Close Ad

Man Finds Hidden Treasure in Cabinet He Bought for $100 - And Then Does the Unthinkable
Old man surprised by hidden treasure
Uplifting News

Man Finds Hidden Treasure in Cabinet He Bought for $100 - And Then Does the Unthinkable

When Emil Knodell from Bellville, Texas bought a wooden cabinet at an estate sale, he had no idea hed find a small fortune inside.

When Emil Knodell first came across a gorgeous cabinet during a rumage at an estate sale, the 67-year-old's eye was immediately drawn to its marble top, it high quality wood and the finely carved pattern that adorned it.

RELATED: Teen Finds a Secret Room and Treasure in New House – And Makes an Inspiring Decision

When the seller told him the cabinet was 125 years old and that its age reduced the its price tag to $100, Emil knew it was a steal. But he had no idea just how much.


The Hidden Treasure in a Wooden Cabinet's Secret Compartment

coins in a treasure chest

While tipping the dresser on its side, Emil and his friends heard rattling sounds from inside. All the drawers were empty, but they discovered a secret compartment at the very bottom filled with currency, jewelry with emeralds and diamonds, a lock of hair, military dog tags and even Civil War memorabilia.

We were loading onto the truck. It sounded like a metallic waterfall. And we opened it up and three of us looked in and it was like the 'Hardy Boys.' Holy smokes, jackpot!

Emil Knodell

The Honest Man Who Returned a Secret Treasure to Its Rightful Owner

Emil didn’t have the treasure appraised, but it was clearly worth a lot. Still, instead of cashing it all in, he called the estate executor, who is the son of the man who had died.

I bought the chest drawers. I didn’t buy those things. If I kept them, I would never feel right about it. There would be a cloud over the whole thing. It’s a feeling more than anything else. I’m an old ex-Marine and I try to do the right thing.

Emil Knodell to ABC News

The seller remembers the dresser in his grandparent's house in Michigan when he was a child but had no idea there was a hidden compartment.

RELATED: Man Buys $40 Desk At Auction – What He Finds Inside A Secret Compartment Changed A Family’s Life

To express his gratefulness for returning the family heirlooms, the seller offered part of the findings to Emil as a reward, but Emil said he wouldn't accept items that didn't belong to him.

The world can be a greedy place, so it's nice to know that honest people like Emil still exist. It's important to do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

More Uplifting News from Goalcast:

just be honest
"Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing." — Tony Blair

Hot Stories

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Her 9 Disastrous Weddings
Why Pamela Anderson Can't Stop Getting Married

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
Woman at a restaurant's window and two teen employees.

Teens Applauded For the Way They Handled This Angry Customer

Instagram/ @kekessnowballs

Working in customer service can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with rude and demanding clients. That’s particularly true for some teens, who work these jobs for part-time money and are often bullied by adults. Perhaps that’s why people are applauding these teen girls for the way they expertly handled an over-the-top customer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Man standing with two daughters, a black purse and a handwritten note (inset)

Grieving Daughter Finds Note In Fossil Purse While Thrifting

Courtesy Anna Harp and Courtesy of Abrielle Clausing (via People.com)

Thrifting can net all sorts of treasures. Shoppers can snatch up everything from vintage clothes to mid-century modern furniture to kitschy knick-knacks, all without breaking the bank.

But for one grieving woman, she found a hidden gem that was truly priceless.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News