The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-01-11
4 Golden Dream.

The ordinary quiet little town Of
rankin, up in Nenango county. has
, sensation just now which is indeed a sensa.
ton. Columbus Brown, who lives in tho
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 belief that
during The occupation of this part of the
country by the French, large amount
OF treasure was secreted in FRANKLIN, near
where the old fort stood. Columbus
Brown has mania in regard TO this
treasure, and for years the thought of be.
coming possessed of riches in this way
has haunted him. Mr.. Brown had ma.
ny dreams about the subject, but the
most important one was on last Friday
night. Then he dreamed, as usual, that
he was counting and handling chest of
g'ld, and lha. he had found j. buried in
the earth at the foot of tree in all open
ileid. So excited was he that he awOke,
only to lind it all dream, az 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 ne put it resolutcly aside as a dream,
rs most sensible men would have done,
and retired to bed and to sleep. He had
scarcely closed his eyes till he was again
ID the field and digging at the root OF the
tree. lie was Informed in some manner,
he can not tell how, but by man with
foreign accent, and in a military uni.
form with sword and sash, that if he
would measure certain distance from
the center of rock in the run, duo north
and then measure thirty.t;:ree feet due
west from that point, he would find the
treasure no had go often seen in his
dreams. Early on Saturday morning he
arose, and, procuring tape line, vent and
measured as he had heen directed in his
dream. What was his surprise to find
that each and every measurement brought
him to the foot 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. Break.
ley, who owns the ground, and asked and
Ootained permission, on some pfetext, to
dig ne r. the chestnut tree. He and his
son, lad sixteen, commenced digging at
the root of the tree, and at depth of
something over sig feet, about 4 p. M,
struck something almos. under the centre
OF the tree which gave forth q metallic
sound. A further clearing away of the
gravel and stones disclosed the sides or
end OF an iron box or chest. Wild with
excitment they continued to dig until they
had unearthed the chest or box, which
was thirtty.one inches long, twenty inches
wide and twenty four inches deep, or
about tho 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 almost any man. The box was
nearly tWo-thirds filled with gold and
silver coin, furnished and covered with
sand and mould, but nevertheless gold.
!he coins are mostly French, but num-
Der of English, German and Spanish are
among the lot. They bear dates 1929,
l744, l75l and various other dates, tho
latest of which is 1854, which is the
same year Fort MacnauIt was completed.
On brass ruler found in the chest the
name "Joncarie" is plainly stamped. It
is well.known fact that this was the
name of the officer in command Of the
French troops. A careful estimate of
the coins make a tots! .s..ue uf about
$27 600. The coins were placed on exhi-
bitten at the banks. The fortunate own
er has been offered ton times their value
for single coin,-OH CIy Blizzard.