The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-07
HIDDEN TREASURE.
A WONDERFUL TALE FROM RO-
MANTIC MEXICO.

A Telegraph Operators Scheme to
Capture Untold Weelth-A Story of
q Cave Filled with Gold and Silver
Searching with Slaves-The Texan
in Peril.
From the San Francisco Call.
The death of j. H. Hill, who was carried
off by malarial fever in this city on July 8,
las occasioned visit to San Francisco of
his brother, E. II. Hill, telegraph oper-
ator in charge of one of the stations of the
International railroad in Mexico. Mr.. Hill
came to look after his brothers affairs and
ascertain all the particulars of his death.
The Hills are both young men, whose birth
place is in North Carolina. They came
west some time ago and have spent much
Of their time in Mexico, where they worked
as telegraph operators J. II. Hill. the
Younger of the brothers, left his place about
six weeks ago and came to San Francisco.
He took rooms at 2O5 Turk street, and two
weeks ago was seized with malarial fever
He fingered for some days, and, although
he had good medical attendance, he died. as
stated, on Monday OF last week
When his brother arrived he was imbued
with the idea that the deceased had several
hundred dollars in his possession, as he had
considerable money when they parted in
Mexico. He was, therefore, much sur
prised to learn that when the coronar's depu-
lies searched the room of the deceased and
examined his effects they found no money
whatever Mr.. Hill then reported the
matter at police headquarters, and skilled
detective was detailed to make an investi-
cation.
The officer soon convinced himself that
the dead man left no money, and so the
matter was dropped and nothing was said
about 1t to outsiders.
70 The surviving brother remained in the
city, and is still stopping at the Interna-
tional hotel. A reporter visited him yester-
day and found him a very entertaining
young man.
WONDERFUL TALES.
He learned nothing that was new in re-
gard to the death of j. H. Hill, but discov-
cred his host to be an enthusiast, with very
remarkable tales to tell about Mexico and
its wonders. Mr.. Hill is employed at
Sauceda, in the state of Coahuila. The
country is rough. and Hills account of its
peculiarities and his adventures were found
both instructive and interesting.
The most noteworthy Of his narratives
was tale of hidden treasure in Coahulia,
which rivals the great find of the Count of
Monte Cristo with regard to the exceeding
great value of the concealed articles.
"You know, l have no doubt" said he,
'"something about the Catupine race of poo
pie who inhabited the country before the
days of the Spaniards. Well, about the
time when Cortes found Montezuma ruling
the people, which, think, was about the
year 1915 band of Catupine outlaws
raided the principal cities and towns of
Mexico. They were thoroughly organized
and SO strong in numbers that the people
were powerless to resist their inroads.
With a high hand the robbers desecrated
the churches, robbed them of their golden
images, invaded private houses and ha-
ciendas and carried off whatever was of
value.
1.-THE great wealth of the mines of the
country afforded ample plumber to crafty
the rapacity of the bandits. In the houses
of the more wealthy and In the consecrated
places they found treal hres of untold value
Images made of precious metals, SO heavy
that it was with tho greatest difficulty that
they could be removed. were found in
abundance and carried off, so that the rob-
bers became more wealthy than the imper-
tect and primitive government to which
the people looked for protection.
AN UPRISING.
"But popular Indignation could not long
brook such outrages, and at length the gov
eminent made determined effort to sup
press the offenders After severe strug-
gle the robbers were overcome and many of
them were captured. do not know how
they were tried, or If they were accorded a
hearing, but it is matter of record, as
well as tradition in Mexico, that in the
state of Zecatecas, not far from where am
stationed, the prisoners were shot.
at must have been q very dramatic scene
to see the scores of red handed malefactors
brought up IN line and shot down in atone
rnent for their crimes, and any day you
vxie in,
tempting to describe it. But my interest
In the matter is of more prosaic nature.
1t is motive of personal gain.
HIDDEN TREASURE.
Before the outlaws were caught they
buried their booty in the Sierra Paila range
of mountains, and what | am figuring on is
to find it. What is more, l am perfectly
satisfied that | can put my hand on it, and
if can succeed in doing so and in getting
it out of the country 1 shall give up tele-
graph operating and retire.
The Sierra Paila range Of mountains is
an extension of the Sierra Madre. 1t is
forty miles wide and sixty miles long, and
in its rocky environs there are many al
most impenetrabe Businesses. On one of
It's most inaccessible receSses is a cave, in
which, | am we'll informed, the treasure
snatched by robbers from the defenseless
natives is concealed. There are about 8, 900
POUNDS or gOiQ ana silver, besides other
valuables. 1t is said there are also thirty
cargoes, or mule loads, of money. The gov
eminent has always been aware of the
existence of the treasure, and twice it has
had men searching for it,
SEARCHING WITH SLAVES.
"The owners of Sauceda and Tortuda
ranches had all their slaves looking for it
last year for fifteen days, and Gen. Charles,
in command of the Mexican forces, has
likewise taken much fruitless trouble to find
it. Before had been at Sauceda month
o pauper, German, told the whole story
70 me as related to him by Mexicans
''This man and the boiler-worker at Pos
bora, fifty miles from Sauceda hunted for
two months for the cave. 1t remained,
however, for Mexican cowboy to find it.
He put his arm into the cave through a
small hole and pulled out fifty pieces of old
coin. S me Of these pieces / have seen. The
cowboy refused to tell the owner of the
Sauceda ranch where the cave was. and
would have been thrown into prison for
prospecting without the necessary govern
ment papers had he not run away. Finding
himself In danger of being seized, he left
the ranch one dark night and escaped to
Texas.
ON THE SCENT.
IA short time ago an old Texan rode up
to the station where | was and asked me a
few questions--where / came from, my
name, etc He is a native of Georgia, a