BOOK REVIEW: Duke, Daniel J., Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure: Secret Diaries, Coded Maps, and the Knights of the Golden Circle (Rochester, VT, Destiny Books, 2019) 148 pp, illustrations, notes, bibliography, index, softcover, $16.99.
Daniel J. Duke, is the son of Betty Dorsett Duke. Those who follow Jesse James’ literature will likely remember that Betty wrote three books. She claimed Jesse James was not killed by Bob Ford and that her grandfather James L. Courtney was actually Jesse James. This book continues along that same line and repeats the claims that James L. Courtney was really Jesse James.
The title of the book, however, is very misleading
The title of the book, however, is very misleading. There is little in this book about the real Jesse James and very little about James L. Courtney. There is also little discussion of the Knights of the Golden Circle. The book is a complete leap into the world of esoteric legends and myths concerning the Knights Templar, Rosicrucians, Masons, and other such groups.
The book is a complete leap into the world of esoteric legends and myths
The author tosses out the names of many famous people and expects us to believe that such historical figures as Francis Bacon, Sir Christopher Wren, John Dee, and a host of others somehow obtained information about the vast wealth of the Knights Templar and passed this knowledge down to people who survive today. The author’s great-grandfather, James L. Courtney, was one of the chosen few who obtained the knowledge of some of this immense treasurer buried in various locations in the United States.
The book is replete with lots of diagrams, overlays, secret symbols, etc. etc. etc. Various works of art are also presented and these too contain secret symbols relating to vast hordes of treasure.
The Knights Templar came into being during the crusades. They developed an extensive banking system and acquired sizeable amounts of assets. In the early 1300s the King of France, who owed vast amounts of money to the Templars, decided to destroy the order. According to the author, the Templars were able to assemble a fleet of ships and take their treasures to the new world. The plan was to build a new and more perfect society at some future date.
claims that vast amounts of treasure are to be found in Victorio Peak (now within the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico) and a secret vault under Burton Chapel on the campus of William and Mary College in Virginia
Mr. Duke claims that vast amounts of treasure are to be found in Victorio Peak (now within the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico) and a secret vault under Burton Chapel on the campus of William and Mary College in Virginia, There are also various other sites around the United States that contain an untold amount of Templar treasure. The author presents overlays, secret numbers, etc. etc. to make his case.
take a pass on this one.
In summary, if you like fantastic tales of buried treasure, you might enjoy this book. If you are looking for information about Jesse James take a pass on this one.
RELATED: Murder & Betty Dorsett Duke
Betty demands blood from a great-grandson of Jesse James
Betty’s true biological family refutes her claims
Betty claims Eric F. James & others are out to kill her
Stalkers of Famous & Infamous Families (posted July 28, 2010)
Old Jesse James Con Artists Never Die. They Just Propagate the Next Generation
Photos from Jesse James Soul Liberty, Behind the Family Wall of Stigma & Silence's post
I loved Judge Ross. He was so very kind to me and in the last years of his life we spoke often. The family resemblance between him and my father was uncanny
The passing of our cousin Cathy Eloise Smith-Suttle is noted. Cathy's common ancestors with our James are Cathy's 5th great grandparents, Judge Joseph McAlister Sr. of Gilmore's Rifles in the Revolution, and wife Nancy Agnes Gilmore.
So Sorry 🌸
Stray Leaves has just learned of the passing of Margaret Elizabeth "Betty" Shouse in Kansas City on April 30th, 2019. Betty is a great-granddaughter of John Watts Shouse, who together with his son James O. Shouse, William Wysong, William Dagley, Joseph T. Pettigrew, William G. Dollis, Riley Henderson, and Dick Liddil formed a plan and tried to get Jesse James to surrender to authorities prior to his assassination.
❤️🙏
Deepest condolences to family and friends on her passing.
The historic meeting place of the James-Younger Gang destroyed in Northfield, Minnesota.
About 20 years ago the historic Archer House hosted the annual meeting of the James-Younger Gang. Many of us resided in the hotel for the term of the conference.
Yeah, it was a beautiful hotel. I stayed there at least 3 times. It is a shame to lose it and it's a huge loss to Northfield.
That’s terrible. Looks like it was a beautiful building
how awful. was it completely destroyed?
UPDATE: The day after the fire. youtu.be/z46Fn0BzNzA
We stayed there in 2018 for a couple of nights. It was a wonderful place. When we arrived, there was a storm brewing and we sat outside along the river and watched it coming closer. The front porch of the house was a lovely place to sit in the mornings. Happy memories.
A FIERCE FIRECRACKER OF A WOMAN...Casie James-Spears shares this moving tribute to her mother Beverly Ann Hamm-James who died yesterday. They will return home to Midland, TX for final arrangements.
Deepest condolences to family and friends on your loss.