Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-09-03
A SHIP OF MONEY SUPPOSED TO BE NEEDED IN THE OLD HARDING
 LAKE. STRANGERS AFTER IT. Mysterious Proceedings Going on in Pine Bluffs
 Suburbs.
Mysterious Proceedings Going

Some days ago the people residing near Eighth aud Missouri streets in this city were considerably aroused when they discovered a Q number of men busily engaged in digging a hole in the old body of lana over which, 2 years past, was Harding's lake Late happenings reveal the fact tba3 recently some strangers had leased that land from the owner, Mir. J. E. Estes, for a period of i've years. Itis related that the strangers have a secret of the sinking Of richly laden boat in that lake during the Civil war, and they are tn quest of the golden mug. gets supposed to have 9een on the ooat.
 The diggers are yet hard at work. There are three workers, anG thus .sr they have succeeded in digging hole about twelve fec deep by eight wide. They wield the plck and shoYel with a steady hand anu at the present rate they are making they wit soon be. in the 4eighoor- hood of China, should they not soon- CT reach their anticipated fortune. The spot selected for the digging is by the side Of an old stump. and 1t is under this stump tbat they were last seen digging What adds greatly 10 the mystery of the affair is the constant presence at the 7mlne" of a colored woman who is apparently about about twenty three years of age and who. when anyone glanees in her direction, hides her face behind an umbrella. She refuses to answer questions Of visitors, when they are propounded to her.
 It can be readily seen by a visitor that she is directing the work and is doubtless in possession of the facts regarding the whereabouts of the 'ship of gold. The man wieId, ing the pick is a stranger to Pjne hlufians, as are the other embers of the party, whose actions in this vicinity have been very queer and perplexing to every one. The old man with the pick digs away, but never fails to keep a close watch on those who visit the place and give them few gruff answers. He is about 66 years of age aad gives all curiosity-seekers @ short and in- complete response, while they labor unnecessarily to ''pump9 him. The two well.dressed gentlemen whom, we judge, are putting up and have the cash in the enterprise, refused to give their names or answer any questions whatever wheE approach ed by a Graphic representative aud the Associate Press correspondent Saturday afternoon. They are very careful when anyone is present and do not talk to each other.
 Visitors at the place have been so numerous here of late, that the prospectors have put up sign which warns all to remain away from the place. Two prominent newspaper people of this city were ordered from the place Sat urday afternoon, when 1t was learn ed that they had in their possession "snap shot" ready for action. they refused to go, at first thinking the matter a joke, out when the men in charge produced six-shooters to make their orders more emphatic the two pencil pusaers did not wait for ano Sher request, but quickly "got."
 4 prominent citizen of Pine Bluff who has lived here all bis life yes terday visited the scene and kindly profIered the old man, who was quietly digging and saying nothing. some early hlstorygconrected with Harding's Lake, however before the citizen had related much he was ad- vlsed by the old man that he knew more about the lake than the oiti- zen. The goldEunter then made sne fact evident that be was at some