The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-12-27
STRANGERS SEEK
BURIED TREASURE
Hidden a Century Ago by Coun-
terfeiters on Shore Of. Lake
sstt -.
in Maine.
old EPISODE IS RECALLED
Gang Worked in Secret for Many
Years, but Refrained From Pass
ing Any of Their Product in
the Neighborhood.

the NeIghborhood.
Bangor, Me.-The fact that a for
tune lies buried in the dense fores
somewhere along the shores of Money
maker lake, between Robbinston anG
Red Beach, well-nigh forgotten by the
few residents of that section who evel
knew it, has again been brought te
mind.
A Robinson farmer lad, having
strayed some distance from home in
search Of trout brooks, which might
furnish better sport than those nearer
the settlements, came upon two men
digging under some giant spruce trees
near the shores of Moneymaker lake.
The men did not observe him at
first and he watched them while they
toiled in two or three spots. Later,
when he accosted them, they told him
they were digging for worms for bait.
As they had no fishing tackle with
them. and as Moneymaker lake has
no fish worth catching. the boy thought
this explanation somewhat remarkable.
Tells Story At Home.
When he reached home he told 3of
his adventure and at first none could
account for the presence Of strapg-
ers or for their actions until one of
me older residents Of the town de-
Jared his belief that the two unknown
men were seeking the buried treasure
which has lain in secret for almost
century and has defied the efforts Of
treasure seekers for years. :.
Long ago many men labored dill
gently along the shores Of the lake,
but the search was abandoned, and
until this week no one had been known
to have hunted for the treasure for
quarter of century. III,
Moneymaker lake is surrounded by
a heavy forest growth. and is in a
somewhat inaccessible place in north
ern Washington county. 1t derived its
name from a gang Of ,counterfeiters
who, early in the, nineteenth century,
dwelt in q cabin on the shore Of the
lake and pursued their unlawful en-
ployment Of making money, chiefly
limitations Of silver coin.
Later their names were known to
be Ball, Smith, and Blaisdell. Here
they lived. for many years Ia secrecy
until one day, almost a century ago,
Robbinston farmer. looking for some
cattle which bad strayed from his pas
ture, came upon their cabin unawares
and discovered the nature OF their EN-
pIoyment. He was seized BY the three |
lawbreakers and carried into their cab
In. BAN, the leader OF the gang, was
In favor Of killing the visitor to make |
sure that there would be no evidence
against them.
If Smith had not strongly objected
Ball would probably have killed the
farmer. hut Smith was determined
that, the crime Of murder should, not
be his, and q compromise was e.
iected. The farmer was obliged to
swear by the most binding oath that
he would not reveal his discovery, and
vas then permitted to 60. w '5
,ft 55s Deputy is Slain. "A. .
The farmer, after bis return home,
,esitated between his fear Of the coun-
erfeiters and his sense, Of duty for a
lay or two, and then told the town
what had befallen him and
what he had discovered. Deputy Sher-
# Downes started for the forest at
,nce, along the route described by
he farmer. i# Z " r. @t#t |
Before reaching the cabin Of the +
the officer came upon
Ball. who was doing sentry duty.
Deputy Downes, courageous man,
advanced upon Ball. The latter fired,
ringing down the officer at the first
hot Other officers later captured .
Ball, but Smith and Blaisdell escaped
md have never been heard from since.
Ball was tried, convicted Of murder [
nd was executed. "t
Before his death by hanging the
said that a large sum
+ money had been hidden by him
t the foot of tree near his cabin,
ut he defied any one to find IT, and
efused to tell its exact whereabouts. !
Ie said most Of the money was In
enuine silver coin, the spurious mon. {
Y having been distributed elsewhere. s
As soon as the story became known,
nd for many years after, hundreds
led vainly to find the hidden hoard.
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