Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-06-30

In all the world nothing stirs the
blood or excites the Imagination so
much as a search for hidden treasure.
In fiction or in fact nothing is so en-
trancing.
At present several interesting treas
ure hunts are under way. In the lit
tie bay of Tobermory, on the west
coast of Scotland, a syndicate is en-
deavoring to reach the strong box of
a sunken ship of the Spanish armada
which plunged beneath those waters
with wealth estimated at $15,O0O,000.
Efforts are being made to raise a
British warship which was sunk in
Balaklava bay during the Crimean
war. Those at the head of this en-
terprise expect to reap a golden har-
vest of $3,000,000. In prosy England
the marshes of the Wash are being
explored for the royal jewels and
treasure of King John, which were
lost by him during his flight in 1916.
Into almost every cline and to
thrilling adventures the golden ignis
fatuus of hidden treasure is Turing
men. Soldiers of fortune never wove
more romantic or dramatic stories
than those of the present searches for
buried gold.
Seek Armada Treasure Ship.
At present a golden thread of ro-
mantle interest is being spun like a
shimmering spider web over Tober-
mory bay, one of the loveliest inlets
on the west coast of Scotland. This
bay offers shelter to mariners and
fishermen off the northwest corner of
the Isle of Null.
At that point a determined search
is on for treasure, which, it is be-
lieved, has lain quietly under the wa
ter for more than three centuries.
A halo of romance and tradition
surrounds the gold which is supposed
to have gone down with the Admiral
of Florence, or F1orentia, the treasure
ship of the Spanish armada in 1883.
Legend has it that in September
Of that year a large Spanish galleon,
the Florentia, in trying to avoid the
storms and save the treasure on board
until suitable weather made possible
her escape southwark, took refuge in
the safe, land-locked bay of Tober-
mory.
According to reports, the Florentia
had on board $15,000,OO0 in English
| money. The officers and men, who
were starving, demanded food from
| the McLeans of Null.
In return for supplies, after due ne
gotiation, the admiral agreed to land
100 men to assist the Mclean clan of
| Scotland. which at that time was at
swords points with the McDonalds.
He was also to pay the McLeans a
large sum of money as well if they
would assist him to repair his ship.
This promise of money is taken to
show the presence of a considerable
quantity of specie on board and as
the vessel was a flagship it is prob
the entire Armada.
sisted In defeating the McDonalds.
They were afterward allowed to return
to the ship, but the McLeans held
three officers as hostages until the
| debt be paid.
Kept Chieftain a Prisoner.
/ They also sent one of their chief
tains, Donald Glas Mclean, ON board
the vessel to collect the price agreed
upon, but the Spanish admiral dis
armed him and kept him a prisoner.
During the night, so the story goes,
Mclean discovered the position of the
1 powder magazine The next morning
as the ship was getting under way
the chieftain was brought on deck to
take a last look at his native land.
Breaking away from his captors. he
rushed below and blew up the ship,
perishfng with most of the crew.
Since then a number of endeavors
have been made to recover the treas
ure. In 1641 and again "a 1855 the
dukes of Argyle attempted salvage OPP
eratious. but without success. In 1870