the venues were great, response was tremendous, and everyone wants us back.

Not only are the contributors to AEV some of the best writers in Colorado, but they are some of the nicest people.

An Elevated View: Colorado Writers on Writing is enjoyable reading for anyone interested in writing, in books, or in learning something about these talented and remarkable authors.
To order a copy, send just $14.95 plus $3.00 s/h to Seven Oaks Publishing, P.O. Box 989, Llano, Texas 78643 or go to www.amazon.com.

The fact is, I have been so busy with concert bookings that I have not had the time to plan participating in a workshop of any kind. I like doing them, so perhaps in the near future we may get an opportunity to do so. If you want me to conduct one in your town, email me and provide some specifics. In the meantime, there are some books you can read and enlighten yourself on this whole business of writing for a living. You can order these books from www.amazon.com or go to my website and order them from me (www.wcjameson.com).

Notes from Texas: On Writing in the Lone Star State (TCU Press) is a compilation of essays by noted Texas authors on why and how they got into this business and how they make their living at it. This book is used in some university writing courses.

Hot Coffee and Cold Truth: Living and Writing the West (University of New Mexico Press) is another collection of author-penned essays on a number of writing-related topics including: How they achieved their success; how they were inspired; what it takes to get published. In addition, this book offers a number of pertinent observations on writing and the publishing industry.

Ozark Writers on Writing: Essays on Creativity is an excellent collection of essays by some impressive writers who provide advice and insight worth far more than the price of the book. This book has been used in college and university classes and several of the chapters have won individual awards. There are only a few copies of this book left. If you order them from me, you don’t have to pay the $13.95 price; you can get it for only $10.00 plus $3.00 shipping/handling.

You can send orders to me at 208 West College, Llano, Texas 78643.

Good luck with your writing. I’m always anxious to hear about your successes.

Fuel is located 1t 106 East Main St. in Llano, Texas. It’s logo contains the words “Coffee – Music – Community.” Two years ago, a decision was made to organize a Songwriters in the Round performance on the third Thursday of the month as an opportunity to feature some of the finest and most prominent professional Texas songwriters. The program became an instant hit in this little town of about 3,500 people. In a short time, word-of-mouth made the rounds of most of Texas’ songwriters and soon we were getting calls about performing. In a short time, SIR shows went to twice per month; every first and third Thursday, with occasional special shows booked on the open Thursdays, as well as some Saturdays and Tuesdays.

SIR has featured, not only prominent Texas songwriters, but also artists from Nashville, Canada, and Europe. Among the great songwriters that have appeared in recent months include:

Mike Blakely, award-winning songwriter whose tunes have been covered by
several noted performers,

Walt Wilkins, whose songs have been covered over 100 times by major
recording artists,

Buzz Cason, who has written songs for Elvis, the Beatles, U2, Jerry Lee Lewis,
Brenda Lee, the Oak Ridge Boys, and dozens of others,

Susan Gibson, whose song “Wide Open spaces” was a number one hit by the
Dixie Chicks,

Shake Russell, who songs have been recorded by Waylon Jennings and
several others,

Bob Livingston, legendary sideman and songwriter who has performed with
Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey, Ray Wylie Hubbard, the Lost Gonzo Band, and others,

Danny Brooks, top Canadian blues singer and instrumentalist, and dozens of others.

Thanks to all of these great songwriters, the Famous Fuel Coffee House holds down a solid place on the map of favored venues in Texas. And it keeps getting better.

If anyone wants to be placed on the email newsletter to keep up with the songwriter performances at Fuel, just send me your address and we’ll see that it gets done.

Even better, the next time you’re in Llano, Texas, stop by for an evening of great Texas music.

There were too many highlights on this trip to mention in a single blog, so I’ll just mention a few.

One was the Book Nook, a cool independently owned bookstore in Wheatland, Wyoming, that set up a signing as well as a concert for me. A grand lunch was provided, lots of great folks from town dropped in, and the great Texas singer/songwriter Susan Gibson joined me for part of the show. Susan, as most of you know, wrote the #1 hit song “Wide Open Spaces” for the Dixie Chicks.

The new book is Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of Old Wyoming published by High Plains Press in Glendo, Wyoming. Several of my readers have told me it is the most beautiful book of the series.

Another great concert/signing was booked in Glendo with most of the town turning out. Once again, a great meal was provided, I met a lot of wonderful folks, and sold a bunch of books. One thing that has always impressed me about Wyomingites – they all manifest a deep passion for the state’s history and folklore.

Other stops along the route included Gunnison and Denver, Colorado. More about those later.

Returned home to Texas just in time to perform a show at the Famous Fuel Coffee House. Several of you have asked me to tell you more about this special place, so I’ll make it the topic of the next blog.

Thanks for checking in, and thanks for all of your support. If you have any more questions about the most recent book, any of the other books, the music, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at jamesonwc@gmail.com.

The early morning drive from Del Rio to Marathon, our destination for this day, was pleasant and relaxing. Favorite Wife and I passed though small West Texas towns such as Comstock, Langtry, Pumpville, Dryden, and Sanderson. These towns, for the most part, were founded as a result of the railroad and once bustled a bit more than they are now. If there were enchiladas to be found in these places, it was not evident. As we made our way to Marathon, Brewster County,  at the crossroads of Highways 90 and 385, we reveled in the smells of the desert, the creosote bush, and the clean air.

At Marathon, we checked into the historic Gage Hotel. I like to stay at the Gage whenever I am I the area. The accommodations are superb and the ambience is second to none if you can relate to ranching and western culture. After carrying our bags into the room we set about on foot and via vehicle in search of some places that might serve up a superb enchilada. Sad to say, none were found, but as suppertime drew close, we were to accidentally stumble onto a wonderful surprise.

We decided to dine at the restaurant adjacent to the Gage. It is a well-known eatery and had been reviewed positively in several newspapers and magazines. It is a pricey place, but that is because they serve high quality meals prepared by experienced chefs. I’ve eaten at one version or another of this restaurant over the past few decades years and have always been pleased.

After FW and I entered the establishment, we headed for the bar for a pre-meal drink. I was in the mood for a margarita. I’m picky about margaritas, requiring only high-quality 100% blue agave tequila, fresh squeezed limes, and triple sec. None of those sweet foo-foo and flavored margaritas for me like they serve in the South and north of the Mason-Dixon Line. I asked the young man tending bar how be made his margaritas and he replied, “How would you like them?” That was the perfect response, so I told him. He got to work, and crafted a fine drink.

Following drinks we moved into the dining room and perused the menu. To my delight, I discovered one of the entrees was enchiladas. Not just any old enchiladas, but duck enchiladas. I had to have them. FW, as is her habit, ordered a salad.

When the food arrived, it signaled an elevation into another realm of delight. FW’s salad was beautifully constructed, colorful, and delicious. And the enchiladas! They were stacked, the way I had them when I was growing up, and layered with duck meat, and a tasty pico-style sauce. Atop the stack was a fried duck egg! I can’t remember what kind of wine I ordered to go with the enchiladas, for everything else was forgotten when I bit into them. The enchiladas were perfect: flavor, texture, presentation, everything. Thus far, these were the finest enchiladas encountered on this expedition, and they set a standard that would make any others encountered on this expedition difficult to beat.

But we were certainly going to give it a shot.