About fifteen miles below Casa Blanca, in Nueces County, not very far
from the Nueces River, and near a huisache lake, are the remains of
what is known as the Planticlan Fort. In a great Indian uprising the
Spanish were forced to evacuate it, and when they did, they left
everything but their guns, including three jack loads of silver
bullion. The retreating Spanish were taken by the Indians and
butchered, with the exception of one man who survived long enough to
reach his people and tell them about the abandoned treasure on the
Nueces.
More than half a century ago three Mexicans came with a chart to seek
that hidden silver. After digging an immense hole, they found it, and
there on the brink of the excavation they were polishing some of the
blackened silver bars when Nick Lutzer happened upon them. (Lutzer is
not the real name.) He was riding after cattle and, hearing low voices
in the brush, he at once suspected cow thieves. He dismounted and,
rifle in hand, crept through the bushes. He had often heard of the
riches supposed to lie in the neighborhood, and so he was not surprised
at the sight that greeted his eyes. The Mexicans were too intent on
their business to sense his presence. Lutzer was a true and quick shot.
He killed two of the Mexicans with his rifle and then drew his
six-shooter in deadly fire on the other. In a minute he rolled all
three of the dead men into the freshly dug pit and covered them.
Later he went to New Orleans, sold the silver ore, and came back and
bought and stocked an immense ranch, which still goes by the name of
the Lutzer Ranch.