The Portland daily press., 1895-11-07
AFTER kIoD's GOLD.
A Strange Disappearance of Harpswell
Man.

There was a strange story OF dlsap-
pearance along the shore, reported at the
office of J. W. Trefethen yesterday by
parties from the coast. . According to the
story, some three years ago Charles Hold
sdon of Winthrop, rather recent graduate
from Hebron Academy, and regarded as
very bright and promising young man,
fell sick, and as result of that sickness
and of specie of mental depression that
followed, was forced to give up his stud
les for the time, and was directed to stay
out OF doors as much as possible. 1t was
believed that time and much exercise
would restore his mental and physical
health to the fullest degree and enable
him. resume his studies once more. He
was about 90 when taken sick, and since
then has been a frequent visitor to the
Maine coast line, among other places be-
ing in the habit of visiting at the house
oflMr. Samuel Toothaker at East Harp
swell, where he was always sure of q
warm welcome. He developed a great
love for tho sea, and became an expert in
handling a boat
Just before the storm of last woek
young Hodsdon left his home in Win
throp and went to the house of Mr..
Toothaker His visit was unexpected
but the members of the family were glad
to see him, and has always seemed per
fectly at homo, and rather better than
usual. During the evening he talked with
+l,of a " roo 1di
islands of that vicinity and especially OF
Mark Island, and the next morning SAID
to William Toothaker: "Will, want to
90 to Mark Island"
That rather surprised Toothaker, as
Mark Island is about IL miles from their
Mace and is uninhabited. There nre no
buildings on the island, but only mon
ument
sWhat do you want to go there for,
Charlie?' he asked.
"You won't tell if I tell your"
"No"
@pm going to dig up the gold that is
buried there. +"
His friend was surprised, and asked
him to explain what he meant, and
young Hodsdon said that he dreamed that
he when alone to Mark Island, an islard
with monument, but without house,
and that he dug up lot of gold buried
there by Capt. Kidd.
Young Tocthaker rather laughed at
his fancy, but his belief in his dream was
too strong to be shaken in that way, and
he went allowed to take the boat
This was the morning of the storm.
and as will be recalled it camesup sudden
". Rodsdon did not return that night,
but little was thought of it. He had
to sail or row some 10 miles from Tooth
aker farm. to Mark Island, while he
would have been forced to have crossed
only about two miles of water to have
reached the mainland straight from the
island, and it was not thought at all
STANCE that he did not attempt to return,
and the same held good during the two
| following days, and even then knowing
| that he was somewhat cratic in his move
ments, little was thought OF further de-
lay for day or two
Up to Tuesday morning, no news had
been received Of the missing man and
| there were then grave fears entertained
that his search for the elusive gold
buried by Capt. Kidd, had resulted in his
d cath. 1t was then feared that he might
have been blown off to sea- or mistaken
the distance and the location of Mark
sland have himself ventured too far out.
He may be.still on SOMEONE Of the small
er islands or have been picked up and
taken into some port and not yet been
reported.