Man Discovers Buried Treasure At Colorado River

Bastrop Police are holding on to some real buried treasure that was found along the Colorado River at the City’s Fisherman’s Park.

Police say a man was just walking along the banks of the river last Wednesday, when he accidentally discovered a bag partially covered by water. When he opened it, he found a large sum of cash and coins.

He reportedly took it to a nearby bank to exchange the wet money for dry money. The teller, being very suspicious, called Police.

Police are holding the money in hopes of finding the owner.

"It's hard to tell as far as how long that property, that bag has been there. We haven't checked with the treasury department to determine the printing age of the bills just yet. Right now, our main focus is trying to let the lawful owner come and be reunited with their funds," said Chief Michael Blake of the Bastrop Police Department.

Bastrop County Historical Society President Robbie Sanders says in the old days, the Colorado was the major crossing route for merchants and settlers. It was called the El Camino Real. It was the connection from Mexico City to Louisiana and long before that, the Indians relied on it.

"I don't know if these are Mexican coins, US coins from the depression era, maybe we had a bank robber I don't know. I conjure up all sorts of images, it's exciting," said Sanders. "You have to speculate that it was a recent event, that it was just thrown in there because if the paper is recognizable as paper surely it would have deteriorated."

Sanders hopes to add the most recent find to her shelves and most importantly, hear the story of how it found its way to the shore of Fisherman’s Park.

"I just can't wait to find out," said Sanders.

Blake says the Bastrop Police Department will wait 30 days to see if anyone claims the money. He will then post a legal notice in local newspapers for 90 days. If the money remains unclaimed, a hearing will be held to determine who the money will go to.