Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-25
A STAGE DRIVERS TREASURE.
Hidden Stores of silver and Gold Col
Brought to Light by a Fire.

Hidden Stores of silver and Gold Coin
Brought to Light by Fire.
Frederick Wright, bachelor of Limo.
leumville, S. l., says the New York San,
drives a stage between that village and
Elm Park. His horses and stage are al.
ways in first-class order. A hostler is
the only person about his home, but he
has two very large and savage dogs. A
sign at the gate warns people to beware
of them. 1t has been said for years that
large sums OF money were secreted about
the house. About year ago two dogs
belonging to Mr.. Wright were found poi
sOned. That afternoon two others just
like the dead ones were procured. Two
dOuble-barreled shot guns were also seam
ing against the house, one on each side of
the front door. Mr.. Wrights house has
never been robbed, nor were his dogs in
terfered with after that.
On Thursday last the house was discov-
cred to be on fire. The hOstler, who was
the only one that could approach the two
powerful dogs, had to lead them away be-
fore the firemen could get near the prem
ises. Mr.. Wright had gone to Elm Park
with the stage. The house was burned
down. Nothing seemed left but debris
and cinders.
One of the firemen discovered a black
object in the ruins. 1t was brought out
with fire hook. 1t was very heavy, and
smelled of some chemical The fire had
evidently not harmed it much. The OBJ
ject proved to be an old army haversack
filled with silver coins. The smell was
believed to be from a composition that
Mr.. Wright had applied to make
the leather flreproof The haver-
sack and contents were car
ried by firemen to Justice WatsOn's court
room. Presently an old valise was hooked
out of the ruins. 1t smelled like the
haversack. This also was filled with
silver coins and bank notes. Most of the
coins were dimes and quarters, as though
they had been placed there exactly as Mr..
Wright had received them on his stage
box. An old coat, also well treated with
the kfreprOof solution, was brought out.
This contained roll upon roll of small
bank notes in the sleeves and pockets,
which were sewed up. Some fractional
currency, like that circulated during the
war, was also found. That also was sent
to Justice WatsOn's court room.
The fremen formed a Gordon around the
place to keep off dishonest persons, and
continued their hunt. Near the fireplace
and also under the door sill, they found
ehat holes had been dug under the house,
and hundreds of silver pieces, ranging in
value from 81 to 3 cents, were picked out.
Numerous gold coins also were found.
Before the money was counted by
the Justice Mr.. Wright returned.
The Justice asked him how much
he had stored away, but he said
that he had never counted it, although
he had intended to do so some day. He
made each of the fire companies a pres
ent, tossed the haVersack, Valise and coat
with their contents into the stage, drove
home and put the dogs on guard over the
ruins. He slept with the hostler in a
neighbOring house while a temporary
abode was put up, and gave orders to a
carpenter to build another house precise
ly like the last. He had become accus-
toned to it, he said, "and did not want
any new-fashioned place."