Searching For Treasure
Capt. Thomas E. French, of Atlantic City, a candidato for the superhtendcncy of tho life-saving stations jn the Jersey coast, has recently sucoeedod in a long-cherished design - the purchase of a tract of tast land known as Chestnut nock, on the Little Egr Harbor rivor, where it is supposed Britisb. gold is buried. The property contains 125 acres, and is situated in Galloway lownship, Atlantic county, about twelve miles from the ocean, and is noted for its game and flsh. Capt. French is a famous repository of local lore and droll sea yarns, one of the lattor of which he spun to Vico Prisident Hendricks the other day at Atlantic City, which threatened to asphyxiate that statesman with laughter. When a boy he was told by aa "old inhabitant" the story of a historie skirmish that took place on the river at Chestnut neck between a pajty of colonists and a detachuientof Hritishers for tho possession of a valaable English transport ship. This ressel had been captured off the coast of Atlantic councy by an Aruericiu privateer, and aftorward run up te Littlo Egg Harbor river to the fast land at Chestnut nock. Here she wis run around and was supposed to lo safo from the cohorts of George IV. It is said she contained vast quantiies of stores for the itritish forces thoi operating for the subjugation of the colonies, and it is vaguely hinted tlat she had on board several chests o; gold for the paymasters of tho Snglish armies. There was a 7enduo f her effects, which lasted for several days and was attended by tho Jerasymen from miles and miles around. One dark night, before tho eer s liammer had knocked down tho wholo of her cargo, the British organized anexpedition to recapture her. íheir barges stole noiselessly up the little river, but before they nacked the spot wherc the transport laxl high and dry the watchful patrióte discovered them and opened iira upon them from the banks. One of the héroes of the midnight battle was William Gaskill, who was blessed with cat-like eyes, to see in the darK, and whieh peculiarity is inherited by his descendants. Tradition says that every time he blazed awav it tho barge3 with his old Hint lock in oar dropped into the river. He killed eleven men. It is not now known which party was victorious, but the transport was set on tire and burned. At a very low tido her gaunt and charred timbers can vet bo seen sticking out from the sand. The recollection of this episode of tho Revolution had been forgotten by every one except Capt. Torn Frenen and a few old residents. Tho captain had for yoars enteitained the idea of purchasing the wreek and the adjacont property. Learning that it was for salo ho quiotly bought it. He is con f den t that an explanation of tho wreek will reward the searchor for his pains. Thoro have been valuable pieces of gold mounted cutlery picked up in tho vicinity of tho old huik. The Townsend Wrecking company, of Bomers Point, has mado a proposition to Capt. French to blow up and expltre nis marine corpso for 50 per cent oí whatever of value is found. It is bslieved that onough copper can be obtained from her to more than pay for tho troublo of getting it. In a conple of weeks Capt. French will organizo a private expedition and begin activo operations in search of tho supposed tre asure. -
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Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat