The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-21
Treasure TrOve in MurphysbOrO.

Book hunters grumble that no more
treasures are to be picked up for song,
They say that you may nose for hours
at book stand and find nothing. All
the bargains have been snapped up
long ago. The book stall men know too
much; the amateur has no chance. The
tales Of first editions of LAMB or Poe hid
den away in pile of musty pamphlets,
of absolutely unique copies bought
for a quarter or a sixpence by con-
scienceless customer belong to the myths
and legends of bibliophily. Vain is the
search in Cornhill, Boston, or that long
barren field, the quays of the Seine.
So old and cruel is the world and so hard
it is to get something for nothing.
But the pot Of gold is still behind the
rainbow. Who would have thought of
digging up priceless find lin Murphys-
boro, H.? Murphysboro is eligibly and
doubtless happily situated on the banks
of the Big Muddy River, not too remote
from the metropolitan gayeties of Cairo.
Murphysboro thrives, but not until last
week was it known to be the home of
"book in script, on parchment, purport-
ing to be the secret log book of CHRIS
TOPPER COLUMBUS on his great voyage
of discovery discovery much less
surprising than the discovery Of this
book. A special despatch to the Gin
cinnati Enquirer informs us that the
Hon. FRANK REEVES of Murphysboro
is the happy possessor OF the invalu-
able manuscript. In default of an exact
photographed description we must
be content, for the present, with the
account given by the despatch:
This book Is record OF the events and OF the
secret hopes and fears OF the great navigator on
his nrst voyage across the Atlantic The record
begins when the neet left Palos, Spain. Aug 8,
1892 and continues until the returning vessels
caught In terrific storm about 200 miles west OF the
Azores. Al this stage COLUMBUS and his crew
had given up all hope OF weatherlug the gale. The
last en,ry was made and the book placed In secure
box was cast overheard in the hope that 1t might
reach the shores OF Europe and the people would
thereby learn OF the great discovery. It's written
in quaint language and the photography is that Of
400 years ago. II gives a vivid description OF the
discovery and OF the disappointment Of COLUMBUS
when he failed to md either gold or spices on the
tropical Islands which he visited"
This must be the original statement
drawn up by COLUMBUS, Enclosed by
him in a cask and mailed from the Nina
in the deep. It seems that the lucky
Mr.. REEVES got the book from an old
German family in Cincinnati several
years ago" Presumably the old Ger
man family came to the United States
from Maritime Bohemia, where the cask
must have landed somewhere between
1893 and several years ago. The manu-
script is in excellent condition, consider
ing it's age and travels. Probably Co.
LUMBUs had it bound in half rubber,
with iron back and corners and uncut
stone edges, with an asbestos case. Com
monty, long-hidden valuables that have
been committed to the sea are bound
in full shark or four-quarters whale.
Resea rch, must disclose what became of
the cask. If the manuscript was found
in the original wood wrappers it becomes
still more interesting.
After getting the log book, Mr.. REEVES
visited all the book stores of Cincinnati,
but could find no such book and its ex-
istence up to that time was not known by
the dealers. Is not this sufficient proof
that the manuscript is original? Mr..
REEVES was offered handsome price
for the book Naturally; and il he has
the original cask, the price offered will
be stupend0k. We look TO the Illinois
Historical Society to publish the log,