Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-02

a Methodist Preacher Dies Leaving
s35.OoO I'm an Old Trnnk-FIndinz Of
the Money by ais FamiIy-Reninis-
eenee Of the Morgan Raid.
For startling sensations Clark county is
I the champion county Of Indiana. We are
! scarce recovered from the sensations Of the
Park family murder and the hanging Of the
negro murderers, when another extraordin-
ary affair, Of an entirely different character,
however, startles us by its strangeness. Rev.
Rein Hammond was a noted local preach
er Of the Methodist Church, and resided for
many years at ChariestO En, Ind. He died
some four weeks ago, after a lingering i'll
ness. During his lifetime be had been
/ prudent, economical man, but by no means
misery in disposition, for he gave literally
% all eOmmendabIe objects.
II was known that he was quite wealthy
in real estate, his wealth being the result Of
the advance in the value of his lands, which
were iudiciously purchased in localities
where improvements were steadily going
forward. But at the time Of his death not
a verv largs sum Of money was found
among his effects; nor had his family any
knowledge that he had other funds than
what his bank account and his pocketbOOk
showed.
The administrator Of the estate was pro-
ceediug BY due course Of law to settle its af-
fairs, and this made an inventory Of the
contents Of his late residence in Charles
town necessary. This inventory was being
proceeded with on Thursday last, when an
old, but tOlerably large, trunk was found
slowed away in a closet under a
pair Of stairs on the first floor Of the
house, and within The bedroom occupied
Dv the deceased during his lifetime. This
old trunk was drawn from its dingy quar-
ters. and was literally covered over with
dust and cObwebs. It's great weight, how
ever. attracted particular attention, and as
no kew could be found with which to un-
lock il, the lock was broken.
And now comes the singular part of the
story. On raising the lid of the trunk it
was found that the body Of the box was lit
eraIly filed with gold and silver coin and
government bonds. \ grandson of the de-
ceased Informs us that there were twenty
five thousand dollars in gold and silver, and
ten thousand dollars in government bonds
Mrs. Hammond, who survives her husband,
saws that during the raid of Gen. John
Morgan through Indiana, Mr.. Hammond
drew all his money from bank and other
sources. and placed it together in this old
trunk. which ne secreted where it was
found She had supposed, however, that
after tue danger from Morgan and his men
had passed. he had again deposited the
money from whence 1t had been drawn;
and although il was known TO her that the
trunk was in the closet, she never dreamed
of the immense treasure it contained.
The money was counted by the proper
parties, and then carried 10 Jefiersonville,
where it was deposited for safe keeping in
the Citizens National Bank. At the time
Of his death Rev. Mr.. Hammond was prob
ably the wealthiest Methodist minister in the
West. except, perhaps, Bishop AmeS. We
are informed that his estate is estimated at
not less than three hundred and fifty thOus-
and dollars. IL is not often that a minister
of the gospel has so fortunate arln Of luck in
the accumulation Of wealth. Mr.. Ham
Inond several times, few days before his
death, attempted to tell his family some
thing that seemed 70 bear with weight upon
his mind; but he was too debilitated either
to talk or write. Several times he was no
ticed to point anXiOusly toward the closet,
and it is now thought his desire was 10 cOIn-
municate to his family the place where his
treasure was hiddeu.-LOlGSciIl Ledger.