New-York tribune., 1869-03-25
TREASURE-SEEKING IN THE SEWERS.

REMARKABLE EXPLOIT OF A M0S0MANIAC-
$50 WORTH OF TRINKETS IN ONE DAYS
EXPLORATION.
AT the Hoboken Police Court yesterday, be-
fore Recorder Pope, respectfully individual of
gentlemanly address, with rich Yankee dialect was
put forward by Ocer Burke charged with beng In pos
session Of large of ewely and other vauabes
for the possession of which, in the opinion Of the officer
he failed 10 render satisfactory account His neither
extremtes encased in long and loose waterproof
boots, while his arm were placed an oiskn coat and
glazed conicalshaped hat extensively patronzed by
who the Davy lamp and reflect its light to
the best advantage while making their underground
plorations. His under garments, however, were
OF the most fashionable and superb descrip
tlon and as he gracefully reclined on the
edge Of the dock twing the corners Of hs huge dyed
mustache the charge being preferred against him.
he seemed ashamed Of his position, and indignant at
the From the statement OF the prisoner who
calls himself John W. Crane the history OF the accused,
and the particulars Of his strange trust
worthy. He born in Connecticut and IN early life
studied and ultimately practiced the profession of civil
engineer Some few years his mind became possessed
with the hallucinaton that treasures untold i'm
bedded the of Boston, NewYork, and Phladel
phia. This strongly impressed on his mind
few months ago reading descriptive article on the
Of Paris published CasSers Magazine IN which
the writer narrated an exciting and prohta-
bic Investigation ho had instituted in
OF the main of the French capital Another
monomaniac same subj who accompanied him TO
New-York recently came old number OF New
York journal from which appeared that named
Mcclure mo relation Of Captain Mcclure OF Arctic celeb
ry) and her had discovered treasure rOye in sewer
leading into Fronst and suggested to Crane the posi-
bty OF suddenly enrehing themselves at home. This
both determined to do and set out from Connecticut TO
Philadelphia, where were supplied by interest
cd relatives to push forward the work. Crane, who,
Notwithstanding his eceentricity, has knowledge OF
mapping and drawing. since his arrival In this city,
on the 1st of March, has perfected complete
map OF New-York, Brooklyn and Ho0oken.
and can tell precisely the location OF every sink and
sewer and their probable valuable contents 1t was only
on Monday last his arrangements complete, and
how perfect they were may be imagined from the fact
that his accontrements and implements cannot be con-
yeyed in one porters cart They consist OF an eight
shooter powder shovel spade pickax, two suits OF oil
cloths Davy lamps: seves wire headgear, four large
maps Of New-York, three trunks, and miscellaneous
collection Of articles, the Of which is known only to
himself on Monday night he steathly removed the
grating from the the intersection OF Roosevelt
and FrOnsts and descended but the only result OF his
investigation beug nearly half drowned as the Curb
age had been taken away the Friday previous Moth
ing daunted, he visited several other sewers In
the vicinity Of South Ferry and the Of three or
four hours returned, early Tuesday morning. 10 MS
lodgings no 19I Frontst, n " with trnkes, dc, worth
about SIS On Tuesday night he appears to have been
fortunate the result OF his gains as spread before
Recorder Pope yesterday being about $50 worth OF prop
erty comprising three old Watches number OF silver
and plated spoons knives forks several dozen pence aud
pence Of ancient date, one diamond finger ring one
meerschaum pipe. four pewter spirit TASKS &c These
articles he alleged he recovered principally from one OF
the largest in the city, which flows INTO
the East River at the foot Of Houston.st He
was Just leaving the sewer with his well filled
carpetbag aud had engaged boy 10 convey 1t TO the
HobOken ferry when detective dogged his steps and
gave information to Officer Burke, who arrested him on
the point Of cleansing his valuables at the Palisades Ho
boken HIS explanation and appearance indicating the
truth Recorder Pope ordered his discharge Last night
he took lodgings saloon In Westinghouse. Hoboken.
appeared afraid 20 venture out His friend, long
lean Vermontor, with the bump OF benevolence large,
visited him durpg the evening and offered S5 for one
sight OF Officer Burke who interrupted the
survey. Both individuals evidently den~~ted but
as Shakespeare saws, there's method IN H.