THE BURIED TREASURE AT COCOS ISLAND.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 57, 5 August 1874, Page 3

THE BURIED TREASURE AT COCOS ISLAND.

[From the ''Han Francisco Bulletin," May 21.] The departure of the schooner Witch Queen for Cocos Island and the pearl fisheries in the Gulf of Dulce a few weeks since, lias already been mentioned in the " ttullot.in," and it has been slated that the projectors of the expedition expected to obtain the treasure presumedly buried on the island. In the event of a failure, the vessel was to proceed to pearl fisheries, otherwise she was expected at San Francisco within six months. It transpires that the New York capitalists, who have engaged to foot the bills of the expedition, take slock in the story of David Sutherland, of Valkjo, which

is as follows :—" In the year 1835, when I was about 18 years of 'age, I shipped as one of a crew of twelve on board the barquantinc Mary Deer, bound from Bristol, England, to Valparaiso. On the way out the Captain died, leaving but 11 souls on board the vessel. After having discharged our cargo at Valparaiso we proceeded up the coast to Peru, and. anchored off a Peruvian fort, a few miles above Callao. At this time a war existed between the Peruvian and Chilian Governments. In the forts was gathered a large amount of gold, silver, jewels, and other valuable property for safe keeping. An attack on the fort was considered certain, and to keep it from the enemy the treasure was carried on board of the Mary Deer. After the treasure was put on board our vessel we were tempted by the glittering millions, and formed the design of running away with the precious freight. The cable was cut, the sails were spread, and our little craft stood out to sea. As soon as the Peruvians were made certain that we had taken flight they immediately gave chase with two or three vessels. But our vessel was a very swift sailer, and soon left the pursuers far behind. We were now in undisputed possession of the treasure, with no immediate fear of capture. In the hold of our little craft was wealth sufficient to supply us all with princely opulence, but how was it to be disposed of? After many plans had been disposed of and rejected, it was decided to bury it upon Cocos Island. Ten boat loads were, one after another, conveyed to the beach and buried there. I do not know the amount of money, but it was said to be many millions ; some of it in boxes and some in hides. Beaching back from the shore w here we made our lauding is a piece of level ground, about two acres. This piece of laud lies at the foot of a mountain, down the side of which runs a stream of water. We followed this stream, and near its head at the foot of the mountain, on the piece of level ground, selected the spot where we buried the treasure. After leaving the island we encountered a heavy storm, had our sails carried away, were driven by the wind to the coast of Peru, where we were captured, taken to Call io, tried, and sentenced to be shot. That sentence was carried into effect against eight of us, but I and two others were placed on board of a Government vessel, and promised that if we would show where the treasure was concealed we should be pardoned. In hopes that some chance of our escape would offer, we told them that the money was buried on the Gallipagos Islands, and the ship was immediately started to get it. On our way we—for some cause that I never knew —put into the Bay of Panama, and while there the captain and nearly all of the crew were taken sick. One of my companions died, as well as several of the crew and some of the officers of the vessel. One dark night there was a breeze sprung up, and a whaling vessel that had been lying alongside of us weighed her anchor and put to sea. Just as she was going out, I and my companion slid down the side of the vessel and swam to the whaler. The captain was glad to get us, for he also bad lost some of his men while at Panama. We were on board of this whaler several years, but when she came to San Francisco we left her and went to the mines. My companion has done ■"ell, and is now living in Napa. His name is Charles Stuart. 1 have lived at Vallejo for many years, and am well known there."