Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-08-29
4 4 MYSTERY yllIEll Y. OF HISTORY.

"A M1OlEnI UT sQlS1VhIs
oAncie1t Roman Coins and Medals
Fodnd in. Mtnnesota by q Hnnting
.Party-Eyidences of this Country
- Having Been Known to German n
valSavaEes DufinGS the Reign of the
Emperor Ad AdrIan--InterestinET Trans
- latIons and Devices.
ls be- One month ago, party of gentlemen lefl
st. Louis, bound for the regions of the up
per Mississippi. Tired of heat and dust
they wisely turned their backs upon the
fashionable retreats of Long Branch and
Saratoga. resolved to find some place where
the cry of lemonade and peanuts was moi
heard, or the echoes awakened by the hur-
sdy- gurdy of organ-grinders, for the pur-
pose of indulging in few weeks of rustic
felicity. They were well supplied with all
2the articles necessary for such a trip. Guns
and dogs, lines and fishing tackle, water
proof coats and TASKS of Bourbon were
slowed away in great variety. All the
neediul arrangements were made-the part
ing drink was taken, the last good bv was
spoken, and early one fine morning, before
the drOwsy city had arisen from her slnm-
-bers, they steamed away on a gallant craft
ilqaestof thrilling adventures and Nimrod
triumphs. --.--
TN due course of time the band of hun
ters arrived at noha, on the mouth ofthe
Crow River, a short distance above Minne-
apolis. The country adjacent was reported
by the Inhabitants to be rich in game, and
hiring one or two trustworthy guides the
party soon set out for the hunting grounds.
By the 2Sth of July they had their tents
pitched on the banks of a beautiful stream
which abounded with trout, while all
around them was 9ycountry as wild and
primal in its solitude as that which greeted
the vision Of the honest Dutch burghers
when selecting site for the proud City of
Gotham. Toward the Father of Waters,
to the east of them, were thickly wooded
bluffs, while to the west stretched gently
undnlating prairie country that promised
ubig things for the sportsmen and seemed
to laugh with very fatness.
LOT the haps and mishaps encountered,
exploits performed, game slaughtered aud
whisky punished, we have not space to no.
itice.5a We merely set out to record a re-
-markable discovery-one that has created
tan unparalleled excitement IN that region,
and which is richer by far in its results
than any that the most enthusiastic magi-
ecian ever dreamed of. -
'so0ne morning two members of the party
set out for an all days tramp among the
bluffs, for the purpose of securing some
botanical and geological specimens. They
walked vigorously till noon, and procured
many interesting collections. Coming to a
spring that gushed out from the rocks they
concluded TO stop, pareake of their frugal
again for camp. They were about ready to
yeturn, when one of the gentlemen directed
the attention of the other to small aper-
ture in the hillside near by, partly con-
cealed by oyerhanging bushes, and pro-
posed that they make brief examination,
as it might be the mouth of a cave. nun
bers of which we're reported to abound in
that locality. After considerable difficulty
they reached the spot, and STOPPING down,
saw that it was large enough to admit them
by crawling on their hands and knees
One of the hunters fearful that the aper-
ture might lead to serpent's nest, refused
TO enter; but the other, more valiant, de-
clared that he was ready to sacrifice himself
for the cause of discovery and science. His
example emboldened the other, and they
resolved TO make the experiment.
After working their way in about twelve
feet the opening gave an abrupt turn to the
right, and our adventures found them
selves in total darkness. Fortunately both
were well provided with matches, and by
the aid of these they soon found themselves
In q natural room that appeared to have
been hewn out of the solid rock, eight feet
high and about twelve feet square. Num-
erous passages large enough for man to
from this partment. but as the explorers
had no suitable light they could not extend
their search, bur confined their sinvestiga-
tons to the main room. A discovery, as
unlocked for as it was strange, awaited
them. While crossing the cave one of them
stumbled over what appeared to be an
eartheu vessel, oyerturnlng it with iing-
On striking a fresh light. what was their
astonishment to find before them heap OF
gold and silver antique coin, which bore
every appearance of having lain in the
cave for ages LAT first they could not be-
lieve the evidences of their senses. They
stopped down. rubbed the pieces between
the palms of their hands, bit them, fiipped
them up and down on the rocky floor, and
tried a'variety of other tests; but the hard,
netaliicEring of the true metal at last con-
WINGED them that they were really in luck,
and that Dame Fortune had granted ia
vor that does net often fall to the lot of or
dinary mortals. To gather up the coin,
hurry back to campand apprise their COM
rades of this sudden windfall was the work
of a few hours, and soon the whole band
were appfised of the remarkable incident.
competent judges who have seen the
treasure, estimate its value at $500, 600.
From a friend who has seen and conversed
with the members of the expedition, and
whose statements can be relied upon for
correctness, we learn that the coin consists
mostly of gold pieces, such as used by the
Romans during the reign OF the Emperor
Adrian, and that there are also many med
ats and devices curiously en- grayed, intend
ed to Illustrate battle scenes and civic Ger
euionies. One of the largest of these med
abs bears the form of q shield, on the re-
verse side of which is picture without
prospective, which is probably intended to
represent the invasion of Rome by the
AstrogOths during the reign of the Emper-
or Decius. That the savages are from
Germany there can be no doubt, as one of
them bears aloft huge tankard, on which
issinscribed, ssoei country, z,oei lager. while
another carries in his mouth huge pipe,
nd hoo- Nor fr,W
Van Twiller. An inscription is also OBJ
servable on the shield, nearly obliterated.
and we regret that our ablest professors
are only able to translate the following
lines :.fts7a1q e'iiiif3 l5 ,ss7Ds
Sst ti-is .,o - Here we come 1,T
- Mtsvord and spear und rattling drum;
siai Wei take the city. never fear, - 90"
- Mitour strong arms and bully lager beer.
All of the medals are Enthusiastically Ro-
man.. Here are Syrian damsels performing
Prince Antonius,7 who are taught to be.
lieve, ascribed his elevation to the throne
through the influence of the sun; and
there is the brute Caraculla, who per.
mitted his brother Geta to fall beneath
the knife of the assassin. Each piece seem!
to speak iRstinctively of the past, and eact
seems to illustrate the truthfulness of oul
traditions concerning that noble nation.
The question naturally arises. how die
the treasure get there? Here opens wide
Helu LOT specuiatiOn, into Which we dart
not enter for fear of getting lost among
these interminable labyrinths. Perhap:
some Roman family, after the fall of theil
empire, emigrated to the region of Mime
sofa, lived, died, and buried their richie.
there. Did the daring Northerner venture
to steal this treasure from some rich ole
patrfeiaD, and to elude detection, bury il
there; or did the goose that laid that gold
en- egg MAKE deposit by the banks of the
mighty Mississippi? We pause for an an
sWer. f,i7E
Ifis stated thatthe hunters are confiden