The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-06-18
Buried Treasure.

Ever since the story of Capt. Kidd gain
ed currency, there has been no lack OF per-
sons ready TO invest their money in the
pursuit of a shadow; but perhaps the most
whimsical of all the searches for buried
treasure is that which has just been I'M
dertaken, according TO a San Francisco
paper. by some capitalists of New y FORK.
The affair has gone so far, we are told, that
schooner fully equipped has sailed
from San Francisco for the Cocos Islands,
with a crew under instructions to search
for some millions of treasure buried there
nearly forty years ago. There has been
some little method, however, in the mad
ness of these capitalists, for tie crew de-
parted with instructions to proceed, in case
of failure to find the apocryphaI treasure,
to the pearl fisheries and there obtain
cargo.
The expedition is based upon the story
of one David Sutherland, which is equally
romantic and improbable. 1t begins with
the assertion that in 1885 the brig Mary
Deer anchored off a Peruvian fort near
CallaO. A war is said to have existed at
the time between Peru and Chill, and the
fort contained a vast amount of treasure
which was in imminent danger of capture.
OF course the commandant could think OF
llb OliiNl vi IL biidil W PAtASN
it on board a foreign vessel, casually but
conveniently at anchor near at hand. II
NAV be remarked also that it was perfectly
natural that an out-of-the way fort should
contain these ''glittering Millions" This
part of the story, like all the rest, is emf
nently fit to be told to the marines. The
treasure was no sooner on board the
Mary Deer than the crew were tempted
to sail away with it, and Immediately
yielded to the temptation. No sooner die
the thieves find themselves in full posses
sion of their booty than they were troubled
about what they should do with it. They
might have gone off to New Y DIRK or Liv
erpOol, and having told some story con
corning wonderful riches in some hitherto
unknown land, which would not have beer
half so strange as half the yarns of sailors
have lived rich and respected ever after
ward. But they did nothing of the kind
| They sailed away westward for thousand
of miles, passing by hundreds of equally
eligible sites for the concealment of treas
ure. and finally buried their "gltterin!
millions" on one of the CocoS Islands
which are situated in the Indian Ocean, OF
the coast of Java. Even the marine
would refuse to believe such a story a
this. but something even more strange
to follow. In its later phases, the nara
tive is worthy of the Incompatible geniu
for lying exhibited by the celebrated Nun
chausen.
After the treasure was buried, and tn
crew went back to their ship, storm arose
and it was of such an extraordinary char
acter for these usually placid seas that
blew the crew back. despite themselves
upon the coast of Peru, where they wer
captured, and eight of the eleven wer
promptly shot. The other three wer
! pardoned upon a promise to dis
close where the treasure was concealed
and were put upon a ship whicl
started for the Galapagos Islands, wher
they said it was buried. They counted
upon escaping. of course, before reach
ing the end of this wild-goOse chase. ant
equally as a matter of course they did it
! The ship put into Panama without an
reason. and there one of the three died
and the other two escaped to an outward
! bound w aler, leaving the Peruvians fl
nally in the lurch. On this whaler they
remained for several years, but finally de
serted the ship at San Francisco, ard at
ter some experience in the mines. settled
down in California, which seems to be
| favOrite resting place for all the adventur
Gus spirits of the world.
This is the story in outline which ha
been gravely told on the Pacific coast
Any one can believe it who chooses, bu
there is no cOmpulsion in the case. Afte
giving the whole narrative careful study
| however, it will be impossible not to adj
mire the prudence of these New YOrl
capitalists. who, starting a vessel off for
buried treasure, like good business men
put a second string to their bow, and in
Struct the commander in case of failure L
proceed to the pearl fisheries. There j
something tangible about a cargo o
pearls. If such an expedition has beel
undertaken, we can hope, in view of tn
pearl precaution. that it will end pleas
! antlv for those who are more immediatel,
concerned. Meantime some other ancien
mariner may start fresh and equally or
iginal story concerning buried treasure
ii will be difficult to surpass the achieve
ment of Sutherland. but with proper pre-
paratiOn, aided by the requisite ability il
this line, it may be equaled.-N J
! Times