The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-05-07
hidden TREASURE"
A Prominent Citizen Fails to Hum
bug a Revenue Ohlcer.

During the winter of 1882 was de-
tailed on special duty in one of the
backwoods counties of North Carolina,
where the ''moonshiner' piled his vO-
cation, to find out the whereabouts and
exactly locate, if possible, two or three
Illicit distilleries in that section. The
country was mountainous and rough.
The people were uncouth, uneducated
and cared little for law or order. One
of the cardinal principles was to beat
the Government out of every cent they
could, and this they considered no
harm. / had been out a week and had
met with very poor success. / had not
definitely spotted" any still, put had
encountered one or two parties whom
] thought would bear watching. I de-
cided, however, to 90 on further down
the river, where the largest of the dis
tilleries was supposed to be located,
and leave the others for some future
time.
Near the close of raw, cold day in
December, after a hard days ride,
drew rein at the gate of a house more
pretentious than was usual in that
neighborhood. 1t was a large two
story building, neatly painted, and
with well-kept yards. A general air of
prosperity prevailed. / hailed at the
gate, and tall, rather handsome gem
tleman, of pleasing address, about fifty
years of age, came out. l introduced
myself and asked him if l could stay
all night.
Certainly, sir" he replied; ''we
will be glad of your company. We
seldom meet with strangers here, but
they are the more welcome
A boy was called and instructed to
take my horse and put him up, while
and my host went into the house.
found that my hosts name was Weth-
erly, of whom had heard as one of the
leading men in the county on all mat
ters of public interest. His neighbOrs
all held him in high repute, and his
opinion was sought upon all veXed
questions In the house we entered a
neatly furnished room, where a bright
fire sent a cheerful glow into every
nook and corner.
(Which way are you travelling and
what business brings you into this out
Of-the-way placer asked Mr.. Weth-
erly.
II have been out ON a prospecting
tour for party of Philadelphians, who
contemplate purchasing some mining
property in this neighbOrhood, " / re-
piled.
/ dared not tell my real errand, foI
e was n dangerous business for a rev
enue man to 60 into that part of cOun-
try. The people hated them worse
than they did the rattlesnakes which
plentifully abounded among the hills
and caverns of that wild region, and
would hesitate not much less to Kill
one. Mr.. Wetherly was about to ques.
ton me further when his wife entered
the room. She was q comedy woman
apparently about ten years the junior
of her husband, and was, like her hus
band, very intelligent. She announced
that supper was ready, and we re
paired to the dining room. There
met daughter, about fifteen, and two
sons, aged about eighteen and twenty
of ''mine host"
My days ride had given me a raven,
Gus appetite, and l ste heartily of the
splendid supper prepared for us. A
general conversation was kept up dur
ing the meal. and l was surprised a
the intelligence of my host and his
family. Supper over, Mr.. Wetherll
and 1 went to the sitting room to en-
Joy a smoke. We had been sitting
smoking and cOnversing on genera
topics for some time when the elder o
the boys entered and announced tina
he and his brother were going tina
night with a party of friends 20 search
for the hidden treasure, and would
probably not return before morning.
''Why, boys said Mr.. Wetherly, il
seeming surprise, what do you wan
10 go on that foolish errand fOrP You
viii gain nothing by it, and / prefei
you would not GO
But, father" protested the yOunS
man, ''yOu know we might find il; anS
as for the ghost, ! don't believe a worC
of il. Besides, we have promised Mel
Williams and Hank Simmons to e
with them"
''As you viii" he responded; ''but
don't approve it"
My curiosity was excited by the refer
ence 10 the hidden treasure and tn,
''ghost," and 1 asked my host for al
explanation.
'It's an old story" he said; lever
body about here knows it. However
II you care to hear il, viii relate il {,
you as the gossips have it. "
And, lighting fresh cigar, he began
Tradition says that just previous {,
the Revolutionary war there lived a
the base Of Hickory Nut hill, about
half mile from here, an old widow lad
by the name Of Toris. She had TIVE
sons. both handsome types Of manhOo'
and both industrious boys. The wa
came on, and both young men enliste'
and went forth to battle for their coun
ny, leaving their mother to the care o