30 Silver Dollars Found

Submitted by Donnie Pickard

Van Buren County Democrat, October 5, 1923

Finds 30 Silver Dollars Buried Many Years Ago

Incident recalls a former discover of $1,700. Money hid when county had no banks.

A. L. Hall of Scotland exhibited a silver dollar at this office Monday that had been out of circulation at least a quarter century and perhaps longer. This particular dollar, along with twenty-nine others, all coined back in 1882 or 1883, were found last week before last by Jess Newton while raising an old house on the Hosea Meeler place four miles west of Scotland. And this incident recalls another similar experience of years ago, the amount then found being $1,700.

Among the thrifty, well-to-do citizens of that community a quarter century ago was Hosea Meeler and his wife. Just when Meeler died we do not know, but sometime subsequent thereto his widow married a man by the name of Ed Neeley. Meeler was known to have more or less cash as he did not patronize banks his widow always believed it was hidden somewhere about the place. Frequent search was made therefore but it was not until after she had married Neeley that the first discover was made, $1,700 being buried in the smokehouse.

Sometime thereafter Neeley and wife moved to Oklahoma, where the former became involved with some cattle rustlers and was killed. His widow still lives in that state. The Meeler home passed to the possession of Frank Hawkins, who in turn sold the place to Mr. Newton. Recently, Mr. Newton concluded to raise the old home and build a new one. In removing the walk near the front steps 30 silver dollars, as recited above, were found lying edgewise.

Going a little further with the story we might add that the Meeler place adjoins the farm of the late John Stobaugh, a neighbor of Meeler back in the early days and also known to possess more or less wealth. Stobaugh was also known, prior to the establishment of the Bank of Scotland to keep more or less cash at home. The recent discovery of the silver at the Meeler place doubtless suggested that investigation at the Stobaugh home might bring to light more hidden wealth. Finding the widow away from home Sunday Sept. 23d, parties unknown went to her place and dug up most of the soil beneath the yard walk, but with what results is not known.

Meeler and Stobaugh, pioneer settlers in a sparsely settled country, were more than ordinary neighbors. They were fast friends, we are told, and remained such throughout life. For the miles around their farms were known as the home of many good horses, horse raising being their chief occupation. But little land was in cultivation back in those early days and open range furnished ample grazing for the greater portion of the year. When winters were especially severe they sometimes drove their herds to the cane brakes along the Arkansas river where they were wintered at practically no cost.