The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-08

In the Nineteenth Ward, bordering on
the East River, can be seen very neat
little two-story frame house, covering
almost an entire square, surrounded by
beautiful garden, the occupant and
owner of which, though German, is
what we call one of the self-made men
of New York, and ranks among the
wealthiest. Though man of little or
no education, it would make ones blood
run cold to listen to his daring exploits,
and the many adventures that he has
passed through under the streets of our
city. Some fifteen years ago, he landed
in this country, Il perfect stranger, and
with but little money This he had the
pleasing satisfaction, il such we may call
it, of being robbed of on his very first
night in the city, at German boarding
house in Greenwich street. His vocation
ut home was that of n night-scavenger,
and he was not long in procuring q stu
alton in the same business in this city.
For five years he followed the same as an
employee, which enabled him to ave
considerable money. During the time,
he had frequently found many valuables,
and so persistently were applications
made to search for lost property, that he
conceived the idea of working the sew
ers of our streets in its search. He had
also become quite accustomed to sewers,
rs he had frequently been compelled to
clean them out, and was as much Mt
home in these narrow and filthy passage
ways as upon the streets. The leading
contractors in the above business found
him SO valuable and 80 daring an ex-
plorer that they were continually calling
his services into requisition. There is
hardly sewer on the island in which he
has not been; and he seemed to take n
great interest in watching the building
of new sewers and drains. He knows
their size, length, every turn and crook,
their inlets and outlets, and claims to
have many haunts below the ground,
where, by the force of water, valuables
that are lost are sure to settle ere they
can be carried out into the river. 1t will
be remembered it was but n few weeks
ago that man was arrested III Hobollen
with quite number Of valuable articles
in basket, and it was discovered that
he had got them out OF the sewers Of
New York. Now, many presumed that
this was new business, tho like never
having been heard of before, yet this is
not so. There are quite number,
mostly Germans, who follow this same
business; but they are very careful not
to divulgc the same. as it is said they are
making an independent fortune. 1t is n
regularly established business in France
and Germany, and III many places they
pay so much for tho proceeds of the
sewers. 1t is said that there have been
those who have tried to accustom them
selves to the business, but who were un-
able, III many instances, to endure the
unhealthy odor and poisonous gases.
The first trip ever taken by our in
former along the sewers of the city was
on Courtlandt street, in search of n
pocket-book that had been lost in the
sink of one of the prominent hotels on
that street, and which contained 81 $50
in money, and drafts and notes to the
amount of S23, 900. The sink had been
lost property were fruitless; it was evil
dent that it had been washed out into
tho main sewer, and the owner offered
the whole amount of money in cash,
81 1850, should it be recovered. Her
mann, for as such he was known among
his associates, concluded to work the
street sewer that night and see if it was
possible to find the same. That night
accompanied by two others. ho equipped
himself in full rubber suit, a revolver
hook, dark lantern, aud sieve
shovel. Descending, at the first opening,
which was about u block below the hotel,
he set out on his journey on his hands
and knees through the dismal passage
way. He had no sooner got well under
way, the powerful light from the dark
lantern affording him plenty If light,
when he came face to face with one of
the largest dock rats that he had ever
seen. The power of the light seemed
to stagger the rat for n moment, when
Hermann drew his pistol and shot him
dead. He then resumed operations, and
sifted after mud and filth as he went
along. The first thing of note that he
found was the body of still born, about
three or four months old. On lifting it,,
it was so much decomposed that it fell
apart. A little further, he picked up o
silver watch, with common cord tied
to it, and it had evidently been some
time in the sewer. Keeping on, he soon
picked up two silver tablespoons, one
bearing the word National" and evil
IDENTIFY belonging to the hotel of the
same name, which is located on the
same street; he also picked up part of
an old silver urn. AS he lifted the piece
of urn he felt something heavy against
it, Which he Mt first imagined to be n