Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-08-06
Senrchinr Cor Treasure.

Can't. Thomas f. French, of Atlantic
City, a candidate for the superlntend-
ency of the life-saving stations on the
Jersey coast, has recently succeeded
in iong-cherished design-the pur-
chase OF a tract of fast land known as
Chestnut neck, on the Little Egg Har-
Dor river, where it is supposed British
gold is buried The property contains
125 acres, and is situated in Galloway
township, Atlantic county, about
twelve miles from the ocean, and Is
noted for its game and fish. Capt.
French is famous repository of local
lore and droll sea yarns. one OF the lat
ter of which he spun to Vice President
Hendricks the other day at Atlantic
City, which threatened to asphyxlate
that statesman with laughter.
When a boy he was told by an ''old
inhabitaut'' the story of a historic Skin
mish that took place on the river at
Chestnut neck between n party Of col
onists and detachment OF Britishers
for the possession of a valuable En-
clish transport ship. This vessel had
been captured off the coast Of Atlantic
county by an American priyateer, and
afterward run up the Little Egg Har-
Dor river to the fast land at Chestnut
neck. Here she was run aground and
was supposed to be safe from the CO.
horts Of George " IL is said she
contained vast quantities OF stores for
dhe British forces then operating for
the subiugation OF the colonies, and it
is vaguely limited that she had on board
several chests of gold for the paymas-
tiers OF the English armies. There was
q yendue OF her effects which lasted
for several days and was attended by
the Jerseymen from miles and miles
around.
One dark night, before the auction
Ger hammer had knocked down the
whole OF her cargo, the British organ
lied an expedition TO recapture her.
Their barges stole noiselessly up the
little river, but before they reached
the spot where the transport lay high
and dry the walchful patriots discover
ed them and opened fire upon them
from the banks One OF the heroes of
the midnight battle was William Gas
kill. who was blessed with cat-like
eyes, to see in the dark, and which pee
cu.iarity is inherited by his descend
ants Tradition says that every time
he blazed away at the bargos with his
old flint lock an oar dropped into the
river He killed eleven men.
Il is not known which party was vic
tOrious but the transport was set on
fire and burned AT a very low tide
her gaunt and charred timbers can yet
be seen sticking ont from the sand.
The recollection of this episode OF the
revolution had been forgotten by every
one except Capt Tom French and a
few old residents. The captain had
for years entertained the idea of pur-
chasing the wreck aud adjacent prop
erty. Learning that it was for sale he
quietly bought it, He is confident that
an exploration Of the wreck will re-
ward the scarchcr for his pains.
There have been valuable pieces Of
goid-mountcd cutlery picked up in the
vicinity of the old hulk. The Town
send Wreckmg company, Of Somers
Point, has made II proposition TO Capt.
French 10 blow up and explore his MAJ
rine corpse for SO per cent OF whatever
OF value is found It is beloved that
enough cOpper can be obtained from
her to more than pay for the trouble
Of getting it. I'm n couple of weeks
Capt. French will organize private
expedition and begin active operations
in search Of the supposed treasure. -
HHudtfhtd Rcc0rd