The times., 1897-05-02
MANY MILLIONS VANISHED
Confederate Treasures Disap-
pearance After the War.
STORY OF A BANK TELLER
Early in 1865 the Money Was Re-
moved Under Cavalry Escort From
the Vaults of the Mechanics Ba lk
at Augusta, Ca, Into south Caro-
lina-Nothing Heard of 1t Since.


press OF the country an alleged authentic
account of what became of the wealth Of
the Confederacy. The Confederate gov
ernment possessed in the neighborlood
OF SO 100000 in gold and silver coin and
bullion, not to mention the billion or SO Of
currency. This sum was reduced from
time to time 70 payf for blockade runners at
the ports Of Charleston ana Wilmington,
arms and supplies.
The following story OF what became tf
the money is of peculiar interest To Au-
gustians, from the fact that the Con-
federate treasury was located here the
last years Of the war, the Old Mechan-
les Bank being the depository
Mr.. John a North was at that time the
teller OF this bank, andit was from him that
/ learned the particulars recounted below
of the disappear anee of the nations
wealth And, by the way. MIR Northisthe
sole survivor of the officers of this institu-
ton, and he has a very distinct IecoIlec-
ton Of the financial doings Of those days.
The Mechanics Bank was at that time
one OF the largest financial institutions
A. Metcaif, president; Milo Hatch, CASH
ier, and John a. North. teller. When it
became evident that New Orleans would
fail into the possession OF the Federals.
the money contained in the mint there
was removed TO Montgomery, and sub
sequentIy brought to Augusta. The treas
ury here was in a plethoric condition when
the crisis became apparent TO the Con-
folio TO hfnar urlT in
Crump, assistant secretary OF the treas
ury, put in appearance here with con-
siderable sum OF n1oney-mostiy in gold
belonging 10 the banks of Richmond
This money was also deposited in the
Mechanics Bank. along with that brought
from New Orleans.
The massing OF this enormous wealth
at this point was not unknown TO a great
many, and the question of it's safety was
one Of great concern. Especially was
this true as the hopeIessness or The Con-
federate cause grew more apparent to the
people This fear for the safety OF the
money was augmented by the fact that
the city was filled with returners from the
army, the majority OF whom were in des-
perate straits for the necessities Of life,
and starvation became more serious day
by day. The report reached the city
that the government had fallen, and the
people became wild. The Confederate
stores located here ere raided along with
the Georgia Railroad depot.
In The latter place was the personal bag
gage OF Gen. Beauregard, which was also
carried away by the mass II was next
rumored that the mob would loot the Me
chanies' Bank. A consultation was held
hot Nprralf
in the hopes of quelhng the raiders, they
ordered the bank to pay out S1OO in gold
for something like $50 600 in Confederate
currency.
The run that this inaugurated was tre-
mendous. Confederate notes were brought
in hand carts and wheelbarrows, and for
one entire day the bank paid out gold for
worthless paper. So great was the guam
tity presented for exchange that cotton
baskets were used to hold it The first
days experience caused Messrs. Crump
and Metcalf TO oountermand the order to
pay out gold for Confederate currency
That night a number OF teams under guard
of cavalry drew up at the bank and what
remained OF the treasury was loaded On
the wagons.
The wagon train crossed into Carolina
and proceeded up the river and crossed
back. easterly OF Washington. Ga. This
was thelast seen of the wealthof thetreas-
ury, and no authentic account Of its dis
appearance has ever been published It
was reported that the men conducting
the removal inaugurated raid Each
is said to have taken as much gold as be
could conveniently carry, and. mounting
a mule, departed to enjoy his loot.
Some portion Of the bullion was finally
recovered by the Federals, who We're
closely pursuing the treasury train.
This money was returned to Augusta,
from whence it was sent to Washington,
D. O.
Shortly after the war the president OF
the Louisiana Bank made personal de-
mand on Mr. Metcalf for the return OF that
portion of the money sent from his bank
when the money was removed from New
Orleans. The demand met with refusal,
and no effort was then made to collect the
sum.
1t is contended that the entire wagon
train. with all its wealth .felIinto he hands
of the Federals, and at various times eff
forts have been made to have Congress
reimburse several private corporations
that entrusted their money to the Con-
federate government for safe keeping, 1T
being alleged that the money was captured
and returned to Washington.
The old Mechanics Bank passed out Of
existence with the close OF the war, but
the building yet remains as substantial
as ever. tits situated just below Washing
ton, on Broad street. andis Oh of hesights
of the city.
Shortly after the war the BUILDING again
a hanEinO nSti 70
the great loss of hundreds of the colored
people. A branch of the Freedruan's
Bank was established here. Its career
is too well known torequire cGmmentorre-
view.
The building is now used for general
purposes. Its strong vaults
no longer protect immense amounts Of
wealth, but could the walls speak they
could tell some startling tales of other
(Ga.l Chronicle.