The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1867-01-08
NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 1865.

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 1865.
Several wears ago little German Jew
named Schwartz, believing that in the
sewers of New York might be found many
articles of value which had been lost, en-
tered them, and for three days wandered
through the labyrinth. He was very sue
cessful, picking up some twenty, seven
thousand dollars 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 had encountered, that nothing
could induce him again to visit "New
York underground"
His adventure for time created quite a
little sensation, hut there were none veu-
turesome enough to attempt a second, un-
til Wednesday of last week, when an ad-
venturous 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 treas
ure trove
The party consisted of Miss Mary Wal
ker young lady of eighteen, her brother
James, aged sixteen, and Michael Grandy,
an old man of about fifty. The project or
iginated with Miss Walker and the "and the
show" of it is in this wise Some two years
ago James Walker, Jr., was a merchant
doing good business at 992 Bowery. He
was getting rich fast, but in an evil hour
was prevailed upon by friends(?) to use
some of his money which has been ''salted
down" in specializing in gold. The result
was easy to be foreseen. He lost. To re-
cover he took money from his business.
Again he lost. His business became en-
barrassed, in despair he committed suicide,
and Miss Walker and her brother found
themselvs six months ago the inhabitants of
a room on the upper floor of the double ten
ement 200 Sixth street. Miss Walker,
some months ago, in an old paper wrapped
around parcel which she was taking home
from "slop shop" saw an account of
Schwartz undertaking, and resolved to i'm
itate it.
Maps were obtained and the city studied
carefully. Each days work for herself,
her brother Grady, who was formerly in
her fathers employ, was carefully marked
out. Every preparation which limited
knowledge could prepare for was made, and
the adventures started.
| wish that might have room to tell
the story of the week they passed, but my
manuscript warns me that must condense.
Each day they rendezvoused several cham
bers at the street corners. OnSunday they
filled all the bags they had taken with them
some fifteen In number, and Miss Walker
returned, Jas. Walker and Grady coutinI-
ed their search, emptying six of the bags
at the corner of Twenty-thrd street and
Fifth avenue. On Wednesday morning at
a very ear y hour, and before many people
were stirring, Miss Walker was at the place
with a wagon. On removing the iron
plate, which at each corner leads into a
small chamber connected with the sewer,
she found her brother but not Grady. He
had started off on another trip although the
six bags had been filled twice over at Mad
ison avenue. TheIoos treasure was placed
in extra bags and the whole driven to a
jewelers.. The rest were taken
from their places on Tuesday morning. A
watch was sent for Grandy, but up to the
time of writing, nothing has been heard
from him, and it is fearful that he has per-
ished.
The result of the weeks search is rough
ly estimated at one million and a half dol