Edgar Cayce Readings, 996-1

Time and Place: 3:30 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. due east of. Miami, Fla.

TEXT

TBH: You will give a reading on Bimini Island, located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 45 miles almost due east of Miami, Dade County, Florida. You will go over this island, and tell us whether there is oil on this island in sufficient quantities to insure profit. If so, give us the log of the formations that would be gone through in drilling to the oil sand, depth of the well necessary to reach the oil production, also tell us if there are any treasures buried on this island. If so, when were they buried, and where can they be located, and to whom do they belong at this time?
EC: Yes, we have the land known as Bimini, in the Atlantic Ocean. In the formation of the land, we find this of the nature that would make the oil production very low, for this is of the coral structure in the greater part, but this is the highest portion left above the waves of once a great continent, upon which the civilization as now exists in the world's history found much of that as would be used as means for attaining that civilization.
Then, as to treasures, there are many that are hidden, also those that may be made remunerative - from physical conditions and structure of this body of land - among those larger buried treasures - that consists of gold, bullion, silver, and of plate ware, or beaten ware - this was made a cache on the higher portion of the isle from the cove as enters island from the south and west from that portion direct from Miami. This, as we see, was in eighteen thirty-nine (1839), and under these conditions:
In the trade and exchange of peoples as were brought to the western world, many being located in that now known, and then known, as James River. Among these was one, Bill Desmond, who took charge of the schooner, or yacht, or boat, that had landed such a cargo, by that of mutiny, and robbing the store-keeper in that settlement nearly opposite from Jamestown, escaped down the coast on the ninth (9th) day of March, eighteen thirty-nine (1839), and on the twenty-second (22nd) was shipwrecked in this isle, and with four others escaped to this isle with the ill-gotten gains. The building in which these lived for a time was erected on this promontory above the cove from timbers that were gathered from the wreck. On the thirty-first (31st) of the month the cache was made in the side of the abode in which these men took refuge. One died of snake bite. Another was poisoned by berries as grew on the hill above the spring that still shows in this place. The two remaining were the ones who fell out over the division of the spoils, and after this wounding one attempted to escape to the mainland - lost in the surf, only a portion of the loot being taken, and that returned, with much other, to the cache by Desmond, whose remains are in that vault. The amount here would amount, in coin, at present, to near a hundred and twenty thousand (120,000) gold coin, and much silver and of specie from the containers would amount to near as much more.
As for other treasures, many in greater or lesser quantities may be located in and about the isle. Some are inaccessible. Others not worth the expense of probing, or of obtaining permission for probing. As to whom they belong, at this day, to the government, whom owns this land.
We are through.

BACKGROUND

7/17/26 - See Mr. [287]'s letter under 5741-2 Reports giving background for this series.

REPORTS

8/19/26 Reading 996-2 was obtained on Largo Islands (Bimini?) (Monroe Co., Fla.?) but no copy is in A.R.E. files; it was loaned to Mr. [943] on 2/24/32 & not returned.
9/02/26 Rdg. 996-3 was obtained on Bimini Island but no copy is in A.R.E. files; it was loaned to Mr. [943] on 2/24/32 & not returned.
9/23/26 Mr. [943]'s letter in re great storm in Florida:
The two islands at Bimini were damaged very much. Mr. [2671] and I left last Tuesday afternoon on a Tug for Bimini and returned following day. No lives lost among the men working for Mr. [2671] there, but seven of the natives were drowned. Considerable damage was done to the Hotel and many residences washed away. We have not had a chance to look for the treasure before the storm and I guess that traces as mentioned by you as to location have been washed away. We hope to get over there in the near future to take a look for it.
10/11/26 Mr. [287]'s ltr. to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce, 115 35th Street Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Mr. Cayce:
I have been looking for a letter from you for some time, but perhaps you did not get my letter written at Tampa more than two weeks ago.
However, this will advise you that Mr. [4825] and I are going over to Bimini Island some time today provided we can get a boat to take us over, not sure about that yet, but will get over in a day or two if not today.
We are going to look after the proposition which you know about, however, I presume we can not find the tree with the berries since the storm. But we probably can locate the spring and the large tree will be nearby, we may send you a cablegram from there, if we can, we are not as yet sure whether we will be able since the storm to cable you from there.
I have been very busy here since the storm looking after the repairing of houses for Mr. [2671] and I will say it is just wonderful the improvement that has been made on property here since the storm.
Mr. [2671] is very much interested in Bimini and after a week or two more will be more able to tell you just what the procedure will be over there. Will probably have you come here within the next two weeks, if it will be possible for you to get away. When writing me for the present address me Miami, General Delivery.
Mr. [2671] has lost quite heavily, however, he has been pretty well protected by storm insurance, but yet will lose heavily. As he could not carry cyclone insurance on property in Bimini Island and his hotel was very much damaged.
Hope you are feeling well and are getting along fine with your work, with my best regards to the Dr. [House] and Miss Grace [Davis] and the rest of your family.
Yours very truly, [287]
10/16/26 Mr. [943]'s ltr. to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Mr. Cayce:
Mr. [287] returned to-day from Bimini and he located just about the location as described in your reading on the cache. He and Mr. [4825] set a stake at the location and put the number One on two sides of the stake with blue chalk. Can you please take a reading on the location now and tell us the location from the stake as described above. Mr. [2671] and I have been so busy since the Storm that we didn't have time to go over and help in the search. We intend to go over when we hear from you on this reading. I hope that you will be in position to let us hear from you as quickly as possible as someone may have seen them making the search and step in ahead of us.
Mr. [287] left this evening for Columbus, Ohio, as Mrs. [4382]'s mother is very ill. He expects to return here within a short time.
I sent you the following telegram to-day:
"[287] returned from Bimini and says condition just as you described they set stake with number ONE written on two sides with blue chalk stop please give reading giving number of feet from stake as described above stop Advise as quickly as you can." Regards. [signed] [943]
If possible in your reading this time please give which island cache located wither North Bimini or South Bimini. They have set the stake on South Bimini.
With kindest personal regards, [943]
10/18/26 EC wrote the rdg. would be delayed since he had to go to Hopkinsville, Ky., due to his own mother's serious illness. [She died later that month.]
10/23/26 Mr. [287]'s ltr. to EC:
Dear Mr. Cayce:-
I wired you night letter yesterday which I will not copy here, and this will further advise you that I returned from Bimini Islands Saturday evening at 5:00 o'clock. Went up to [...] & [...]'s office - they had a telegram from Mrs. [2646] that her mother was seriously ill. I wired her and received reply immediately that she was still sinking, so Mrs. [2415] and I took the first train for ... She had passed away, however, before we had reached home. She took sick Friday afternoon and died Monday noon.
However, Ma [4382] was not a great sufferer during her last two or three days, and the nurses said she had a very easy death, for which we were all glad, for no one knows better than how much she has suffered in the last three or four years.
My purpose for returning from Bimini was to get in touch with you for another reading on the Treasures on the Island. Mr. [4825] and I made a close investigation, and we find that your reading is absolutely correct, as to the location of the Island, as to the high point on the Island, and as to the cove on the Island as you described it. Also for 150 ft. on the east side of this Island is a high point or ledge from 5 to 7 ft. high, also the hard wood trees with berries are there, but of course the storm blew the berries all off of the trees, but the natives told us which trees bore berries. Mr. [4825] and I are quite sure that we have stake set within ten feet of the point you designate. The measurement was 1,072 ft. from the lower point of the Island back to this point, but we could not without a great deal of work measure straight up from the point, hence it would make the difference between our measurement and your measurement.
Now, with reference to a spring, that was the only thing that we could not determine definitely, for the reason that there is a low place there and the high tide or high tide during the storm filled this low place with water. However, it had seeped out until it was less than 2 ft. of water in the deepest place. The spring is in there somewhere, but we could not locate it on account of the water, but by now the water is down so that we probably can locate the spring. However, Mr. Cayce, there isn't any doubt whatever but the treasures are there, and we put up a flat stake and put a No. 1 on each side of the stake of blue chalk. Mr. [943] no doubt has wired you that information. I hope you will be able to get the information asked for by wire, as I want to get back there, or leave here at least not later than next Monday. You understand, Mr. Cayce, that this means much for you.
Mr. [2671] also has five million more that was buried during the War time. He knows the County where it has been buried, and he says there is no doubt at all about it that that money is there too, and you will be able to find it for us. Also the Keylargo Islands. However, you said there were no such islands, and upon investigation find that it is called Keylargo, so that you are right when you said there were no such Islands [[1274] series?].
Hope that this will find you and your family in good health, also Miss Davis and the Doctor.
Yours very truly, [287]
11/10/26 Following a Physical Reading for Mr. [4862], Bimini reading 996-4 was volunteered, without suggestion being given to obtain it. [No copy of this rdg. is in the files because it was loaned to Mr. [943] on 2/24/32 and not returned.]
11/10/26 EC's ltr. to [287]:
Dear Mr. [287]:
I was sorry indeed not to be able to get some information for you regarding the Bimini proposition before this, and as you will see we got this without questions being asked regarding it. It would appear that the marking has been removed. I don't understand about this, but you will be able to determine this, I am sure, when you look over the grounds. Seemingly, there is more definite information given here than heretofore, and I'm in hopes you will be able to identify it all without any trouble. Should it be necessary to have another reading before you attempt to locate it, please write me the full information you wish to know, and we will see what we can get.
I was certainly very sorry to hear of Mrs. [4382]'s death. My mother's death has been very hard on me in every way. The few days I was with her, and especially during her last hours, seem to have taken all the strength and vitality out of me, and I have been unable to take hold or to take up my regular work as I would like to. We realize such things must come, but we can never seem to prepare ourselves for them. Though I knew that this was to happen - I knew it for a week before it did, I was not able to prepare myself for the end. Though I haven't been with my mother for some years, yet being the only boy, and having been so very close with her in mind if not in body, it just seems hard to reconcile myself to her going. Though I know that she lived the life that would be a pattern for us all, and I know she is not dead - only a transition from the fleshly body to the spiritual body - yet our little minds don't grasp the larger meaning and it just makes an aching void that is not easily filled. But her last injunction to me should urge me on to larger things, for as she said: "My boy has kept his mother alive for three years, but he can't do any more, and he must use God's gift to him to help others." This should encourage anyone, but I am so builded, constructed, or whatever you may term it, that it is hard to take hold. I hope you will have Mr. [2671] and Mr. [943] to help me out whenever they can, for I am certainly in need of it.
With kindest personal regards to you all,
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC:GD]
11/15/26 Western Union Telegram:
Received at 3FHX 13 MIAMI FLO 1026A
EDGAR CAYCE VIRGINIA BEACH VA 115 35 ST
WIRE US DISTANCE FROM TREE AND WHICH SIDE OF PROMONTORY WAITING FOR REPLY
[943] AND [287] 1105A
11/17/26 EC gave rdg. 996-5. No copy is in A.R.E. files because it was loaned to Mr. [943] on 2/24/32 and not returned.
11/17/26 EC's wire:
UPPER OR NORTH SIDE PROMONTORY EIGHT AND QUARTER FEET FROM TREE UNDER END OF DEAD BRANCH FULL REPORT IN MAIL
11/30/26 MR. [943]'s wire:
RETURNED THIS MORNING FROM ISLAND. [287] WAITING THERE. FOUND WRECKAGE, PARTS OF BOAT ON GROUND, HERETOFORE MENTIONED. CUT SMOOTH PLACE AND MARKED LARGE TREE WITH FIGURE ONE. ADVISE TODAY OR TOMORROW IF THIS LOCATION CORRECT.
11/30/26 EC's reply after obtaining 996-6, of which no copy is in the files since it was loaned to Mr. [943] on 2/24/32 and not returned:
TREE CORRECT UNDER LIMB POINTING TOWARDS SOUTH AND WEST BETWEEN SEVEN AND HALF AND EIGHT FEET FROM TREE. EDGAR CAYCE [COLLECT]
12/06/26 Mr. [287]'s ltr. to EC:
To Mr. Edgar Cayce
My dear Mr. Cayce
Has just come to me that you may mean 8 feet from the outer branches or limbs of the tree. If you mean body of tree, then we must be at wrong tree as we have dug up from West to East hole five feet wide & 4 1/2 feet deep then at the 4 1/2 feet we come to Ocean level, when the tide is in. When the tide is out, 7 feet would be the level with water of Ocean. When the tide is out then it is 993 feet from tree approximately. Did not measure but looks to be that distance. The spring we could not find as there is most a swamp. And the waters in this swamp comes within 30 feet of tree. We think this swamp has filled up 2 or 3 feet since 1839 [1839 underlined] and the promontory may be washed down from 7 feet to 4 1/2 feet as it now is. You say in one reading that it has been changed by the winds, or hiding changes. That is what we think that means. I expect to stay here till the boys hear from you & they will come right back. I will send this over to be mailed at Miami and they are to wire you Monday Morning for further information. I surely hope this comes out all right as I have spent about 4 months on it. Shows my faith & will mean $10,000.00 for you. And may mean more, but I told them $10,000.00 for you and they are all agreed & said will mean much more for you as you could count on ... & they MUCH BIGGER or supposed be as than this one. 75,000.00 another 3 1/2 millions. Mr. [2671] soon was hidden and people or persons hiding was killed & them friends could not find same. If this come out all right - You are fixed for YOUR life time that is sure & I believe it well. I don't know when you will get this letter as water is rough tonight and may not get over for day or two. These little boats can't get over, when rough and have to stop at Inn [?] Key, I guess that is what they call the Island. 10 miles from here anyway. Wish I had of told them to ask you if it was now 7 feet or at time the cache was made 87 years ago. As I said only 4 1/2 feet of water now. Your friend [287]
12/08/26 EC gave rdg. 996-7, of which we have no copy, since it was loaned to Mr. [943] on 2/24/32 and not returned.
12/08/26 EC's wire collect to Mr. [943]:
THREE FEET TOWARDS SOUTH AND WEST THE FULL REPORT IN MAIL PLEASE SEND WIRES BY WESTERN UNION [No Postal office here.]
12/10/26 EC's ltr. to Mr. [287]:
Many thanks for yours of the 6th. I am in hopes that the last information as was given has proven helpful and that you will soon locate what you are looking for. I know its a mighty hard thing to always understand directions and locations as are given in readings, respecting something that happened years ago, for it is might hard to know just when this is speaking of - for, as is signified in the readings, all time is as one time, and whether it means to-day, yesterday, or fifty years ago, it is hard to understand - though it seems, from the questions and from the information, that there shouldn't be any trouble, though you may be a long ways off. If its wrong, its wrong, and I have no explanation to make, save any information that may be obtained through the readings. I certainly am in hopes you will locate it, for your own sake, as well as my own - for I certainly am sadly in need of a little bit of this world's goods at the present time.
With very best wishes and kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC:GD]
12/12/26 Western Union Telegram to EC:
4 hx 33NL Miami Flo
Edgar Cayce 115 West 35 St. Virginia Beach Va.
Have just returned and have not sufficient information want you to come here at once and will furnish you with money necessary please wire upon receipt of this message care [2671] and [943]
[287], [4825] and [943] 828a
12/14/26 EC wired: SEE LETTER IN MAIL [See Par. R21 below].
12/14/26 EC's ltr. to Mr. [287]:
I'm just in receipt of your wire of the 12th and wired you to see letter, as I felt it was necessary to make some explanations as regarding conditions and circumstances at the present time.
First of all, I'm certainly mighty sorry to know that you had all your work and worry for nothing, but I feel very sure the treasure must be there somewhere, but I don't understand why we were not able to locate it from information given. Now, regarding coming to Florida, of course, as you know, Mr. [287], we have a great many appointments away ahead, and it will be necessary for us to keep up with as many of these as is possible to do, or we will just have to - if we make the trip - cut out so much time and devote all of the time while there to the work that may be procured or that may be in hand for the conditions at that place. Which do you feel would be the most reasonable? Should that be the way to handle it, this then will have to be after the 20th of January. Or, were we able to take a portion, or all that we have made, and fill in the extra time with the work there, this would give us about four or six readings a week. Which had they rather have? In either case, of course, it will necessitate the moving of the office, as it were, to Miami for the time being - which means myself, my wife, the secretary, and my little boy.
Now, the reason that I can't make any move at the present time, the little fellow had a very bad accident about four weeks ago. He got very badly burned, and is not able to be moved about - and of course I wouldn't go off and leave him until he is in the right and proper shape, and I know he can't be until after the first of the year. So now it's up to you all as to what you think is best and how it should be managed - for you know I am in this situation: I have a definite work that I want to do. I have definite things that I want carried out. IF making this trip will lend assistance to this idea, I want to make the trip. If it would not, I don't want to make the trip! I think you have a pretty good idea as to what my plans and ideals are, and I know that all of you are good enough business men to know what is necessary for a business of this kind. You know I don't want anything but what is right and just. I don't want people to subscribe to anything they don't THINK is right and just. So I want to know what you all have to say on the subject.
All the rest of the family are very good. We are struggling along about the same as we were when you were here in the summer. We have gotten out some of our literature, and are getting some returns - have had contributions from ten dollars to a thousand dollars towards the institution. Money, as you know, that can only be used for the institution. Now what we want most is to add to that fund! As well as to be taken care of while we're doing that!
One rather peculiar circumstance has come up recently regarding Florida. Sixteen years ago I gave a reading for Mr. [550], a man in Houston, Texas. He has since moved to Fort Myers. His wife wrote me a few days ago for another physical reading. The appointment is set for the 22nd of December. I presume, in a conversation with some man at the Hillsboro, he talked to someone [who] had met me in Florida in 1920 - at any rate, the man writes me a letter, giving in detail the oil situation in Florida, and begging me to make a trip to Florida at this time. Of course I have refused - for I don't know anything about the man, and I'm more interested in trying to get my institution than in anything else.
But you all let me know about this, and let me know how to make my plans, for I have been asked to address two clubs in New York in January, and I want to know whether to make the appointments or not. They are a Barnard College and one of the universities.
With kindest personal regards to you all,
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC:GD]
12/14/26 See EC's ltr. to HLC under 4905-66 Reports.
12/18/26, 12/21/26 Mr. [287] wired asking how soon EC and family could come.
12/22/26 EC's reply (this wire written in his own handwriting [See Source File Key #996 for this, re 996-1] and phoned by GD to Western Union):
Complication in Boys conditions in last few days prevent me stating a time. Would like to know approximately how many Readings wanted and on what. Edgar Cayce
12/22/26 Mr. [287]'s letter to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce 115 Thirty-fifth St. Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Mr. Cayce:
We have your telegram of today and note that the condition of your boy is no better. Sorry, do hope conditions will be better with him soon. Also I note that on account of his condition you cannot give us at this time a date when you could probably arrive here.
Now, what we want, Mr. Cayce, is to have you go with us over to Bimini. We are sure that from the readings that you are correct in every particular, but yet we cannot understand the situation fully on this island. Therefore, we want you with us to trace this as we did do at Birmingham, Alabama, or near there [? Yrs. 1921-1922?].
Also, we have two other propositions which, if we are able to locate and we are sure that we do know, that five million has been buried on the western coast; also, probably there has been a large amount buried in Key Largo. Then, this is not all, there are physical readings that you can have here that will mean something to you and, furthermore, we are sure if you were here with us that we will locate those treasures and the building of your hospital can and would be done from right here. Also, it matters not what the outcome may be, you would be well taken care of while here and I believe that you will feel that you can rely upon what I say upon our past associations together in this work, and I surely hope your son will soon improve for his sake that you will soon be able to bring him here for this climate and weather conditions here might be well for him.
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I remain
Yours very truly, [287]
P.S. It is very important that you come as soon as it is conveniently possible.
12/30/26 EC's ltr. to [287]:
Mr. [287] Miami, Florida
Dear Mr. [287]-
I have yours of the 22nd, also a wire relative to a reply to same this afternoon. I possibly should have written you before this, but have been trying to determine in my mind just what is the proper course to pursue or the thing to say. However, the boy's condition is such that it would be impractical even for me to consider such a trip at the present time, and for me to say just WHEN his condition will be so that he might travel - that I can't do.
Then there are other conditions, I think that are to be considered, Mr. [287]. I fully realize that I am due you a great deal of consideration and thought, from our past association, seconded, possibly, from the consideration of what I have tried to do for you. In my letter of December the 14th, I tried to make it quite plain as regarding just what it would mean to try and move our office there, even for a few weeks - that it would necessitate my carrying out each day the appointments that have already been made for the coming weeks in January, even long before I had the first letter or intimation that you desired that I come to Miami. So, if I were to carry these out, it would be quite a hard matter for me to undertake to spend two or three days away from the place in some other part of the country. In fact, I couldn't do it - and a promise is my bond. The time has been given to others, and though they may not see fit to contribute as much as is even necessary for my daily needs, I owe them something. But, as soon as the boy is a little improved, I'm going to take a reading on the whole situation - I'll send you a copy of the results.
What are they doing with the well? [See [5741] series?]
Hoping things are going fine for you, thanking you all for your remembrance at Christmas time, and with kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC:GD]
1/10/27 Mr. [287] was present for reading 254-34 in Va. Beach in re advisability of EC and family going to Florida, also as to whether or not rdgs. should be given seeking to locate buried treasure, etc.
GD's note: Red Date Book indicates that 2/03/27 EC and other men left for Bimini at 6:00 P.M., and 2/06/27 they got back from Bimini.
2/07/27 Monday EC's ltr. to HLC:
Miami, Florida
Dear Hugh Lynn:-
Possibly I might say with Pershing, "LaFayette we are here!" and possibly there will be as much adverse criticism regarding our coming as there was for the American Soldier going to France. This is the first opportunity I have had to write.
When we arrived about Wednesday evening at 5:30, Mr. [2671], Mr. [943], Mr. [287], with Mrs. [2646], Mrs. [2415], and Mrs. [2646]'s and Mrs. [2415]'s sister, Miss [4383], all met us at the train, and with two big Packard cars carried us to the hotel. The rooms were all arranged for us, and are as nice and nicely situated as we could possibly ask. That night Mrs. [2415] carried Mother and Miss Gladys and Eckin for a little ride. I met with the men folk in Mr. [943]'s office. We talked over the situation and decided to leave the next afternoon for Bimini, to try and locate the treasure. They all worked mighty hard. Mr. [2671] impresses me in very much the same way and manner as Mr. [953]. However, we did not locate anything, though I gave four readings on the ground [No copies!]. We did not find the indications as were given in the reading. None of them except Mr. [287] seem to be discouraged. We are going to take another reading to see if we can't tell what is the trouble.
Well, Sugar, I started this this morning early, and it is now after supper. We have been busy talking or doing work all day. I am enclosing you a copy of the reading as was gotten [996-8]. Whether I understand it fully or not, I'm not quite sure. I think you will be able to get it though. We will try another proposition that they have tomorrow afternoon [1274-1]. We gave a reading on Mr. [943] [943-2, Life Reading]. A copy of that I am enclosing, which from hearsay I think you will find interesting. I haven't read it, as Miss Gladys just finished it before supper. Mr. [943] and Mrs. [5571] are coming by to take us out in a few minutes, so I'll try to get this where I can at least wind it up, and then try to write you more tomorrow. I don't know just how things will be. I like them all, though, fine - though I don't quite get some of Mr. [287]'s remarks he lets fall once in a while. We will see though, when we get most of their work in shape.
I sure do appreciate your letter, and without your permission, even, I'm going to use some of it Wednesday Night when I talk to the Psychology Club.
I'll write you again, as they are calling me now. With best love from all, [EC]
2/07/27 See 996-8.