Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
#1
The Gold Treasure Hoax -
A man named Tom BURGESS has been employed to dig a pond for cattle in the corner of the Maison Dieu Field, in the occupation of Mr DRAY; and being annoyed by several inquisitive visitors as to his object, he in a jocular manner told them that he had dreamt three nights that there was a large treasure of gold buried at that spot, and that he had obtained permission to dig for it. The story soon got current and the consequence was that hundreds flocked to the place in anticipation of witnessing the grand discovery.
The joke was kept up for two days, when the visitors became too numerous to be profitable to the owner of the field, and the "cat was then let out".
Tom sustained his character of a treasure-seeker in capital style, and the tale has caused much merriment in the town.
(Dover Telegraph 9 May 1840 back page col.3)
PS Why didn't he get the onlookers to help him dig ???
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred