The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-08
SEEKERS AFTER
LOST TREASURES
-Four Rolling Hill Men the Victims Oh
q Dupe.
OPERATED AT MIDNIGHT
Story Came to Light Through a VII
Known Officer.
SCENE LAID NEAR JEWISH CEMETERY
Rain and Cold Had No Disheartening
Effects Sent to Colorado for Pros
pector's Needle-Graphic Details
of the Amusing Incident q
SCENE. LAID NEAR JEWISH EMETEhY

ton, and although failure" is usually the
caption of the closing chapters, men can
always be found who are ever ready to be-
lieve and act upon the information of the
alleged possessor of such a secret.
An amusing incident which illustrates the
credulity of the average man was I'M
earthed yesterday. When it became known
that several well known employees of the
Birmingham Rolling Mills had been made
the victims of a lost treasure" scheme,
1t banned out in the usual manner
Some weeks since negro who claimed
to know where large amount of gold had
been buried years ago. for small con-
sideration agreed to divuge the secret to
one of the victims, who in turn took three
bosom friends into his confidence.
The treasure was said to be buried on
Enon Ridge, near the Jewish cemetery, and
according to the story represent fabulous
sums of gold, which had been hidden from
the Yankees during the war and never re-
covered. Visions of luxury and great riches
inspired the fortunate few to form them
selves into a prospecting company, each
member of which was sworn to secrecy.
Prospector's Needle
One of the promoters who had a friend
in Colorado who is a gold prospector,
agreed to write him for prospector's dip
needle, which was accordingly done and on
Saturday last the anxiously expected in
strument arrived. A hasty council of the
company was called and 1t was decided to
delay matters no longer, but to proceed
at once and begin the search. Adjournment
was taken until a late hour in the night,
when the shades of darkness would conceal
the great secret from the eyes of the en-
vious world.
According to agreement, four sturdy men
met at midnight, and armed with the in
strument which would locate the treasure,
a spade to dig to it, and hugh. sack in
which the shining shekels could be brought
away, they cautiously betook themselves
to the locality and despite the steady down.
pour Of rain and the chilling blast that
came over the hill tops from the regions
of the north, they bravely set to work.
The delicate needle was brought from its
hiding place and in the hands of the leader,
who had received instructions how to use
it. was soon cutting up antics in his trem-
bling hands, as he moved carefully over the
ground.
Tombstones for q background
The prospectors had been careful not to
bring lanterns in order that they might not
be discovered and the darkness was almost
impenetrable, except when the occasional
glare from the hugh iron furnace in the
distance revealed the somber tombstones in
the background Thoughts of ghosts and
spirits, which are associated with the mid
night hour in lone cemetery, were quickly
dispelled by visions of wealth.
Suddenly the needle stopped revolving.
the point Indicating a spot slightly sunken
In which served to further confirm faith In
the prophetic le6t.c. Tie nerve tension of
each man was row strung to the highest
pitch. and the quartette set to work with a
will Soon the moist earth was dug away
to a considerable depth, when suddenly
four hearts stood still, as the steel blade OF
the SPADE came in contact with hard SUBJ
stance, which irIpeded its further progress.
An hasty examination revealed loamy
ebert formation which seemed to be the
work of human hands rather than a nat
ural formation.
Came to Town for Pick
What was to be done? Only a few feet
away lay the much coveted prize. Was all
to lie lost and the hopes of four men to be
dashed SO rudely to pieces with the treas
IRE almost within grasp? No. In emer-
equal to the task. and it was but few
moments until the problem was solved
pick! pick! A fortune for a pick. 1t
would not do to try to borrow such a tool
at so unreasonable an hour and besides,
such indiscretion might divulge the secret.
Some one must return to the mill which
was two miles distant This was the only
safe plan, and instantly four volunteers
were ready to make the trip. Who was TO
go? There was no lack of confidence, but
each preferred 10 leinain and guard the
coveted spot Finally a vote was taken
and the important duty placed upon one
who had never been known to finch Soon
he was speeding away in the darkness
while the remaining three sought shelter
beneath the boughs of friendly oak. in
the neighboring wood. Six eyes were set
upon the sacred" spot and three hearts
bead with expect ant joy, almost audible in
the deep silence which prevailed.
Tho Messengers Return
An houl passed and the faithful messen-
ger had not returned. Patience was fast
turning to anxiety when the glare of the
furnace revealed a lonely man trudging his
way through the mud and rain with a pick
at shoulder arms" On he came and soon
the group was once more assembled at the
Grave of Gold" The pick was set TO |
work, its sharp points digging deep into
the loamy rock. which did not give very |
readily to the strokes An hour passed ana |
little progress had been made.
The needle was again brought into use |
and was held above the little hole In order |
to ascertain just where to dig. With al
most human instinct, 1t made several rev.
olutions and then came to rest with its
pointed directly to the hardest
portion of the rock.
The leader, who held 1t in his hand stood
statute-like and with the austerity of a
Bonanza King" pointing with his index
finger in the direction which the instru-
ment indicated. dramatically exclaimed:
'Dg"
Quick to Obey Orders
The man with the pick was not slow to
obey the command, and for few moments
the dull thud of the sharp tool as 1t de,
seconded with q marked regularity ives thH