Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-13
THE MUNCHAUSEN MEDAL.
A Pennsylvania Man After IL.

From the Oil City Blizzard.
The ordinarily quiet lite town of Franklin
up in Venango county. has sensation just now
which Is indeed sensation. Columbus Brown
who lives in the first ward, in Franklin, one day
this week discovered hoard of old French gold
amounting to $4,000. For many years past
there has been a belief that during the occupa-
ton of this part of the country by the French
a large amount OF treasure was secreted in
Franklin, near where the old fort stood Column
bus Brown has mania in regard to this treasure
and foryears the thought of becoming possessed
of richesin this way has haunted him. Mr.. Brown
had many dreams about the subject, but the
most important one was on last Friday night
Then he dreamed, as usual that he was count
ing and handling chest of gold, and that he
had found it buried in the earth at the foot of
the tree, in an open field. So excited was he
that he awoke, only to find it all dream, as
usual. He arose, walked to the window, and
there. before him, in the field, stood the identi-
cal tree which he had seen in his dream, But
he put it resolutely aside as dream, as most
sensible men would have done, and retired
to bed and to sleep. He had scarcely
closed his eyes till he was again in the field
and digging at the root of the
tree. He was informed in some manner he
cannot tell how, but by man with a foreign
accent and In military uniform with q sword
and sash, that If he would measure certain
distance from the center of rock in the run,
due north, and then measure thirty-three feet
due west from that point. he would find the
treasure he had 80 often seen in his dreams
Early on Saturday morning he arose. and pro-
curing tape line, went and measured as he
had been directed in his dream. What was his
surprise to find that each and every measure
ment brought him to the foot of the chest
nut tree In the open field. Brown did
not tell anyone about his dream, nor of
the result but during the day he went to
Colonel Breakley, who owns the ground. and
asked and obtained permission on some pretext
to dig near the chestnut tree. He and his son,
lad sixteen, commenced digging at the root OF
the tree, and at a depth Of something over six
feet, about p. m, struck something almost
under the center Of the tree which gave forth
metallic sound. A further clearing away of the
gravel and stones disclosed the sides or end of
an iron box or chest Wild with excitement
they continued to dig until they had unearthed
the box or chest, which was 81 inches long, 20
inches wide and "a inches deep, or about the
dimensions Of an ordinary trunk. Their united
efforts could only turn it over, but could not
lift it from the excavation. The young man
was sent for hammer and cold chisel and
the lid was soon removed. The sight which met
their gaze was enough to turn the head of al
most any man. The box was nearly two-thirds
filed with gold and silver coin, furnished and
covered with sand and mould. but nevertheless
gold. The coins are mostly French, but num-
Der of English, German and Spanish are among
the lot. They bear dates. ITO, 1744, 175l, and
various other dates the latest Of which is 1854.
which is the same year Fort Macnault was COM
pleted. On brass ruler found In the chest, the
name "Joncaire" is plainly stamped. It is a
well-known fact that this was the name Of the
officer In command OF the French troops.
careful estimate of the coins makes o total value
of about ear 600. The coins were placed on
exhibition at the banks The fortunate owner
has been offered ten times their value for q
single coin.