Sometimes i don't know why I even bother...

[portraitartist]

Here's correspondence between myself and a local University - St. Edwards (where the Cowboys practiced for a long time)... I swear, some people think we're friggin bums or something...

>>From:robert@portraitart.net
>>Subject:Question regarding metal detecting the University property

>>My name is Robert Chapman, and I'm an Austin resident and history buff. I'm
>>also a metal detecting enthusiast, and a member of the Austin Metal
>>Detecting Club.
>>
>>I have been reading on the history of the University, and I wanted to ask
>>permission to search the grounds and/or the area surrounding the grounds
>>with my metal detector to look for old coins and artifacts. I have been
>>doing this for 20 years, and i take great care in retrieving objects, and I
>>always leave the spots I search in as good a condition as they were.
>>
>>I will also be thrilled to donate to you anything I find of historical
>>significance to the University.
>>
>>Please let me know if this would be possible. If you need them, I have
>>references that will vouch for me. I thank you warmly for your time.
>>
>>Regards,
>>Robert Chapman



ronw@admin.stedwards.edu wrote:
>My concern would be setting a precedent that would have scavengers digging
>all around campus looking for coins and artifacts. I think we should limit
>such activity to coordinated events with some student or faculty group or
>the Brothers that is working in conjunction with Building and Grounds. We
>don't want someone digging up water pipes or buried cables.



Ron,

I understand your concerns, and I assure you I wouldn't dig up pipes or cables. I've been doing this for 20 years, and I'm very good at it. Let me also assure you, I'm not a scavenger - I do this as a hobby, and I take great pride in the historical artifacts I've found.

Perhaps a coordination with Building and Grounds to allow searching when a piece of ground is being prepared for construction?

Again, I appreciate your time.

Regards,
Robert Chapman

[leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose.....can see the facility's point of view and yours as well. keep on trying for the worse they can do is say no! Dalhousie and Kings College here go back to 1789 and has been done...by a few!

[portraitartist]

Robert: Please don't take my response personally. There are many
responsible people that enjoy the hobby of exploring for the unknown. As
someone that has been doing this for awhile, you may be able to suggest
ways that we can accommodate such activity and protect our assets at the
same time.

Did the guy not read my response?
"Perhaps a coordination with Building and Grounds to allow searching when a piece of ground is being prepared for construction? "

Y'know what, forget it. I have a hard time dealing with people that can't think out of the box.

Thanks for the support Leslie, I do appreciate it.

[portraitartist]

Mr. Chapman,

Thank you for your interest in the French Legation Museum. The museum
grounds are property of the State of Texas, and are designated as a
State Archeological Landmark. As such, I regret that I cannot approve
your request to search the grounds using your metal detector.

Jack Hinson
Director, French Legation Museum

DAMMIT!

[frog66]

Keep trying! We Texans are tough! LOL

Sincerely,
Kim

[dougdann]

There are literally a million places in Texas to detect.
Persistance will pay off.
Alot of "NO's" with few "YES's".
Many people don't get what this is about and aren't willing to take a risk.

And aerchaeologists don't give us much credit.
I collect and buy and sell cleaned and uncleaned coins and artifacts and aerchaeologists really don't like it.
Some as much as 2,500 years old.
They believe we are destroying finds and valuable information.

Facts are: 1.We have the same care and respect as anybody else.
2.We are the same as archaeologists, just without the official title.
archaeologists can not find everything. Impossible.
These things were lost by the average person and the average should have the right to discover the past in such a manner as we do.

As far as other people, they just don't have the interest or get what it's about.

Don't get discouraged. Alot of great finds out there waiting for us.

Take care,

Doug

[Gregory]

Well said Doug

[portraitartist]

I've been doing some research, and I've sent an inquiry to someone at the Oak Hill Neighborhod Association to ask permission to search in some places around there. Of particular interest is a place called "The Grove":

http://www.ohan.org/OakHillHistory.html

"Recent issues of the "Gazette" have carried articles about the 300 year-old Pecan tree which is the matriarch of the grove of large trees situated between Williamson Creek and West Highway 290 at about the 5000-5200 blocks. As a youngster, I always heard this spot referred to by local older-folk as "The Beckett Grove" or simply, "The Grove," and was told of two special roles "The Grove" played in Oak Hill's history.

Beginning back in the 1870's my grandfather, and later my uncle, owned ranchland which included this grove at its northern margin. The Beckett tract extended to the middle of Williamson Creek, which was the boundary between their tract and the ranchland owned by the Patton family. Up until Highway 290 was re-located in the 1930's, the highway was located on the north side of the Creek, and up until the extended drought of the 1950's, Williamson Creek at The Grove contained a reliable year-round waterhole (!!! ). Adjoining The Grove on the south was a large near-level open meadow in the general area where the present 290 and remnants of Vic's Restaurant now lie."

[rip]

hello cheack out the thread " british treasure" looks like they have some good ideas over there in the UK . about us detectorists.