Spanish in Southeast Idaho...?

[niffler]

Hello, I am relatively new to posting on the forum. I have some second hand information about a cave found in Southeast Idaho containing chests, armor and weapons. The story goes like this: A guy was elk hunting and decided to climb up into some rocks and cliffs, found a narrow cave entrance, and went inside. He found chests etc. He didn't take anything, just left it to come back later, but could never find it again. He claimed there were muskets, swords, armor, and chests. I heard about this from the father of a girlfriend, who knew the guy who found the cave. He said the guy had passed on, but knew his son also. My now ex-girlfriends father lived in Blackfoot, Idaho back then...1997'ish. Another facet of this is that while metal detecting along the Bear river in Soda Springs, Idaho, I found what I believe to be a Roman bronze coin. The ex I mentioned above was using my Spectrum XLT at the same spot and found one exactly like mine. So, my question is, were the Spanish in this part of Idaho? The cave is supposed to be located north of Dubois, Idaho. Any thoughts would be apppreciated. Thanks, Peter

[allen_idaho]

In answer to your question, yes. The Spanish were actively mining in Idaho and Montana. It was the Spanish, in fact, who introduced the Crow Indians to horses around 1725.

When Lewis and Clark led their expedition to Oregon in 1804-1805, they had recorded finding abandoned Spanish mining operations in the area. Around the 1860's, more of these abandoned operations were found in the south Boise area.

However, I would probably not put too much credibility into the cave story. It could be true, but probably isn't. Nobody in their right mind would stumble upon a cave full of antiques and not take at least something back with them. It just wouldn't happen.