Looking Back: A treasure hunt adventure

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Something a bit different this week, a treasure hunt, because at this time of year, with all the extra spending on Christmas, we can all use a little extra treasure in our bank accounts.

Hampton – November 11, 1898

An epidemic of Klondyke fever has affected village lately. The ball was set in motion by a reported find of $82 in a pea-can at Gondola Point. Next, an exploring party visited the old Cumberland Road, said to have been the scene of a battle between the French and English. This party was led by a well-known local artist. Another then explored Darling’s Island, but encountered opposition from the proprietor. He objected to having his farm honeycombed out by trespassers. A combination was then formed – The Hampton Hidden Treasures Association – who will apply for letters of incorporation. Other sites where treasures lay hidden are to be explored – Paisley’s Rocks, Belleisle; Titus’ farm, Bloomfield; the lower Kennebecasis, and points as far up as Canaan. The association are at present in the neighbourhood of Mill Stream, in hopes the frost will keep off to favour operations.

One midnight expedition left Hampton in quest of treasure lately, armed with a divining rod and aided by the “glimmering moonbeams misty light” and their lantern dimly burning. When they thought the world was in dreams and in sleep and after a tedious prospecting done as noiselessly as possible, the divining rod was attracted in a spot across the creek from the lamp factory, near the cemetery, in a pasture. Having located the treasure, they decided to adjourn for fear of observation to a more convenient season for operations by daylight. In the meantime, a wily labourer in the party proceeded to investigate for himself, and, after vigorous work, skilfully unearthed the longed-for treasure, consisting of ancient pot containing gold coins, both French and English according to report, valued at between $500 to $2,000.

The next night, they, according to agreement, met at the rendezvous, but, strange to say, the rod refused to work, and, stranger still, their partner of the previous night did not turn up at all. So, after a hopeless search, they decided to return, but, passing the house of their missing comrade, the rod took a sudden list to port and was attracted directly towards an upstairs window, where the treasure is now said to be concealed. Three meek, if not wise, men might have been seen making their way home along the road at daylight, bemoaning their fate and the treachery of human kind.

Thus did the labourer steal a march without the assistance of Detective Ring or Professor Hunter. Now his motto is “What I have, I’ll hold”

Still dissatisfied, their next step was to consult the famous Madame Kinkade at the Leonard Hotel. She advised them there was a traitor in the camp who had appropriated the boodie, at the same time minutely describing the receptacle containing the coin as an ancient pot – not metal, but earthen, with a portion broken out. This was verified, as, on a third visit to the pasture, the missing dish was found near the excavation at the precise spot indicated by the rod. She also directed them to a certain spot at Dutch Point, but they were to drop their former partner who had betrayed them, but when the rod was set, working opposition was encountered in the person of the proprietor, who asked; “is it working, boys, I think she’s going down a little.” They replied, “oh, we guess there is nothing here.”

Another attempt was made, but a more formidable opposition was met in the shape of two huge mastiffs and a collie. A large hole, some 40 by 50 feet, had been excavated when they were ordered off, as the proprietor brought his shotgun to the shoulder, threatening to shoot and prosecute unless they desisted. 

These expeditions are said to be the outcome of a dream of the same treasure by two separate parties.