The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-03-31
wonderful Discovery.

the GREAT excitement which existed about year
400 In this vicinity, caused by the assertion of
an old negro serceress that a quantity of the
treasure Of the once celebrated Captain Kidd
was buried at q short distance from the Nation
al Cemetery, near what is familiarly known as
the "Devil's Punch Bowl" Quite number
of our coIored citizens, believing the stories of
this old woman, engaged in the work OF digging
for the hidden treasure in spot where, by the
aid of the black art, she had pronounced it to
be buried.
They progressed in their labor oflove (of
gain) for number of weeks, without success,
and finally gave up in despair, heavy ram
having disconnected them to dlscouraglng
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 chron-
icle would perhaps have never disturbed their
brains again. However, we will on to our sto-
ry, which is as strange as it is true.
Shortly after heavy storm, a few weeks ago,
a couple of negro boys, while hunting In the VI
cinity of the excavations made by the discom,,
flied treasure seekers of one year since, CHANGED
TO find dingy, rusty old square box, which
was so bound about with metal as to almost re-
semble an iron box. It was with difficulty 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 COL
ored man, repaired to the spot, and remember
ing the old sorceress' tale, at once concluded
they had found at least portion OF the treas
ure. Events have proved that they were not
amss in their conjcctures. 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 confided
their secret to no living person, but serious
affair having occurred between the boys the
matter (being at first but vaguely hinted atl
came to the ears of our reporter. he repaired
to the house on Wednesday night for the pur-
pose of examining the treasure found. The
box in which it was found is about three feet
long by two feet wide, evidently made OF spe-
cies 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 145O
up to 1880, and it is adjudged that there is at
least 1000 worth of them. Besides the coin,
there are several gold buckles and various 9TH
er articles, seemingly to have been worn as Or
naments. A great number of silver ornaments
were in the box, which, it appeared, 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 mouldy, green appearance,
fully attesting to the lapse of time since they
were buried. A little golden cross, with an
image of our Saviour, establishes the religion
of the people who buried the treasure, and from
the dates on the various coins it is believed
that the treasure thus unearthed at this late day
was buried by none other than the great Her
nando De Soto and his followers, about the
wear 1540, as it is well known that the discov-
erer of the mighty Mississippi was in this vi
cinity about that time, and also that he was
seriously 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 inconsid-
cradle event in our history, and will throw a
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.
A prominent gentleman has bargained for
the box and its contents, with a view of remoY.
ing them to New York, where the coins will
bring a large price from antiquaries.-Natches
Nep South.