Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-21
A TREASURE or T8s war.
BY Az nx.RrpEL,
Detroit sree ProSs.l

tnually on the 'front.' with bani "i
,souts. We penetrated the Yankee
hrts time after time, bat always to re-
turn to headquarters with the same re-
mort: Sherman bad one Of the grandest
armies in the world, and he was in
such strength that he could fight Joha-
s,on IN front and pass his tanks at the
same time.
One day, when scouting between Ma.
rie,,a and the Etowsh river, the Federal
cavalry passed and Gus Off my retreat
Nv The highways, and for six or seven
homs was obliged to secreie myself
in th'ckct. IL was in leaving this
hiding place that ] came across dog
which was doubtless owned in the near
vicinity, bat had been frightened into
the woods by the skirmishing. lie took
to ne kindly. and bad logged my heels
Tor bali an hour when he suddenly
leaped aside and began paving the
ground at the foot OF large beech. |
halted for a moment and saw that the
earth was fresh as if grave had been
dug. Ii was but natural to conclude
that some one had been shot near by.
aud that his comrades had given him
burial.
Upon closely examining the tree,
found the fresh-cut initials, " ID. s. g."
They we're not where they would have
looked for them. but within three feet
of the ground. had no doubt what
ever that dead man rested there, and
picked up club and drove the dog
away. under the impression that he was
hungry and determined TO get at the
body. | succeeded after a couple of
days in getting back into the Confede-
rate lines, and the incident did not re-
cur to me for long years.
One summers day in 1870, while ]
was going from Rome TO Gainesville, |
formed the acquaintance Of a stranger
who gave his name as Charles Gains.
aud who clhimed 10 be a Virginian.
lie said he was looking for improved
land, and had been advised to locate
near Marietta. This story was straight
enough, except that did not believe
he was a Virginian. He hadn't the
look nor the dialect, and when ! came
TO quiz him about certain locations
around Richmond he soon became con-
fused.
was then a detective in the employ
Of several railroad lines, and it was only
natural for me TO ask myself why this
man had lied to me. took pains to let
him know that ! was willing to answer
all his questions, and directly be began
asking about the section of country be-
tween Marietta and the EtOwah. lie
wanted to know the value Of land if
much forest had been cleared since the
war; If. there had been any finds Of
treasure around Marietta, and various
other things. lie worked the answers
out Of me without seeming to be more
than generally interested, and while ]
was somehow suspicious OF him, |
could not exactly determine on what
20 place my finger. But he had lied.
Why: | kept asking myself this ques-
ton, but could not answer it.
lie had ticket to Gainesville, and
teloIe we reached that place | had
made up my mind to so on with him to
Marietta. What decided me was this
lie sat on the outside Of the seat, and
& passenger going to the water.cooler
knocked his hat Off. 1t rested for a
moment in the aisle, and plainly read
the name " Boston" inside in gilt let
tiers. The name of the maker was
above it, but could not catch it. No
hat sold in Richmond would bear the
name Of Boston. Where did he get 1t!
Ky and by made careful eXamina-
ton Of his boots. lie never bought
them south Of the Ohio. | decided the
same in regard to HIS clothing. lie was
irving to deceive me, What object
could he have in view:
When We reached Marietta both Of
us went to the same hotel. thought
be began to fight shy Of me, and took
pains 10 keep out Of his way. During
the evening he asked several towns
people in regard 10 the country north
of Marietta, and engaged Of livery
man a saddle-horse for next day. ! did
a heap of thinking that night over the
strangers case, but when morning came
] was none the wiser for it. His horse
was brought around after breakfast,
and he rode off. ! was tempted to get
another and follow him, but by what
right? What had be done or what was
be going to do; | went up to my
room on an errand, not yet decided
whether to 60 or to stay, and in the
hallway my foot struck a memorandum
book. ! carried it into my room, and
the first thing my eye caught was the
name inside the cover, George Paige"
Ii was well-wOrn book, and nearly
full Of entries. Most of them seemed
10 relate to trips between Boston and
Providence, but near the back end |
found one reading:
About ten miles north Of Marietta,
SGa. turn to right where highway bends
10 left; 20 into woods about ten rods;
book for twin beech tree with initials
rD. s. c. cut low down."
y My heart gave a Jump. That was
sihe spot where the Yankee cavalry run
pc into hiding, and those were the mi
stialS | had seen on the tree Had this
siranger come down to unearth skele-
ton: Twas wondering over the mat
Ger, when / heard the clatter Of hoOfs
md knew that he had returned. lie
had discovered the loss Of his book.
Gov, then, | did what you may call
mean trick. ! pocketed the book, got
down stairs without being seen, and
went TO the nearest justice and de-
manded a warrant for the arrest Of
George Paige for robbery. Before he
had ceased looking for his lost memo
randum a constable made him prisoner.
Neanw lille had engaged a horse and
rsgon, borrowed an empty tea-chest
6pd a spade, and, as Paige went to Jail,
j drove out of town. wanted to IN
esrth that skeleton myself.
IL was six years since | had left it,
bnt had but little difficulty in finding
<he grave, although the beech-tree had
been cut down. Indeed, walked al
lost straight to it, and though the ini-
fials were indistinct, they were there as