I took an interest in history and the Civil War from an early age and my fantasy was always to buy a WW2 mine detector and hunt for Civil War relics. I was not able to fulfill that dream until I was discharged from the active Air Force in the Summer of 1972. By that time companies like Whites and others were marketing metal detectors and I bought a Whites. I found my first Minie ball while on my lunch break at Baird-Ward printing company. Construction on Interstate I-65 South had just begun near the plant where the Confederate lines crossed Thompson Lane near the old Battle of Nashville monument location. Over time I found many bullets, buttons and other relics there along with old coins. I was close to my brother-in-law Hulon Helms. He was like a brother to me. His hobby was hunting Indian relics and he had a fantastic collection. I tried to talk him into hunting Civil War relics but he was very reluctant at first. I finally talked him into going with me one weekend Hulon had an uncanny ability that I didn't have to spot relics lying on top of the ground. Walking behind me he found a Union Eagle button. I included a picture of a Minie ball that Hulon found on top of the ground near Bell Buckle one time. He was hooked after he found that button. Hulon went out and bought his own metal detector and we hunted together until his death in 1984. Over the years I have been asked many times to give Civil War presentations showing my relics at various schools across Rutherford County and Middle Tennessee.
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| Hulon Helms |
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| Bullet that Hulon spotted on the ground |
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| Two 6 pound solid shot cannonballs that Hulon found at Knob Gap near Nolensville |
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