Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-02-02
A Dream Of Treasure.

Inc ordinarily quiet little town of
Franlin, up in Venango county, has SEN
sation just now which is indeed a sensa-
ton. Columbus Brown who lives in the
first ward. In Franklin, one day this week
discovered hoard of old French gold
amounting to $27 GOO. For many. years
past there has been belief that during
the occupation of this part of the country
by the French large amount of treasure
old fort stood. Columbus Brown had a
mania in regard to this treasure, and for
years the thought of becoming possessed
of riches in this way had haunted him.
Mr.. Brown had many dreams about the
subject bit the most important one was
on last Friday night. Then he dreamed,
AS usual, that he was counting and hand
ling chest of gold. and that he had found
1t buried in the earth at the foot of a 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 identical tree which he had Scent in his
dream. But he put 1t resoluteIy 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 tho field and digging at
this root of the tree. He was in
formed in some manner-he cannot tell
how, but by IA man with foreign accent
and in military dress with sword an!
sash-that il he would measure certain.
distance from the centre of the rock in
the run, due north, and then measure
thirty three feet due west from that point.
he would find the treasure he had 50 often
seen in his dreams. E.riy on Saturday
morning he arose, and procuring tape
line, went and measured as he had been
directed in his dream. What was his sur
prise to fnd that each and every measure
ment brought him to the foot If the
chestnut tree in the open field. Brown
did not tell any one alb nut the dream. nor
of the result, but during the day he went
to Col. Breakley who OWES the ground,
and asked and obtained permission on
some pretext, to dig near the chestnut
| tree.
| He aud his son. a lad of sixteen, COM
meuced digging at the root Of the tree,
and at a depth Of something over six feet.
about p. H., struck something almost
under the centre of the tree, which gave
forth metallic sound. further clear ing
away IF the gravel and stones disclosed
| the sides and end of an iron box or
chest. Wild with excitment they con-
tinued to dig until they unearthed the
box or chest, which was 81 inches lAng, 20
inches wide and "a inches deep or about the
dimensions of an ordinary trunk. Their
united efforts could only turn 1t over; they
could not lift it from the excavation. The
young man was sent for a hammer and
enid chisel and the lid was soon removed
! The sight which met their gaze was enough
TO turn the head of almost any man.
| The box WAS nearly two thirds filled with
gold and silver coin furnished a. cover
ed with sand and moul1, bit nevertheless
gold The coins are mostly French but a
number of e glisii. German and Spanish
are among the lot. They bear dates 1929.
IVA. 1851, and various other dates, the
latest of which is 1854, which IS the same
year Fort Macnault was completed. On
brass ruler found in the chest the name
ZION air" Is plainly stamped. 1t is we'll
known fact that this was the name of the
officer in Co nman of the French troops.
! A Care 'ul estimate of vhe coins gives total
value of about $27 900. The ins were
placed on exhibition at the bank. The
fortunate owner has been ffered ten times
their value for single cuius.-OH City( Pa.)
| Blzzard.