The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-23
THE COC0s ISLAND AND TIE GOLD
HUNTERS.
A san Francisco paper tells the following:-

san Francisco paper tells the following
The swarthy, heavy bearded short-haired, thick
set 6uccaneer who fabricated the tale Of hidden
more than he originally Intended. With each sue
ceedng year the yarn has sustained embellishments.
The original buccaneer, like Wasnngton's body SER
want, has grown into many. The secret he told has
also been credited TO buccaneers innumerabe. Ac-
cordlng to a carefu estimate larger sum OF money
has been expended in hunting the treasure than
the treasure itself-the dou0lOOns ingots and
To- be Worth
color OF gold has been discovered. Europeans
the conclusion that the buccaneer bequeathed
tale with malice aforethOught and that It really has
fornis VINO scout this theory they viii succumb to
the thinnest mining excitement and start OH pros
pecting expeditions upon the slightest provOcation.
We also have credulous class; clas who will ac-
cept Munchausen stories for truth-not only accept,
but relish them-and pay for the enjoyment. The
Cocos Island treasure seekers belong to this Class
They exhausted their means q few months ago, but
are now recuperatlng for fresh start. In view OF
tine foregoing facts information relative to the Island
IL OF special interest. During conversation with q
gentleman who returned from the island with the
last expedition our reporter learned something
OF its characteristics COcos Island Is situated IN
the Pacific ocean, about SIX hundred miles west
southwest from Panama, In lat deg. 10 min.
P Rs Statement Is Incorrect Fhe island Is s
S SS and m TsT
beach is found. The Island, according to our IN
f0rmpnt, Is four miles across and twenty miles
around and Is OF volcanic origin. Heavy tim
ber a species or cedar. Is found III consider
able quantities. The greater portion OF the
island is hiily, and Ia covered with heavy
growth OF vines, weeds and grass. The
vines form barriers at some points which IL
Is almost impossible to penetrate An immense
amount OF rain falls upon the island preserving its
mantle OF green oil the year round Our informant
has visited The island several times at different
seasons OF the year, and always saw more or less
rain. When the storms prevail the island presents
beautiful sight. Torrents OF water dash over the
scared 1rows OF the hills, forming lovely cascades
and wind their wav through the ravines To the
ocean. At one time 100 cascades were visible from
q high blun, and some Of these were OF suficent
magnitude TO render them truly grand. Whie the
island IL constantly green, ana contains an
abundance OF fresh water, our informant as
sures that IL does not produce am edlbles.
Wild hogs are found, but they are decreasing in
numbers and DO not seem to thrive. The pleasure
seekers have not made any attempts as cultivation,
but have devoted their energies 10 the main cues.
ton. The itte beach Ia perforated with shafts and
the hills and valleys abound In shafts--the number
runs into the hundreds. Some Of the excavatians
In solid rock are over one hundred and nfty feet
Deep and surely could not have been accomplished
without large outlay OF time, labor and money.
This rock contains iron pyrtes but trace OF gold,
silver other precious metal has been found. II Is
now uuinhabited. Such Ia COc0s Island the land
which has attracted attention for centuries past,
and bids fair hold It's peculiar sway for centuries
to come. Another treasure seeking expedition Is in
process OF organization In thus clty.