The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-09
BOERS' BURIED TREASURE.
Romantic Story OF q Futile Search and
OF Ultimate Recovery.
From Sonfb fricn

News was received at Krugersdorp re-
Gently Of the discovery In the bushveld be-
yond Louis Trichardt's Drift and the Spelon-
ken Of the famous buried treasure which
was secretly removed from the Pretoria
Mint just before Lord Robertss forces en-
tered the capital, and which formed the ro-
mantle issue in the tragedy eliminating
in the execution of eX-Policeman Swartz.
The treasure. which consists of bar gold and
coin. approximately amounts to 90, 900 ounces.
and is valued at a quarter OF a million
sterling.
The story Of its burial and recovery is SEN
sational In the extreme. 1t Is a history OF
blood and crime. no less than six men having
lost their lives in the burial and the subsequent
search for the gold, which has lasted since
the declaration of peace OF the original
party which was despatched TO hide the gold
not single soul Is alive to-day. 1t appears
that some twenty-four hours before the
occupation OF Pretoria by the imperial forces
orders were received at the mint from the
late President Kruger and Mr. Reitz, the then
State Secretary. to remove the greater por-
ton of the gold which was extracted from the
Robinson, Rose Deep. Ferreira and other
mines to secluded spot in the bushveId,
beyond Petersburg.
1t was known by the old TrBnsvaal officials
that wagon with four mules, accompanied
by six specially selected burghers. left Pre-
toria at midnight with the gold, and vanished
into the weld. The ex-policeman Swartz and
the man whom he murdered, and for which
he suffered the last penalty. were among the
party. After burying the gold, four of the
wardens OF the treasure reioined the COM
mandos; but n luckless fate seemed to have
pursued them. and they were all killed shortly
afterward. For some time the search APP
peared to have died out, and 1t was only
through second or third thand knowledge
that a Krugersdorp syndicate Of six, inoud-
ing exGens. Kemp and Celliers. ex-Police
Lieutenant Van Zyl, w. d. Smith and S. j.
Kemp. cousin of the ex-General, found out that
there was State treasure buried in the bush
weld.
The party made repeated exploring trips
into the Low Country in the bad season to
escape observation and most OF them were
stricken with malarial fever. Each member
took a different dir ton, with the understand
ing that II any found the treasure it was to
be split up into equal proportions. Only one
member, however, found the burial place,
and he was eS-Gen. Ccllicrs. Tho site was
between two peculiar trees. red flag, az n
sign was stuck up on one OF the trees, with
carcass OF q mule In between, one OF the
ribs of the mule being imbodded in the
ground whore the gold was buried. On re-
turning to PETERSBURG, eX-Gen. Golfers YVES
Frustrated with malarial fever In the hospital,
ana while he was lowering between life and
death he divulged part of his secret TO the
other members OF the syndicate who. however,
after repeated searohings. failed TO find the
spot. Some differences of opinion followed,
and ultimately tho syndicate broke up. de-
Gliding to severally go their own way.
The Government authorities, getting wind
Of the whole anair. approached an eN-Statc
official residing at Krurcrsdorp. and he sup
Piled them with certain information and a
N.NN I..a Life
ment were acting on this information. Mr..
s. j. Kemp, cousin of the ox-Goneral, had
revived a systematic search. with the result
Of the discovery.