The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-04-11
A MONTE CHRISTIE.
Hidden Wealth of Marianne Islands to be
Searched for by CaIifornians.

A vague rumor is alloat on the water
front, says the San Francisco ChronicLe,
that an expedition is being fitted out
by a number of prominent men to
search for the immense wealth which
is reported to be buried on the Mari
anne islands, off the western coast of
South America, and the hunt for which
has already caused the sacrifice of
many lives. Inquiries among shipping
circles yesterday elected no positive
information as to the truth of the re-
port, but it is an open secret that a
schooner is being fitted out ut yard
not many miles away whose destina-
ton and characters remain a profound
mystery.
The story of the treasure is that
about sixty years ago, during a revo-
luton in Peru, Il number of wealthy
residents of that country attempted to
leave Lima and take all their possess
sions to Spain. An English lieutenant
in the Peruvian navy, hearing of the
intended flight, put out to the brig
which contained the treasure, and
putting to death those on board es-
capped with his own men right under
the nose of a man-Of-war. He steered
to the Marianne islands and buried the
treasure on one of that group and then
ran for Honolulu. Before the Hawaiian
islands were reached, however, a. quar-
rel broke out on board and one night
the lieutenant and one of his officers
and the cabin-boy took to the small
boat after setting fire to the vessel.
One of the officers was drowned or
murdered before the boat reached
Honolulu, and the cabin-boy was sent
back to Lima with n message from the
| lieutenant, and he has never been heard
of since. The two survivors came to
this city and chartered the small
schooner Swallow to go after the treas
ure.
The little vessel had not been out
more than a few weeks when the lieu
tenant went overheard, probably sent
there by his companion, and his body
was never recovered. The captain of
the Swallow had heard enough of the
mems conversation to suspect the OBJ
| ject of the Swallows trip, and, sight
ing a brig a few days later he spoke to
| her and had the captain come on board
the Swallow. He explained to him his
suspicious and they mutually agreed
to possess themselves of the treasure.
They seized the lieutenant's companion
and then searched his and his fellow
pirates effects and found enough to
confirm their suspicious. The cupidity
of both shippers was aroused and they
forced the man into suppliance, aud he
pretended to accede to all their terms
and promised to show them the treas
ure-spot. The Marianne group was
reached in due time and the boat was
launched, but when the only man who
knew the secret of the burial was asked
to step in he Jumped overheard and
was drowned before the eyes of those
who a moment before imagined them
selves the pOssessors of untold wealth.
The island which the pirate had indi.
Gated rs the one on which was hidden
the money and plate was thoroughly
searched, but in vain.
The British schooner Nereid left Yo.
kohama in search of this mythical
mine and got as far as the island Ol
Guam, one of the Marianne group, but
there the mate and crew ran off with
the vessel and have not since beer
heard Of 1t is supposed that the secret
of the location of the burial spol
has once again found its way to Sar
Francisco, and the expedition referred
to above has been the consequence.