The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-03-29
Discovery of Treasure.
A PAPER published in Natchcz, tells
N the following.


member the great excitement which exis-
ted about year ago in this vicinity, caus-
ed by the assertion of an old negro sorce-
ress that quantity of the treasure of the
once celebrated Captain Kidd was buried
short distance from the National Gene
terry, near what is familiarly known as the
" Devils Punch Bowl" Quite number
of our colored citizens, believing the sto-
ries Of this old woman, engaged in the
work of digging for the hidden treasure
in spot which, by the aid of the black
art, she had pronounced it to be buried.
They progressed in their labor for
number of weeks, without success, and
finally gave up in despair, heavy rain
having discommoded them to discour-
aging extent. Time passed on, and the
event has perhaps escaped the minds of
nearly all to whom the mysterious affair
was cognizant, 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 really as strange as it is true.
Shortly after a heavy storm, few weeks
ago, a couple of negro boys, while hunt
ing in the vicinity of the excavations
made by the dscomftted treasure seekers
of one year since, chanced to find dingy
and rusty old square box, which was so
bound about with metal as to almost re-
semble an iron box. 1t was with difficult
ty that the two combined could move it,
and to carry it 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, repaired to
the spot and remembering the old sorce-
ress' tale, at once concluded that they had
found at least portion Of the treasure.
Events have proved that they were not
amiss in their conjectures. But they
moved very cautiously 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 confded their secret to
no living person, but serious affair hay
ing occurred between the boys, the matter
being at first but vaguely limited at
came to the ears Of our reporter. He re-
paired to the house on Wednesday night
for the purpose of examing the treasure
found.
The box in which it was found is about
three feet long by two feet wide, evident
ly made of species of cedar, and is firm
ly bound by strips of iron, running
around laterally and diagonally, and fast
ened with long nails, clinched inside
The treasure consists principally of an
cient Spanish gold and silver coin, dated
from l450 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 orna-
ments. A great number of silver orna-
ments were in the box, which itappeared
were used as some part of their sword
trappings.
1t is impossible to tell what metal any
of the coins or ornaments are composed
Of by their looks, for all have a mouldy,
green appearance, fully attesting to the
lapse Of time since they were buried. A
little golden cross, with the image of our
Saviour, establishes the religion of the
people who buried the treasure, and from
the dates on the various coins it is belev-
ed that the treasure thus unearthed at
this late day was buried by none other
than the late fernando De Soto and his
followers, about the year 1910, as it is
well known that the dscoverer of the
mighty Mississippi was in this vicinity
about that time, and also that he was Sc
riously troubled by the hostile Indians.
A piece of parchment found in the box
was so old and musty that no characters
could be discerned upon it, AS whole,
the discovery of this long hidden treasure
forms no inconsiderable event in our
history, and will throw new light upon
the adventures of the hardy Spaniards
who frequented the spot where now
stands our beautiful city, centuries ago.
A number of individuals have visited
the hut, and examined the coins, and all
agree with the views of the writer as to
whom the treasure was buried by.