The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-09-09
NEAR AND FAR.
EVENTS IN VARIOUS
SECTIONS.
The shameful conduct of the Inhabitants
orSt. AuEustinS-Big Fire at Up.
ton, Florida Orange
Crop RuIned-Southcrn
Census Frauds.
pREYINe ON THE DEAD.

The lnhumRu Conduct OF fwreckers-TheJ
Keep the wreck OF the Vera Cruz PRO
found secret that They May Secure TN,
Floating VaIuHbIes.
NEw YoRE, September s.-The HerdlC
publishes the following from st. Angus
tine, Fla: The main part of the wrecked
steamer Vera Cruz was beached on Ausatia
Island, some twelve miles from the city,
near Matanzas, and her freight strewed or
the beach the entire length of the Island
and alsr on the North Beach tmain land
for several miles. The freight was very
valuable, and it came ashore in great
quantities. The pilots OF st. Augustine, oi
which there are five, were the first to dis.
cover that the wreck had occurred, and
what was OF more consequence to them,
the vast amount Of freight already beach.
ed and more coming. Thev at once formed
themselves into joint stock company, for
the time, and went for that freight with a
vim on Monday and Tuesday, August 30
and 81. They kept the matter profound
secret, and 1t was a secret well kept, for II
was not until the night of the 3lst of Au-
gust thas the news reached the city.
In the meantime the pilots had worked
both day and night. Having entire pos
session OF both beach and cargo they
managed to have many Roodly pile
stored up at different points on the beach,
worth thousands OF dollars. Several
trunks, belonging TO passengers, came
ashore in good order only to be broken
open and rifed. One evidently belonged
to lady OF wealth. for it was filled with
costly silk dresses and clothing OF the finest
order, and laces worth many dollar; q
gold watch and chain and also two gold
bracelets were found In this trunk. In
another trunk large pocket book, well
filled with bills, was found by these for.
tunates. In fact they had bonanza, and
they worked it for all 1t was worth, having
watches, diamonds, well filled wallets,
elaborate clothing and many tons oil valu'
able freight as their reward. Indeed the
latter was in such vast proportions that
teams were employed for several days in
hauling their find and large lighters were
loaded with produce.
When the matter leaked out last Tues.
day night the whole city was alive with
excitement. Everybody that had boat
or could borrow one or press one into SER
vice, hied away to the beach. Nor was
this wrecking fever confined to the Minor:
can or negro, but the business men and
clerks for time turned wreckers, and the
beach was throneed with anxious hunters
for the cast-up treasures Of the sea. And
notwithstanding the pilots had the cream
OF the find and only gleanings remained,
yet enough was gathered to repay them
all richly and enable the major part OF
the population to dispense with hog, mul.
let and hominy and live on ham, preserves,
and canned goods, and-wash 1t down with
either wine or ale. Many camped on the
beach all night.
A bag OF mail matter was found Septem.
berlst, Being duly cut open and examined
and nothing found In 1t worth keeping, 1t
was handed over to the Postmaster. Sew
eral bodies were washed ashore. After be-
ing inspected and plundered they were
buried in the sand on the beach. The
corpse OF a young lady came ashore on
whose person was dress OF rich silk, and
on her finger was valuable solitaire dia-
mond ring. She was also buried on the
beach after being riiled Of her valuables.