Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-10-10
A CRAZY NEGRO.
Story OF Tragedy that Wrack-
ed Baltimore Many Years


The casual observer will otter
notice in the western part of Balti
more peculiar character in the
form of tall, powerfully built negro
He whistles-and such whistling
Sharp, loud and shrill the notes
sound, as he, with military step, keeps
time to his own music. If we should
ask any resident about him they
would say-"That is crazy Ike
And thereby hangs tale.
Out IN the suburbs of Baltimor,
there is prosperous and growing
little "town." Its founder is still
living, and this place bears his name
with a "ville" attached. Years age
he suddenly quit the work he was
doing and began to build houses and
pay for them in gold. And thereby
hangs another tale. x Years
ago, there came into Baltimore, 8
miner who had been in California
and having accumulated about $780,.
600 in gold, was returning to his
eastern home, carrying the money in
II satchel. He went out one night
carrying his satcheI with him. He
did not return, and the next morn
ing he was found-murdered and
robbed. And thereby hangs still
another tale.
And now for the connection of the
three. When the miner came into
the city, fabulous stories of his
wealth were freely circulated. Ike
was then working for the man who
later built the houses mentioned
(For the purposes of this story we
will call him Boston Knox, and the
town Knoxville). Knox was then
grading, digging cellars, etc. Ike
was young and powerful, and quite
sane, though ignorant. On the night
the miner started out, satchel in
hand, Ike was standing on the
corner and recognized him as he
passed by. Visions of untold wealth
unfolded themselves in the negro's
clouded brain. lie seized a club,
and followed the miner. AS he
reached dark and deserted spot not
a great way from Fulton Avenue
Ike stole quickly up behind him, the
heavy cudgel descended with crush
ing force-the deed was donel Ike
seized the treasure and fed. In the
darkness of the night he buried it
somewhere near the banks of a small
stream in the neighborhood. But it
is one thing to commit crime, and
another to escape the consequences.
Ike accomplished the former, but
failed in the latter. The sleuths
of the law fastened the crime upon
him; he was convicted, and sentenced
to twenty years at hard labor. Every
effort was made by the authorities to
induce him to reveal the hiding place
of the treasure, but in vain. One
day the deputy warden, after futile
attempt to wiring the desired infor-
nation from Ike, became infuriated,
and struck the negro fearful blow
on the head with his espantoon. Ike
fell insensible to the floor. Brain
fever set in, and for weeks he lay at
deaths door. At last he opened his
eyes, but the glare of insanity shone
in them. Ike's reason was dethroned
forever.
Meanwhile, Knox continued to dig
cellars in the vicinity of the little
stream that flowed peacefully through
that section of the city. One day
suddenly, to the surprise of every
body, Knox threw down his pick and
shovel, and announced his inten tior
of retiring from that occupation.
From that time he began to build
block after block of houses, paying
for them all in gold. When asked il
he had found the buried treasure, he
replied, ''If l have, you have but to
prove it," He would never affirm OF
deny that he found it. To-day he i:
a wealthy man, but the secret of how
he got his gold is, and probably will
forever be unsolved.
Ike was finally pardoned. AS ths
evidence against him was circum
stant tial, and in view of this fact, il
connection with his mental condi
ton, the Governor released him. H,
walks the streets all day, whistlins
that sharp shrill whistle which
seems to pierce one through ant
through. At sight of a policeman, h,
moves rapidly away. Every morn
ing he goes out to the stream, and il
very puzzled manner looks furtivel,
around. He always goes alone. Wher
asked about the buried money, h,
looks quickly around to see if am
one is near, and then in a whisper h,
will tell you
"Boston Knox didn't fin dat money
| knows where it is. Some day
dig it up, and den git even wild da
man dat struck me on de haid," ant
removing his cap, he shows a deel
furrow, made by the warden's club
Ike walks the streets and whistles
and marches to the music. Bostol
Knox continues to build houses ant
accumulate wealth, regardless of tn
mystery of the buried gold. TIL
miner sleeps, untrammelled b,
thought or care in his windowles
palace of rest.
Ard fbpO tha fa1a 20 tolI "