Vol. 9 No. 10                                                                                                              October 2004

THE SCOOP & THE BUCCANEER

THE SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN SEEK & SEARCH CLUB

SEEDED HUNT, PERFECT FUN! PLANS TO STAND FOR FREEDOM!

Most of my adult life, I have made a living working as a salesman. I am so thankful that I have never been called upon to sell something that I don't believe in. I feel the salesman's job is easier when he is selling something that he is sold on himself. Some of you have an excuse why you don't participate in our club's seeded hunts-- as I once did. Well, I wish I knew a clever way to sell you on the idea of trying just one hunt---just one! I am sure that you would be hooked!

Once again, and just like the spring hunt each year held at the Latterner's, the fall hunt was a blast! For my wife, Deb, and I, the weekend started out early on Wednesday. That was the day we took our trailer over to the Flywheeler's Show Grounds and picked a campsite to park our trailer on.

With our busy schedule, it is rare that we can get over to South Haven at all, especially during the middle of the day. We knew that some club members would be coming into camp as early as Friday, but I knew that if we waited until then, we would need to set up in the dark.

Another reason I wanted to be in the area during the midday was because of something that Gary Nicholls had told us. Gary told us about a great food processing shop just off M-43, about 2 miles east of South Haven. The little shop is called Bob's Processing. Bob makes a lot of smoked meats and even some cheese, but his Prize Winning Bacon was the National Grand Champion for 1994 and 1995, Michigan Champion 1987-1997, and Best of Show in 1990 & 1995! And what is camping without great bacon and eggs cooked in the great outdoors?

I stayed at the campground on Friday night, but was unable to get there until late. My wife had to be to work early on Saturday, so I went alone. I figured that when I got there someone would have a campfire going. When I didn't see anyone around, I hit the hay early. The next morning as I was headed to work, I saw Don Benedicts, Jr and Sr, who both seemed excited about their detecting plans that day.

When I left that morning, our little trailer looked pretty lonely where it was parked. When I returned to the camping area, Saturday evening at about 7:00, I was reminded of the old, western wagon trains when they stopped for the night in Indian territory! Greg Stonerock and Mike Walker had parked on one side of me and Ron and Ann Falk pulled up, filling the space on one end. It was really cozy! Kind of a circle of wagons!

One of the members of the Flywheelers, also named Al, brought over a neat container for us to use for a campfire.

One of the things the Flywheeler's Club likes to do is operate their old steam and gas-powered engines, and really make them work. The most popular way to do that is to cut and split wood! This is just great because there is never a shortage of free campfire wood! In fact, one of their antique power plants is rigged up as a shingle mill! It is used to make beautiful cedar shingles! Frankly, I felt guilty! That is because they gave us a pile of cedar shingles to use for kindling!

Deb, my dear wife, finished a 12-hour shift at the hospital, then made that long drive to South Haven. As it turned out, her co-workers warned her to be cautious of any deer that might be crossing the highway, which was also my concern. Thank goodness she saw none!

By the time Deb pulled into the campground, we had 12 campers sitting around the roaring camp fire!

What a great time we had, just relaxing and telling treasure stories under a beautiful star-filled sky! John, Steve and Rick almost got us kicked out by aggressive 'signing' that was far and away too loud! Thank goodness, we eventually we got them to control themselves!

Rick found some sort of multi-colored, psychedelic mini-light when he was out detecting. Of course, Mike Walker pretended to swallow it and offered us evidence by showing a glow coming from under his shirt from his belly! Now can you see the very intellectually-stimulating event you missed out on?

Its a good thing that Ron Falk has such a loving wife in Ann! When Ron fell asleep in his chair at the camp fire, all of us guys agreed that the last one to head back to their camp, would throw a tarp over Ron. (You see we look out for each other!) Of course, Ann took him back to their camper and tucked him in! I shouldn't tease my friend Ron; I don't think I could work two jobs!

While I am thinking of Ron and Ann, be sure to thank them for all that they do for the club! They serve on the club board and play a very important role in this club! Not only do they attend board meetings, but also the regular meetings! Remember, they drive all the way from Elkhart, Indiana!

At the bonfire, I listened to someone's story as I stared at the beautiful fire. The campfire container was a huge, round, porcelain-covered cylinder about two feet high, and it was perforated with about 1,000 holes. The soft light of the campfire shot out in streams from each hole, making quit a spectacle!

As I watched in awe at the beauty of this thing, I thought to myself, "This somehow looks so familiar; where have I seen this before?"

Well, every now and then, God permits me to make a complete fool of myself--- just to keep me humble. A little light went on in my head; sure enough I had figured it out! Out of the blue, I spoke up, saying, "It is the drum out of a washing machine!"

"No kidding, Al!" someone said.

Another voice said, "Did you figure that out all by yourself?"

Another voice simply said "Duh!"

I guess I found out who my friends are! I looked at Steve Jellison and gave him, Rick and John a thumbs-up sign-- which they returned! I guess I'm better off seen and not heard.

I must say that the old washing machine drum sure made a perfect fire pit! The porcelain coating protects the metal from corrosion and the thousand holes keeps that fire breathing really well! But if you want to recycle one of these drums into a fire pit, you better snatch one up quick! That is because, for the last few years, the new washer drums are made from some new sort of space-age plastics! I guess you could say that they are now one-time disposable fire pits!

The hunt went very well, the weather was perfect and everyone was excited about finding treasure!

The pot luck went even better! The food was great and there was plenty to go around! The trouble is that it went around my waist!

Our thanks goes out to Neil Hays! Neil paid for the seeded hunt, then was unable to attend. That's when Neil came up with a great idea. Neil dropped his detector off at my shop, with the instructions to let both our interpreters each do a hunt. Well, Kristin was unable to make the hunt so Ann was able to do both hunts! From what I saw, she looked like she was having a great time!

What great fun with some great friends! I especially want to thank John Dudley, our Huntmaster, and his boss, Connie! You guys sure did a great job as usual. I was one of the last members to pull out and I saw John sitting in his truck, busily shouting instructions to Connie. Actually, John put in a long day and I know exactly how he felt. In fact, the next day my legs were screaming at me! I'm already looking forward to the spring hunt!

We had a great turnout at the last meeting, but not right away. When the meeting was called to order, we had one of the smallest crowds that we have seen in years! However, they just kept on streaming in! When Alan Randolf gave me his final count, we had 55 members present!

One of the meeting's highlights was when President Mike Walker discussed the club's plans to battle the state's new and restrictive laws regarding detecting in State Parks.

I learned at the board meeting that Mike has already rallied the support of several other clubs in Michigan! Even a summit meeting with other club leaders is already in the process!

Another part of our monthly meeting that so often goes without mention, is our mid-meeting break. There are many unsung heroes out there, faithfully bringing in cookies, cakes, snack trays, candy and many other goodies! We are all indeed grateful!

This month we enjoyed a special treat brought in by Steve Jellison. Steve smoked the Coho Salmon that he caught on the Charter Fishing trip aboard Miss Vicki, provided by Captain Gary and his First (and best) Mate, Vicki Nicholls.

Steve slowly smoked the 2 huge fillets over hardwood for 10 full hours! Man-oh-man, was it good! It was the best smoked fish that I have ever eaten and I come from a long line of smoked fish lovers! Thanks, Steve!

Ok! I know, it's a ways off yet, and don't you hate it when they start counting down the number of shopping days till Christmas?

I was asked buy our club President and Vice President, to try my best to get you pumped up about our Christmas meeting! Frankly, I really don't know many of the details myself yet! I did hear something about some very special door prizes and coin give-a-ways!

Also, there was something very interesting mentioned about a special homemade quilt that is being made and donated by Mrs. Gordon Sampsell! That should get my wife interested in coming! We both admire the art of old fashioned quilt making!

Also, the Firliks donated an awesome Civil War book! Both of these items and many others will be a part of our silent auction! Be thinking about what you can donate.

Of course, the Christmas meeting will feature our very popular Buy, Swap & Sell event, which gives each of us a chance to turn some of our treasure finds into cash and at the same time add some new stuff to our collections!

Also, don't forget that during our November and December meetings we always give away 2 big fat turkeys! So you better set aside the dates for our Thanksgiving and Christmas meetings. You won't want to miss them!

JEWELRY ITEMS!

1. 10-K Gent's Wedding Ring                                                  By: John Wise

2. Plated Ring 'Antique'                                                       By: Mike Walker

 3. 1985 Virginia Class Ring                                                       By: Ron Falk

4. Costume Jewelry Ring                                                     By: Bill Whitman

5. Antique Silver Ring                                                              By: Dan Clark

6. 14-K Ring w/ 5 Diamonds                                                By: Jim Arnsman

7.White Gold Ring /Diamond                                         By: Linda Randolph

8. 14-K Gold Ring                                                                By: Keith Payne

 9. Silver Ring with Gemstones                                       By: Bob McDougall

Our winner was number 6-- the nice gold ring entered by Jim Arnsman. The runner up was the gent's wedding band, entered by John Wise! Good job, guys!

1. 1917-D Mercury Dime                                                   By: Greg Stonerock

2. 1964 Silver Dime                                                                By: Mike Walker

3. 1851 U.S. 3 Cent Silver                                                            By: Ron Falk

4. 1857 Flying Eagle Cent                                                         By: Rick Burch

5. 1900-O Barber Half Dollar                                                     By: Dan Clark

6. 1852 U.S. 3 Cent Silver                                                     By: Rick Seymour

7. 1888 Seated Liberty Dime                                                By: John Archbold

Wow! Take away the awesome 1851 three-cent piece, the 1852 three-cent piece and the 1857 flying eagle cent, and what you still have left are better coins than most clubs get a chance to see!

I see Mike Walker entered a rare 1964 Rosey to keep Ron Falk humble! Yes, Ron was our winner in this squeaker! Great job, Ron!

1. Mackinac Game Token                                                By: Greg Stonerock

 2. Old Canada Token 1837                                                    By: Rick Burch

3. Old Usher's Badge                                                                 By: Bill Howe

4.Carnival Of Fun game token                                        By: Don Benedict Sr,

5. Civil War Reunion Badge                                               By: John Archbold

 6 WWII Medal                                                                       By: Keith Payne

Our winner found his treasure in his own back yard! Don Benedict, Sr, found a token for the 1897 Carnival of Fun, put on by the city of Grand Rapids! Over 200,000 people attended this four-day event that consisted of four days of parades, music, dancing and a masquerade ball! Don has donated his find to the Grand Rapids Museum in the name of the Southwest Michigan Seek and Search Club! Great find, Don!

1. 1940's Brass Ashtray                                                    By: Tom Tomasik

 2. Antique Belt Buckle                                                  By: Greg Stonerock

3. 1800's Railroad Button                                                  By: Mike Walker

4. 1830's Fiddle Fork                                                            By: Rick Burch

 5. Old Key and Key Fob                                               By: Alan Randolph

6. Key dated July 1898                                                    By: Mike Berghuis

7. Lead Musket Ball                                                        By: Rick Seymour

8. 1907 MI. Vehicle Tag                                                        By: Bill Howe

9. W.W. 1 Lead Toy Soldier                                          By: John Archbold

Bill Howe was our big winner with his awesome 1907 Michigan automobile license tag! These were little more than a small round disc that you nailed onto your dashboard next to your C.D. player! This was an awesome find, Bill!

As usual, we had dozens of winners, thanks to Greg Stonerock's coin give away door prize program!

The 50/50 winners were Al Holden (me) and Bill Whitman. We each received $21.00 and the club got $42.00! Silver Dollars were won by Terry Tassos and Walter Dill!

Somehow I find myself writing two newsletters, this one, and one for the Kalamazoo Antique Bottle Club. To make the job easier, I recycle stories from this newsletter to the bottle club's news. This means that they kind of get our leftovers. This month I am printing here a story written for the bottle club. I hope you enjoy it.

I didn't need to have a car to drive on the street; it didn't even have to run! I just needed to turn some bolts, tighten some nuts, and have the joy of feeling rust particles in my eyes.

Up until that time, I spent every waking hour building and rebuilding model cars. The 5 and 10¢ Variety store located in Plainwell was called Kay's and they always kept a great selection of model cars, paint and glue.

The best kits at the time were the AMT three-in-one kits, which cost $1.50. These models were of the highest detail and each car could be built as a stock as in 'off the showroom floor,' or as a sleek custom with lots of flashy trim, or my favorite, which was 'competition.' In this format, the car would basically be cut down into a drag racing hot rod with a highly modified engine.

My big problem was that $1.50! That was a lot of money to a boy in those days. My allowance was 50¢, if I was great at cleaning my room and doing other chores, and 25¢ if I was so-so at those same duties. I was lucky to secure one model every other month!

As I look back, I see how I tortured myself by stopping and looking at the new models every week. The AMT company just kept on pumping out great stuff and I wanted them all!

One day when I was checking out the new inventory, Mr. Koester, the owner of Kay's, was back in the model section arranging the stock. That's when I presented him with my plan! It was a plan that I felt would be of mutual benefit to both of us.

I told Mr. Koester that if he would hire me, I would report to work after school each night and do whatever he needed, take out the trash, sweep the floors, dust--- whatever he needed. The only pay I told him would be one model per week!

He was a very kind man and he would do anything to avoid hurting my feelings (except hire me). He gently explained that I could have the job, and he assured me that my labor was worth far more than I was asking, but I had to wait until I was 16.

I continued to do business with Mr. Koester, and his daughter Sherry was in my class at Plainwell School. Eventually model cars and my imagination no longer satisfied me. I simply must have a car of my own.

I'll never forget the time when my best friend and I were cruising around town on our stingray bikes. It must have been around 1963(?) We loved to check out the used beaters, which were kept on the back row of the used car lots. On this day, we cruised into the Pontiac dealership in downtown Plainwell, and as we turned into the drive that leads past the body shop and into the rear of the used car section, there it was!

It was parked next to a late- model wreck that was waiting for a trip through the body shop. In our eyes, it was so beautiful! A 1949 Plymouth, 2- door, 3-seater, business coupe. It still had the original gray paint and a brown mohair-like fabric with dark herringbone striped interior. Inside, the car had that wonderful, almost sexy, smell of a musty, old, dirty car!

The tires were bald and the driver's side windshield was cracked. It was a three speed column shifter, which we called "three in the tree," as opposed to, "four on the floor."

We very carefully popped the hood and there we found a large flathead six cylinder engine. As we marveled at this power plant, the thing that really amazed us was what we saw lettered on the windshield. It was the asking price of only $25.00!

Our day dreaming was interrupted by a man's voice, which startled us! "What do you think, boys?" At first we were startled to see that the man was not talking down to us or did he desire to chase us away, like pesky flies--- which is what we had become used to. This salesman seemed actually interested in what we thought!

It only seemed that, if we were being treated with some degree of respect, we should respond to his question as one who is worthy of respect. So this would call for a whopper!

"My father sent us down to check this car over. He is thinking about picking up a project car, one that we can fix up together. We were just wondering if we could hear it run?"

"Let me get the keys, boys," said the salesman, as he turned to walk back to the office.

While the salesman was gone, Neither of us said a word to each other because we were swallowed up in a dream and, perhaps for the first time, we were in love--- with an old Plymouth Business coupe!

When he returned, he climbed behind the wheel, put the key in the ignition, pumped the gas a couple times, then stepped down on the starter button with his foot--- and the engine roared to life. We were sold! A gentle easterly breeze blew a gray cloud of smoke, that had belched from the exhaust pipe, past us, but the smell of burnt oil and stagnant unburned gas only added to the romance.

We peddled our bikes as fast as we could back to my house, shouting back and forth our plans for the car-- excitement was in the air!

We put on a hard sell to my dad, who was a salesman himself. At least he was listening, I thought! That was very hopeful in itself! But his work day wasn't over and he would not be able to take look at the old car until after 6:00.

My friend phoned home and gained permission to have supper at my house. Right after supper, we loaded into my dad's truck and were on our way to town! All the way there, we explained to my father our plan to pay him back and how important this experience could be to our education! Even though he did not respond with words, I could see in his eyes that he was going to consider this carefully, which was all that I could ever ask.

I think Dad knew that we had high hopes and, if for some reason he had to tell us no, it would require some diplomacy on his behalf. Dad was a man whose first choice was to take the route of love and respect. That is, unless he could clearly see that was not what was deserved or called for. If he thought that we were to be disappointed by his decision, he would let us down easily and find some way to not destroy our hopes.

My father was a very wise man, sensitive to people's feelings and, in this instance, I am sure he could see that there was very high emotion!

I felt reasonably certain that we would have an old car to tinker with soon!

As dad pulled into the dealership which was now closed, we directed him to the rear of the body shop where the old Plymouth was parked. She looked even better than I remembered from earlier that day. As he parked the truck and we piled out, Dad was the first to notice an orange tag behind the windshield wiper. As he lifted the tag, and straightened it out there was that awful four letter word, SOLD.

We felt like two birthday balloons that someone had just stuck pins into! Our hearts were broken, our dreams went away like morning fog in the summer sun!

Dad didn't just load us back into the truck, he continued to inspect the old coupe. "You know, boys, I had one of these cars and it was prone to problems. Those old fluid drive transmissions were very spongy and unreliable. Take a look at these pedals; see how the rubber pads are gone from the brake and the clutch. Notice that even the steel under the pads is worn thin."

Then Dad picked up three layers of old oily floor mats, as he searched for the opening that revealed the brake's master cylinder. Under the floor mats, he found three old license plates screwed together and beneath those was a hole rusted in the floor big enough to drop a cat through.

He said, "Boys, someone did us a favor by purchasing this car! I can assure you that most of this car is worn out, far beyond restoring. I think that if we are going to put our time into fixing up an old car, surely there must be something better to start with."

Dad not only let us down easily, but he gave us hope! And as we saw it, permission to search further.

The areas biggest parade of older cheap cars was at Shorty's junk yard in Otsego. Shorty McLeod had operated this old salvage yard ever since the majority of the cars he received were Ford Model T's and A's. Shorty was very fussy about who he would allow behind the corrugated fence and into the salvage yard, and I felt privileged to be one of the trusted ones. I was puzzled by his kindness because some of my friends spoke of Shorty as one who was meaner than a junk yard dog! Yes, they were downright scared of him!

For some reason, one of the boys from my class at school, was not permitted on the property at all! I never knew why he was singled out that way, and never will. However, the fact that he was forbidden, only made his desire to roam the scrap yard even stronger!

One weekend when the gates were locked, Dale snuck into the lot by crawling under the large corrugated fence. I don't know how long he wandered around the old stripped-out cars, but I found out the next day at school that he paid a high price for his exploits! Our teacher explained that Dale was in the hospital with severe facial lacerations, and then, (this was a public school in the mid 1960's) we had prayer for him!

When he returned to school he had the most morbid pictures of his face before surgery and it was monstrous! He had climbed up on an old bus or car, then slipped, falling face first into a pile of rusty, jagged scrap steel! As I recall, it took a few hundred stitches to pull the facial meat back into place.

Several years later, at my grandfather's funeral Shorty wandered up to me and did something that nobody would have ever believed that this tough as nails, tobacco chewing, tough language guy would do. He took my hand to shake it and he reached out with his other arm and gave me a reassuring and comforting hug!

Then he told me something that explained many things about the respect he had shown me down through the years.

In the late 20's and early 30's, when work was hard to find, and someone in the scrap business was at the bottom of the social ladder, it was nearly impossible to keep food on the table. Shorty had lost hope!

My grandfather had arrived in America in 1926. He had just left a much worse depression in Germany. While most in America were in deep despair, all he could see was opportunity!

Somehow he had learned that Shorty McLeod was a brilliant fabricator and welder. This was just the man that Grandpa needed! Grandpa had some great ideas in mind that would revolutionize the production of cottage cheese and other food products.

Shorty was soon put to work building cheese cookers, whey separators, butter making equipment, drainage vats, potato and macaroni

cookers, potato dicing machines and much more. As the machines were put into the production lines at the Michigan Cottage Cheese Company, the business prospered! When something didn't work as expected, Grandpa and Shorty worked together to work the bugs out!

Shorty went on to do welding and fabricating on the early cheese trucks, and he never forgot how much my grandfather had helped him through some very tough times.

After Grandpa's death, writers from the local papers met with my grandmother and my mom to pour through information about this very successful business leader. They wrote some wonderful articles, which made me so proud of Grandpa, but nothing could compare to the heart-felt testimony shared by his true friend.

You know, as I think back to the 1970's , I can see myself standing in the evening sun on a warm summer's afternoon just outside the gate leading into Shorty's scrap yard. Almost as if it were yesterday, I can see two guys walking toward the gate. They are wearing dirty clothes, carrying shovels and large plastic pails filled with old bottles which are covered with dirt. I don't know these guys, but, clearly, Shorty gave them passes to dig. And who knows-- maybe someday our paths will cross again and then I can ask them why they would care about strange looking old bottles?

Yes, as many of you know, it was Jack Short and Ernie Lawson that crossed my path--- two of my dearest friends. They were smart enough to figure out that, long before Shorty acquired his property, this was the old 1800's Otsego landfill!

Since the junk yard was cleared several years ago, the E.P.A. would not allow digging in the old dump. It has been strictly forbidden! I stopped one day and walked out into the empty lot, my eyes swelling with tears and before I could be alone with my thoughts, a city truck sped out to me and an angry driver insisted that I leave.

This last month I met a gal from Otsego, who has been digging for bottles all over the area! This young lady is Shorty's granddaughter and even though she is a pretty gal, don't be fooled by her looks. She has her grandfather's grit and she has been digging! I'm not saying where, but she has been digging!

SEE YOU AT THE MEETING TUESDAY! MEETING STARTS AT 7:00!
RETURN TO THE MANY FACES OF TREASURE HUNTING

RETURN TO SOMEWHERE IN TIME DAN CLARKS HOMEPAGE