The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-01
FIND TREASURE BOX
Mysterious Chest Unearthed
Under City Hall.
LABORERS DIG UP wEALTHY
COIOred Men working on FOunda-
ton for New Elevator Make Dis
coyery which Leads to Talk About
Capt. kiKdd aud British Invasion
of Capital Nearly Century Ago.

Visions of gold doubloons, louis doris,
and ducats, and discussions as to whether
the treasure chest had been buried there
| by some wealthy denizen Of this city
just before the British redcoats. under
Admiral Cockburn, mar9hed down from
Bladensburg, or by one of Capt. Kids
men, occupied most of the time Of clerks
and attaches OF the city Hall yesterday
afternoon.
The place where the treasure chest IS
supposed to be buried has been found,
according to the BELIEF Of two colored
men who are engaged IN digging for the
/ foundation Of the new elevator 70 be
installed in the City Hall After dig
ging down some ten feet they suddenly
came upon what seemed like an unusually
strong stone wall Curiosity got the best
OF them, and they began 70 discuss what
might be hidden under the big rocks at
such a depth. They talked as only two
/ negroes can when they are engaged in
/ fortune hunting.
/ Dreams Of untold wealth lent vigor and
strength 10 the blows they rained with
| combined force on the granite wall. They
4labored long and patiently until they
/ finally succeeded IN demolshing the up
per layer of the wall
Make Dirt Fly.
They were tired and supper time was
drawing nigh But the mystery "
ing buried before them gave them re-
newed vigor and they again set to work
with will and soon the rocks began TO
/ fly IN all directions
! BY slow degrees the wall gave way and
a cry of Joy went UP from one Of the
men and his eyes nearly jumped out Of
their sockets as his pick struck an iron
surface. Seeing their hearts desire al
most realizing before their very eyes.
! they FASTENED their work. and in n short
time they had laid bare what seemed TO
them an Iron treasure chest They spread
4 the glad tidings and IN less time than II
takes 10 tell the tale the corridors OF the
old City Hall res0unded with the talk OF
the mysterious iron chest and its possible
l contents
J The news reached the nelghboring
/ lunchrooms, and the friendly wet goods
( empoTiumss and many were the theories
! advanced as regards the ownership OF
3 Ntt1 Ai4u f'biiic ol Lilt regal uEAl5t E'n-
/ taurated by some lunch and a little
something wet 10 wash IL down, thought
that the finders We're entitled 70 the
/ treasure Others took strong issue, and
I argued that their employers should have
H. There were others who reasoned that
the government is the legal owner.
Grand Opening To-day.
All az once the information was spread
about that United States Marshal Pal
mer would open the treasure chest at 10
/ o'clock this morning, and that he would
sell the whole business at auction 70
/ the highest bidder the chest, no doubt,
( containing some very valuable manu-
scripts, besides the Jewels and gold
/ pieces and other priceless articles.
/ IL was understood late last night that
the two colOred men who uncovered the
! treasure had decided 90 spend the night
IN the park surrounding the City Hail.
and TO keep a sharp lookout for any in
/ dividual Inclined TO tamper with what
| they consider their own. They were fuIIy
determined to measure out fl punish
ment 10 anyone who would make an at
tempt 20 lift the find and cheat them
out OF their thunder