The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-14
AFTER THIRTY YEARS
Convict Felipe Moreno Said to
Have Dug Upa 100000 Fortune.
The Mysterious Murder of DR.. Marsh in
California Recalled, Together with
His Missing Wealth.

cOrder.
Another chapter has been added to the
career of Felipe Moreno, the desperate who
was accused OF the murder OF Or. Marsh,
in Contra Costa county. many years ago.
The life of this man seems to be made up OF
incidents that would make very readable
and thrilling novel Not very long ago,
when the doors OF St. Quentin opened TO
make him a free man, he was brought into
prominence and many a pathetic story was
told in connection with his Incarceration.
This time, however, it is not misfortune
on the part of Felipe that has brought him
10 the front. His friends say that his luck
has turned. and now fortune smiles upon
him. for he is said TO have found some
buried treasure amounting to $4,000, which
is claimed TO be blood money. All sorts OF
theories have been advanced about the find
ing of the money, but few know the facts,
however
AT the entrance to the graveyard near
PleaSanton is an old oak tree which has
been there for many years. \ short time
ago excavations were made around the tree,
and it is said that $4,000 was unearthed by
Moreno. The money being found, the old
Mexican hurried away TO San Jose, and in
that city celebrated his success, so it is
said.
The theory has long existed in Alameda
county that the murdererS of Dr. Marsh
were after both revenge and money. It was
known all over the counties of Contra
Costa and Alameda that the Doctor was a
very rich man. and. in fact, always had a
large sum of money on hand In those
days banks were scarce and the Doctor was
known to be such a careful man that he
would not even trust public institutions
with his dollars. 1t Will be remembered that
While returning home one daY he WAS noI1r-
dered, nsar Pacheco, in Contra Costa coun-
". Inc assassinS laid in wait for the Doc
TOR, and as he passed along a little gulcn
one or them threw lariat over his head
ana ne was Jerked out of his buggy Then
ne was stabbed, and his body was dragge,:
down to a small creek, where il was fOlInd
several hours lat-r
The men who committed the murder had
ample time to go through the Doctors home
before the crime was made known The
house was situated twenty-five miles from
the scene of the tragedy, and the murderers
must nave been aware of the fact that on
that DAY no one was at home. The circum-
stances of the murder all went TO show
mat the men had ample time to make a
attempted to escape. Some of the relatives
OF the dead man were not satisfied, how
ever, that the house or the premises had
been searched for the money by the muir
derers. At all events, the assassins disap-
peared, and it was several years before any
OF them were heard from again.
he AO4NE1 MlSSlNOT.
After the death of DR.. Marsh some of his
relatives made a diligent search for the
money that they thought the Doctor must
have hidden away either in the house or
on the ranch. The general belief among
his people was that he had buried the
money near the house. Many searches were
made but nothing was ever found. This
did not disabuse the minds Of the relatives
of the fact that DR.. Marsh was a very rich
man, and that he was known to have plenty
OF money. When they came TO sum up mat
tiers they found that he had not left dollar
in the world This seemed to be a very
strange state of affairs, and not only We're
the relatives surprised, but the business
friends of the deceased said they could not
understand how it could be that the Doc
tor had no money. And SO the matter
passed into history a complete mystery.
All who acquainted with the facts
in the case had their theories, but they
never turned out to be the right ones.
The arrest of Felipe Moreno at Sacra-
mento will be remembered by the old-tim-
ers: He was tried in Contra Costa county
and convicted Of the murder. young man
he went 70 prison. and there remained for
twenty-four years. Governor Markham
pardoned him a short time ago and Felipe
has since been breathing the air Of freedom
So much for the history of the murder the
missing money, the conviction of Moreno
and his release, all of which lead up TO the
story of the finding OF the treasure
few days ago a well-known citizen of
Pleasanton was attending the funeral of
| way to the cemetery he gave an old Span
| lard a ride. Just as they were near the
| cemetery gate the Spaniard spoke his mind
| and called attention to an old oak tree
that has stood the storm for many a year.
| Il is tree that lives in the memory of
| the oldest inhabitant. In fact it is lone
some place where this old majestic tree
| stands, near the old county road, like a
sentinel guarding the entrance to the city
/ as would be selected by persons who desired
| TO hide their treasure for years, for the old
tree would mark the spot.
| DO you see that old oak tree over there?"
| remarked the Spaniard. as he looked
thoughtfnlly at his companion,
Yes That is one of the Old-timers," re-
| piled the old citizen.
'.Well. that tree has a history" con-
| tined the Spaniard in mysterious way.
You notice that around the base eXcava-
! tons have been made Now these excava-
| lions of n recent date and in connec-
| ton with them there is quite secret You
remember Felipe Moreno. the Mexican who
| accused of the murder of DIR. Marsh,
| mlny years ago? He was seen in this To-
cality and he knew the secret of some
| buried treasure. 1t is said that he located
that old oak tree and commenced exoava-
ting around the base and was rewarded
| for his trouble by finding 10000
| OFF WITH HIS FIND.
1.-THE story goes that as soon as he got tn,
money he hurried away and made over tn;
hills to San Jose. You know Moreno i.
familiar with all this country. for when h
was boy he explored it many times. YoU
will now understand why much interes
is taken in that old tree by a few of III
| old Standards who knew Moreno in earl!
| davS."
The story of the Spaniard seemed to hav
| the element Of truth about it. There wer
| the excavations around the base of tn
| tree. made in such a manner as to give tn
| appearance that something had been found
| The man who had been at work did no
wait to cover up his tracks. Even the oil
shovel that he worked with was left be
hind and everything seemed to indicat
that the searcher had struck it rich.
| ". W. Cannon, an Oakland capitalist
who is a son-in-law of the late DR.. Marsh
was notified about the find. and he ha
been quietly making an investigation of Tn
whole matter. Mr.. Cannon was seen, an
told what he knew about the matter Il
seems to be q strange case" said Mr.. Cam
ron. 81 have sent my foreman TO Pleas
anton in order to make full investigated
| of the whole matter | expect that he Wi
learn the details and will then report to ms
The rumors are being passed in all direC
| tons about the finding Of the treasure
| When the matter was first ventilated
| was sent for by a friend of mine in Pleas
anton. who told me of a conversation h
had with a Spaniard while on the way I
| the cemetery.
ut had been said that $4,000 was foun
! by Moreno. and that il was DR.. Marsh
money. OF course, ! cannot give any IN
| formation on that point. II is fact, how
| ever. that when DR.. Marsh was murdere
| il was supposed that he left large SUI
| OF money. He was a rich nan at the tim
ard owned q great deal of property. IL wa
| a strange thing. however. that when W