The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-04
THE CAVE OF DEATH.
A Cavern Filled with the Skeletons Of Mur-
. dered Men-A Legend Of the Lover sissls-

Cavern Filled with the Skeletons OF MUIR
dered Men-A Legend of the Lover Missls-
sippi.
tFrom the Lexington (Mo.) Intelligencerl
About fifty years ago greater portion
| of the South and West was but wilder
ness. Even in those States that were
more or less populated, there were 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 one hundred
miles across, consisting of a sWampY,
wild and aesolate country, then known
as the Tuckapaw Country, in which was
no settlement, and across which was a
regular road of travel. Now, in these
old times there was great amount OF
traffic and trade between New Orleans
and the Lower Mississippi, and all the
upper country mule traders from Ken
tucky and Illinois would drive mules
aud horses and sell them to Southern
planters and return by land. Flatboats
by the hundred, from the upper country,
from Ohio to the Rocky Mountains could
be seen descending The Mississippi, laden
with the most Valuable produce the
country could afford. The merry boatman
made the forest resound with his song
and revelry. When they landed at New
OIIedHS, anu ulSpOSSu VI Juelr faludul6
cargo, they would buy a plug of u mule or
"mustang," on which they would take
their h0meward course, sometimes
in squads of from two to six.
About half way across this Wilderness
road, "a man by the name of Cregol had
located, and built house for the pur-
pose OF o stopping place for travellers.
! This place was known by every South
ern trader, and with Cregol they all mad
to stop, and they were glad to share his
hospitality.
In the course of time this country
became settled, Old Cregol had become
immensely rich; he was growing old,
but was hale and stout. Not Tar from
his house was cave in the hillside
which had never been explored. In fact,
no one had ever entered its mouth, as
was known. Now, this cave became an
object of interest. The dogs, tor miles
| around, would collect at its entrance,
and create the most hideous sound By
their unearthly bowling. Night and day
would these poor creatures keep UP their
mournful song.
Every person, men, women and 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 go? His neighbUrs
Au5IoISQ budb LIS buOulu kOs Nu eOOuGl
did he come i'll sight than the dogs with
one accord, Whicn had, heretofore, been
perfectly submissive, molesting 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 1t was resolved 10 explore
the cave, and upon set day the neigh
bors met for that purpose, and with
torches in hand groped their way short
distance on their hands and knees,
until they entered what appeared to be
a large chamber. They rose to their 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.
This 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
ing to them, which the wolves had torn
to pieces. Among the party of ex-
plorers was young doctor, who lived
IN the neighborhood. AS soon as the
party emerged from the cave, the dogs,
apparently satisfied, ceased their howl
ings ana dispersed. That night negro
came for the young doctor. The dogs
mad collected at old UregoPs and com
menced their howls. Cregol was seized
with spasms, and the negro rushed lor
the doctor.
The next morning, while the doctor
was sitting by CregoPs bed, who was in
deep stupor, the door suddenly flew
open, and a tall man, with dark com.
plexion, wearing the identical coat
W hich the doctor had seen in the cave
the day before, entered and passed
quickly and noiselessly through the room.
Poor Cregol, when The man entered,
rose quickly in bed, and gazed with a
wild and maniacal stare at him until he
passed out OF sight, and then lelI back
dead.
He had murdered these men for their
money, and that's how he got his
wealth. i