Karl von Mueller - Treasure Hunter
Who was Karl von Mueller?
Karl von Mueller, when starting out searching for treasures, was an unknown adventurer. He was also a kind of a mystery man. Karl von Mueller’s real name was Dean Miller. And when writing, he sometimes used the name of Deek Gladson. However, at the age of thirty von Mueller became a serious and well-known treasure hunter. Even before the advent of metal detectors and as far back as the 1920s, Mueller was writing about the treasures he was finding.
Mueller had a unique way of writing, often using words and phrases that upset his editors. But reading von Mueller’s articles was like listening to a conversation with a friend. What mattered though was the fact that Karl von Mueller had many followers that loved reading about his treasure-hunting exploits. So his editors, many of them magazine editors allowed him to write as he did. After all, selling magazine subscriptions to happy readers of their periodicals was the defining moment.
This piece I’m writing is a topic that Mueller often wrote about. And that subject is about the fact that you don’t have to travel far to find treasures. It is a rule that I have practiced for years with success.
Many times I have remarked that there is at least one hidden treasure within a few miles of where you live. I once found a small mason jar of silver coins in an abandoned home a few blocks from where I used to live. I also receive stories from people across America that have found treasures large and small in their communities. Some of those treasures were discovered by accident during the remodeling and landscaping of homes.
So here are a few stories written by Karl von Mueller regarding not having to travel far to find a treasure.
“Near Union City, Pennsylvania, hitchhiker John Fillmore broke one of several building tiles that had apparently fallen off of a passing truck and discovered $800 cash hidden inside.”
“Near Altus, Oklahoma treasure hunter Bob Fox started setting up pop bottles for target practice after he failed to find a cache he was looking for. He noticed that one of the bottles contained something. The something was ‘something’ was a tightly rolled assortment of $10, $20, and $50 bills.”
“In Indianapolis, Fred Wilbur read a newspaper report about a bank robber burying some loot in the southeast end of town. Wilbur put two and two together and decided that the robber was a liar. So, he walked to a vacant area near where Highway 52 crosses the railroad tracks near Flackville and uncovered $1200 in cash. Later, a real estate man and a companion more money in a grove of trees.”
Mueller went on to say, “We can consider these to be accidental discoveries. They are mentioned here to show that they were within walking distance for the people who found them.”
Karl von Mueller died in 1990 at the age of seventy-five. But his legend lives on in his writings.
So take it from a treasure-hunting master. You do not have to travel to faraway exotic areas to find a treasure. Large and small treasures are everywhere.
My metal detecting/treasure hunting TV series, “Exploring History’s Treasures” EHT, was the first REAL, reality, show of its kind. There was no scripting, no planting or salting the ground with finds before we dug them. Exploring History’s Treasures can now be viewed here.
To Exploring History’s Treasures Producers, just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your DVD. I regret that I cannot watch your shows on my local dish channels. I have loaned the DVD to several members of my metal detecting club and all of they had rave reviews. Hopefully one day it will be available nationwide and everyone can have the opportunity to watch it.
Harry M.
Roswell, GA
“It’s about time that someone made a TV show that presents history in an exciting way.”
Michelle V. Liverpool NY
“I have been teaching local history for 22 years. And when Mr. Pandozzi came to our Junior high class with a video of his TV series, my classes were speechless. I think they learned more from his series in one viewing than what I tried to teach in an entire semester.”
Mary B. Teacher
“I was excited, captivated and feeling adventurous after viewing the first episode of Ghost Towns. I’ve driven by hundreds of these areas not knowing they existed. Hurry up second episode.
Jill M. Fayettevile, NY
“Frank and John. You guys can come to Alabama and detect with me anytime. We have ghost towns here to. GREAT DVD! Thanks for the fun!”
John D. Al