Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= USGenNet Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== THE LUDINGTON CHRONICLE, Ludington, Mich. Wednesday, November 13, 1901 AFTER BURIED TREASURE --------------------- Confession of Dying Miser Sets Muskegon People Digging. A story worth of the days of Capt. Kidd was revealed at Muskegon through the confession of Adolph Miller to Attorney W. J. Turner that he knew where there was at least $1,000 in gold buried in an iron kettle beneath the floor of the old wood-turning plant of Ole Larson who died at the county poor farm a few weeks ago. Larson was an eccentric character who for many years lived a retired life in the attic of his little wood-working shop and never spoke to any- one unless he was compelled to in the line of business. About 15 years ago he and his wife figured as defendants in Muskegon county's most sensational murder trial, being charged with mur- dering an old Scotchman who possessed consider- able money. Larson was acquitted and went back to his solitary life at the shop, but his wife served part of a life sentence and was later re- leased. About six weeks ago the old man, who had given up hard work and had gone to the poor farm, where he paid a small amount for his keeping was taken sick and was told he could not live. His only friend was Adolph Miller, a lineman for the electric light company, and Larson sent for him. The sick man told him that he had buried beneath the floor of his plant an iron kettle in which was the hoard- ings, all in gold, of a long life of toil, and that Miller could have the money if he would dig it up. Shortly after this Larson died and was buried, the only mourner being his friend, although the dead man's wife, a daughter in Chicago and a son in Pe- toskey are still living. Miller dared not dig up the treasure, as he was afraid he would not be al- lowed to keep it. The matter preyed on his mind until Tuesday when he told his story to Attorney Turner. The sheriff was immediately notified and Deputy Sheriff Nelson, in the company of the attorney and two other persons, visited the old building. The floor was torn up and a diligent search was made where Larson had directed in his dying statement, but darkness interferred before the treasure was found. In the morning, a curious throng congregated around the rickety old building as soon as it became light enough to see. Some were armed with shovels and others with crow-bars. An attack was made on the wooden baseboards of the building's foundations. An entrance beneath the floor had been effected and digging under all parts of the factory had begun when George E. Ross, the lessee of the plant, put in a timely appearance. It was only after some very forceful arguments had been presented to the crowd that Ross managed to clear the premises of the gold seekers. No further search for the kettle of gold will be allowed until written authority has been secured from Mat and Mary Larson, the children of the old man. The throng continues to loiter around in the neighborhood of the factory but no further effort has been made to find the money. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================