The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-01-23
Treasure TroVe Extraordinary.
COUPLE OF WALKERS IN THR SEWERS OF
NEW YoRK--"PAY DIRT" STRUCK HEAVILY
diamonds BY TUE BUsHEL.
from the Erie Dispatch.l

From the Erie Dispatch.]
Several years ago a little German Jew,
named Schwartz, believing that in the sew
ers Of New York mighbSbe found many
articles OF value which had been lost, en-
tered them, and for three days wandered
through the labyrinth. He was very sue
eessful, picking up some &27 1000 worth OF
iswelry, spoons, forks, etc. !; but having lost
Ris way the first day, he believed that he
I might have found much more, could he have
carried out the original plan, which was to
visit Fifth and Madison avenues, Broad
way, and the wealthy portions 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 quite little sensation, but there
we're none yenturous enough to attempt a
second, until Wednesday of last week,
when an adventurous party of three en-
tered the sewer of Houston street, at the
ferry on East River, intending to remain
for one week, during which time they pro-
posed visiting every portion of the city
where there seemed to be any chance, to
Sad treasure trove. The party consisted of
Miss Mary Walker, young lady of eigh-
teen, her brother James, aged sixteen, and
Michael Grady, an old man of about fifty.
The project originated with Miss Walker,
and the show" Of it is in this wise Some
two years ago, James Walker, Jr., was
merchant, doing good business at 9911a
Bowery. He was getting rich fast, but in
an evil hour ne was prevailed upon by
friends n to use some of his money which
had been "salted down." in specializing in
gold. The result was easy to be foreseen.
He lost. TO recover he took money from
his business. Again he lost. His business
became embarrassed in despair he COM
mitted suicide, and Miss Walker and her
brother found themselves six months ago,
the inhabitants ola room on the upper floor
Of double tenement, 200 Sixth street.
Hiss Walker, some months ago, in an old
paper, wrapped around parcel she was
taking home from "slop-shop," saw an ac-
couut of Schwartz's undertaking, and re-
solved 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 prepara-
ton which limited knowledge could pre-
pare for was made, and the adventures
started. Iwish that I might have room to
tell the story of the week they passed, but
'iny manuscript warns me that | must con-
dense. Each day they rendezvoused sew
ieral times in the chambers at the street cor
ners. On Sunday they had filed all the
bags they hadtaken with them, some fifteen
IN number, and Miss Walker returned.
James Walker and Grady continued their
search, emptying six Of the bags at the cor.
ner OF Twenty -second street and Fifth
avenue. On Wednesday morning, at a very
early hour, and before people were stirring,
Miss Walker was at the place with wagon. !
On removing the iron plate, which at each |
street corner leads into small chamber
connecting with the sewer, she found her
brother, but not Grady. He had started
off on another trip, although the six bags
had been filled in Madison avenue. Tie
loose treasure was placed in extra bags,
and the whole driven to Broadway Jewell
ler'5. The rest were taken from the places
on Thursday morning. A watch was set
for Grady, but up to this time of writing,
nothing has been heard from him, and it is t
feared that he has persisted. The result Of
the weeks search is roughly estimated at
Sl,500,000. saw the treasures Yesterday
piled in three heaps on the floor. and the
jeweller Informed me that it must have cost
over S3,000,000, but in consequence of the
old fashioned style of setting, its bruised,
and eorroded condition, its value
WIS reduced about one-half A little over
a bushel (how queer it sounds to talk of
jewelry by the busheD has been sorted, and
among it has been found, one diamond ring
valued at $4,000, two more valued at
$4,000, and a half dozen valued at $4,000
and upwards. The most curious is plain
gold ring, inscribed on the inside in Dutch,
Peter Stuyvesants, to wife, it is an heir
loom of the Stuyvesants. and was stolen
with other jewelry, last March, by burglars.
How it came iu the sewer is problem for
philosophers to speculate upon. Miss
Walker and her brother, who find them
selves thus lifted from penury to great
wealth, intend to proceed to England, where
they have relatives. This adventure is
talked of everywhere, and already there are
others preparing to follow in their foot
steps.