The morning call., 1893-09-17
OVER IN OAKLAND.
The Mysterious House at
Adams Point.
"G0VERNOR" GETCHELLDEA
A Suit for the Water Front to Be
Commenced for the State-The
New Tax Levy.

Alameda ana Odklduu VI UuIieu
treasure along the banks Of the estuary
in both towns, it being surmised that
In the olden times, when the present sites
of these towns were parts of thickly
settled Spanish grant, miners just down
from the diggings TO take ship back TO
the States would come over TO the inviC-
ing land of live oaks in order TO cache their
gold until steamer day, being fearful OF
being robbed of it by some OF the reckless
characters who in those days made their
headquarters in San Francisco.
There are other stories and legends OF
pirates, who made their headquarters In
Oakland Creek after raids on the Spanish
galleOns that were bearing rich cargoes
from the Indies 10 Mexico.
There is plenty Of romance connected
with these legends, and. although in only
a few instances has good. yellow money
been found. there are still numbers Of
persons who believe in the existence Of
hidden treasure.
The latest of all these hunts for buried
gold is perhaps the most interesting. since
IL has unearthed genuine mystery.
This time the scene of the midnight
delVing into mother earth has been on the
banks of the placid Lake Merritt. The
scene of operations is Adams Point. a
piece of land Juttlng out into the lake on
the north shore on the property OF Edison
Adams. This Adams Point is a bold
headland that rises above the waters
edge some twelve feet, with the top COW
cred with live oaks. 1t is a prominent
point and beautiful spot.
In the Olden DAYS when tide was full it
would have been little trouble to run a
boat Gp the estuary TO the point.
OF late people living about the lake
have noticed the twinkle Of a light bout
the point on occasions dhrlng the night,
and soon the fact began to excite curiosity.
Every evening when dark shut down on
the world the little twInkling light was
noticed, and when day dawned nothing
could be seen about the point to show that
men had been there
But a closer examination set people to
wondering, and two little boys who played
about the place always noticed that there
had been work going on there in a shaft
which was being dug, hut they never saw
anY one al work. This work had been
going on for month. and it is supposed
that two men only are at work.
About fifty feet back from the water two
shafts have been su9k distance OF eight
feet. and from these tunnels branch of
which lead directly into what has been
brick house Of some sort, or masonry
work which has been put in with mortar
just as though IN the walls Of building.
There seem to be several rooms, and
after breaking away the wall which was
reached by The tunnel eXcavated an under
ground passage was reached which led to a
small room into which the dirt had caved.
This dirt was removed by the silent night
workers and an arched opening from the
room was revealed as though leading into
another room. This archwav is on the
north side On the south side is another
archway as though opening into room
there.
The workmanship in the masonry is very
good. The bricks used were nearly square
but thinner than those USED at the present
day and larger
The archways were N ade of sexagon
titles. 1t was thought for some time that
the ulace was site of an old brickyard
where the SDanlGTdS made brick, but thIS 5
is not the case as there is every evidence
that house once occupied the place.
But the memory of man runneth not
back to the time when house occupied
the point. The owner of the property,
Edson Adams, said he knew a week ago
that men were digging there at Night, but
he bad not seen them. He says he has
known the property thoroughly for thirty
years, but he never heard Of a house being
there
Other old-time Sc tiers are as much in
the dark as Mr.. Adams. There was never
house on the point as far as can be
learned.
One might think from the appearance of
the surroundings that a house once stood
on the point, and that these brick walls
are all remaining of what was once the
cellar, and that the top of the walls had
been covered with soil.
But the house remnants are not the only
mystery in connection with the strange
affair. Who are the men who have done
all this eXcavating? Much work has been
done, and work OF a very labOriOus char
acter-and night work, too. Who are the
mysterious dlggers and for what do they
dig? One of them is said to be gray
bearded old fellow. He was seen 10 leave
the spot with a sack over his shoulder
Did the sack contain yellow Spanish gold
or the tools with which the digging had
been done?
The spot has been visited by large
number Of people, but no one seems able
10 solve the mystery.
GetchelI's Checkered Career.
Frederick Getchel. sometimes called
Governor Getchell." b" died yesterday at the
Henry House from blood poisoning which
resulted from trivial wound received in
one of his fingers few weeks ago in San
Francisco.
Mr.. Getchell came from a good Iowa
family, and now has a brother who is pres
ident of Des MOines bank, and another
who is prominent Board of Trade man in
CnlCdRO. MT. Getcnell lmSel1 is a man
OF very fine mind and great learning, and
in early life he married a daughter OF
Justice of the United States Supreme
Court Miller. This marriage was a happy
one and gave great promise. but tor falal
drinking habits which secured so strong a
hnid OF Getchell that his wife had to leave
him. When the couple separated Getchell
gave his wife hall OF his fortune, then
amounting 10 some So, 600. The wife was
allowed 10 secure her divorce.
he made many resolves to quit drin kin q,
and on one occasion stumped the State OF
Iowa for the Prohibition ticket, but the
habit was too strong upon him. In Chi
caGo ne meT boon companions. After this
he went nome TO his wife and told her ii
was impossible to master the demon, and
stated that he would not drag her down
with him, and Immediately set her free
and gave her half his property.
de then came to California. Soon after
his arrival, liz connection with Mr.. Hinck
ley, lie bought ranch near MOnterey, It
was not long before the railroad company
wanted this particular ranch for the cree
tion of the Hotel del Monte, and Getcbell
and Hinckley sold it. 1t is said that Mr..
Getchell cleared up in this deal something
like 100000.
Some eight years ago he came to Oak
Iand, out lost more than he made in his
speculatlcns on account of his habits, and
ia no hap