Sadly, we live in a zero trust environment, and can’t trust anything, at any time, from anyone, anymore, especially if published in the Daily Mail. While impressive, this story is too on the nose, and may be a work of art. This could all be a master craftsman’s version of: flip this house!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byrnside-Beirne-Johnson_House
Wiki suggests either the Daily Mail or Mr. Bryan has embellished the story. The place has been on the National Register for 30 years. Perhaps the lawyer can claim new discoveries within the existing site.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.