The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-21
BURIED MONEY AT CoNEY.
BENEATH IT'S SANDS LIES PIRATES
TREASURE TROVE.

Record of n chastity sea Crime-S20,-
600 i'm silver Lies Somewhere Near
Coney Island Beach, Abandoned
by Pirates--A Parcel of $1,000 Has
rcen Dug up, and at Intervals
Spanish Dollars Are Picked Up liz
the sand.
From the New York Press.
One of the popular superstitions Of the
present day, which has developed into an
accepted historic fact, concerns Long
Island.
The inroads made upon the vast stretch
of sand by the surging waves OF ocean
In midwinter have led modern writers to
conclude that the sea was claiming it's
own and that the popular summer resort
was a heap of sand deposits left by the
waters when they receded years ago. 1t
seems almost a pity to destroy this popu-
lar delusion, but the fact remains that
over 100 years before the first known set
Element of the town of Brooklyn at Cow
anus, a landing had been made at Coney
Island by Verazzano in 1921 and in 1908
ence with the savages. Its Indian names
was Harriock, and it extended from Nor
toms Point entirely to Ravenhall's At
that time there was an inlet. which is the
spot on which the West Brighton Hotel
now stands. East of this was an island.
In front of it was what the Indians called
the Great Pond" vast sheet Of water
and had its extreme end near Manhattan
Beach.
The first absolute settlement was made
in 1913 by Lady Moody and Coney Island
has retained its distinctive location ever
since 1t is true that within the Knowledge
of residents OF Brooklyn, who are familiar
with this spot during the last hfty years,
great changes in its boundaries have been
made. Thirty years ago the beach at
West Brighton extended fully half mile
further out than il does now, and the
Manhattan Beach end Of the island was
much further inland.
The most remarkable feature connected
with the history of Coney Island, which
links it with the days of piracy, when
Capt. Kidd was the terror of the seas,
reveals a tale of mutlny, bloodshed and
concealed treasure. Few are aware that
somewhere along the stretch of sandy
beach lies buried a treasure, obtained by
a tragedy on the high seas. Unless the
ocean has claimed it, it is still buried in
the sand.
. II was on Nov. g. 1880, that the Ameri-
can brig Vineyard sailed from New or
leans bound for Philadelphia and con-
signed to the late Stephen Girard, the
great philanthropist and founder Of Girard
College. The cargo consisted Of the usual
southern staples-sugar, molasses and
cotton-and in an oaken chest in the cap
tain's cabin was $4,000 in Mexican silver.
TIE shin was manned by a captain,
mate five seamen, a cabin boy and Del
aware negro, who was steward and cook.
When five days of the journey had been
completed Wamsley, the young negro,
conceived a plan Of robbery. lie took
a few of the crew into his confidence
and informed them Of the vast treasure
aboard. Charles Gibbs. Aaron Church,
James Atwell and Robert DAVIS, the cabip
boy. agreed with Wamsley that they
would resort to piracy, murder the captain
and mate, and become possessors of the
coin.
At midnight, when the captain stood on
the quarterback, giving directions TO the
cabin boy at the wheel, Wamsiey, the
,,opro came up from the forecastle, osten-
etblv to trim the pinnacle light, passed
behind the captain, and, by a terrific blow,
felled him TO the deck and deliberately
heat out his brains. Gibbs followed and
tho two flung the captains body into the
sea.
zion FASTENED on deck to learn the cause,
ana was attacked Immediately by Church
Ind Atwell He retreated to the cabin,
followed by Gibbs. who failing to find
hin, in The dark. secured the pinnacle light
end accompanied by Church, Atwell and
fbe cabin boy. overpowered the mate.
his linn body was dragged up the stairs.
leaving q telltale trail Of blood behind and,
while sim breathing, was hurled into the
sea.
The mate made ar almost hercuean ef-
forf and although more dead than alive,
swan after the vessel begging for mercy.
but his appeals were unheaded, and the
pirates stood calmly by and saw him
sink.