The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-05-14
Treasure TrOYe.

y correspondent of the n. \. Sun
writes from Bolton, Texas:
For several years past there has been a
strange story published in many of the
local papers of the State in regard to bu-
ried treasure in this part of the country.
About twenty miles above BeltOn there is
a large spring, whence issues one of the
most beautiful streams in the world, which
for a distance of twenty miles meanders
through a rich and fertile valley, about two
miles in width, surrounded by a range of
mountains on which there are cedar brakes
almost impenetrable to man. This valley
is known far and near as NOland's valley,
and is celebrated for its springs of pure
water, the fertility of the soil, and its
many peculiarly-shaped mounds.
About fifteen years ago an old Mexican
greaser named AntOnia came into this sec
ton of the country, and hired himself as
labOrer to gentleman of the vicinity. He
was about fifty years of age, and one of
the most eccentric individuals in the cOun-
try. Every spare moment he could get
he was prOwling around through the
mountain and valley, apparently in search
of something. but when questioned he
gave evasive replies. At that early day
this country was but thinly inhabited, and
lllt CIllLtIlS NtIC lIOulBltl NCI IiuNh bl
horse thieves. The MeXican's conduct
was so very peculiar that the citizens be-
gan to look on him with suspicion, think
ing he was spy for some band of thieves,
locating the whereabouts of the best hOrs-
es, and finding gaps through the noun
tains to pilot the thieves in and out. He
was frequently absent a day or two at Il
time, and when questioned would give
very unsatisfactory answers. Suspicion
with Texan amounts to guilt, and few
of the neighbOrs arrested AntGnia for the
purpose of compelling him to divulge
all he knew about the horse thieves.
The party proceeded to administer lynch
law. He was hanged three times, until
life was nearly extinct. but not word
could be forced from him in regard to the
horse thieves. When he revived sutfi-
ciently he told them the following story:
He said that about twenty years ago he
belonged to a band of Mexican robbers,
whose retreat was about twenty miles from
here, among the mountains on Leon River.
One day. while the rest of the band were
on an expedition, he and cOmrade con-
ceived the bold design OfrObbing them and
hiding the treasure until the robbers were
dispersed, when they wOuldreturn and get
the gold. He said there were four cedar
boxes, containing one hundred thousand
dollars each, all in Spanish dOubloOns,
which they placed on pack mules and
transported to this valley and buried in
four very peculiarly shaped mounds. His
partner had been killed in Mexico at a fan
dangO, and he had been confined in Mex
lean prison until this time. He said he
had been searching the valley over for the
mounds where the money was concealed,
but so many years had elapsed that he
could not find the marks he had left to deS-
ignate the place.
Very few of the party placed any conf
dence in his narrative, and after severe
caStigation, he was allowed to go free,
with instructions to leave the country
forthwith. He has never been seen or
heard of in this part of the country since.
Your correspondent was one Ofthe party
who arrested the old Mexican, and was in
clined to give some credence to the story,
but to turn out and seek for the money
among so many mounds without any
knowledge of the exact locality, was like
looking for needle in haystack. There
are but few here now who ever heard the
tale. and the oldest settlers have almost let
it slip from their memory.
A day or two ago citizen of this valley
was in need of some clay to daub an old
fashioned stick and earth chimney, and as
clay is a very scarce article here, he con-
cluded to open one of the mounds and try
the earth for that purpose. He opened a
hole about three feet deep, where he found
a strong cedar box with iron bands. The
bands were almost eaten up with rust, and
were easily removed by hand. With the
sharp point of the pick the box was press
ed open. and found to contain $3.50 Span
ish doubloons, almost 100000. He pro-
cured wagon and removed the treasure
to Belton and deposited it in the bank OF
Sinclair & Co. lie made no secret OF the
discovery, 2nd the greatest excitement
now prevails. Adventures are scattered
through the valley with spade and pick,
digging into every mound and turning
over every peculiarly-shaped rock. The
old Mexican's story is revived with hun
dred variations. Some of the landowners
have stationed sentinels around their
premises while the laborers are searching
for the hidden treasure.
The lucky finder is man by the name
of Brandon, who had never heard the old
Mexican's story. He has large family,
and was already in good circumstances.
He is a strict member of the Baptist church
and has already given $4,000 to the church
for the purpose of building large church
and school-hOuse in his neighborhoOd.