Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-08-21
a LOST SILVER MINE.
Englishman Hopes to Trace II in
Novel Way.

Novel Way.
Herbert Coventry. who says M
comes from London, Eng, and is a
solicitor, has arrived in Middlebury
on his way to Bristol, whittier he goes
in search of the treasure house OF
the Algonquin Indians, which, accord
ing to tradition, is located in hidden
caves in the side of South Mountain.
Like most of his predecessors, Cow
entry has map which he Is sure will
guide him to the piles Of silver ingots
supposed to have been originally dis
covered by one De Grau, Spaniard,
nearly 200 years ago. And a grew
some affair this map is, for the outline
and locations are all tattooed on
human skin. 1t was this map that
first called attention to the hunter.
Coventry said that several years ago
he met in the London slums Span
lard suffering from an incurable dis
ease. He saw to it that he was prop
erly cared for in public hospital The
man said that his family had formerly
been wealthy, and once he declared
that If he could get well enough to go
to America he would soon recoup his
fortunes.
one day Coventry was summoned to
the hospital, as his friend was dying.
The man asked the surgeon to with
draw and then said
There are enough silver ingots in a
hidden chamber in the side Of an
American mountain to make a dozen
men fabulously rich. l am de-
scendent of Robert de Grau, who 200
years ago discovered the treasure
house of the Algonquin Indians, near
Bristol, VT. The tribe was fleeing from
the Iroquois. Attempting to save his
own life and that of his son my ances-
tor stumbled upon the treasure in a
secret cavern. Part he took to SPAIN
where he became immensely wealthy
and a power in the kingdom He
intended to take the rest, and started
for America, carrying with him map
of the mountain.
ION the way over he was taken Ill,
died and was buried at sea. The map
fell into the hands OF the first mate,
and he took up the search. He found
the spot on the mountain, but a land
slide had obliterated the mouth Of the
cave and he was never able to locate
the treasure.
The mate eventually died, and the
map passed through several hands. 1t
came to me in a most peculiar way.
About ten years ago, while cruising off
the coast of India, l befriended an old |
sailor. He gave me the map. which !
Immediately recognized as the one |
drawn on sheep skin by my ancestor. |
He said he got it from sailor.
THE parchment was badly worn and |
SO discolored that the drawings We're |
almost obliterated. / suggested that |
4 copy could be made ON paper, where
upon the sailor declared he knew of
scheme whereby the precious outlines
could never be lost"
Coventry said that the man pulled l
Up his shirt rolled over on his chest, Il
md there. between the shoulders, was
he map tattooed in the skin.
when | die / want the surgeon
o remove the skin and give it to you,
lie said to me. If you follow 1t up
'ou will be a rich man. He called in
surgeon and made him swear that he
would carry out his wish, and then he
eemed easier. That night he died,
md later the map was turned over to
ne.
Il didn't think much of the mans
tory at the time, ana Idlu the
away with private papers.
Il discovered that the mans story,
o far as his ancestors search was con-
erned. was true, and further, that the
.lgonquins did lose their treasure dur
ng the Iroquois raids. Other facts l.
ave come to my knowledge, and /
m confident that the ingots are in the
reasure house. l shall search for s
hem all summer if necessary"
While Coventry is somewhat mixed
\ his data. IL is nevertheless true that
Many believe the Indian treasure still
es IN a hidden vault and comprises d
ntod wealth. So strong was this {
elief several years ago that several I
usiness men of Montpelier organized
stock company to remove the rocks
I the mouths of the caves. This v
roved impossible, and drilling was re- q
Drted to. After $4,000 had been
pent the enterprise was abandoned. l.
he entire face of the ledge is honey
ombed with holes and shafts.-vN. Y. u
erald. u