The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-16
Another Of Many Efforts TO Find Buried
Millions on COCOS Island.
CREW OF A WARSHIP DIGS A HOLE
And Find all the Indications Given on the
Chart-The Hole Caves In and an I'm
successful Blast Is Tried-story
ofDeath and Suffering.

=
movement Of ships of war II was an
nounced that the primary object Of the
trip was TO protect British interests
placed In jeopardy by the outbreak UNI
der Morales in Guatemala. That there
was something more in the wind was.
however, generally understood. and Of
ficrrs and crew came TO the conclusion
that England had completed the purchase
OF the Panama Canal. and that their
mission was 10 take possession. So
convinced did they become that this
was the solution Of the riddle that little
attention was given TO two civilian guests
who journeyed with them. the one intro
duced as correspondent Of the Newt
York Herald and the other as his inter-
prefer.
COCOs ISLAND.
IL was when Cocos Island was reached
on October 18th, that their identity and
the secret of the trip was disclosed. The
supposed interpreter was no other than
Charles Hartford the reputed discovcrer
of the Cocos Island treasure. and his
companion. II. a. Harris. whom he had
interesting in his remarkable tale Of
buried millions The island itself was
found 20 lie $50 miles southeast of San
Jose de Guatemala. although but 21
miles distant from the nearest land. "A
little green patch in the sea. scarcely
eight miles long by half that wide. It's
inhabitants an the time the Imperieuse
landed her party were Mrs Gersler and
a new arrival from Nova Scotia. a Ger
man. who was accompanied by his wife.
Gersler himself was nowhere to be seen.
nor was the negro servant. who played
the part Of Friday TO HartfOrds Rob
inson CrusOe." They had gone 20 the
mainland, Gersler explained. Gersleu
had made away with the negro and Sc
GREETED himself. according TO Hartford :
theory
No time was lost in beginning work I'M
der Hartford's directions. and with the
aid Of his much discussed chart. which
Mrs. Gerselr contemptuously decrlbed as
only copy Of the one we have" Dig
cling for $50 10000 is fascinating emplov-
ment, and although IL was raining hard
the watch responded with alacrity when
Lieutenant Lee informed them that all
hands were 70 20 ashore and dig dia-
monda' The digging was commenced
at spot indicated on the chart and de-
signatcd by Hartford. At a depth OF five
or six feet, he said. a large fiat stone or
slab would be discovered. out Of which he
had previously chiselled tho distinguish
ing number that It had originally borne.
THE SLAB FOUND.
Tho slab was found at tho depth he
named and there was no lack Of energy
IN compliance when Hartford next gave
the order 20 dig ten or twelve feet deep
or. when the tunnel would be- struck.
leading 10 the cavern OF gold and jew
els. The continuous rain made the work
extremely difficult. but IL was nevortho-
less continued until depth OF ten feet
was reached with no disclosures
At this point the water had so welled
into the pit that = large Overhanglng rock
was seen TO sway from undermining. and
Lieutenant Leo retired his men just in
time 10 avoid = serious fatality The rock
completely filed the excavation made.
and neutralized the work already done.
Instead % blasting out the instructions
and continuing operations according 10
the original plan. Admiral Palliser order
od blast in the hillside itself. and this
being carried out without result. the I'M
perieuse turned homoward despite the
pleadings OF Hartford. The Admiral said
IL was impossible 10 remain longer from
headquarters. The parting shot Of the
steamship will make IL harder for those
who later prosecute the search.
That this will be done there IS no doubt.
Practically all the Impersieuse's crew are
converted to Hartfords belief that the
treasure IS there. and when Hartford was
landed az San Jose de Guatemala on tho
homeward. voyage he prevailed upon the
commander Of the United State ship
Alert 20 return with him and take up the
hunt
Admiral Pallser says the warshp Am
phion will not seek where the Imperieuse
has sought in vain, or, AT any rate, that
she will not do so under orders. Her next
duty will be. however, TO safeguard
British interests i'm Guatemala, and she,
too. will probably run over TO the fam
GUS island Of hope and disappointment.
Lieutenant Lee says the story told in
Hartf0rd's chart is in every way confirm
cd by the discoveries made by his COM
mand. but It will be practically impossible
now TO recover the vast secreted wealth
without a numerous working force.
The Sun supplements the telegram with
| the following romantic story of searches
| FOR the buried treasure:
If the belief Of the officers Of the Brit
ish flagship Gmperieuse IS true. and the
buried treasure OF CocOs Island is actual
" there. there will be chagrin ana Ia
mcnta1ion in many cities OF both East aho
|
In the last fifty years many excursions
have been planned with the lone
Pacific islet for their objective point
Some of them went so far as 10 get en-
| barked. Others lived and died on paper
Few ever reached Cocos, and OF those
few a startling proportion iouhd dea'i
| ON the rocky shores or by fever or star
walton. None found the treasure Chas
Hartford. the man who claims 10 nave
found IL found also the skeletons or those
who had gone before; CHASTITY monument
Of failure. He IS back In this country
now and the Impereuse which took hin
70 Cocos on his second trip, left detach'
wont Of marines to guard the hoard
hartford q the only man who has ever
gone or tried 10 go 10 Cocos Twice.
Cocos Island Is a mountainous rock
..,,L thirty miles OF coast line. that rise
| from the depths OF the Paclhc OceaI
| shout 40 miles out from costa hlca' :"
| y.bich IL is a possession. OIiy SUI III
| driven vessels ever sight II. IL i out ~
| tho travelled world, the picked sPot -
,no universe for a cache or ValuaDle9' II
| ,coo ,Vben Central America was IN re
| Iii against the cruel sway OF SPuh' LIZ
| ,5,h.st among the colonists torhed
| ctose-bapded company for the pic'et ""
| ton OF their gold, silver ana Pic0'oV
stones and. fitting out a schoohel' %
| s.u for the far island, written hi9e"' ,
savs nothing Of this excursion pu, VI
! history which Is handed Gown l'V'" 80
or 10 son and eventually spre"u9 az"
-. interviewer with legend has II tina
hair Il dozen picked men OF tne odi'
buried the treasure within thS cute
| 81 - G01E