Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-01-19
MiseellameoM5.
A Singular Dream.

The ordinarily quiet little town of
Franklin, up in Venango county, Pa.
has sensation just now which is indeed
a sensation. Columbus Brown, who
lives in the first ward, in Franklin. one
day this week discovered a hoard of old
French gold amounting to $27, 900
For many years past there has been
belief that during the occupation eff this
part OF the country by the French
large amount of treasure was sccreted
in Franklin, near where the old fort
stood. Columbus Brown has mania
in regard to this treasure, and for years
the thought of becoming possessed of
riches in 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 counting and hand
ling chest of gold. and that he had
found it buried in the earth at tho foot
OF u tree, in an open field SO excited
was be that he awoke only to find it all
dream, ms usual He arose, walked
to the window, ard there before him, in
the field, stood the identical tree which
he had seen in his dream. But he put
it resolutely aside as dream, as most
sensible men would have done, and re-
tired to bed and to sleep. He had
scarcely closed his eyes when 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 foreign accent and in mil I
ltary uniform, with a sword and sash.
that it he would measure u certain dis /
lance from the centre of II rock in the .
run, due north, and then measure thirty /
three feet due west from that point, he
would find the treasure he had SO often
seen in his dreams. Early on Saturday
morning he arose, and procuring II tape
line went and measured MS he had been
directed in his dream What was his
surprise to find that each and every meas.
urement brought him to the root of the
chestnut tree in the open field. Brown
did not tell any one about his dream,
nor of the result, but during the day he
went to Col, Breakey, who owns the
ground, and asked and obtained pormis-
SION, on some prctcxt, to dig near the
chestnut tree. He and his sou, lad Of
sixteen, commenced digging at the root
Of the tree, and at a depth of something
over six feet, about 4 O'Clock, p. ~,
struck something almost under the cen
Irc of the tree. which gave forth u met
allie sound. A further clearing away Of
he gravel aud stones disclosed the sides
'r end of an iron box or chest. Wild ,
with excitement they continued to dig
until they had unearthcd the box or chest, ,
which was 81 inches long, 90 inches !
vide and "a inches deep, or about the !
dimensions Of an ordinary trunk Their 4
United efforts could only turn il over,
,ut could not lift it from the excavation i
The young man was sent for hammer :
md cold cbiscl and the lid was soon re.
moved. The sight wheI, met their gaze +
vas enough 10 turn the head of almost !,
ny man. The box was nearly two q
birds filled with gold aud silver coin, n
and covered with sand and !,
Mould, but nevertheless gold The coins q
re mostly French, but number of Eng \
Sh, German and Spanish are among the
't. They bear dates 1929, 1744. 1851,
nd various other dates, the latest of
,hch is 1854, which is the same year
'ort Macnault was completed. On t,
rass ruler found in the chest the name a
Joncaire' is plainly stamped II isa h
1ell-known fact that this was tho name h
the officer in command Of the French a
roops. A careful estimate of the coins b
lakes their total value about 1927 900. Il
he coins were placed on exhibition at A
be banks. Tho fortunate owner has p
cen offered ten times its value for I"
nglc coin il