The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-12-31
A BIG YARN.
A Week in tho Sewers OF New York
An ImInense Haul OF Jcweiry aud
Precious Stones.

An Imnensc Haul OF Jcweiry aud
Precious Stones.
A New York correspondent Of the
Erie, Pa, Di,patch, under date of Dec.
5th, gives the following:
Several years ago a little German Jew,
named Schwartz, believing that in the
sewers of New York might be foupd
many articles of value which had been
lost, entered them, and for three days
wandered through the labyrinth. He
was very successful, picking up some
81 900 worth of jewelry, spoons, forks,
etc; but having lost his way the first
day, he believed that he might have
found much more could he have carried
out his original plan, which was to visit
Fifth and Madison avenues, Broadway
and the wealthy portion of the city. So
great, however, were the difficulties
and dangers which he encountered, that
nothing could induce him again to visit
New York underground"
His adventure for time created qnitc
little sensation, but there were none
venturouS enough to attempt second,
until Wednesday of last week, when an
adventurous party of three entered the
sewer of Houston street, at the ferry on
East river, intending to remain for one
week, during which time they proposed
visiting every portion of the city where
there seemed to be any chance OF finding
treasure trove.
The party consisted of Miss Mary
Walker, young lady of Il, her brother
James, aged l6, and Michael Grady, an
old man about 80. The project origin
ated with Miss Walker, aDse the show
of it is in this wise; Sonfe two years ago
James Walker, Jr., was merchant, do
ing good business at SO! Bowcry. He
was getting rich fast, but in an evil
hour he was prevailed upon by friends
(i) to use some of his money which had
been "salted down." in speculating in
gold. The result was easy to be toro-
seen. He lost. To recover he took
money from his business. Again he lost.
His business became embarrassed: in
despair lie committed suicide, and Miss
Walker and her brother found them
selves six months ago the inhabitants
of room OH. the upper floor of the
double tenement 900 Sixth street. Miss
Walker, some months ago, in an old pa
per wrapped around parcel which she
was taking home from ''slcp-shop,"
saw an account of Schwartzs under
taking, and resolved to initiate it.
Maps were obtained and the city
studied carefully. Each days work for
herself, her brother and Grady, who
was formerly in her fathers employ,
was carefully marked out. Every prep
aration which limited knowledge could
prepare for was made, and the adven-
turers started.
| wish that | might have room to tell
the story of the week they passed, but
my manuscript warns me that l must
condcnse. Each day they rcndczvoused
several times in the chambers at the
street corners. On Sunday they had
filled all the bags they had taken with
them, some fifteen in number. and Miss
Walker returned. James Walker and
Grady continued their search, emptying
six of the bags at the corner of 22d
street and 9th avenue. On Wednesday
morning ut very early hour, and be-
fore many people were stirring, Miss
Walker was at the place with wagon.
On removing the iron plate, which at
each street corner leads into a small
chamber connecting with the sewer, she
found her brother, but not Grady. He
had started of on another trip, although
the six bags had been filled over in Mad
ls0n avenue. The loose treasure was
placed in extra bags and the whole
driven to 4 Broadway jewelers.. The
rest were taken from the places on Thurs
day morning. A watch was set for
~ L. L., chic &c tiv.v
nothing has been heard from him, and
it is feared that he has persisted.
The result of the weeks search is
roughly estimated at 81 100000. saw
the treasure yesterday piled in three
heaps on the floor, aud the jeweler in
formed me that it must have cost over
3, ,000, 200, but in consequence of the
old-fashioned style of setting, its bruis-
ed, battered and eOrroded condition, its
value was reduced about one-half. A
little over n bushel chow gueer il sounds
to talk of jewelry by the busheD has
been soited, and among it has been
found one diamond ring valued at sl6,-
600, two more valued at 5000, and half
dozen valued at $500 and upwards.
The most curious is plain gold ring
inscribed on the inside in Dutch, "Peter
Stuyvesant to wife" 1t is an heirloom
of the Stuyyesants, and was stolen with
other jewelry last March by burglars.
How il came in the sewer is a p roblem
for philosophers to speculate about.
Miss Walker and her brother, who
find themselves thus lifted Suddenly
from penury to great wealth, intend to
proceed to England where they have
relatives. This adventure is talked Of
everywhere, and already there are 9TH
ers preparing to follow in their foot
steps.