The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-15
BURIED TREASURE FOUND.
Believed to Be the Sooils OF an ante
bellum Capt. K id.
From the st Louis Globe Democrat.


From the ST Louis Globe Democrat
MEMPHIS, July PA special dispatch
from Purvis, Miss, says that several days
ago party of Ave men, with a surveying
outfit and chart of the surrounding coun-
try, arrived in that place. Their move
ments were decidedly mysterious. and when
questioned as to their business the leader Of
the party replied that they were members
of the United States geographical survey,
who had been sent out by the government
TO erect stones on the meridian line. This
answer satisfied the curious, and no further
ettent on was paid to them.
But facts have been brought to light within
the past two days which show that the
party was after hidden fortune, and that
it was successful in its search. Yesterday
a brass cannon was found on the banks of
Red creek, niue miles east Of PurvIs, and
on the inside of the cannon are traces of
gold. Exactly how much money was pro-
cured is OF course unknown, buJ from ap-
pearances the cum could not have been less
than $20.001. The gun was over six feet
long, the bore being about six inches in
diameter. The weapon was considerably
the worse for rust on account of its long
rest in the earth. For years there has been
a tradition among the natives about this
brass cannon and hidden wealth, but no at
ten ion was paid to the stories by the most
intelligent portion Of the people until the
finding Of the empty gun on the banks Of
Red creek.
This tells the tale, and brings wildly to
mind the exploits and crimes OF the desper-
ado and outlaw. James Copeland, whose
gang Of murderers and robbers terrorized
the people OF three states before the war
Copeland was the leader OF one of the most
desperate gangs Of highwaymen ever re-
corded In history, who would not spare even
the cradle or gray hairs to procure money.
What is known as the old Mobile road, run
ming through the pine regions OF East Mis-
sissippi and Southwest Alabama to Mobile,
Ala, was the scene Of SCORES OF bloody en-
counters between Copeland and his crowd
and citizens who had been to MOBILE to mar
ket and were returning with the proceeds
Of their cotton. Many a lone traveller along
that road has been slain, robbed and
his body left on the roadside or dumped into
some accommodating creek. The end finally
came, however and Copeland was cap
tured and executed at Augusta, the county
seat OF the adjoining Perry county He
made full and complete COMES sion, which
was printed by Sheriff j. R. S. Pitts, now
resident of Waynesboro. Miss and which
implicated some of the most prominent peo-
pie in Mississippi and in Mobile, Ala. After
the publication Of this book the persons
mentioned by Copeland in his confession
ote and all brought suit against DR.. Pitts,
which ruined him finally and cane near
costing him bis life on several occasions. Pitts
finally emerged from the avalanche OF law
suits with whole skin, but sadder and
wiser man.
1t was always the policy OF Copeland
after making haul to bury his ill-g item
gains in some iron vessel on some section or
meridian line. Charts of the location we're
always drawn, so that the booty could be
found easily in after years During the past
ten years number of instances of this
kind have occurred. in which au alleged
surveying party has unearthed vessels OF
gold and silver. A pot of gold was dug
from the earth near Meridian, Miss, in
1884, and another in Newton county, auC
others in Jasper county in 1886 and 1887.