The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-08-18

" dodou, ~ u CftNCIu, w WHICH are IOuiIb
many hIerogyphics, and representations OF
such dellneatIons as would induce the belief,
that the authors we're, indeed, comparative.
" refined and civilized.
Ii is cave in rock, or ledge Of the
mountain, which presents itself TO view, a
little above the water Of the river when IN
flood, and is situated close 10 the bank. In
the early settlement of Ohio, this cave be.
came possessed by party Of kentuckians,
called " Wilson's gang" Wilson in the
first place brought his family to this cave,
aud fitted II up as a spacious dwelling, erect.
ing a sigu. post on the water side, on which
were these words, " Wilson's Liquors Vault
and House OF Entertainment" The novel.
~ Of such tavern induced almost all the
boats descending the river, 10 call for re.
lreshmen,s and amusement. Attracted by
these circumstances, several idle charac-
ters took up their abode at the cave, after
which it continually resounded with the
shouts OF the llcentous, the cIamor Of the
riotous, and the blasphemy Of gamblers
Out Of such customers Wilson found no dif.
fculty in forming a band Of robbers, with
whom he formed the plan Of numbering the
crews of every boat that stopped at his lay-
ern, and OF sending the boats, manned By
some OF his party, 10 New Orleans, and there
sell their loading for cash, which was 10 be
conveyed 70 the cave. BY land, through the
states Of Tennessee aud kentucky the par.
" returning with it being instructed to
murder and rob on all good occasions on
the road.
Alter a lapse Of time the merchants Of
tue upper country began 10 be alarmed on
finding their property making no returns,
add the people never coming back. This
naturally led to inquiry, and large rewards
were offered fer the discovery OF the perpe.
traitors Of such unparalleled crimes. II
soon came out that Wilson, with an organ.
lzed party of fory.fye men, was the cause
Of such waste Of blood and treasure; that
be had station at Hurricane island, 70 ar.
rest every boa, tina, passed by the mouth of
tho cavern, and that he bad agents at Match.
cz aud New Orleans, Of presumed respec.
liability, who converted his assignments IN.
10 cash, though they knew the goods TO be
s,oler, or obtained ~ the commission Of
murder.
The publicity Of Wilson's transactions
soon broke up his party, some dispersed,
others were taken prisoners; and he him.
sell was killed by one Of his associates, vino
Was tempted by the reward offered for the
head Of the captain Of the gang.
This cavern measures about / . rods In
length, and i've IN width lis entrance pre-.
seuts a width Of eighty feet at its base, and
twent.iiyc feet high. The interior walls
are smooth rock. The floor is very re.
matkable, being level through the whole
length Of lis center, the sides rising IN sto.
ny grades, IN the manner OF seats 10 the pm
OF a theatre. Ga dsllgent scrutiny Of The
walls, II is plainly dlscerned that the ancient
inhabitants at Z very remote period, had
made use Of the cave As a house OF delIbera.
ton and council. The walls bear many HE.
roelyphlcs well executed, and some OF them
represent animals which have no resem.
b!ance TO any now known 10 natural history.
This cavern IS great natural curiosity,
as ii IS connected with another still more
gloomy, which is situated exactly above,
united by an aperture Of fourteen feet, which
10 ascend IS like passing up chimney,
while the mountains IS yet far above. For
long after the dispersion aud arrest of the
robbers who haG infested it, N the upper
vaults we're found the skeleton Of about SIX.
" persons who had been murdered by
Wilson and his gang, as was supposed
But the tokens of antiquity are still more
curious and important than description of
the mere cave, which are found engraved
on IFS sides within.
In this cave, II appears, that in addition
to numerous familiar animals and devices,
there arc ske,ched on the rock the figures
of several animals now extinct; among
which are three, much resembling the ee.
phant, the tail and tusk excepted.
Singular Derice. A circumstance ex.
hibltIng in a remarkable degree, the re.
fleeing faculties of wolf, occurred at
small town on the borders of Champagne,
IN France. 4 farmer observed a wolf
walking round his mule, but, unable to get
at him, on account of the mules constantly
kicking. After the attack and defence had
lasted quarter of an hour, the wolf ran to
a neIghboring ditch, where he several times
plunged into the ditch. The farmer ina.
gincd that he did this to refresh himself at.
ter the fatigue, and had no doubt that hls
mule had gained complete victory-but
in few minutes the wolf returned TO the