One of the strongest cases for an afterlife ever reported — currrently, the sixth highest ranking on the Survival Top 40 — is related by Hamlin Garland in his book, The Mystery of the Buried Crosses. Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Garland tells of his encounter with a man who showed him some 1,500 artifacts (mostly strange-looking crosses) that he and his wife had located in the California desert by following directions given by long-dead missionaries and native Americans. Intrigued by the man's story, Garland found a capable medium and set out to find additional artifacts. This he succeeded in doing. Garland said that he donated the collection to a California museum, but their whereabouts are unknown. Up until 2011, all we have had is the few photographs published in his book.

The Top- 40 case may be found here; copies of Garland's book can be obtained here. The letter sent by -------- to Garrett, may be examined here.Click on any image to view a larger image.

Illustrations Selected From Garland's Book

		Gregory Parent
Hamlin Garland	Williams & Garland dig for crosses.
Cutlines as supplied beneath book illustrations B1, B2, B3 — Examples of crosses, barbaric in design: 1. Antelope design; 2. Flora; 3. Heads of soldier and child. [Note: pictures 2 and 3 were apparently switched in error by the publisher.] B4 — [not described] B5 — [not described] B6 — Amulet with ape or monkey heads. Note varying character of the heads. B7 — Metal plaque bearing form of a bell and ten turbaned heads — said to be Arabian in design. B8 — This amulet, we are told, is very old and "came from the South." B9 — Trail markers or monuments, and commemorative tablets. Made, we are told, by the neophytes at the missions. B10 — This metal cross was fire-scarred. It bears the head of a steer and three coffee berries. B11 — Found by Constance Garland, May 15, 1937. Observe faint heads and faces. B12 — The Monkey and Panther clans are symbolized on this amulet.