From Deseret News archives:
Pieces of history Treasure seekers dig into Utah
The treasure seekers, all part of the Utah Treasure Association, are devoted historians searching for forsaken objects. From coins and trade tokens to bottles and artifacts, the metal detector users, dump sifters and bottle diggers search for pieces of the past.
"For me it's kind of a quest to find out more about Western history," Brent Montgomery of Millcreek said. "I'm very interested in that. It's kind of what got me into metal detecting."
Montgomery has been treasure hunting for the past 12 years. Four years ago he joined the Utah Treasure Association.
"It's just kind of a fun group to get together and share our stories of what we do," Montgomery said.
The Utah Treasure Association was founded in June 2001 by Dave Kyte of Midvale.
"We're a varied bunch," Kyte said. "We dig bottles, look for metal in the ground (and we're) historians."
Today there are 65 members who come from as far away as Morgan and Provo. They are experts in finding, metal detecting, locating and "tracking down the most likely spots to find stuff," Kyte said.
"The group is a great fellowship of collectors addicted to our particular pastime," Holt said. "We get together and share common interest and give sympathy to our wives who have to put up with us."
The group meets monthly at the Midvale History Museum, 7699 S. Main. During these gatherings, members listen to experts discuss their collecting passions. Past speakers include collector Doug Wright, KSL radio talk host; Douglas Nyholm, who recently published a book on Mormon currency; and Chuck Larson, who recently published a book on forgery.
Association members also take the stage on occasion to school the group on their collecting expertise.
"It's a hobby where you've always got new people coming in, and they need to know how to go about finding stuff," Kyte said.
Group members often share tricks of the trade with each other. One treasure-hunting tip is that certain areas are more conducive for finding buried goods. Kyte said hunters often search in old trash beds for artifacts.
"There's certain things you look for, old gullies, the edge of the towns, there's always a trash pit someplace," he said. "Even in people's yards. In the early days they'd bury a lot of the trash in their own yards."
Comments
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Born of water and the spirit
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...


You can be the first to comment on this story.