Gypsy Heart
Gold Member
THE ASHBY HIDDEN TREASURE http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bp2000/fentress/histcoryell/page011.htm
In Coryell County there is a buried treasure legend, perhaps best authenticated, of any story told of lost treasure, that relates how a pioneer disposed of his horde of gold. This pioneer was Dr. Ashby, 1790-77, many of whose descendants now live in the county. A number of these relatives and descendants have given me permission to write and publish this story at my own discretion.
Prior to the Civil War, Dr. Ashby sold a valuable estate in Kentucky. He owned a few Negroes. He loaded a wagon with household goods, with the proceeds of the sale of his farm lands, in gold, packed under the load on the wagon box. In order to keep from being followed by people who might seek to obtain his gold, he quietly drove out of the settlement and was soon lost sight of on the long road to Texas, only the immediate family, and a trusted old Negro, making up the traveling party. Legend estimates the golden hoard at from $10,000 to $100 thousand. Over the toilsome road, infested by all sorts of lawless characters, this hoard was transported to Texas and Coryell County.
Dr. Ashby purchased an estate lying astride what is now known as Humphries Branch, a little mountain stream that flows out of the hills a few miles west of Oglesby. The estate extended from the hills to the Leon River. Upon this a home was built; the Doctor practiced his profession and started developing his lands.
The Civil War came on, and at its close, lawlessness began to develop and spread over the country. Cattle were being driven off. Horses were being stolen and some robbing was done. It developed that men were being lynched for knowing too much, or too little, of the things that were happening in the country. Men were also being hung for not taking deliberate sides with one faction or the other. It was dangerous to have any considerable amount of money about the home. There were no banks.
Dr. Ashby was worried about the safety of his gold.
-- 71 --
Legend says that on a stormy night, the old man took his gold and trusted Negro servant for a helper, and disappeared into the darkness with his treasure. The gold was hidden. The old Negro disappeared from the country. Time went on and the old Negro was never heard of. Dr. Ashby continued to practice his profession and develop as best he could, his farms. He continued to live there for many years. One winter the old man was stricken down with pneumonia. Some of his relatives who had learned of the disposal of the treasure, inquired of its whereabouts, but the old man refused to talk about it. He lapsed into unconsciousness, from which, at intervals, he would arouse. On one occasion, he attempted to disclose the hiding place of his treasure. His attendants hushed him up, thinking not to aggravate the malady until a more favorable time. The old man never rallied again. The secret he had kept so well died with him. But, Sebe Ashby, a son, must have learned something of the hiding place of the gold, as will be shown later.
Now in the country around Humphries Branch, men and boys and treasure hunters from afar, come regularly to hunt for this lost treasure. It was a fabulous sum of money to be entirely lost sight of, however, the legend, or fact, of its hiding has fastened itself to these hills and valleys, and will for generations to come. be the foundation upon which many a dream of wealth will be built.
In searching out this story half a dozen places have been pointed out as the spot that would be the place to dig. I have seen numerous holes that have been dug in the stubborn, stony ground by hopeful hunters of treasure. These holes were scattered thru the entire basin of Humphries Branch, and around the hills to Walnut Hollow. Many a man and boy have searched vainly for some mark on the stone of the hills, on some aged old live oak, that might be the key to the opening of the hole that would reveal them enough money to start a bank. The secret seems to be still gripped in the stony clutches of the hills, or covered in the silt of the deep soil of the valleys.
One living man, at least, (he is now deceased) has a clue to work out. Mr. Dee Fisk, over 80 years of age, and living at McGregor, related to me that Steve Ashby, referred to above, now deceased, told him that the gold, $63,000 was buried half a mile east of the house, near a live oak tree,
-- 72 --
and the house was in a direct line between the location and the setting sun. This is a very indefinite clue. I am told that while Dr. Ashby lived on this estate he occupied three different houses. One would have to know the exact location of the house, the Doctor lived in at the time of the burial. He would have to know the month and the day of the month the burial was made; for the sun does not remain on the same astronomical lines more than a very few days at a time, if more than one day. If one can secure the proper dates, with the proper house locations, the place of burial may be closely approximated, to conform to the house and the setting sun in their proper relations. If these points can be established, according to Steve Ashby's statement to Mr. Fisk, you will be on the way to the recovery of Dr. Ashby's gold.
A part of Dr. Ashby's fortune, according to Mr. Fisk, was found. At that time all houses were heated with stone fireplaces, with chimneys. Dr. Ashby had built an extra good stone hearth, floored with large smooth stones. Under one of these hearthstones he had placed $3,000 as a deposit for convenience when cash was needed. In searching for the Doctor's money one of these hearth stones was removed and the amount stated above was drown out.
Dr. Ashby's bones are dust. The people of this section revere his memory. The farms are cultivated for the rich harvest they will yield. Over the blue hills the autumn hazes weave a dream of mystery, and silent poetic expression, to charm the senses. The verdant summer greens change to autumn gold, and saffron, and russet, and amid this supernal beauty and charm. one almost forgets that an aged pioneer Doctor banked his gold in the safe keeping of the eternal hills.
-- 73 --
CHAPTER XVI
THE PANCAKE MINE
High up on the head waters of Coryell Creek, near where it forms a junction with Bertrong Branch, rises a rocky promontory to a height of perhaps, about 125 feet above the creek valley. This is perhaps the highest point in the immediate vicinity. It commands a fine view of beautiful fertile valleys and brushy hills. But the chief interest here is the archeological associations, and the legendary lore connected with this hill and the immediate vicinity.
The main hill seems to be the center of an old mining operation. So old that no one knows by whom, nor when it was begun, nor but little of its early history save that traced in legendary lore, some early Mexican "Charts" and the cultural remains left in caves, old burial grounds, and wild rocky canyons by a primitive people.
Penetrating the top of the mountain are five shafts. They are just large enough for a man to go down thru. They are driven thru eight feet of hard conglomerate limestone. These old shafts penetrate an old tunnel in the heart of the mountain. The tunnels have not been excavated only in small sections, and their extent is unknown. When this ancient operation was abandoned the shafts and tunnels were filled with red earth, highly impregnated with fine flint scale, and large stones were placed over the vents in the top of the mountain, seemingly to hide, more securely, the treasure spot from spurious eyes.
About 125 feet from the point of the hill, there is cut directly across the solid rock structure, a vent, or crevice, 138 feet long. This crevice averages about six inches in width. Its depth is unknown, although it is known to he more than thirty feet in places. There are also several other crevices between this and the point of the mountain.
A very peculiar thing about the crevices across the hill, and the shafts, and tunnels, in the main part of the hill, is that they bear no marks, or other evidence, of having been worked with steel tools. They appear to be of an origin antedating the use of steel tools in this country. The patient grinding down by the use of stone hammers and stone drills, and stone adzes and chisels, together with the use of fire and water, seem to be the mechanical devices used to wear down the stubborn stone.
No elevator was used for descending into, or coming out of the shafts. On opposite sides of the shafts are indentions for hand and foot holds to lower ones self
-- 74 --
into, or support to climb out by. This part of the ancient operation seems to bear a date at least as old as the Azetec, who are a great mining people, although there is a Spanish influence seen in that part of the operation carried on in the front face of the hill. On the south side of the middle one of the triple shafts, is carved a rude cross. This carving is so old that the carving is so thoroughly patinized as to obliterate all tool marks. This was the ancient sign of Spanish possession and was placed everywhere the Spaniards bore the conquering arms. In two graves where men were buried, was found small pieces of flint with the likeness of a cross etched upon them. This showing of the cross in these remains is not positive evidence that the people who carried on this operation were Spaniards. The cross was a sacred emblem among some of the primitive American races, and among many pagan peoples of the old world.
In the point of the mountain facing north considerable excavating was done. This was carried about ten feet into soft talc underlying the solid limestone. In the back of this cavity was found a slab of flint with the figure of a horse carved upon it. This excavation had been closed with good masonry so placed that it was hard to distinguish from the natural formation. Directly in front of this a shaft had been sunk. It had been reopened to a depth of ten feet. This work in the front of the mountain may have been supervised by Spanish, or Mexicans. The engraving of the horse, a broken augur bit, a bullet mold, and an iron punch, all found in the front shaft, indicate Spanish occupancy, and operation of the mine at the time it was last abandoned.
The great burden of archeological remains seem to point strongly to early Indian occupancy and operation. Everywhere in the loose drift sloping down the mountain side, may be found arrow and spear heads, flint blades, stone hammers, mealing stones, mortars, and other stone artifacts representing the Neolithic age. Several caves, near, have been occupied as human habitations by a primitive people. In connection with this human remains representing the remains of dozens of human bodies have been unearthed. They are buried promiscuously, seemingly where they fell in a terrific battle for possession of the mine. One skull was found with a flint arrowhead thrust into it. It seems that an Aztec, or Indian, operation
In Coryell County there is a buried treasure legend, perhaps best authenticated, of any story told of lost treasure, that relates how a pioneer disposed of his horde of gold. This pioneer was Dr. Ashby, 1790-77, many of whose descendants now live in the county. A number of these relatives and descendants have given me permission to write and publish this story at my own discretion.
Prior to the Civil War, Dr. Ashby sold a valuable estate in Kentucky. He owned a few Negroes. He loaded a wagon with household goods, with the proceeds of the sale of his farm lands, in gold, packed under the load on the wagon box. In order to keep from being followed by people who might seek to obtain his gold, he quietly drove out of the settlement and was soon lost sight of on the long road to Texas, only the immediate family, and a trusted old Negro, making up the traveling party. Legend estimates the golden hoard at from $10,000 to $100 thousand. Over the toilsome road, infested by all sorts of lawless characters, this hoard was transported to Texas and Coryell County.
Dr. Ashby purchased an estate lying astride what is now known as Humphries Branch, a little mountain stream that flows out of the hills a few miles west of Oglesby. The estate extended from the hills to the Leon River. Upon this a home was built; the Doctor practiced his profession and started developing his lands.
The Civil War came on, and at its close, lawlessness began to develop and spread over the country. Cattle were being driven off. Horses were being stolen and some robbing was done. It developed that men were being lynched for knowing too much, or too little, of the things that were happening in the country. Men were also being hung for not taking deliberate sides with one faction or the other. It was dangerous to have any considerable amount of money about the home. There were no banks.
Dr. Ashby was worried about the safety of his gold.
-- 71 --
Legend says that on a stormy night, the old man took his gold and trusted Negro servant for a helper, and disappeared into the darkness with his treasure. The gold was hidden. The old Negro disappeared from the country. Time went on and the old Negro was never heard of. Dr. Ashby continued to practice his profession and develop as best he could, his farms. He continued to live there for many years. One winter the old man was stricken down with pneumonia. Some of his relatives who had learned of the disposal of the treasure, inquired of its whereabouts, but the old man refused to talk about it. He lapsed into unconsciousness, from which, at intervals, he would arouse. On one occasion, he attempted to disclose the hiding place of his treasure. His attendants hushed him up, thinking not to aggravate the malady until a more favorable time. The old man never rallied again. The secret he had kept so well died with him. But, Sebe Ashby, a son, must have learned something of the hiding place of the gold, as will be shown later.
Now in the country around Humphries Branch, men and boys and treasure hunters from afar, come regularly to hunt for this lost treasure. It was a fabulous sum of money to be entirely lost sight of, however, the legend, or fact, of its hiding has fastened itself to these hills and valleys, and will for generations to come. be the foundation upon which many a dream of wealth will be built.
In searching out this story half a dozen places have been pointed out as the spot that would be the place to dig. I have seen numerous holes that have been dug in the stubborn, stony ground by hopeful hunters of treasure. These holes were scattered thru the entire basin of Humphries Branch, and around the hills to Walnut Hollow. Many a man and boy have searched vainly for some mark on the stone of the hills, on some aged old live oak, that might be the key to the opening of the hole that would reveal them enough money to start a bank. The secret seems to be still gripped in the stony clutches of the hills, or covered in the silt of the deep soil of the valleys.
One living man, at least, (he is now deceased) has a clue to work out. Mr. Dee Fisk, over 80 years of age, and living at McGregor, related to me that Steve Ashby, referred to above, now deceased, told him that the gold, $63,000 was buried half a mile east of the house, near a live oak tree,
-- 72 --
and the house was in a direct line between the location and the setting sun. This is a very indefinite clue. I am told that while Dr. Ashby lived on this estate he occupied three different houses. One would have to know the exact location of the house, the Doctor lived in at the time of the burial. He would have to know the month and the day of the month the burial was made; for the sun does not remain on the same astronomical lines more than a very few days at a time, if more than one day. If one can secure the proper dates, with the proper house locations, the place of burial may be closely approximated, to conform to the house and the setting sun in their proper relations. If these points can be established, according to Steve Ashby's statement to Mr. Fisk, you will be on the way to the recovery of Dr. Ashby's gold.
A part of Dr. Ashby's fortune, according to Mr. Fisk, was found. At that time all houses were heated with stone fireplaces, with chimneys. Dr. Ashby had built an extra good stone hearth, floored with large smooth stones. Under one of these hearthstones he had placed $3,000 as a deposit for convenience when cash was needed. In searching for the Doctor's money one of these hearth stones was removed and the amount stated above was drown out.
Dr. Ashby's bones are dust. The people of this section revere his memory. The farms are cultivated for the rich harvest they will yield. Over the blue hills the autumn hazes weave a dream of mystery, and silent poetic expression, to charm the senses. The verdant summer greens change to autumn gold, and saffron, and russet, and amid this supernal beauty and charm. one almost forgets that an aged pioneer Doctor banked his gold in the safe keeping of the eternal hills.
-- 73 --
CHAPTER XVI
THE PANCAKE MINE
High up on the head waters of Coryell Creek, near where it forms a junction with Bertrong Branch, rises a rocky promontory to a height of perhaps, about 125 feet above the creek valley. This is perhaps the highest point in the immediate vicinity. It commands a fine view of beautiful fertile valleys and brushy hills. But the chief interest here is the archeological associations, and the legendary lore connected with this hill and the immediate vicinity.
The main hill seems to be the center of an old mining operation. So old that no one knows by whom, nor when it was begun, nor but little of its early history save that traced in legendary lore, some early Mexican "Charts" and the cultural remains left in caves, old burial grounds, and wild rocky canyons by a primitive people.
Penetrating the top of the mountain are five shafts. They are just large enough for a man to go down thru. They are driven thru eight feet of hard conglomerate limestone. These old shafts penetrate an old tunnel in the heart of the mountain. The tunnels have not been excavated only in small sections, and their extent is unknown. When this ancient operation was abandoned the shafts and tunnels were filled with red earth, highly impregnated with fine flint scale, and large stones were placed over the vents in the top of the mountain, seemingly to hide, more securely, the treasure spot from spurious eyes.
About 125 feet from the point of the hill, there is cut directly across the solid rock structure, a vent, or crevice, 138 feet long. This crevice averages about six inches in width. Its depth is unknown, although it is known to he more than thirty feet in places. There are also several other crevices between this and the point of the mountain.
A very peculiar thing about the crevices across the hill, and the shafts, and tunnels, in the main part of the hill, is that they bear no marks, or other evidence, of having been worked with steel tools. They appear to be of an origin antedating the use of steel tools in this country. The patient grinding down by the use of stone hammers and stone drills, and stone adzes and chisels, together with the use of fire and water, seem to be the mechanical devices used to wear down the stubborn stone.
No elevator was used for descending into, or coming out of the shafts. On opposite sides of the shafts are indentions for hand and foot holds to lower ones self
-- 74 --
into, or support to climb out by. This part of the ancient operation seems to bear a date at least as old as the Azetec, who are a great mining people, although there is a Spanish influence seen in that part of the operation carried on in the front face of the hill. On the south side of the middle one of the triple shafts, is carved a rude cross. This carving is so old that the carving is so thoroughly patinized as to obliterate all tool marks. This was the ancient sign of Spanish possession and was placed everywhere the Spaniards bore the conquering arms. In two graves where men were buried, was found small pieces of flint with the likeness of a cross etched upon them. This showing of the cross in these remains is not positive evidence that the people who carried on this operation were Spaniards. The cross was a sacred emblem among some of the primitive American races, and among many pagan peoples of the old world.
In the point of the mountain facing north considerable excavating was done. This was carried about ten feet into soft talc underlying the solid limestone. In the back of this cavity was found a slab of flint with the figure of a horse carved upon it. This excavation had been closed with good masonry so placed that it was hard to distinguish from the natural formation. Directly in front of this a shaft had been sunk. It had been reopened to a depth of ten feet. This work in the front of the mountain may have been supervised by Spanish, or Mexicans. The engraving of the horse, a broken augur bit, a bullet mold, and an iron punch, all found in the front shaft, indicate Spanish occupancy, and operation of the mine at the time it was last abandoned.
The great burden of archeological remains seem to point strongly to early Indian occupancy and operation. Everywhere in the loose drift sloping down the mountain side, may be found arrow and spear heads, flint blades, stone hammers, mealing stones, mortars, and other stone artifacts representing the Neolithic age. Several caves, near, have been occupied as human habitations by a primitive people. In connection with this human remains representing the remains of dozens of human bodies have been unearthed. They are buried promiscuously, seemingly where they fell in a terrific battle for possession of the mine. One skull was found with a flint arrowhead thrust into it. It seems that an Aztec, or Indian, operation
