The Hartwell Ranch Treasure

There is a story of treasure connected with a large stone house known as the Hartwell Ranch in Walkerville Township, which has been deserted for years. The original owner of the house was named Azariah Sweetin. At one time he was considered the richest man in the county. Sweetin was extensively engaged in cattle raising and accumulated a small fortune during the Civil War by selling beef to the United States Government.

Distrusting banks, he kept all his money hidden on his farm. Soon after the Civil War he fell from a horse and was severely injured. He recovered, but his memory was gone so he was never able to tell his family where he had buried his money. Several searches were made but no report of finding of the money was ever filed. The farm was sold August 16, 1895, for $125,000.