IN SEARCH OF THE AUTHENTIC ORIGIN OF THE BEALE TREASURE STORY

ECS

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While research and discussions from various TN members on these Beale threads, the obvious conclusion is that the Beale story, as written in the Ward 1885 copyrighted BEALE PAPERS, never occurred.

Did this Beale Party perilous adventure story originated, as related in the job print pamphlet, with Robert Morriss at his widowed niece Saunders home revealing the tale with letters, ciphers, and iron box to this "unknown author" who wanted to remain unnamed?
If this is the origin, what became of the iron box, letters and ciphers?
OR:
Did this "unknown author" create the story and ciphers giving the complete finished manuscript to James Beverly Ward to copyright and publish as related in the Beale Papers story?
Ward was never shown the iron box, letters, and ciphers, but accepted the word of the "unknown author" that the manuscript contain a "true" account.
OR:
Did James Beverly Ward and a limited circle of family and one friend create the entire story using names and locations that would be recognizable to the 1885 Lynchburg buying public?

Without any real outside collaboration evidence that can prove anything in the Beale Papers to be true, one of the above must be the "authentic" origin of the Beale treasure story.
 

bigscoop

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There's just way too much in the story that we now know for certain today that isn't true, some of it not even being possible that has been conclusively proven. What remains there is no provenance for despite what some might claim or continue to try pushing. I will say one thing about the narration, it sure has given birth to many wild and creative treasure tales in its wake.
 

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ECS

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If one reads the Beale Papers only as a story, it quickly become apparent that Morriss/"unknown author" and "unknown author"/ agent(Ward) are just a part of the presented story, and very possibly, never actually occurred.
 

Rebel - KGC

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There's just way too much in the story that we now know for certain today that isn't true, some of it not even being possible that has been conclusively proven. What remains there is no provenance for despite what some might claim or continue to try pushing. I will say one thing about the narration, it sure has given birth to many wild and creative treasure tales in its wake.
LOL!
 

Rebel - KGC

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If one reads the Beale Papers only as a story, it quickly become apparent that Morriss/"unknown author" and "unknown author"/ agent(Ward) are just a part of the presented story, and very possibly, never actually occurred.
COULD BE!
 

Rebel - KGC

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AND! It was a CREATIVE story by John W. Sherman, a "COVER-STORY"! HEH! Based on MANY true, authentic events that really happened in the past... Pike's Peak story is a GREAT place to start.
 

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ECS

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Yes, Indeed, many true "authentic events" as well as locations and familiar names were incorporated in the creation of the Beale story that makes many believe that just maybe solving the ciphers will lead to the treasure.
 

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ECS

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AND! It was a CREATIVE story by John W. Sherman, a "COVER-STORY"! HEH! Based on MANY true, authentic events that really happened in the past... Pike's Peak story is a GREAT place to start.
I submit 1885 as the year of origin for the Beale treasure story, in addition to Sherman, James Beverly Ward, his wife Harriet, cousin F C Hutter, and close and valued fried, Max Guggenheimer were all involved in the Beale story's creation.
 

Rebel - KGC

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Lewis & Clark Expedition was a true, authentic event... ALSO as a "model"; the adventures of E.F. Beale... ANOTHER "source" (1858).
Anne Royal, a travel writer who visited OLD Lynchburg, Va.,"coined" MANLY BEAUTY to describe a handsome man... SHE was a widow... heh! AND! Of course, we ALL know that the story of Robert & Sarah MORRISS, came from come from Mrs. Margaret Cabel in 1857.
 

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ECS

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Tales and adventures from the extended Risqué family bloodline starting with the "Thomas Beale" name is another source as well as Giles Ward's inherited Risqué library, bookstore and thespian activities are also apparent influences.
 

franklin

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And his silver pistols and silver sword. JBW got his gold watch.
 

franklin

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Still can not locate this plantation. A lot of records but no location other than on Dreaming Creek?
 

franklin

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The problem is how unorganized the records department of the clerk's office is in Rustburg, Virginia. You can not go in there looking for any records and find them without staying there reading all the records. May take you six months or a year to find a single deed. The worst I have ever encountered. They say they can not afford to update their records yet they have a Historical Society why do they not do it for free?
 

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ECS

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Still can not locate this plantation. A lot of records but no location other than on Dreaming Creek?
Rufus, the Dreaming Creek Troll knows the location as it is his wooded home...
...and Rufus will tell you that Hunters Hill Plantation has nothing to do with the "authentic origin" of the Beale story.
 

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franklin

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Who is Rufus the Dreaming Creek Troll? Another one of your quotes with no provenance?
 

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ECS

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Who is Rufus the Dreaming Creek Troll? Another one of your quotes with no provenance?
I am surprised with all your Lynchburg research that you never encountered a mention of Rufus,
but as always, here is the requested "provenance":
"Little-Known" Attractions of Lynchburg and Central Virginia
The Dreaming Creek Troll is the 8th story down.
I am sure Rebel-KGC has heard and is familiar with Rufus the Dreaming Creek Troll story.

PS: If you scroll about halfway down, there is a photo of Thomas Jefferson's CHESTNUT GROVE simple frame house at 4714 Polk Street, Lynchburg. :icon_thumright:
 

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franklin

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I am surprised with all your Lynchburg research that you never encountered a mention of Rufus,
but as always, here is the requested "provenance":
"Little-Known" Attractions of Lynchburg and Central Virginia
The Dreaming Creek Troll is the 8th story down.
I am sure Rebel-KGC has heard and is familiar with Rufus the Dreaming Creek Troll story.

PS: If you scroll about halfway down, there is a photo of Thomas Jefferson's CHESTNUT GROVE simple frame house at 4714 Polk Street, Lynchburg. :icon_thumright:

I have read some of those stories but not that one. Could be a Troll guarding the Confederate Gold?
 

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