Tales from Ted
Did you know about The Lost San Saba Mine in Texas


Well, Tales from Ted would not be complete unless we talk about buried treasure. According to many sources from the 1800s to early 1900s, outlaws from all over the states buried treasure here and there. Some discovered hidden mines and even went so far as to kill the owner of the claim to claim it as their own. If they could not mine the ore, they would hide the mines from prying eyes until it was safe to come back and work it. There was enough claim jumping to match Alaskan Gold Mining history!

   Sure enough, after checking some sources..the Lost San Saba Mine, is believed to be located somewhere within the Menard-San Saba-Llano triangle of the Hill Country, and has been the Holy Grail of Texas treasure tales for more than 250 years.

   According to legend and some historical information, in 1756, a dispatch reached Madrid from the region of New Spain known as Texas. The report was from Bernardo de Miranda y Flores, an agent of the crown, who had been prospecting for mineral wealth in what is now called the Hill Country-5,000 miles from Spain. Detailing the discovery of a massive, rich vein of silver ore, the document reportedly read, in part: “The mines which are in the Cerro del Almagre (a hill of red ocher) are so numerous that I guarantee to give to every settler of the province of Texas a full claim.”

   The Spanish established a mission on the western San Saba River, near what is now Menard, and a presidio was established a few miles away. The mining reportedly was very profitable until 1758, when several allied Indian tribes attacked and destroyed the mission, wiping out all but a few who escaped to the presidio. The mission was never re-established, and the presidio was abandoned a decade or so later.

   The lure of the silver continued, though, and many searched for the mine, or mines, or hidden caches of silver ingots believed left behind by the Spaniards. The most famous seeker of the treasure was Jim Bowie, who would later find glory in a crumbling mission called the Alamo. He, his brother Rezin, and nine other men left San Antonio in 1831 to retrieve the silver. According to some stories, Jim Bowie wanted to use the windfall to help fund the Texas Revolution.

   While meandering toward their goal, the adventurers were attacked by more than 100 Indians at Calf Creek in McCulloch County, in a skirmish reported to be about 30 miles east of the old mission and presidio. The greatly outnumbered troops took cover, and in the ensuing battle, the Texans lost one man, while 50 or so Indians were killed. The Bowie party made its way back to San Antonio, but subsequent historical events prevented returning to seek the fortune.

   Short-story writer William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, worked in the Texas General Land Office in Austin in the late 1800s. Information he gleaned there led him to search for the Lost San Saba Mine, and to write the short story “Buried Treasure.”

Fact or Fiction? Heck, I don't know, but I am thinking of exploring it for myself. Early maps of Texas in the 1820s and ’30s, including at least one compiled by Stephen F. Austin, are clearly marked in the general area of the San Saba-Llano-Colorado river areas. The words “Silver Mines” are clearly marked on them. But The Handbook of Texas, an authoritative source on Texas history, calls the story of the Lost San Saba Mine a legend.

Just a note:
These tales may inspire treasure seekers of all ages to try to strike it rich. Hey pardner,  pull back on the reins a bit: The vast majority of lands in the state are privately owned, and access to them requires a property owner’s permission. In state and national parks, the collecting of artifacts, minerals and natural objects is strictly prohibited. With that in mind, grab an imaginary pick and shovel, metal detector and dowsing rod and mine the fabulous fortunes of your own fantasies