Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-05-09
A Golden Message Eighteen Years on
lis way from Sacramento 10 weston

About eighteen or nineteen years ago. san
ford s. Fisher, Of this county, f. son II ihe
late Henry Fisher. and lrolher Of Levi 7.
Fisher got the Western fever, and in compa-
ny with thousands who were then seeking the
Ell Dorado. went to California. lie was then
Young mau and had not attained lis major
ity. Things prospered with him; BIZ mug
gets were frequent; and lie was in ia'r way
Of returning To lis native county rich man.
In the year Of 1850 while at Sacramento city,
he sent by express, to his father, little paste
board b.x containing his picture, three heavy
cold rings. aud considerable amount in gold
coin. After that he was never beard OF more {;
and it is supposed by his friends here that he
was murdered by some less industrious miner
But this article refers more particular TO the
box Of which we have spoken At that time
the nearest Express office to Us was at Fetter-
man, aud the package arrived there in 1855.
Old Mr. Fisher bad not been informed 10y his
son that such package hal been sent to him,
and consequently it remained there FOR many
months uucallel for. At length, in company
with other unclaimed packages it was adver-
tised aud ordered 10 be sold for the express
charges. Cl JAS k Smith. was then, and
is yet the Express Agent at that place and
by paying the charges lie became tie owner Of
the package. Upon opening it, aud discover
lug its contents, he set on foot the most dill
geut inquiry FOR its proper owners, but failed
and 30 the matter has rested for eighteen
years. During all this time Col. Smith has
carefully guarded the treasure and has used
every effort to fnd the person TO whom it was
addressed. A few days ago he was in Balu-
more on business, where he met j. Jackson,
Esq, Of this county, aid 10 him related the
singular history Of the package. Mr. Jackson
who was neighbor Of the Fishers, immediate
ly rccollected that young Sanford Fisher had
gone to California, and upon the rtiait being
shown him. he recognized the man at once
Mr.. Levi p. Fisher was informed of the occur
renee, aud upon proceeding to Frttcrman, the
recognition aud identity were made apparent )
and the gold was transferred 10 his hands. Al
last, after eighteen years delay, the harl earn
inss OF the pocr boy whose bones now. doubt
les,ly. bleaching in that distant territory.
reached the loved ones fr whom it was intend
ed but, alas tie Old srey-haired mau e
whom it was addressed las passed away,
aud never knew that the wanderer Lad sen'
so costly token of his love.
In these days Of yenalIy and public dshon'
cst,. however, it is pleasant indeed, to hear o
the sterling integrity manifested IN this cas-
,y CIanel Smith. Tbiuk II II! \ large SIN
in gold. Eighteen years had passed aud ih'
package was lis hy right If legal purchase. -
| Nobody could nave been the wiser had be APP
propiaicd il 10 his own use; and he hal d
perfect legal li.ht iu do 80. Bot knowing
from the picture enclosed, that it was tie eif'
# one far away, To bis relatives 'at home,
he carefully preserved il; and year after yeaI
prosecuted lis search T. tie prispn fur whom
tie package was intended, aud at last his e.
forts were successful His liz hear; to'k ia
all the circumstances anl lis conduct prove
him 10 be that nubest work of God-au hou.
est man. - Hcsfon Democrat