I re-read the poem the other day and couldn’t get past the first stanza without asking could it be that the first stanza actually contains the last clue to the chest’s location? The two lines in that stanza that stand out to me are, “As I have gone alone in there” and “And hint of riches new and old.”
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In there’ seems to me to indicate an actual entrance way that one must pass through, and does not mean visiting a general area, like a valley or a bend in a river. It makes me think the final location would be accessed via an opening such as a rock shelter, or protected ledge, an alcove, or, generally speaking, a cave. This seems to make sense because these types of locations have been time tested and proven to preserve delicate artifacts (e.g. the Dead Sea scrolls, Indian relics and even pre-human remains).
I found these references: “According to the affidavit, Schenck and the informant again visited Fenn's house Oct. 1 when Fenn displayed prehistoric sandals and a "woven bowl" or basket and explained "that he would 'find these things (ruins) from the air, and then on the weekends we'd go
in there ... I had an old Army jeep ... We found so many caves that evidently nobody had been in since the Indians had been there ... Clear Creek ... Beaver Creek.' " (https://forums.arrowheads.com/search?q=schenck&searchJSON=%7B%22keywords%22%3A%22schenck%22%7D)
‘And hint of riches new and old' may be referring to Mr. Fenn’s treasure chest (new) and Indian artifacts (old) with the ‘hint’ being the poem. Items to be found “in there”.
“Are you willing to say whether the place of the treasure chest is the same as the one where you had previously plotted to have your bones rest forever?” ~anonymous Answer: Yes it is. F
(http://mysteriouswritings.com/questions-with-fenn/)
A naturally formed, isolated rock shelter in a very dry environment, free from animal predation and effects of weathering, or worse flooding, and lying undisturbed for centuries would be an ideal place to preserve ones bones, and more importantly to Fenn, one’s legacy. It is ready made. No digging required, but maybe a ladder is necessary (perhaps the reason why a more elderly Fenn cannot return to the treasure). It’s an Ideal pre-built crypt for a pragmatic person such as Mr. Fenn.
But is an ancient Indian cave a special place for Mr. Fenn? The feelings he expresses for San Lazaro Pueblo, his years of exploring Indian sites and his passion for collecting their artifacts suggests yes. His legacy becomes part of the cave’s history along with its prior occupants.
A penultimate clue? Consider that the “blaze” might actually be soot stained rocks, from ancient campfires, located above the entrance way. Since most of us don’t have an airplane to spot caves from above as Mr. Fenn, we were graciously offered the blaze as a guide.
An antepenultimate clue? Further consider that these caves were, at one time, located above a water supply but they were abandoned when the supply dried up. Hence, “no paddle up your creek” a dry creek bed, and “Just heavy loads and water high” might refer to hauling water up ladders to reach the cave or simply that ladders are necessary in the search.
Further speculation: “home of Brown”. In the poem “Poet in the Desert” by C.E.S. Wood (where have I seen “CES” before) refers to the Indians as brown brothers. In his poem it refers to the Nez Perces tribe to whom he shows great admiration towards.
“I have lived with my brown brothers
Of the wilderness
And found them a mystery.
The cunning of the swift-starting trout
A mystery, also;
The wisdom of voyaging birds;
The gophers’ winter-sleep;
The knowledge of the bees.
All a mystery.
I have lain out with the brown men
And know they are favored.
Nature whispered to them their secrets,
But passed me by.”
Just some thoughts I find interesting.
