The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-27
GOLD ON AMELIA ISLAND.



Lost 1t.
Fernandina, May 26-Within the last
year $4,000 has been unearthed on Amelia
Island, near this city. This was in two
finds, consisting of Spanish gold doub-
looms This island was a favorite depos-
itory for the old pirates. Every one is
envying the fortunate finders of the gilt
tering gold.
This last find brought about the issuing
by Gov. Bloxham of commission to w.
A. Hall of this city to search for and Sc
cure for the state of Florida all money,
gold or silver, which would belong to the
state under the common law of England
prior to A. d. l776. This document pro-
Vides for the payment to Hall of beau
tiful commission of so per cent of the
value of all he finds. Mr. Hall has found
the parties who did ind the treasures and
Is now in hopes of getting it back for the
state, but the land where the last find
was made is owned by private parties.
The first find consisted of 5000 in gold
com, and was made by party of scien-
lists who visited Fernandina a few
months ago, and who led the people to be-
heVe they were only interested in the ex-
cavation of old Indian mounds. No one
knew of this discovery until after their
steamer, the Gopher, sailed away.
A young negro, who had been employed
by these men, told Edward Cause, a
Fernandina miller, of the discovery, and
now 1t was made, assisted by this negro
and another man employed by Cause. he
went out TO dig up the treasures, which
mad been located on the Sitrona lands
during day expeditions of Mr. Cause.
After going to a depth of about twelve
feet, they succeeded in striking an iron
box, which was promptly raised to the
surface.
After Cause and his men had raised the
box they hurried off. 1t was taken to
his room, where it was opened, and $4,000
was taken out, mostly in doubloons, and
also few coins, the value of which was
not known. After talking over the situa-
ton, 1t was thought best to get it away
from fernandina, and after a good deal
OF thought 1t was decided that Pinkney,
the negro, should be sent to Brunswick
the next day with the money, which had
been divided up into small boxes He was
to await Cause there. Before the box
was taken to Causes room, the man who
had been employed was paid off and out
of the way. Since the departure of Pink
ney for Brunswick Cause was never able
to tind him again. He soon after sold out
his business here as he was so much de-
pressed by the loss of the money, and de-
cided to hunt Pinkney up.
Cause decided to employ counsel, so he
v.
who told him he would help find the ne
gro and money provided he received one
hall of all the money recovered. Cause
agreed to this, and an agreement was
drawn up. Cause had some trouble in
making Hall believe what he told him
was true, but he produced the instrument
which he left with Mr.. Hall. Hall then,
thinking there was truth in it, proceeded
to find the man who Cause and Pinkney
employed. and after a long search found
him. He had to be threatened by him
before he acknowledged knowing any
thing of Pinkney's whereabouts. He had
a Yetter from Pinkney, and on the letter.
head which was scratched up, he could
only distinguish Fifth avenue. The police
of New York were then notified to keep
their eye on him.
Cause, after getting the information,
left Fernandina, and has not since been
heard from. 1t was given out however,
he was going to Atlanta, but 1t is said
by his people he went to Central Amer
lea, and that he is not going to return.
1t is believed by those who know of this
affair that Cause left for New York, and
succeeded in finding his man and the
money.
Hall then went to Mr.. S. A. Swami.
who owns the land on which the money
was found, and tried to get him to take
some action in the matter to recover the
money. Mr.. Hall has evidently a new
plan and for this reason he has applied
to the governor, and through this chan
mel he hopes to bring Cause and the
himself and the state. Hall has the con-
tract entered into by him and Cause as
wen as the instrument Cause used but
will not show them.