The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-08-10
NEGRO PASTOR
GETS s240 WITH.
GOLDEN ING0TS
Church Treasurer Is Persuaded
to Give Up Funds, Then Dusky
Sorcerer Disappears.

ROCKHILL, s. c.. Aug. l0.--A gold
brick agent recently visited this com.
munity and after inducing Peter Jones
negro. to separate himself from s249
Of church funds. which he held as
treasurer, departed and is now sought
by officers.
Several days ago misunderstanding
negro wearing the garb Of an up-to-
date negro preacher called at the home
of Peter Jones. who is tenant farmer
near the city. After introductions, the
minister made himself at home. Peter
was treasurer of local church and the
minister was much impressed with tho
piety Of his host as well as with the
liberality of mis- table.
Sunday came and Peter harnessed
his mule and preparations were made
to go to church. The Rev. George
Moore, for such the stranger had chris
tened himself, pleaded headache, and
remained at home.
Treasure On Farm.
Upon the return of the family Mr..
Moore mentioned that ne had taken a
walk during the afternoon and that an
instrument in his pocket had acted in
such q manner that he was convinced
there was buried treasure on the farm.
He suggested that the party imme-
diately repair to the spot and dig up
the gold, as his instrument would un-
failingly point them to the spot. even
in the dark.
However. Peter did not fancy digging
in the dark, even accompanied by a
preacher, so he said morning would be
time enough. Accordingly. early the
next morning breakfast was eaten and
Moore told Peter to get a Bible, four
glasses, some vinegar. pick and shovel
and a wad of cotton. Thus equipped,
the entire family sauntered forth to a
spot some distance from the house,
and after zigzagging about Moore's in
strument, in reality a compass, began
to change directions.
Mysterious lamentations.
Here absolute silence was demanded
and only the minister was to speak.
Directing the woman to turn leaf of
the Bible every time the wind changed.
the four glasses were set down, form
ing a square of about two feet. The
vinegar was poured into the glasses
and each person was told to stuff cot
ton in his or her nose. Cotton was
placed in each glass and something
with a mysterious odor was poured
thereon. following which a match was
applied. Dense smoke issued from the
glasses and here the minister directed
Peter to use his shovel.
Soon something hard was struck
and reaching down the leader pulled
UP a shining bar. apparently solid
gold. Another and another was
drawn forth from the excavation, un-
I'll twelve shimmering pieces of the
metal We're revealed. After allowing
each one to feel the gold, each was
sworn to secrecy until disposal could
be made of the bars and the money
received therefor properly divided.
The Rev. Mr.. Moore did some cal
culating upon the return to the
house and estimated that the worth
of the find was about $4,000. int.
forming each of the persons as to
the amount of his or her share. He
was to ship the gold ingots to the
Treasury Department at Washington.
and showed a letter he had written
to Secretary Mellon informing him
that the bars had been shipped. He
was to mail this letter and express
the box containing the bars.
Nothing developed until the fol-
lowing Thursday, when letter ar
rived by mail for Peter Jones. This
purported to be from Washington
and was to the effect that each per-
son interested would receive in cash
the amount opposite their names.
This was the same as had previously
bs en- estimated by Moore.
Uses Church Funds.
Upon learning the contents of the
letter MOORE expressed the opinion
that 1t was time they were going to
Columbia or sending a sum of money
there, that the details Incident to
the forwarding OF the pay for the
gold bars might be speedily pushed
through. When Peter averred that
he had no money Moore reminded
him of the fact that as treasurer of
the church he had S24O In the bank
and he could borrow this and return
1t after receipt of his share from
the sale. He finally persuaded Peter
there would be no harm I'm this
transaction. so the two came to town
and drew sout the money I'm green
backs. Going to the postoffice Peter
was instructed to get a stamp while
Moore put the money in the envelope
and sealed 1t, addressing II to some
one in Columbia, 8. c. While Peter
was getting the stamp Moore deity
inserted leaves from an old catalogue
in the envelope and the money in his
pocket, and Peter, never suspecting,
placed the stamp on the envelor =
and speeded the letter on it's way
Moore then suggested festival in
the form of an extra supper, an
his intention of going to
Charlotte and bringing his wife down
to participate. Peter went home.
Moore went somewhere, and a few
days later the letter came back and
was opened by officers. who found
the catalogue leaves. Peter sought
advice when the preacher did not
turn up, and now he is contemplating
half rations until he can repay the
s240 church funds he used without
authority, II, indeed, the organization
does not prosecute him for NAL
feasance in office.
N THE GOVERNMENT OF 7
Administrative Duties of