The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1874-05-22
A STORY OF HIDDEN GOLD
What Texas Baptist Found Buried il
a Cedar Box,

bELTON. lEAAs. hpEil ~, lotf'
For several years past there has
been strange story published in
many of the local papers ofthe State
in regard to buried treasure in this
part Of the country. About twen>
ty miles above Bolton there is a
large spring, whence issues one of
the most beautiful streams in the
world, which for distance of TWEEN
ty miles meanders through rich and
fertile valley, about two miles in
width, surrounded by range of noun
tains on which there are cedar brakes
almost impenetrable to man. This
valley is known far and near as No
lands Valley, and is celebrated for
its springs of pure water, the fertili-
ty of the soil, and its many peculiar
shaped mounds,
About fifteen years ago an old
Mexican greaser named Antonio
came into this section ofthe country,
and hired himself as laborer to a
gentleman in the vicinity. He was
about Fifty years Of age, and one of
the most eccentric individuals in the
country. Every spare mement he
could get he was proving around
through mountain and valley, appa-
rently in search Of something, but
when questioned he gave eyasive
replies. AT that early day this
country was but thinly inhabited,
and the citizens were troubled very
much by horse thieves. The Mex
leans conduct was SO peculiar that
the citizens began to look on him
with suspicion, thinking he was
spy for some band of horses and
finding gaps through the mountains
to pilot the thieves in and out. He
was frequently absent a day or two
at time, and when questioned would
give very unsatisfactory answers, -
Suspicion with Texan amounts to
guilt, and few of the neigbors ar
rested Antonio for the purpose of
compelling him to divulge all he
knew about the horse thieves. They
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 sufficiently he told them
the following story: He said that
about twenty years ago he belonged
to q band of Mexican robbers, whose
retreat was about twenty miles from
here, among the noun tains on Leon
river. One day, while the rest of
the band we're on an expedition, he
and comrade conceived the bold
design of robbing them and hiding
the treasure until the robbers were
dispersed, when they would return
and get the gold.
| He said there were four cedar
boxes, containing 100000 each,
all in Spanish doubloons, which they
placed on pack mules and transport
ed to this valley and barred in four
very peculiar shaped mounds. His
partner bad been killed in Mexico
at fandago and he had been con-
fined in Mexican prison until this
time. He said he had been search
ing the valley over for the mounds
where the money was concealed, but
SO many years had elapsed that he
could not find the marks be had left
to designate the place. Very few
of the party placed any confidence
in his narrative, and after severe
castigation he was allowed to go free,
| with instructions to leave the coune
try forthwith. He has never been
seen or heard of in this part Of the
country since.
Your correspondent was one OF
the party who arrested the old Mex
lean, and was inclined to give some
credence to the story, but to turn
out and seek for the money among
so many mounds without any knew.
ledge Of the exact locality was like
looking for needle in hay stack
There are but few here now VIII.
ever heard the tale, and the oldest
settlers have almost let it slip from
their memory.
FINDING THE GOLD.
| A day or two ago citizen Of thil
valley was 10 need of some clay 4
daub an old fashioned stick ant
earth chimney, and as clay is very
scarce article here, he concluded Il
open one Of the mounds and try ths
earth for that purpose. He opened
a hole about three feet deep, where
he found very strong cedar box
with iron bands. The bands were
almost entiely eaten up with rust
and were quite easily removed b.
hand. With the sharp point of thu
| pick the box was pressed open, ant
found TO contain six hundred anC
fifty Spanish doubloons, almos
100000. He procured Wagon
and removed the treasure to Beltos
and deposited it in the bank Of Sin
clair & Co. He made no secret o
the discovery, and the greatest ex
element now prevails. Adyentur
ars are acat,ered through the VALLEY