Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
VILLAGE HUNTS
BURIED WEALTH
LED BY RECTOR, ENTIRE P0PU-
LACE SEARCHES RUINS
Loot of Young Pretender-PIate and
Money Abandoned During Chase
by cumberland's Army
May Be Found
snecial cable to The Herald.

Special Cable to The Herald.
LONDON, June 15.-Near Ashborne,
Derbyshire, the novel spectacle is now
to be witnessed of practically the en-
tire population of village engaged
in a hunt for buried treasure. The
village in question is Bradley, and for
fortnight or more-or since nlgnly
interesting discovery was made In the
neighborhood-the ordinary occupa-
tions and pastimes of the inhabitants
have been almost completely neglected.
All and sundry have been engaged IN
digging for the princely loot which
supposedly Is hidden in the ruins OF
an ancient manor house.
This residence was known as Brad
lev hall and it was for generations tne
home Of the famous Kn1veton anu
Meynell families, who were prominent
in the days of Charles l and III the
restoration period. Legend has main
tanned for years that immense treas
ures of plate and money were buried
in the strongrooms and secret pas
sages of the grand mansion OF bygone
DAYS. but alas no one could Tell eA-
actly where that mansion had STOOD.
Pretender There
1T appears to have been raZed to the
torv. and hitherto all efforts to locate
the ruins have proved vain. About two
weeks ago. however, workmen digging
in the grounds behind the local cnuIcn
chanced to hit upon stoneWork Whlch
was identified as belonging to the long
sought ruins, whereupon all brauiey
laid aside it's customary vocatlons anu
flocked with spade and pick to the ht-
tie churchyard.
THE leader in this search for secret
cd wealth is the rector of Bradley, tne
Pew r. w Tomlins, who spends all
the time he can spare from his MIN
isterial duties working with pick ana
shovel among the adamant walls OF
the ruins. The work is hard, put the
pastor and his parishioners are dls-
playing the perseverance and patience
of born treasure seekers.
The initial find which started the
naonle of the village searching through
rn,lstv archives consisted of sections
of curiously wrought stone and brick-
work. These were thrown aslde Dy
the workmen, but were subsequently
found by the rector, who, versed IN
the traditions and the history OF the
town, Immediately suspected thelr sig
nificance. The progress of the work
| justified his opinion and the news
spread quickly throughout the coun-
| tryside.
| Bradley hall, which Jared badly wnen
Cromwell's Ironsides swept the mid
lands but was restored when Charles
IT came to the throne, played prom
inent part during the invasion OF
Derbyshire by Prince Charles IN lf4o:
Tt is from this period that the story OF
hidden wealth dates.
Had Checkered History
When the young pretender was at
Derby there happened to reside at
Bradley a Scotch minister who had
strong leanings toward the Stuart
cause The gentleman dispatched a
messenger to the prince inviting him
to come to Bradley, where money ana
valuables could be obtained.
| SO good did Prince Charles consider
this prospect of replenishing his empty
pocketbook that he did pay a visit to
! the town After a day of plunder ana
| a night of carousal, the army left In
hurry upon the news of the approach
| of Cumberland and his troops.
It would seem that the whole truth
of the story of buried wealth rests on
! this story of sudden departure. The
Highlanders had piled their pilferings
in a heap in one of the cellars of
Bradley hall. Did they have time to
remove 1t in their haste to escape from
| the pursuing enemy? The town folk
of Bradley answer the question IN the
negative.
| Already the work of the villagers
| has laid bare considerable portion of
the old hail. Beautifully fashioned
windows, a portion of the courtyard
with it's cobblestone pavement, and
stone supports with odd mountings
have come to light. Stone seps lead
ing the cellars which may contain
the sought for treasures have been UNI
covered and the general excitement has
Just been increased by the discovery of
| what may be the secret underground
passage which occupies so large a
niche in the folk lore and tradition of
the country town.
The batter stands up to the plate
| ooI In 81