The Daily Journal

GOLD DISCOVERED
IN MYSTERY HOME
Recluses' House Reveals Fortune Stowed Away in Tin Cans—Family Isolated 30 Years
Assumption, Ill., Oct. 13.—The Des Larues home, two miles east of here, known as the "Mystery Farm," has furnished another mystery, this time in the uncovering of $10,000 hidden away in tin cans, mattresses and boxes.

This discovery was made by Frank Oakes, conservator for Mrs. Jean Des Larues, who lives on the farm with her son, Louis Des Larues, 50 years old, and her daughter, Hortense, 55 years old.

For 30 years the family has lived apart from the world, the fence about their 120-acre farm being the limits of their sphere. The homestead has been a mystery all these years.

In Seclusion 30 Years.
Fifty years ago this Swiss-French family, consisting of father, mother, two sons and two daughters, settled on the little farm of 120 acres near Assumption.

The father came to the United States from his home on the border of Switzerland and France when he was 16 years old.

Ardelle, the youngest sister, was married to the young farmer, Ransford, and they moved away.

Neighbors Bury Father.
Hortense Des Larues formerly was a school teacher.

A sister of Jean Des Larues was married to a Frenchman about the time of the daughter Ardelle's marriage.

A year ago last February the father died and the neighbors were called in to bury him. The first sight inside the house was gained at that time.

Hortense, who had not left her upstairs room for years, came down for the funeral.

The son, Louis, went to Assumption once or twice a week to obtain groceries, and that was all the world knew of the family.

Where the money came from is a mystery, as the farm was never cultivated in a way to earn that amount.

It is believed the family inherited a large fortune years ago.