The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-04-01
Wonderful Discovery.

wOnuer1ul ufSCOVefYs
Many of our readers will no doub; re-
member the great excitement which
existed about year ago near Natchez,
caused by the assertion of an old ne
gro sorceress that a quantity of the
treasure of the once celebrated Captain
Kidd was buried at short distance
from the National Cemetery, near what
is familiarly known as the "Devil's
Punch Bowl" Quite number of our
colored citizens, believing the stories Of
this old woman, engaged in the work Of
digging for the hidden treasure in q
spot where, by the aid of the black art,
she had pronounced it to be buried.
They progressed in their "labor Of
love" (of gain) for number of weeks,
without success, and finally gave up in
despair, heavy rain having discom-
moded them to discouraging extent.
Time passed on, and the event has per.
haps escaped the minds of nearly all to
whom the mysterious affair was cogniz-
ant, and but for the event which we are
about to chronicle, would perhaps have
never disturbed their brains again.
However, we will on to our story, which
| is as strange as it is true.
Shortly after heavy storm, a few
weeks ago, couple of negro boys, while
hunting in the vicinity of the eycava-
tions made by the discounted treasure
seekers of one year since, CHANGED to
find dingy, rusty old square box,
| nI, oh "a II
as to almost resemble an iron box. 1t
was with difficulty that the two COM
bined could move it, and to carry IL
was out of the question.
While one of them remained near
this queer looking old box, the other
went home for his father. The father,
his wife, and another colored man, re.
paired to the spot, and remembering
the old sorceress' tale, at once concluded
that they had found at least portion
of the treasure. Events have proved
that they were not amiss in their con-
lectures. But they moved very eau
tiously in the matter, lest they should
be discovered, and so under the cover
of night the box was removed to their
little cottage. Up to the early part Of
this week they Gonfided their secret to
no living person, but serious affair
having occurred between the boys, the
matter (being at first but vaguely hint
ed at) came to the ears of our reporter.
He repaired to the house on Wednes-
day night for the purpose Of examining
the treasure found. The box in which
it was found is about three feet long by
two feet wide, evidently made of
species of cedar, and is firmly bound by
strips Of iron, running around laterally
and diagonally, and fastened with long
nails, clinched inside. The treasure
consists principally Of ancient Spanish
gold and silver coin, dated from 1850 up
to 1880, and it is adjudged that there is
at least $4,000 worth of them. Besides
the coin, there are several gold buckles,
and various other articles, seemingly to
have been worn as ornaments. A great
number of silver ornaments were in the
: box, which 1t appeared were used as
some part of their sword trappings.
A piece of parchment found in the
box was so old and musty that no char,
acters could be discerned on it. AS a
whole, the discovery of this long hid
den treasure forms no inconsiderable
event in our history, and will throw a
new light upon the adventures of the
hardy Spaniards who frequented the
spot where now stands Natchez
, city, centuries ago. A number of in
, dividuals have visited the hut, and ex-
= amined the coins, and all agree with
: treasure was buried by.
A prominent gentleman has bargain
cd for the box and its contents, with a
view of removing them to New York,
where the coins will bring large price
from antiquaries.