The herald., 1897-05-28
BURIED LUCRE
Believed to Be Hidden in
Elysian Park
AN OLD STORY IS REVIVED
PARK COMMISSIONERS DON'T
BELIEVE IN IT
AN OLD STORY is REVIVED
And Refuse to Grant Permission to a
Search Party to Dig-Westlake
Park Boating Privilege

At the meeting Of the park comission-
ers in the mayors office yesterday
morning, only Messrs. Teed, Griffith and
Walters, with Secretary Mendenhall and
Superintendent Carey, were in attend.
nnce.
On motion, Commissioner Grifith
took the chair, and the minutes of the
previous meeting were read, after which
the matter of the boating privilege for
Westlake park was called up, and on
motion of Commissioner Waters, the
lease and bond of Newell Brothers were
approved, and referred to the city coun-
ell for confirmation.
Mrs. L. A. Dolloff appeared before the
board and asked that boxes be placedin
the various parks as receptacles for re-
ligious literature, and ON motion per-
mission was granted for the placing OF
such boxes for said books and papers.
Superintendent Carey reported that
he had appointed John Mcmillan to take
charge Of Fremont gate to Elysian
park. which appointment was con-
firmed.
Oh iiOtiOil, TIC WIS
authorized to purchase a supply of
Dutch bulbs. as per list presented t.
the board, amounting to about $3.50, and
the secretary was instructed to make
out requisition for the same.
A communication was read from G..
H. Loring requesting that he be grant
cd permission to dig for buried treasure
In one OF the canyons Of Elysian park.
AS this has been tried once or twice,
without success, the request was de-
MED, and the board adjourned.
While Mr.. Loring's proposition was
received with considerable levity by
the board. that gentleman could sec
nothing funny about 1t. He claims
that he made the offer in good faith
and while he has no positive assurance
that any treasure lies buried in Elysian
park, from what he has heard, he and
two or three companions are willing to
risk some time and money in making
the search. The fact that two or three
other parties have tried this same thing
and failed did not have a discouraging
effect on Mr.. Loring, and he assured
the commissioners that he had no con-
nection with them. As the previous dig
gers had prosecuted their work
surreptitiously. and failed to fill up the
shafts which they had sunk. the board
thought it would be better to stop any
further sinking Of pitfalls for the un-
wary on the city's lands.
This treasure story Is only one of a
number of traditions that have been
handed down during the past century
This particular treasure, 1t is presumed
was buried by an old Mexican some
thing over fifty years ago. and is said
to consist Of gold coin and jewelry to
the value of several thousand dollars.
AS Elysian park at that time was con-
sidered out Of the earth, so far as CIV
ilization was concerned. the old Don was
rot particular in locating his land
marks. and died before he had taken
the necessary steps to preserve his
wealth. leaving only a very vague and
indefinite description, only saying that
something of value was buried in one
of the canyons northwest of the city,
presumably in that portion now known
as Elysian park. Another story Is to
the effect that large treasure was buried
in the cemetery on Buena Vista street,
and several years ago an old shoemaker
came down from San Bernardino and
spent some time in digging in that place
Still another story is to the effect tha.
shortly before the Workman & Temple
bank failure something over 5000 in
gold coin was drawn out by a depositor
before the crash and planted" some
where among the hills of what is now
Elysian park, said by some to be in the
Chavez canyon. There is also a story
that there is large treasure buried near
Long Beach. and some months ago
PARTY was organized in this city to hunt
for the same. A sort of stock company
was formed, and number of working
men were induced to part with a few
dollars by sharp schemer to pay the
expenses of the same. It is hardly likely
that there will be any further digging,
at least on city property.