The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-01-18

a.
A New York correspondent Of the Erie
fPenn. D'psteh, under date Of the Sd inst,
gives the following; s.p
Several years ago little German Jew
named Schwartx, believing that in the sew
ers Of New York might be found many arti-
clss Of value which had boen lost, entered
them, and for three days wandered through
the labyrinth. He was very successful,
picking up some $27, 900 worth of jewelry,
spoons, forks, &c. but, having lost his way
the FIRST day, be believed that he might have
found much more could be have carried out
his original plan, which was to visit Fifth
and Madison avenues, Broadway, and the
wealthy portion of the city. So great, how
ever, were the difficulties and dangers which
he had encountered, that nothing could in-
duce him again to visit ssNew York under
ground"
His venture, for time, created quite q
sensation, but there were none venturous
enough 10 attempt q second, until Wednes-
day Of last week, when IN adventurous par
~ OF three entered the sewer Of Houston
street as the ferry on East river, intending to
remain for one week, during which time
they proposed whiting every portion Of the
city whore there seemed TO be any chance Of
finding treasure trove.
The party consisted Of Miss Mary Walker,
young lady Of eighteen, 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 10 in
this wise: Some two years ago, James
Walker, Jr., was q merchant doing a good
business at 20i Bowery. He was getting
rich fast, but, 10 an evil hour, he was pre-
vailed upon by friends to use some Of his
money which had been s'salsed down." in
speculating 10 gold The result was easy to
be foreseen. He lest 70 recover, he took
money from his business. Again he lost.
His business became embarrassed; in des-
pair ne committed suicide, and Miss Walker
and he- hrother found themselves, six months
.go, the Inhabitants Of q room on the upper
aoor OF toe double tenement, 200 Sixth
street. Miss Walker, some months ago, Ia
an old paper wrapped around parcel which
she was taking home from a "slop-shop,"
saw sn account Of Schwartz's undertaking,
and resolved 10 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 preparation which limited
knowledge could prepare for was made, and
the asventurers started.
| wish that might have room to tell the
story Of the week they passei, but my man
uscript warns me that l must coniense
Each day they rendezvousei several tunes
in the chambers at the street corners. On
Sunday they had 6lled 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 Twenty
third street and Fifth asenIe. On Wednes-
day morning at a very early hour, and before
many people were stirring, Miss Walker was
at the place with q wagon. On removing
the iron plate. which at each street corner
leads into q small chamber connecting with
sewer, she found her brother, but not
Grady. He had started off on another trip,
although the six bags had been filed over in
Madison avenue. The loose treasure was
placed in extra bags, and the whole driven
to Broadway jewelers.. The rest were
taken from the places on Thursday morning.
A watch was set for Grady; but up to the
time of writing nothing has been heard from
him, and it is feared that he has perished.
The result Of e weeks search is roughly
estimated at S, 500, 900. saw the treasure
yesterday piled IN three heaps on the floor,
and the jeweler informed me that it must
have cost over 5000 900, but in conse-
qusnce Of the old-fashioasd style of setting,
its bruised, battered, and corroded condition,
its value was reduced about one bali. A
little over one busheI thow queer il sounds
to talk about jewelry by the bushei) has
been sorted, and among it has been found
one diamond ring valued at $4,000, two
more valued at $4,000, and half dozen
valued at $500 ana upwards. The NEST
curious, is pIain gold ring inscribed ou
the inside in Dutch, Peter Stuyvesant to
his wife," 1t is an heirloom Of the Stuy-
vesants, aud was stolen with other jeweiry
last March, by burglars. How it came In
she sewers Is problem for philosophers TO
| gDeculate about