The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-13
CkMDEN'S BIG HIDDEN TREASURE
Dying Confession of the Soldier Who Hid it
-OrginaI Documents Describing the
ocation Brought to Light.
GThe State, 1O.h.1

The story of q large amount Of Ind
den treasure buried during the late war
by Yankee soldiers near Camden has
oft been told in the newspapers through
out the land, but accurate information
as to the locality has been wanting and
all diggings have resulted i'll finding
nothing. Now, however, the original
papers in the case have come to light,
and The State has received them from
Solicitor p. H. Nelson.
The story runs that Seargt. Rhodes,
a Yankee soldier during the war, to-
gether with some comrades, got the
money from along the line of march
and buried it in the old churchyard
mentioned below, and that Rhodes sub
sequently, thinking be could secure it
all, took it up, put it in a sack which
he threw across horse and carried it
to another spot, where he buried it. He
valued it at $4,000. The fortunes Of
war left Rhodes far away, and seeing
he was going to die, he made out Il
statement as to its location, and sent it
to J. H. Gibbon, in charge of the United
States mint at Charlotte, \. G. By
Mr.. Gibbon it was sent to Col. VIM. +.
Johnston at Camden, panied by
the following:
Z. S. BR. MINT, n. CAROLINA,
CHARLOTTE, s Jany, 1866.
Col. VIM. +. Johnston, Camden, S. Z.
DEAR SIR: In order to decide the
question of the concealed treasure near
Hanging o;k Church requested that
the proper directions should be pro-
vided. l enclose copy Of thAm-and
hope you will lie able to institute a sue
cessful search-tno' I think the state
ment indistinct. I saw your Senator
Gen. Kershaw a few weeks since in
Columbia S G. and think he would in
terest himself in the enquiry.
He told me he knew Hanging Rock
Church from the graveyard ofwhich it
is supposed the property was removed
bv the wounded soldiers.
If now discovered, I think the trea-
sure will prove to have been brought
from distance and to belong to distinct
parties who have been robbed along
the line of march of the invading
army.
1 cannot doubt the kind intention of
the person who communicates this
information with the hope of being able
to return the property to its original
owners.
VIII you do me the favor to let me
know the result Of the inquiry orsearch
and believe me very respectfully, your
obedient servant, H. GIBBoN.
p. SIN case of success would it not
be we'll to advertise descriptions of the
articles and call upon claimants for
sufficient proof?
The dying statement of the sergeant
is as follows:
TRUE COPY.
Near Col. Shotwell's or Bardwell's !
plantation S. C.-cross Lynch's Greek |
at Hanging Rock-helow the old mill
take the foot path up over the hill
and follow it until you come to the
swamp and when opposite the Pitch !
Pine Tree-on the right hand side of
the patch-go on twelve (12) PAGES |
south of the tree-to sugar tree.
Fall east as the arrow marks on the
tree indicate-and measure eleven 11) |
paces-then 60 north five (5l PAGES
and on the west side of thorn bush is
the spot. There is large gravel rock
same buried on the surface.
HERMAN R. RHODES,
Sergt. Co. l., 18th KY. Y. Y. II.
These papers are now made public in
the manner stated and it is only neces-
sary to add that search has been made
in the locality mentioned according to
-