The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-23
.HUNTIAG HIDDEN COLD.
Supposed to Have Been Buried
BY German.
HAD NO FAITH IN BANKS
He Hid His Strong Box When the Mis-
souri, Guerrillas Made a Raid Into
Illinois The Secret Died
With Him.

| Red Bud, I'LL, Jan. 22.-Search is be-
ing made near here for the treasure OF
| old. August Wunderich, who died in
| the northern part OF this state at the
| close of the civil war,
On 40-acre farm is supposed to be
purled an iron chest containing The
Iamlly plate, brought from Germany,
| ana the thrifty farmers earnings dur
ing mis- long residence in this country.
Inc amount of money cannot be esti-
mated, as Wunderlich never talked on
financial matters. even to his own FAM
n.y.. Inc sum IS thought to be large,
MS nne lands was not to be excelled
in the whole state.ss
The old Germans two sons and
daughters are here experimenting the
search, which they declare will include
every inch of the premises. A force of
men has been employed and is turning
over the SOD in every direction on the
farm.
According to the sons, wunderlich
put no faith in banks and kept his mon
ey IN currency concealed about the
HOUSE.. His hiding place was revealed
to no one.
When Sam Hilderbrand the Missouri
guerrilla suddenly appeared in this
neighborhood during the civil war the
residents were panic-stricken. The most
frightened of all was Wunderlich, who
trembled for the safety of his money
He was afraid to attempt to escape
with it alone, for Hilderbrand had
heard the neighbors' tales of the Ger
mans hidden wealth, and he dared not
take anyone into his confidence.
To leave 1t in the house, Wunderlich
argued. was to invite a visit from the
guerrilla band and the possible destruc-
ton Of his home.
Wunderlich seized the only avenue
of safety. He buried his strong box
He did it HIMSELF unassisted, and at
night Then he sold his home and. with
his young children, Joined a relative in
the northern section of the state. He
died about the time of the fall Of Rich
mond, and with him the secret of the
farm was buried.
+ To his daughter, in his last illness,
Wunderlich made a partial statement.
The family had not prospered in it's
new home and the old mans last days
were not as easy as they might have
been. The evident need of money
preyed on his enfeebled mind and one
day he said to Miss Wunderlich
I'VE haven't the old farm now, but
there's something there that is ours.
Nobody can find it and when get we'll
we will go back, and then we will have
plenty of money"
The daughter asked what he meant,
but the old man would talk no more.
1t is this that caused the search. The
Wunderlichs claim they" did not search
before because they were not in need Of
money. 90
Thus their treasure remained undls-
turbed for over so Years, unless, as
some here believe it was found few
years ago by Jules Chenot. a wander
ing Frenchman, who was employed on
the farm grubbing timber.
Chenot suddenly quit his job and dis
appeared. In week he returned fash
ionably dressed and wearing a gold
watch and chain and displaying large
roll of bills. He carefully avoided an
explanation of his sudden fortune ana,
when neighbors began to talk, left the
vicinity.
The Frenchnan has not been seen
here since.
The Wunderlichs do not believe Che
not found the treasure and will not
abandon the search.