OXFORD, CONNECTICUT

Reminiscences of Oxford
Homes and People
By B. H. Davis
Published July-1914 in THE SEYMOUR RECORD



A little further north we come to the Elm Grove Stock Farm. This house was built in 1796 and was owned by Enos Lum, who lived there all his long and useful life. He married Lois Osborn, daughter of Hiram and Sarah Finch Osborn. He was a stone mason and was engaged all during the construction of the Naugatuck R. R. in building bridges and other mason work. He was also employed in the same capacity on the Housatonic R. R. for a long time. After these roads were completed he engage d in farming until enfeebled by old age and infirmities. He then retired from active labor and passed the rest of his life in ease and comfort.

When his son Fred returned from California he gave his father $500 in gold coin. the old man fearing to keep so much money in the house buried it in some secluded spot, and before he died did not reveal the hiding place. But designated a rock at the west of the house. Diligent search was made for the gold but it could not be found. Finally he secured the services of a man in Middlebury named Wooster, who had the reputation of discovering buried treasure. He came and with his divining rod went over the whole farm, but with no result, and as Fred reported afterwards, the only thing that he located was the pork and cider barrels in the cellar, both of which were empty soon after. The  money has neve been found and very likely never will be unless by accident.

The place was afterwards sold to ? Roberts who renovated the old house and built an up to date farm, and for many years engaged in breeding and raising thoroughbred horses. It was an ideal place for the business.

Enos Lum died April 17, 1875, aged 79. Lois Osborn Lum, his wife, died May 6 ~, aged ~

Many a good colt raised on the Elm Grove Stock farm has become prominent on the race track.

The place is now owned by the Linewebber Bros. Who are largely engaged in the production of milk, selling about 400 quarts a day.

Does anybody have new information on this interesting story?

What is the latest news?

Don't know if this is the same person or not. Henry Wooster was said to have cached valuables in both CT and MA. His caches are also associated with the Bates Tavern Treasure, so this may not be a match. Anyway, citations for Henry Wooster's caches include

Treasure Trails, Oct., 1970, p. 17
American Treasure Hunters Guide, p. 10
National Treasure Hunters League, Vol. 4, No. 3, p. 11
Gold, Spring/1977, p. 58
Treasure Search, August, 1978, p. 50
Lost Treasure, May, 1976, p. 49

The Bates Tavern treasure is also mentioned in Penfield's Directory of Buried and Sunken Treasure on p. 49.

A singer who last name is Oates purchased the Bates Tavern and move it to another location.  The story about 13 wagons load of gold coins borrow from France is total untrue.