Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-10-14
A Legend Of the Lower Iissis-
sippi.

great sections of the country where
there could not be seen any sign OF
habitation. Away down in Mississippi
there was a scope of country about 100
miles across. consisting of Il swdmpy,
Nild and drsolate county, then known
IS Tuckapaw County, in which was no
settlement, and across which was
regular road of travel. Now i'll those
Did times there WAS a great amount OF
traffic and trade between New Orleans
aud the lower Mississippi. and all the
upper country mule-traders from Ken
lucky aud Illinois would drive mules
and horses and sell them TO Southern
planters aud return 10y laud. Flatboats
by the hundred, from all the upper
country, from Ohio 10 The Rocky Noun
tains, could be seen descending the
Mississippi, laden with the most vaIu-
able produce the country coaId afford.
The merry boatman made the forest
rrsouud with his song and rcvelry.
When they landed at New Orleans,
and disposed of their valuable cargo,
they would buy plug Of a mule oI
'mustagn, on which they would take
their humeward course, sometimes
alone, sometimes in squads of from TWO
to six.
About halfway across this wilderness
road man by the name OF Cregoi had
located, aud built a house for the pur-
pose OF a stopping-place for travellers.
This place was known by every South
ern trade, and with Cregol they had to
stop, and they were glad to share his
hospitality.
In the course Of time this country
became settled. Old Cregol had be-
come Immediately ricn he was grow
ing old, but was hale aud stout. Not
far from his house was cave III the
hillside which bad never been explored
In fact, no one had ever entered its
mouth as was known. Now this cave
became an object ofintereSt. The dogs
for miles around would collect at its
entrance and create the most hideOus
sounds by their unearthly howling.
Night aud day would these poor crea-
lures keep up their monrnfu song.
Every person, men, women aud chill
dren, for miles would come to see this
sad, sad sight But it was noticed
that old Cregol did not go to see this
thing. Why did not Cregol go7 His
neighbors insisted that he should go
No sooner did he come in sight than
the dogs, with one accord, which had,
heretofore, been perfectly submissive,
moies;ing no one, and any one could
walk among them and they would only
howl. with teeth grinning and brlstles
up, rushed at him as though they
would tear him TO shreds, and would
not let him come near,
At length it was resolved 10 explore
the cave, and upon.a day set the neigh
horS met for that purpose, and with
torches in hand groped their way a
short distance on their hands and knees,
until they eutered what appeared to be
large chamber They rose TO ;helr
feet, and with torches lifted high began
to peer through the darkness. The first
object they saw was long blue coat,
hanging against the wall of the cave.
The coat was Of the old French style (;
made of blue cloth with brass buttons.
Upon passing further OH scores and
scores of skeletons, were seen, scattered
in every direction. Human skeletons
with clothing of every description hang
inc TO them, which the wolves had torn
to pieces. Among the explorers was a
. Young doctor who lived in the nei gh-
borhood. Aa soon as the party ener-
grG from the cave the dogs, apparently
satisfied, ceased their bowling aud dis
persed. That night negro came for
the young doctor. The dogs had col
lected ut old Cregol's and commenced
their howls. Cregol was seize with
spasms and the negro rushed for the
doctor.
The next morning, while the doctor
was sitting by Cregols bed. Cregol be-
ing in a deep stupor, the door suddenly
flew open aud tall man with dark com
plexion, wearing the identical coat which
the doctor had seen in the cave the day
before, enter andpassed quickly and noise
lessly through the room. Poor CregoI,
when the man entered, rose up in bed,
aud gazed with wild aud maniac stare
at him until he passed out OF sight, and
then fell back-dead.
lie had murdered these men for their
money. aud that's how he got bis
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