New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-13

came oil the way from Vancouver to Cocos
/ with orders from London to investigate the
claims Of one Charles Hartford, an Englishman
who has n concession from the Government Of
Costa Rica to search for the treasure com
mission, and had Interested n capitalist by the
name OF +. A. Harris to become his angel ana
furnish him with funds At the time Of this visit
the only inhabitants Of CoCos were a German
family named Gerster. the remnants Of a colony
OF Germans who had come from Costa Rica, but
abandoned the place after a few months resi-
dence because Of the unhealthy climate. They
dld considerable prospecting and found traces
of lead and quicksilver. but no gold or treasure.
Two or three hundred sailors from the Impe-
Reuse were sent ashore with picks and spades
and dug trenches in pareilel lines six feet apart
and ten feet deep at the place indicated by
chart which Hartford brought with him. but
they found nothing. He showed them also
tunnel or cavern in the rocks, which they blew
UP with dynamite. without a sign of the
S3O.O0.W0 Of silver plate and jewels and gold.
1t rained torrents all the time and digging was
not only difficult but dangerous, as there
several landslides Hartford left at san
Jose de Guatemala where he endeayOred - per
suade the captain Of the United States steamer
Alert To go down and continue the work, but
the lmperieuse returned to Vancouver with
nothing but story.
Hartfords experience has been remarkable.
one of the NEST busnesslike attempts to find
the buried treasure made by n Mrs IIrcn-
nan. the widow of a ship chandler in Nova
Scotia. who heard the tale and obtained "A chart
from sailor She went across the continent To
Victoria. interested several business men Of that
city in the project. and In March, 1897. sailed
for Cocos In the schooner Aurora under com
mand Of Captain Frederick Hackett. When they
landed in Chatham Bay on the northeast"rly
point OF the islan1, they were amazed by meet
ing n creature who seemed only half human. He
was dressed like Robinson Crusoe in the skins Of
beasts. his hair ard beard were long and tangled
and his eyes were wild At first nc could not
speak but after they had given him whskey
and allowed his wandering faculties to adjust
themselves H. told his story
lie said that some years before he had OBJ
tanned concession from IN" Costa HicIn Gov
eminent which gave him the exclusive right 70
search for the buried treasure with the under
standing that ne should pay over half Of all n"
found He brought from Punta Arenas a gang
Of men in the little SunbOat Turalba ana began
cXcav2t.ons. guided by = chart which had been
obtained from a descendant of one OF the origi
nal committee that made the cache. After
working several weeks without result tn" men
became discontentcd and insisted upon return
ing TO Costa Rca. IN" captain of the gunbOat
advised that they should BE- allowed 10 CO. and
Promised u return with new gang as soon IA
ne could make tn" voyage Hartford det"rnlnrd
to remain. because he believed IA" had found tho
right location and feared 10 lose It again. But
the Turalbn never returned and he had been
alone upon the island ne could not say how long.
Tor the first few months he kept tally of tn"
passing days 10y making notches on a saplinG.
but finally gave 1t up. and had almost abandoned
himself to despair when thu Aurora arrived.
HARTFoRDs PROPOSITION
Mrs Brennan ard Captain Hackett were deep
Is inter .stcd in this relation. OF cour". and after
u f-v days of conference" obtained this propos.-
ton from the solitary Islander
Il Chprl 20 Hartford have an agreement with
and permission from TIA" Costa Rican Govcrn.
ment to search tor hidden treasure on Coos
Island ! was landed by said Government on
S,,ttuh.r - 1876 Il Think. and That Govern
u,nt agreed % coulr h3 k for mo insid" ~ thr."
months. | have not heard from said Govern
urLt since. a III being ln "A wing CONDITION
and Win ~ means To- obtain f".i ana no way -
st m the Island. and having located me litE
treasure, | max" This "A ,r.r'n"ut with tn" cap