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February 28, 2025 14 mins
In this episode of the Bell's Books and Blog Podcast, host Jane M. Bell takes listeners on an intriguing journey through the world of hidden treasures. Starting with a 14th-century castle in Poland, the discovery of over 100 silver artifacts possibly hidden from Nazi looters during World War II is explored. Transitioning to modern times, the story of Forrest Fenn's treasure, a chest filled with riches hidden somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, is recounted, complete with its tragic consequences. Finally, the podcast concludes with the centuries-old mystery of the 'Money Pit' on Oak Island, a place rumored to house treasures like pirate gold, Shakespeare's original manuscripts, or Marie Antoinette's jewels, among others. Through these tales, Jane M. Bell emphasizes the combined allure and danger in the pursuit of hidden treasures, inviting each listener to reflect on their personal mysteries awaiting discovery.
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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to The Bell's Books and blog podcast, The place
where history, mystery, and suspense converge. I'm your host, author
Jane M. Bell. Have you ever been fascinated by tales
of hidden treasures? Stories that not only captivate our imaginations,
but also lead adventurers on daring and sometimes dangerous quests.
While you're in for a treat, this week will be

(00:25):
delving into the tantalizing world of hidden treasures that have
captured the hearts and minds of many. We'll start in
Poland at a fourteenth century castle where a recent excavation
unearthed a trove of silver artifacts, likely hidden away from
Nazi looters. Next, we'll explore the modern day legend of
Forest Fenn's treasure chest filled with gold and jewels that

(00:46):
drove seekers into the wilderness of the Rockies with tragic
consequences for some. And finally, we'll visit Oak Island, a
place shrouded in mystery and intrigue where treasure hunters have
been searching for over two centuries, hoping to uncover pirate
gold or even Shakespeare's missing manuscripts. So get comfortable and
join me on this exciting journey into some of history's

(01:09):
most captivating hidden treasures. All right, let's begin our journey
in Poland at the Noe Sachs Royal Castle. Imagine for
a moment standing within the ancient walls of this fourteenth
century stronghold as archaeologists carefully unearthed the remarkable find they
have just discovered one hundred three silver artifacts, goblets, cutlery,

(01:31):
and various judaica items. These treasures, long thought lost to time,
were likely hidden away to protect them from Nazi looters
during World War II. As each piece is revealed, it
tells a silent story echoing through the corridors of history.
To truly understand the significance of this discovery, we need
to take a step back in time. In June nineteen

(01:53):
forty one, Nazi forces took control of Noe Sack's Royal Castle,
converting it into a barracks and ammunition dede. The town
of Noisach, which had once been home to a vibrant
Jewish community of twenty thousand, was transformed into a ghetto.
The horrors of Nazi occupation are well documented, but this
recent excavation sheds new light on how the castle itself

(02:15):
may have been used as a secret storage site for
looted valuables. Among the silver artifacts found, many were finely
crafted pieces believed to have been produced in Austria or
Poland around the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The fact that these items are primarily judaica suggests they
could have held significant religious meaning. They were likely buried

(02:37):
to protect them from being seized by the Nazis. The
origins of this silver remain a mystery. Was it hidden
by the local Jewish community in a desperate attempt to
safeguard their valuables, or did fleeing Nazis leave it behind
in their rush to escape as the war neared its end.
These are questions that historians and archaeologists are eager to answer.

(02:58):
Looking ahead, the silver artifacts will be preserved and put
on display at the regional museum. This will not only
offer visitors a tangible connection to the past, but might
also lead to new discoveries about the Nazi occupation and
the Jewish community of Noe Sachs. The excavations at the
castle are far from over. Experts believe more hidden treasures

(03:19):
could still be lying beneath its ruins, waiting to be uncovered.
The discovery at noe sas Castle raises haunting questions about
the past, questions that may never be fully answered. But
one thing is for certain. History is still waiting to
be uncovered, and every new find helps to piece together
the complex tapestry of our shared human experience. Now, let's

(03:43):
shift our focus to a modern day legend that has
captivated the hearts and minds of many, a tale filled
with both intrigue and tragedy. We're talking about the Treasure Hunt,
inspired by Forest Fenn, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and
wealthy art dealer who lived a life straight out of
an adventure novel. Forest Fen wasn't just any treasure hunter.
He managed to transform his life's journey into an epic quest.

(04:06):
After surviving three hundred twenty eight combat missions, he turned
his passion for artifacts into a multimillion dollar business, selling
rare collectibles to clients like Stephen Spielberg and Jacqueline Onassis. However,
in nineteen eighty eight, a cancer diagnosis prompted Fenn to
think about his legacy. He devised a bold plan to
hide a Romanesque treasure chest filled with gold nuggets, rare coins,

(04:30):
and precious gems. Somewhere in the Rocky Mountains and die
beside it. Though he survived the cancer, then decided to
proceed with the hunt anyway. In twenty ten, he published
The Thrill of the Chase, a memoir containing a twenty
four line poem with nine cryptic clues leading to the
treasure's location. Imagine the excitement and curiosity sparked by that poem.

(04:52):
The very first clue begin it where warm Water's halt,
led to countless theories. Some believed it referred to hot
springs in the rock while others thought it signified the
meeting point of warm and cold waters in trout filled rivers.
Treasure hunters dissected each word, debating meanings in online forums
and Reddit threads, yet the true location remained elusive. Clues

(05:15):
like put in below the Home of Brown and if
You've been wise and found the Blaze added to the mystery,
leading many hunters on perilous journeys. This treasure hunt wasn't
just a thrilling puzzle. It came with deadly consequences. Since
Fenn's memoir was released, more than three hundred thousand people
ventured into the Rockies in search of the treasure. Tragically,

(05:37):
at least five people lost their lives. In twenty seventeen,
Jeff Murphy set off on a hike in Yellowstone National
Park to find the treasure. His quest, filled with hope
and adventure, ended in tragedy. Paris Wallace, another treasure seeker,
vanished near the Rio Grande, and his body was discovered
days later. The rising body count alarmed authorities. Montana's Gallatin

(05:59):
County Sheriff's off warned adventurers of the terrain's dangers, citing
the unforgiving environment, wild animals, and lack of cell phone service.
Despite the tragedies and the risks, Forest Fenn refused to
call off the hunt. Instead, he offered additional clues, reminding
hunters that he was eighty years old when he hid
the chest, implying that the location was accessible to a

(06:21):
man of his age. In June twenty twenty, Forest Fenn
made a shocking announcement the treasure had been found. A
man from the East Coast had successfully uncovered the chest
and provided photographic proof. However, Fenn chose to keep the
winner's identity a secret, along with the exact location of
the treasure, which led to widespread controversy. Some treasure hunters

(06:44):
were skeptical. Chicago attorney Barbara Anderson even claimed someone had
stolen her solution using her work, and later filed an
injunction to prevent the treasure from being sold. Another seeker,
David Harold Hansen, sued Fenn for one point five million dollars,
alleging that misleading clues led him astray. Speculation ran rampant.

(07:05):
Had the treasure ever existed at all? Or was the
entire hunt and elaborate ruse Forest Fenn passed away in
September twenty twenty at the age of ninety, taking with
him many of the hunt's secrets. His announcement captivated the world,
inspired thousands, and brought about several tragic endings. Whether the
treasure was real or a masterful illusion, it indelibly impacted

(07:29):
those who dared to search for it. Forest Fen's Treasure
Hunt is a poignant reminder of the allure and danger
of hidden treasures. It's a tale that echoes through the
annals of history, showing us that while the promise of
untold wealth can drive people to extraordinary lengths, it comes
with its own perils and sacrifices. And now Let's turn

(07:50):
our attention to one of the most enduring and captivating
treasure legends of all time, the Oak Island Treasure. For
over two centuries, Oak Island, located off the coast of
Nova Scotia, has been a magnet for treasure hunters from
around the world. The island's legendary money pit is believed
by many to house incredible riches, including pirate gold, Shakespeare's

(08:11):
original manuscripts, the Holy Grail, or even Marie Antoinette's priceless jewels.
Despite countless expeditions and remarkable fines, the true nature of
Oak Island's treasure remains a mystery. The story of the
Oak Island Treasure Hunt began in seventeen ninety five when
a young man named Daniel McGinnis stumbled upon something unusual

(08:32):
during a fishing trip. McGinnis noticed peculiar markings on an
old oak tree and a depression in the ground nearby.
Fueled by tales of swashbuckling pirates and hidden treasures, he
deduced that these markings indicated a sophisticated rope and tackle
system used to lower items deep below the surface. Intrigued
and inspired, McGinnis returned the next day with two friends,

(08:54):
and they began to dig. What they discovered was astonishing.
As they dug deeper, they encountered pick marks, flat stones,
and wooden logs at regular intervals, but their efforts were
soon thwarted when the pit began to fill with water.
Nine years later, McGuinness returned to Oak Island with the
Onslow Company, where they discovered a stone inscribed with a

(09:16):
cryptic cipher. Although initial attempts to decode the message failed,
the possibility of buried treasure ignited a relentless pursuit that
has continued for over two centuries. The so called Money
Pit has since become the epicenter of Oak Island's treasure hunts.
Over the years, numerous expeditions have attempted to unlock its secrets,
employing advanced technology such as drilling and water diversion. While

(09:40):
skeptics argue that the treasure is merely a myth, the
consistent discovery of artifacts, ranging from coins and pottery to
parchment keeps the legend very much alive. Even notable figures
have been drawn to Oak Island's mystery. In nineteen o nine,
future President Franklin Delano Roosevelt joined the Oak Island Association
and the Old Golden Salvage Group. Although his involvement was brief,

(10:03):
Roosevelt maintained an interest in the legend throughout his presidency,
highlighting the island's irresistible allure. The quest for Oak Island's treasure, however,
is fraught with peril. Over the years, six lives have
been lost in the pursuit of the elusive bounty. The
first fatality occurred in eighteen sixty one, when an iron
pump's boiler exploded. Subsequent tragedies, including deaths from toxic fumes

(10:27):
in the money pit, have led to rumors of a
pirate curse guarding the riches. According to these legends, seven
individuals must die before the treasure is revealed. Despite the risks,
the allure of untold wealth continues to inspire treasure hunters,
undeterred by hazardous setbacks. Various theories exist about what might
be buried beneath Oak Island's surface. One compelling theory suggests

(10:51):
that British explorer William Phipps discovered a Spanish shipwreck laden
with treasure in sixteen eighty seven, Believing more riches were hidden.
Phipps allegedly buried additional treasure on Oak Island. Unfortunately, flooding
thwarted their efforts, leading the British government to install booby
traps to protect the site. Supporting this theory, archaeological evidence

(11:13):
such as five hundred year old artifacts and human remains
suggests activity on the island dating to the late seventeenth century.
Other theories propose that Oak Island houses Shakespeare's manuscripts, the
Holy Grail, or treasures hoarded by the Freemasons. While none
have been conclusively proven, each theory adds another layer to
the enigma and fuel's continuous exploration. In recent years, the

(11:36):
History Channels series The Curse of Oak Island has rekindled
public fascination. The show follows brothers Marty and Rick Lagina
on their modern quest to uncover the island's secrets. Across
multiple seasons, the Lagina brothers have made some significant discoveries,
including a five hundred year old garnet brooch and a
lead cross dating from between twelve hundred and sixteen hundred AD.

(11:59):
These finds, though fascinating, have yet to reveal the ultimate
treasure of the money pit. The enduring appeal of the
Oak Island treasure hunt lies in its perfect blend of history, mystery,
and adventure. Despite endless exploration, dramatic discoveries, and even tragic losses,
the true nature of the Island's hidden treasures remains tantalizingly

(12:19):
out of reach. But as long as the legend persists,
so too will the quest to uncover Oak Island's secrets.
As we come to the end of our journey today,
let's take a moment to recap where we've been and
what we've discovered. We've ventured into the depths of history,
unraveling the mysteries and uncovering the hidden treasures that have
captivated many over the centuries. From the Nazi stolen silver

(12:43):
at a fourteenth century Polish castle, to the tragic yet
thrilling hunt for Forest Fens treasure in the Rocky Mountains,
and finally to the enduring enigma of Oak Island's money pit.
Each story serves as a testament to the human spirit
of adventure and discovery. These tales remind us that the
pursuit of treasure isn't just about material wealth. It's also

(13:03):
about the stories, the history, and the emotions tied to
these hidden gems. They paint a vivid picture of the
risks and rewards that come with such quests, highlighting themes
of danger, obsession, and the relentless drive to uncover secrets
from the past. I invite you, dear listeners, to reflect
on your own hidden treasures. What are the mysteries in

(13:25):
your life or history that are waiting to be unearthed.
Perhaps there's a family heirloom with an untold story, or
a personal goal you have yet to achieve. Whatever it
may be, let today's tales inspire you to embark on
your own journey of discovery. Thank you for joining me
on the Bells Books and Blog podcast. It's been a
pleasure to explore these fascinating stories with you. Be sure

(13:48):
to check the show notes for any links or articles
mentioned in today's episode, and remember, keep questioning, keep exploring,
and most importantly, keep reading Until next week. I'm your host,
Jane Mbll, signing off, Take care and continue to keep
the past alive.
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