The New York herald., 1866-09-02
ruvrrRINTs OF THE SEA ROVER.
Discovery Of Vaults Of Masonry, Oak Chests,
Barrels and Mysterious Chambers.
From QUA OWN CORRESPONDENT.
CHESTER, MABoNE BAY, Nova SCOTIA,
August "a. 1866

From our OWN CORRESPONDENT
CHESTER, MALONE BAy Nova SCOTIA,
August "a, 1866 !
.iere nave been for days roaming about the
shore penetrating forests, tracing the source of
abe lmpid streams that meanderng down into the
blue Atlantic; now taking the lively cod from his
native element, and roaming through the marshes
hRes scaby savage lurking behind bushes for ducks and
Pover II is fine sport TO get away of sickly city
these hot days and ruscae among strange faces where
get the cool ocean breezes to steady
and dispe the headache. But. hold am not going to
branch on upon long dissertation regarding the
Of this coast describe the sport that life here
npon the shore affords. II would be the old
typed story Of rambles amidst the groves, adventures
with rural beauties whose cheeks have been
fsminsted by the cosmetique Of mans diabolcal in
venton; Of sails upon the white capped waves, &c.
All this will pass over and give You briefly narrative
Of oak Island round which there wrapt something OF
romunce. Hugo has given us in his graphic style the
:. sGs.s q the Sea" propose 70 give you chapter
pfon tie
"ronsRs ISLE"
Among the spots have visited is small island in
Malone bay the south coast OF Nova Scotia, known
Oak Island, where, for century has been
ted quite an interest ! give you the story twas
Told TO
Many years ago. when this Province wild
blooming forest in summer, and bleak snow-capped
wilderness in winter with here and there small clear
Ing from which the smoke Of some hardy settlers
sni, old man resided in the then British Colony Of
New England, whose life had been wrapped in mystery
He had been sailor in his younger days, and people
said he had been soldier too for upon his brown face
still remained Of the cutass Often had the
curious endeayored sound him upon his early career
but IL was ruthless task. rhe old man was as mute as
ahe rock regarding his history. Al last, when peo.
pie began give up all hope Of ever extracting his
secret the old cosmopote taken sick, and on his
Aeathbsd admitted that he had been one OF Captain
Kidds rovers that many years before be had assisted In
bsrying four million dollars of gold beneath the
vol OF secluded island Of Boston, the proceeds OF
Kidd's praces The death OF this mysterious man and
Ibe secret he had divalgcd borne from lip TO lip,
nniD Kidd and his hidden treasure became household
word among the settlers along the New England coast
who years searched all the islands along the coast for
sone traces the subterrancan treasure vaults But
searches threw light upon the buried treasure,
and years rolled by and people gave up the search
Nearly quarter OF century later three men, named
ssuiih vaud and McGnnis, emgrated from New England,
and settled In Chester, " g., Smith and NcGlnnis
taking M upon Oak Island As soon as these men
had erected their hus they commenced their work OF
Telling the forest thai covered the island McGnnis,
While roaming over the island day, asonishcd
ing his explorations further he discovered that the first
growth OF timber had been down and that second
rrowth was springng up, while sumps Of oak that
bad fallen under white mans axe were visible
Adjacent this clearing stood Old giant OAK whose
fo,kc, branches fell small clearing and TO the
forxed part the oak. by means Of wooden rammel
converting the fork small triangle attached
an old tackle block. 'Much he marveied much he
wondered at these evidences OF prior settlement and
Va audva nd
secret The following day they visited the spot together
and on attempting remove the block broke TO wece
% decsyed was Il by age sad exposure.
While exploring the island they found that the re-
mains or olsraby well made road from II to the we-
shore Of the island stii dscernble, and part OF
this road ~ sil rhe frs, thought thai struck
thsp was that this the island referred TO by
the dying sailor The secluded situation oi
the islsnd, the MARKS OF former habftaiinn
appeared Keeping with al they had heard Of Kidd
hidden plunder They were stil strongly i'm.
pressed with this belief when they fornd that ih,
ground which the block and tackle hung had set
aled and formed a hoiiow. A. once the three pio
nesrs 10 work. cesrug the Young timber from
tbe subken ground and removing the surface soh ioI
about two feet they struck tier of flag stones ev
Gently formed there nv nature subsequently they
that not indigenous TO the
island, but had been conveyed there from Gold river
two miles distant.
Renoy ing stones the treasure seekers entered The
mouth OF an old pit or shaft that had been hed The
mouth OF the pit seven feet In diameter the sldes
Of being tough hard CLAW but the earth with which
had been ued up was soft ana loamy snd easily re-
moved, Sli they descended the shaft loot by loot,
discovering som. indication that increased the't
hopes Of last hitting the long buried treasure Ten
Jee from the surface they struck Ioor of solid oaA
logs, tightly attached to the sides, and below this tive
feet ~ yacaut space, caused nv the nlng OF the p
having settled down. They pushed their explorations
fifteen feet further down without striking the sought Tor
prize aud after driving stack. into the mud, nlled hI
~. shaft aud abandoned the work
rHE nIvrlaFp.
Compelled TO abandon the searh Tor want ~ money,
smith his associates endeavored to enlist the assist
yeopc we're poor and ignorant aud laughed at them so
atsenp,ln ing 10 and Kdds money whcn he invari.bl,
skilied Niger 70 guard y. tf,eeu years psssec
without any further attempts being made to r.hom the
mystery Of the old pit
A oovrkSS YDaxrp ~ rnoSrEcr
Al length Old resident named iyni heard The story
az ne pt visited the sltnd examined tho ground and
believing these the vaults OF KIDD home and
formed n COMPANY Earlv n the following summc
tho loaded a snaN schooner with tools and arriving
oak Island commenced the search anew under the 81
down they discovered the sticks planted ny smith
Wand and fifteen feet further down ihev struck
end er OF OAK logs Ten feet further down they struck
tier charcoal and ten feet further or about niv tes
from the surface tier of putty. Further down vas
rss -nne one foot hy With some rncely cut etie
and ngnrrs upon Il They hoped this inscription Won
ass st in solving the mystery, but they were uhaole
de,pher T. At depth OF ninety zee, ,nes low, .
creased Night coming they sunk crowpaf 1o~
I'VE fec, and struck hard impenetrsoe Subs"h'
forpd hv the sides " the pit some suppose" " " y,
weof Others called TIA chest They qut w0fk TOT "
night and returned home confident ths, with the nor
snge syp they would the long sought urea W
and they discussed the question of iis division Mot
cg seiticd the matter, however for on repairing '" w
shsv found .fxtv fett ~ water ~ the SHAFT
f.tlfc att