My Mentor and a Prospecting Legend

[DOC]

Today I was down in the Meadview Arizona area and decided to drop in on Hoss Blackman. As you may or may not remember we almost lost Hoss a while back. Hoss is diabetic, and through a screw up with his insulin, or lack thereof, he became disoriented, and took a drink of liquid Draino, thinking it was something he should have been able to drink.

He was screwed up for quite a while, and it looked like he would never make it, but he's a tough old dog. He lived through it. They told him he would never swallow again and would have to be fed through a tube for the rest of his life. Well, he's back to eating regular food although it has to be very small pieces. They told him, he would never be able to talk again. Well after a two hour visit with Hoss today, and talking about back when he first got me involved in prospecting, and taught me all he could, I'd say it would take more than a bottle of Draino to shut Good Ol' Hoss up.

I had a wonderful visit with Hoss, and I am proud to have him as an old friend, and happy he pulled through!

As a tribute to all of you on the forum, and especially those of you that sent your prayers, and letters, and cards, and money, Hoss wanted me to take this picture, and as you can see he's giving you all a BIG thumbs up, and he asked me to tell each and everyone of you thank YOU from the bottom of his heart!

BCOT!

DOC

 

[Hoser John]

Never underestimate the tenacity of a miner.Just tell him ya can't and we'll darn well find a way to succeed.Great news,thanks DOC. Tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[Allen in MT]

Good to hear that he is doing ok. Does he still live at the same place as before. I haven't seen him for over a year but will have to stop in on my next trip. Hoss took me out a time or two and it was Hoss and Doc that we met up with the 1st time to AZ. Just hope I can make it this winter
thanks for the photo
enjoy and HAGD
Allen inMT

 

[~LARGO~]

Hi Doc,

Thanks so much for updating us on Hoss!

I first met Hoss when he was living in Henderson,Nevada, where I bought my first set of headphones and a couple electronic prospecting videos Hoss made, and was featured in. He is a very interesting man, and a pretty darn good published poet.

My brother and I looked up Mr. Blackman through a good friend he has in Idaho, and took Hoss to lunch. Hoss was very helpful, and made a handdrawn map for me, which I still have, how to get to Gold Basin, and the King Tut area. Out of this trip, I was able to find my first nugget, just over a pennyweight. We happened on some full timers out there, as we were leaving, told them about where I found my nugget, and they told me, " there isn't supposed to be any gold out there"...go figger.

My last chat with Hoss again at Gold Basin, and at that time, Allen from Montana was down there.

I have often wondered what happened to Hoss,and again,thank you, Doc, for giving this update. Glad to hear he is doing better.

Have a good day!

~LARGO~

 

[DOC]

but he lost his regular size trailer when he had to file bankruptcy. So he lives in a very small camping type trailer.

He pulled through the ordeal, but it has left him pretty much unable to do the things he used to enjoy, like prospecting. He lost everything he had, even his metal detector, when his wife left him after she won $100,000 in the Arizona lottery. She basically took all the assets and left Hoss with all the bills. You know the story, she got the gold mine, and Hoss got the shaft.

Any of you guys that are ever down in Meadview or the Gold Basin area, be sure and stop by and say hi to Hoss. I'm sure he would love the company.

He might have lost everything in the bankruptcy, but they couldn't take away his knowledge, his wit, and his art for story telling.

Take care!

DOC