Mormon History
Fascination With Money Digging - 1822
Palmyra Herald – July 24, 1822
MONEY DIGGERS.
Every
country has its money-diggers, who are full in the belief that vast treasures
lie concealed in the earth. So far from being a new project, it dates its origin
with the first man who ever weilded a spade. 'Tis as old as Adam. Even
in these latter days, we find men so much in
love with the "root of all evil," and so firm in the belief that it may be
dug up that
they will traverse hill and dale, climb the loftiest mountain, and even
work their way into the bowels of the earth in search of it. Indeed,
digging for money hid in the earth, is a very common thing; and in this
state it is even considered an honorable and profitable employment. We
could name, if we pleased, at least five hundred respectable men, who
do, in the simplicity and sincerity of their hearts, verily believe
that immense treasures lie concealed upon our Green Mountains; many of
whom have been for a number of years, most industriously and
perserveringly engaged in digging it up. Some of them have succeeded
beyond their most sanguine expectations. One gentleman in Parkerstown,
on the summit of the mountain, after digging with unyielding confidence
and untiring diligence, for ten or twelve years, found a sufficient
quantity of money to build him a comodious house for his own
convenience, and to fill it with comforts for weary travellers. On
stopping lately to refresh, we were delighted with the view of an
anchor on the sign, emblematical of his
hope of success, while we left him industriously digging for more. Another
gentleman on the east shore of Lake Champlain, we are credibly informed, has
actually dug up the enormous sum of fifty thousand dollars! The incredulous and
unbelieving may stare at this assertion, but it is nevertheless true, and we do
not hesitate to declare our belief that digging for money is a most
certain way of obtaining it. Much, however, depends on the
skillful use of the genuine mineral rod.
Don't dig too deep, is an appropriate maxim, with all who are versed in
the art. Wood's Iron Plough, skillfully guided, is sure
to break the enchantment, and turn up the
glittering dust in every furrow. Countless treasures yet remain hid in the
earth. Speed the plough -- ply the hoe -- 'twill all come to light.
P. S. The best time for digging money is early in the morning, while the dew is
on.
Note 1: The 1820s was a great time for seeking buried treasure, it
seems. The Philadelphia National Gazette publicized the delusion in an
article it reprinted from the Hallowell Gazette on Mar. 27, 1822. The
Montpelier Watchman article was reprinted in several "yankee" papers,
including the May 4, 1822 issue of the New Hampshire Sentinel. Certain
avaricious New Englanders spread their money-digging propensities and
methods westward to New York, where the novelty took a strong hold. See
the Rochester Gem of May 15, 1830 for a story of a family of local
money-diggers named Smith and the Wayne Sentinel of Feb. 16, 1825 and
Dec. 27, 1825 for accounts of similar clandestine proceedings,
including one such episode in nearby Orleans Co.
Note 2: Despite the Montpelier Watchman's tongue-in-cheek reporting of
the "skillful use of the genuine mineral rod" and the need "to break
the enchantment" guarding buried treasures, such beliefs associated
with 1820s money-digging were taken seriously by the practitioners of
that dubious trade. The 1822 article from the Watchman was also
reprinted as "Money Diggers" in the Palmyra Herald and Canal Advertiser
on July 24, 1822. It was subsequently reprinted in the Farmer's Diary
or Ontario Almanac for 1823, published by James D. Bemis & Co., in
Canandiagua. So, it appears that the subject of money digging was of as
much interest to people in Ontario Co., NY during this period as it was
to their relatives back in New England.
Note 3: For even more Vermont money-digging and mineral-rod lore, see
the Middlebury Vermont American of May 27, 1828, Barnes Frisbie's 1867
book, History of Middletown, and the Rev. Daniel Dorchester's 1879
article, "St. John's Rod."