The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-26
MYSTERIOUS Affair In Columbia.

mv.tertous Affair In Columbia.
The Columbia Phoenix gives the following
account Of strange and mysterious tram OF
circumstances, which have recently come TO
light in that place:
"seyeral weeks ago. a white man, giving hls
name as Emory Howard and claiming to 6e
native of Illinois, was arrested by Chief Rad
cliffe. under suspicious circumstances. He
stated that he had walked from Augusta, Ga.'
and in attempting to cross the Congaree River
in company with two companions-named Y.
W Peck and James Caff-the boat upset, and
bis two friends and the ferryman Ia colored
man. named Richard Wiliams,) we're drowned
Search for the bodies was made, but with un-
satisfactory results. The wife Of the ferryman
corroborated the statement OF the prisoner
that her husband had attempted 70
carry three men across the 1ver' Dut
tnew nothing further relative to the
matter. except that her husband had not re-
turned. A pistol and package OF letters ad-
dressed to George LOCKER, were found on the
nerson of Howard. Through tho instrument
tality of a young lawyer. the prisoner was re-
leased, after several days. confinement; leaving
his pistol Tin lieu Of greenbacks which ar'l-
c,a be appeared to be shcrt) as payment for
the services rendered by the disciple OF Black
stone. and immediately departed--nes.ecting
TO leave his address. On Sunday morning last
a fisherman, who had several traps in the
river, discovered a strange object on one OF
them, and on more minute observation 1t
nroyed to be the arm and leg OF human
haino Coroner Walker was notified, and
after considerable difficulty, owing to the
high water, and consequent danger OF
the undertaking, succeeded in hiring Two
men to bring the remains (Which proved to
be the missing ferryman, Richard VII
hams), ashore. DR.. Geiger carefully exam
med the body, but could find no marks OF
violence. An inquest was held in the after
noon. and verdict OF accidental drowning re-
turned BY the jury. The wife OF the deceased
ferryman identified the body. We now come
to the mysterious pert or the affair. ABOUT
fifteen months ago letter was received by an
officer Of one Of the Masonic Lodges IN TINS
oity. from an individual in Kansas, who stated
that man-of whom particular des rlptlon
vas eiyen-had informed son of the writer
that he had buried q quantity OF gold near
Columbia, which he had secured during the
destruction Of that city-oAering the young
man $1,000 if he would accompany him ana as
sist in it's recovery. The fathers advice to have
nothing to do with the matter was complied With
fso the letter declared), and the object OF the
writer was to effect the arrest OF the rooDer,
and to force him to disgorge his lu-gotten
treasure. The letter WIS replied to, and the
nolics notified of the matter. Nothing further
was heard OF the affair until about tTo months
ago. when another letter was received from
the Kansas correspondent, asserting that the
ex.soldier had, in company with companion
who Was also described-the day before de-
n.rted ON their Journey to Columbia, and that
AZ thew expected to stop in Washington and
one or two other cities on their way, several
weeks would elapse before their arrival at the
scene OF their depredations. A strict W, ten
was kept by Chief Radcliffe and his assistants,
and the result was the arrest on suspicion of
Howard alas LOCKER. The description given
by this man Of his two companions tai
lies with that furnished in the letter mentioned
above. The interesting query arises, there
fore, we're the parties put out OF the way py
LOCKER, 80 as to secure the gold to hlmselt IN
dividuary, or was it disponsation OF Provi-
dence. preventing the wicked robbers OF the
widow and orphan obtaining possession OF the
coveted gold; or were the voyagers innocent
travellers, who met with an unlocked for acci-
dent2 We are informed that diigent efforts
will be made for the recovery OF the missing
bodies. AS the affair is still hidden BY thick
veil of uncertainty, it is unfortunate that
LOCKER was allowed to depart until the mys-
terry was cleared up, as he was, perhaps, the
only witness Of the unfortunate accident. Lot
ters of inquiry have been forwarded to tho
Kansas correspondent, and further lntorma-
ton relative to the buried treasure may yet be
obtained"