The survey at the "Letter Rock" began on July 7, 1972. The survey included detailed maps and photos of the area surveyed, and personal interviews.

Interview with Mr. Dominic Rowe, July 13, 1972. Interviewed by Paul Rowe.

Mr. Rowe described the Letter Rock as being an exposed part of a large bedrock, situated on the side of the old Point Verde trail. The rock, often used as a resting place for travelers, is now covered with initials, names, and little drawings, marked on it by these passers-by.

Mr. Rowe tells of the story of the treasure connected with the Letter Rock, with the directions to this buried treasure supposedly written on the rock. He recalls that in 1939, a shoemaker named Smallwood came to Placentia with maps of the Letter Rock area, and was supposed to have located the spot where the treasure lay; but it wasn't there. Smallwood, however, being certain of his directions, stated that the treasure had been discovered and taken earlier by some other person. Mr. Rowe remembers, as a youth, seeing the trenches that were dug by Smallwood in his search for the buried treasure.

Further conversation with Mr. Rowe revealed that he had recently learned of another story connected with the Letter Rock, and that he himself had inadvertently provided some proof for this tale. This is the story of the "Altar-Stone" supposedly located behind Letter Rock which was used by Irish Catholic priests, to say Masses in secrecy, during the time of William Henry (later William IV of England) served as magistrate in Placentia. William Henry was opposed to Catholicism, and his edicts resulted in the necessity of secret Masses.

Mr. Rowe admits that he only recently learned of this old legend, however, about 30 years ago, he recalls finding a flat stone near Letter Rock about 1.5 feet square with the letter "H" distinctly inscribed on it. This rock could quite possibly have been included in the altar stone, as part of the "I.H.S." inscribed on the altar.

However, the area where this altar stone was probably located has been graded over in the process of making a new road for the municipal dump and it is likely that is has been torn up or covered over.

Interview with Mr. Randall Verran, July 13, 1972. Interviewed by Paul Rowe and David Bailey.

Mr. Verran relates a story of a mysterious man, Count de Coursey, who built a house somewhere near the Letter Rock and lived there for a period of about 6 months (between 1889 and 1900). He further states that no one seems to know the reason for his residence there, however, there seems to be some connection between this man and the supposed buried treasure related to the Letter Rock. As well as Mrs. Patterson, he mentions that William Henry, during his stay, was opposed to Catholicism, in particular regarding the burial of Catholics in the area.

View pictures of the "Letter Rock". This page has a map that is 47kb in size, so it may take a while to load.