Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-02-19

B1ADENBoRo', N. c., Feb. 10, 1869.

BLADENBoRo', N. c., Feb. 10, 1869.
MEssRs. EDIToRs:-A very curious dis
covery has lately been made in a small islet
situated in Big Swamp, about six or seven
miles from this place, the particulars of
which are as follows:
About sixty years ago there lived, about
half mile of this islet, on the eastern
edge of the swamp, an Englishman, who
was known among the settlers by the name
of Elias Hugo. His first appearance into
this region was in the Spring of 1906, then
apparently in his thirty-eighth or ninth
year, and although his language and bear
ing denoted that he had been educated,
yet his hard, brown features bore unmis-
taxable evidence of hard spent life. He
was, it appears, somewhat above the ordi-
nary size, and finely proportional, pre-
senting as fine a specimen of manhood as
eye could wish to look upon. His manners
were somewhat reserved and taciturn his
countenance, though q little haggard,
would at once convince the beholder that
he was no ordinary individual Why he
should seek life SO cherries and seclud-
ed, was mystery often spoken of by his
neighbors. Yet, seemingly determined to
cut himself off from the society of his fell
low-men, he proceeded to erect a cabin for
himself in this dismally secluded spot,
where, he said, when once celebrating on
the vicssitudes OF life, and the scenes
through which he had passed, he earnestly
hoped to pass his remaining years in per-
feet solitude.
The cabin fronted the swamp and from
its front door, with it's frail stoops, led a
narrow walk to the swamp; thence, in a
westerly direction, led a narrow track to
the islet. His furniture consisted of a
chair, a bench, rough pine table, mat
utensils.
| Here in this secluded abode, alone and
uncared for, lived the mysterious stranger
until the 18th of May, 1909. On that sad
| day, ere the morning sun eXhaled the dew
drops that gemmed the forest leaves, Elias
Hugo breathed his soul into the hands of
! the immortal power that gave it.
After the death of Hugo strange stories
were told of spectre that was seen and of
strange sounds that were heard about the
house and premises, and so deeply had a
superstitious dread of the place taken hold
upon the minds of the settlers that the
cabin was permitted to decay and fall, as
did its mysterious occupant.
Not long since, however, the place fell
! into the possession of other parties, Mr..
Joel Ell. Ester and son. A clearing away
! n q NJ was q
once deemed necessary by the owners, and
to this purpose they applied themselves
vigorously. They had not proceeded far,
however, before they discovered, on raising
the floor, a small tin box, snugly encased
in the base of the chimney, under the
hearth. They were not long in knowing
its contents, as you can we'll imagine. The
! box is some eighteen or twenty inches
square and made of very thick tin. It
contained copy of RaphaeIs Madonna,
to which was attached small cross, a
RAZOR, with the initials "H. IT." nicely en-
graved on the handle, and the following
letter, which reveals the secret of the dis
covery of the box with nine hundred liores,
| which was made about three weeks ago,
on the islet referred to in the commence
ment Of my letter.
"BLAtEN Co., N. c.
May IL, 1909.
SAMUEL w. HUGO,
80 Cheapside, London, England.
g Ny Dear Brother This is perhaps the last
| address shall ever send you. Before to-morrow's
sun has set, shall be in spirit world, marching
in the holy and wonderful company of the Holy
Souls. who for the honor of Christ and the Holy
airy, despised the things of the world. Even now
feel as if the fountains of life were drying up.
! Chen il tremulous hand,}
Come to America, urged you in pre-
vious letter. have buried all the money brought
with me, amounting to about one million and
| three hundred thousand dollars, on a small islet
| near by, the directions to which have already
sent you. The amount is contained in seven diff.
ferent boxes, and buried in separate places on
the islet.
your afsctionate brother,
"(Signed) ELIAS HUGO"
SNIBBoR.
Mr. David Wells ~ he ,.o.o1.L nm