The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GOLD CHESTS

IT (W)AS DOWN THERE IN DECATURVILLE, TENNESSEE, 'N
MY COUSIN WAS SUPPOSED TO MARRY ALVIN BOGGS (HE LIVED
DOWN THERE WHERE THE INTERSTATE NOW RUNS THROUGH LINDEN).
WELL, SHE UP 'N RAN AWAY WITH JESSIE CARTER ON HER
WEDDIN' DAY. WELL, BOGGS WAS SO UPSET HE MOVED TO
TEXAS AND WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM HIM FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
THEN ONE DAY HE CAME IN BY TRAIN AND HE HAD FIVE BIG CHESTS
WITH HIM. IT TOOK ABOUT FOUR MEN TO GET THEM CHESTS
OFF THE TRAIN AND TO HIS HOUSE. WELL EVERYBODY THOUGHT
HE HAD GOLD IN 'EM, BUT HE NEVER WOULD OPEN 'EM. HE
SHOT ONE MAN WHO TRIED TO STEAL ONE. WELL, IT WASN'T
'TIL HE WAS ON HIS DEATH BED AND ONE OF HIS COUSINS ASKED
HIM IF HE COULD OPEN THE CHEST. YOU KNOW WHAT WAS IN
THERE? SCRAP IRON. EVER' ONE OF 'EM FILLED WITH
SCRAP IRON. AN ALL THIS TIME WE THOUGHT THEY WERE
FILLED WITH GOLD; AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.

Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMOR

Date learned: 08-08-1968