The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-09
A QUEER SECT AT CHARLESTON.
Negroes who Mix Religion with Midnight
SssrchinEs for Treasure.

CHARLESTON. s. C.. Sept. After having
been unnoticed for several years a religious
sect known TO the police Of this city as the New
Adventists and having for one Of its purposes
the seeking of hidden TREASURE il again at work
around Charleston. SOM time ago a train
near here was almost wrecked because the
track had been torn MP and at first it was be-
lieved that a train robbery had been planned
Later facts proved that the track was torn I'D
by the Adventists. Two causes stopped the
work suddenly on that occasion. One was
that the band dug under the earth and struck
a box which wa believed 10 contain gold. but
which turned out TO be a coffin in which a negro
brakeman was buried. A railroad Waterman.
who was attracted by the midnight chanting
Of the band, came up suddenly and frightened
the members away and tagged the train. The
negroes In the band we're sfterward arrested
and sent TO Jail for tres passing on railroad prop
erty.
Just now the scene OF the midnight search
ing is around Ashley junction, a few miles
out Of Charleston. and the leader says that a
vision sent him there. The band has been
gathered together again and every spot around
the Junction l. being examined in the night in
tho hope that the long lost treasures may be
found.
4 short time ago the band got in some ~
It's work I'm a house on Drake street which was
believed 10 be- Inhabited by "A ghost. A mem
her OF the band happened 10 be a former ser
want Of the owner, who was killed. and ever
afterward there vas the story Of appearances
of the ghost. The leader OF the Adventists
had a vision and the next morning he sum
moned hi- people. The following night they
had Sneaked into the basement and with the
aid Of a dark lantern were digging for the gold.
The eader an old man with snowy hair, sat
IN "A corner Of the basement and read passages
from In" Bible v hiIe the Others dug and ohanted
and prayed, There was not much light, but
the work went ON rapidly.
"Iurk. said The old leader suddaplr II
thinks ] hear dem angels buzzin'."
IT. was not angels this time. but police. 4
house and a patrol wagon filled with men was
sent to make a Wholesale arrest. Every mem
her Of the band had to finish the night in tie
station house, and some went TO the chain gang
because they could not pay a fine for trespass,
Another house, which was put down IN the
haunted class, gave no end Of trouble 10 the
police. until the mystery was solved. STORIES
had been told about the house and nobody
would occupy IT, The neiehhors moved away.
and al night weird noises we're heard, FinAliy
the city detectives decided tn solve the mystery.
Late one night they cautiously entered the
listened. sure enough, there we're the ghostiy
sounds There was q duh humping. a low
chanting. and Just enough HIGHT from a dark
a grave. II should be stated that the three
entrances TO the house were closed and the
had not been Opened for months So con,
WINGED were the officers that they were up
against, N" devils that they h~esitated about
men We're left to guard the house and tho third
went away quietly for rcenfOrCemeuts.
An hour later the plans had been made 10
storm the ghost centre and every man was
prepared 20 act. The officers expected 10
see the objects in the basement disappear in
the air, Without giving any warning n window
was ierked down and two lanterns and half
a dozen guns were doing duty, The ghostly
although no interest was taken by them in
the interruption They did not look up. and
the leader said with A solemn air that the ON
GERS had interrupted their service. The men
had Ia discard their goblin apparel and were
made prisoners. II WINS found that the band
had been digging in the same house for months
going over the same ground night after night
but never discouraged at the failure Of the
treasure To- show itself. The Adventist refused
20 say how thoy had gained an entrance to
the basement and days Of searching failed Ia
disclose this fact. II il still the only mystery |
connected with the house. but II Ia not yet oc-
cupicd.