The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-04-12
CREGOLyS CAVE.

About fifty years ago, a great portion of
the South and West was but a wilderness.
Even in those States that were more or
less populated, there were sections of the
country where there could net be seen any
signs of habitatiOn. Away down in Mss
iSsippi there was a scope Of country, about
one hundI cd miles across, consisting of a
swampy, wild aud desOlate country, then
known as the Tuckapaw country, in which
there was no settlement, aud 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 up
per country mule traders from Kentucky
and Illinois would drive mules and horses
and return by land.
Fldtboats by he hundred, from the up
| per 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 resouud
with his song and revelry. When tEey
| landed at New Orleans, aud disposed of
| their valuable cargo, thcy would buy a
! plug, or a mule, or a mustang" on which
they would take their hOmeward course,
| sometimes in squads of two 20 six.
J About half way across the wilderness
/ road, a man 10y the name of Cregol had
| located, and built a house for the purpose
| of a stopping place foI travellers. This
! place was known to every Southern trader.
! aud with Cregol they had TO stop, and
were glad to share his hospitality.
! In the course of time this country be
came settled. Old Cregcl had become inn
! mensely rich he was growing old, but he
/ WAS hale and stout. Not far from the
house was cave in the hillside, which
had never been explored. In fact, no one
! had ever entered its mouth, as far as was
/ known.
Now this cave became an item of inter
! est. The dogs FOR miles around would col
| lect at it's entrance and create the mos'
! hideouS sound by their uneauhly bowling
! Night and dav would ,hese poor creature:
keep up this mouruful song. Every man
woman aud child for miles around would
| come to see til IS sad, sad sight. But it wa
| noticed that old Cregol did not go TO sc,
! the Thing.
Aud My did not Cregol go? His neigh
/ boIs insisted that lac should go. No sooner
did he come in sight thau the dogs. a unt
| accord, which had hitherto been perfect.
| submissive, moleStjug no one, and any
one cou ld 90 among them, aud they woui,
only howl with teeth grinniug and brisllci
M. rushed at him as If they would tea
him To shieus, and would not let hIm come
near. At length 1t was resolved to eNplor,
| The cave, aud upon Il set day the neig h6on
| met for that purpose. With torches M
hand. they groied their way a short dis
tance on iheir hands aud knees, unsIl theI
entered what appeared To be a large cham
her. They rose - their feet, and. witt
torches hfled high, began to peer through
the darkness.
/ Tie FIRST object they saw was a long
blue coat hanging az linSt the wall of tht
/ cave. This coat was Of the uid freI.cl
style. made of blue cloth, with brass but
.ons Upon passing further on, scores ant
/ scores at skeletons we've seen. scattered u
every direction. Human skeletons, Will
clothing of every description hanging Il
| hem, which the wolves had torn ~ pieces
| Among the party NJ explorers was youn!
! doctor. who lived ih the ueishbnfhOcd
| As soon as the party emerged from the
| cave. the dogs apparently satisfied, Ceaset
their bowling and dispersed. That NIGH
4 negro came FOR the young doctor. ih'
/ d,os had collected at old Cregul : am
oomnpnced their huwls. Cregol va SeizoC
s. ith SD sn S, aud the Lesro Iushcd ior th'
doctor.
The next morning, while he doctor wa
sit,ir,, nv C,Ppors ted. who was ID deel
efnror. the door suddenly few open, an,
a taI man, with da'k complexion, weaI n
| tho identical coat which the doctor ha,
seen in the cave the Gay before, entered
aud paSsed noiSclessly through the room
/ Poor Cregol, when the man entered, roS
nm ouickl, in bed and gazed with a will
| and mauiacal stare at him until lie paSsc
ont of sight, aud then frll back-,lea6
, lie had murdered these men for ihri
money-and that is how he got his wealtl
MANY mothers are either obliged 10 sta
away from church and theatre, ~ take the
babies with them. \ poor woman tou
/ i,., 6ttle ,,De in her arms tU hear famot
preacher. The loud voice from the pi.,
form awoke the child and made IL FRY, ~
its mother got mp and was leaving the bal
when the minister stopped her hy saying
NV good woman. dnu't 60 away. II
baby doesn't disturb me" 1T isn't 6
, hat. sir, I leave" she replied with pc
, feet unconsciousuess of sarcasm 'It's y,
disturb She baby"