The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-09-16
oS e NOTIONS.
FLORIDA wRECKERs.
The Vera Cruz Disaster Concealed for Two
Days, That the Freight Might be stoirn-A
Di.xrneefuI Account Of tine Wreeking-Ri-
ding the Bodie- Washed Ashore.

New YorK. Sept s-The Herud to-day publishes
the following. from st. Augustine, Fla: The main
part of the wrecked steamer Vera Cruz was beached
Ana~tasn Island some twelve miles from the rlty,
near Mantanzas and her freight strewn ON the beach
the entire length of the island and also on the north
of the beach imain landll for several miles The
freight very valuable, and came ashore IN great
quantities.
The pilots of ST. Augustine of which there are five.
were first To discover that the wreck had occurred.
and what of morn consequence to Them the
vast amount of freight already hcachet, and more
coming. They at once formed themselves into
joint stock company, and went for that freight with
u Viin on Monday and Tuesday, Au.nst 80 and ii.
They kept the matter of the wreck profound secret.
and it was secret well kept until the night al the
3lst Of August.
In the meantime the pilots had worked both day
and night Having entire possession of both beach
and cargo they managed 10 have many goodly pile
stored up Mt different points Of the beach, worth
thousands of dollars. Several trunks, belonging TO
passengers. ashore in good order, only to be
brukei open and rified One evidently belonged 10
lady nf wealth, for il filed with costly silk.
diamonds, AMI clothing Of finest order, anu lacrs
worth many a dollar. 4 gold watch and chain,
also two valuable bracelets were found in this
trunk. In another trunk q large pocket book. well
filled with bills, found by these fortunate pi-
lots. In fact. they had bonanza. aud they worked
il for all il worth, having gold watches, tin.
inOnfls, wel!fied wallets elaborate clothing and
many of valuable freight their reward In
deed, the latter was in such vast proportion that
teams were employed for several days in hauling
their iind and large lighters were loaded with the
pro,ucc.
When the matter leaked out. last Tuesday night,
the whole city was alive with excitement. Every
body that had boat. could borrow one, or press
into service, hird away To the beach. Nor was
this wrerking fever confined to the common people
the negroes, hut bii-ines. men and clerks for
tine turned wreckers and the beach was thronged
with anxious hunters for the east up treasures OF the
sea- and notwithstanding the pilots had the cream Of
the find. and only the gleanugs remained. yet
enough gathered to pay them all richly. and en-
able the major part Of the population to dispense
with hos. nnlei and hominy. and live on ham, pre-
serves. and canned goods, and wash it down with
either wine or ale. Many camped ON the beach all
night. bag of mail matter WIS found Septcmllerl
Being duly cut open and examined, and nothing
found in it worth keeping it handed over to the
Postmaster.
Several bodies washed ashore. After being
and plunder,d. they were buried in the
sand sn the beach. The corpse of young Ind came
ashore. whose person dress of rich silk. and
on her finger valuable solitaire diamond ring
She was also buried on the beach atcr-bring rifed
.F,I..s