Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-08
A RANcHMAN's GOLD.
Sick, He Buried His Wealth in the
Mountains.
From the Denver Post.

From the Denver Post.
Gold coin believed to be buried on
ranch or on White Cloud mountain Is caus-
ing feverish excitement in the little town
of Netherlands. a few miles west of Boul-
der. At least fifty persons armed with
picks and shovels have been searching the
locality where the riches are supposed to
be hidden. So far the hunt has been fruit
less. but 1t will not be abandoned.
The story reads like the crudest fiction.
but it IS absolutely true. as residents OF
the town will admit. Some seven years ago
Frank Fisher, a prosperous ranchman on
the Boulder farm, twenty-five miles west Of
Boulder, on North Boulder creek was taken
to the Boulder Sanitarium suffering with
an ailment that gave him no hope OF re-
covery. Realizing that he hadsnot long to
live. he took into his confidence a fellow
patient who was convalescing, and informed
him that he had treasure buried on his
ranch and in case of his death to search for
1t and dispose of it as directed.
An idea struck him, however, and he re-
turned to the sanitarium, where he inform
ed Fisher that the latter had better per-
sonally find the gold, else 1t probably never
would be uncovered. A spring wagon was
provided and Fisher was taken to the ranch
and conveyed a stretcher to the house.
Although extremely feeble. he managed to
point out the particular log. which. upon re-
moval. disclosed stovepipe containing
$4,000 In gold coin. He was then conveyed
to the field. where he likewise designated
the rock pile, under which $50 more in gold
was found. This money was afterward dis
tributed among Fishers relatives. as the
old man died within short time after the
successful search.
But before passing away he asserted that
Frank DeLond, who had lived on the ranch
adjoining his own on the northwest. also
had planted god about the premises and
that this likewise could be found DeLond
fifteen years ago went back to Wisconsin
tn 10 cfaf4 IL L. 81 E,y nc
brother in the brothers front yard Peter,
his brother, who had occupied the ranch
with him. was killed in a mine a few weeks
after Frank went east. Peter said he be-
lieved the money was buried in cliff on
White Cloud mountain near the DeLond
ranch.
Frank DeLond had no bank account, and
his brother recoilected that when he once
asked him for loan of $1,oOO Frank went
to the hill and brought back the coin. How
ever, Peter died, followed few years later
by his brother Frank, and when Fisher, the
adjoining ranchman, found himself on the
verge of death. he gave away his own Sc
cret and as much as he could of DeLond 8.
The method Of secreting the gold in the
rock was as follows: A hole was drilled Into
the solid rock quite deeply and long iron
spoon with wide flare at the bottom was in
serted. The coin was then dropped into the
hole and as money was required the spoon
was hoisted up. as much money as was de-
sired was removed from the top Of the pile
and then the spoon with the remaining cash
was again lowered into place.
Only by the closest scrutiny could this
hiding place be discovered. All this de-
scription was given by Fisher who had OBJ
tanned fragments of 1t during the proceed
Ing year. Fisher passed away soon after
relating his story.
The DeLond ranch has now been leased
to NJ B. Ray, who, with many others, has
for long time been examining the bills In
an attempt to locate the secret recess The
people OF Netherlands are periodically at fe-
yer excitement, and at times dozen men
have been seen prowling over the rocks