The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-10-12

Dispatches from Panama tell in an
uncertain way Of the finding of $1,000
600 in Spanish gold and silver on the
island of CocOs, near Veraguas. There
has always been much mystery about
the treasure which was supposed to
be hidden on this island. A pirate
who was vaguely known as Captain
Martin roamed the sea early in the
present century. One OF his cruises
Law along the coast OF Peru. After
dropping anchor at many OF the prin-
cipaI ports along the shore his crew of
freebooters boldly invaded the
churches of the town and took with
them ecclesiastical treasure of great
value. Houses were robbed and
burned, stores were pillaged, and the
rich men who fell into the hands of
the pirates were forced 10 purchase
their freedom at an exorbitant price.
This booty, it has been popularity
supposed, was hidden somewhere
about the rugged shores of COcos ISL
and and near Waffle bay. Close to the
beach is an immense arch, formed by
two cliffs, whose SUBMITS meet in one
peak. Somewhere along the surface
of this arch, on the west side and
along the base OF the rocky cliffs, it
was believed there existed q pivotal
rock, which, when released, would re-
veal an opening to the vault or the
long concealed treasure of the Incas
and Peruvians. The nearest point on
the Central American coast to COcOs |
island is Punta Arenas, in Costa Rica,
about 800 miles away. The distance |
from Panama is fully $50 miles.
Early in June, 1893, Captain Gels |
Ter, of Stockton, accompanied by ten
New York capitalists, chartered the
steamer Acapulco for an exploration /
fled that he could find the treasure /
hidden by the pirates. It was on the Il
afternoon of the 10th of that month |
that the vessel came to anchor IL /
Waffle bay, on the north side of the /
island. Upon The shore of bend in
the bay the treasure seekers saw a
small building, and straining their
eyes they beheld smoke tumbling
from the chimney. Boats were low
cred and preparations made to land.
As the Voyagers neared the beach two |
men ran from the door of the cabin
to the beach. With all the ardent
energy of his nature Captain Geisler
hurTiedly took the party to the spot
where he believed the treasure to be
hidden. They could not find the piv-
otal rock, however, and for days and
days they lived with the two men
whom they found upon the island.
Batfled in their efforts to find the
gold and silver, Captain GeisIer
gloomily and reluctantly weighed an
chor and returned to San Francisco.
Seekers for treasure on the Isle of
- - A
co dropped anchor in its bay. Early |
in 1892 the schooner Eliza Edwards
was fitted out for q mysterious vOy-
age. She sailed away from the bar
Dor of San Diego with eleven men on
board. Among them was Ex- Mayor
Barber, of Santa Barbara. The vOy-
ayers were provided with an immense
stock Ol provisions and carried with |
them "A formidable assortment of
picks, shovels and spades. The desti-
nation OF the schooner was COcOs ISL
aud. The vessel was three weeks on |
its way, and during all that time, al
though frequently hugging the shore |
closely, not u house or living creature |
was seen on land.
Ex-Mayor Barber and his men found
no treasure on the island, although
they remained there until their pro-
visions were nearly exhausted.
Still another strange and wierd
story about the stowaway wealth of
COco5 Island was told in 1894 by
Charles Henderson of Weuseon, o.,
who claimed that while boy he ran
away To sea, serving as an apprentice
under Captain Summers on vessel
plying between New York and Liver
pool. Before the late war, and while q
yet lad, Henderson claimed that he
was on board a privateer and Shaving
vessel called the Lark. He was after
ward appointed sub-officer OF the ship.
The Lark made many trips between
Africa and the East seas and was al
ways successful. The captain became
rich, but no one knew what became of
MS money. The Lark continued to
make trips after slaves and one day,
while near the coast Of South Amer
ca, a United States man-of-war at
acked the Lark. The SLAYER was or
Tered headed for a rendezvous known
)nly to Henderson and the captain.
m their haste to escape the war ship .
hey ran the Lark upon a rock and Q
he rapidly sank, scarcely giving the
light men time to escape.
The captain told Henderson that he
lad So, 600 in gold on board the ship,
md that If be would help him secrete
t from the crew he would share it
with him. All on board the vessel
scaped in boats, the captain and | |
henderson secretly taking the treas
ire with them. According to this
Oggy yarn of Henderson they made
Or an island and there in "a cave hid ! {
he gold. While on the island, so the | <
tory runs, the captain and three OF .
he men died Of smallpox and two | y
7ere drowned by the capsizing OF a
mall boat while returning TO the yes
FL. Henderson, 50 he says was pick -
4 up by q passing vessel and taken 10 | :
Jew Orleans. He afterward tried TO 81
ct some vessel owner To help him
-cover the treasure, but without sue D
ess. Henderson afterwaTd fitted out
ship to 90 to this mysterious island |
70 10 tho CrnCzr hn+ - Il