Joe:
I consider such "insight" to be more of a reward than a gift.
It comes from hard work and perseverance,with historical research and observations made in those areas to which the stones apply bringing the results to which my photos can attest.
I am,of course,working with the belief that the stones are authentic.
Or at least reasonable facsimiles made by Tumlinson, of the originals.
The originals of course,having indeed been made by someone very familiar with at least the area to which they apply.
That someone also knowing enough of the area to have made the "Cursum Perficio Map carving",discovered by Abe Reid circa 1910-20 along with a book of Latin Sermons which also contained a drawing of the map as well as handwritten notes in Latin.
I did not begin with the intention of including the Stone Crosses as part of my project,but it quickly became apparent to me that they apply to the same area as do the Stone Maps.
The Latin Heart and the Cursum Perficio Carving are somewhat easier to link to the Stone Maps,because of the directional observations and points of reference included by their maker.
It is also easy for me to understand why,given the propensity of so many to ignore or discount all but the Trail Maps,they would find any attempt to assign meaning to them an exercise in futility.
Likewise, your insistence and that of some others that the evidence for Tumlinson having made the original stones carries more weight than the greater sum of contrary evidence of him having found the original stones as well as having/sharing a belief in their authenticity with family and friends.
You for example,quoted this statement,made by Bob Bair to Mel Brower in mid-march of 1965 as "good evidence" of Tumlinson having carved the stones:
"There is something I think you should know. The zeros cut across the back side of the heart were carved there by Travis Tumlinson himself after he found the stones. He stated that himself after he found the stones. He stated that Travis did this to throw any one off guard who might see or steal the stones......"
From "The Richard Peck Story (1964-1968)" on Garry Cundiff's site.
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http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.anc ... eralta.htm]
I on the other hand,and from reading the
entire interview,see Travis' friend Bair as one who believed the stones to be genuine,(despite his insistence of having been shown only the two trail stones and the heart stone) and that he also understood that Tumlinson had found the stones,and not fabricated them himself.
Further,I cannot understand how any additional carving done by Tumlinson,
freely admitted to and
justified to his friend,can be extrapolated into some kind of "evidence" that indicates he made all of the carvings.
Regards:Wayne