The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-20
CEsEGOL'S GAVE.

About fifty years ago, great portion Cf
the South and West WIS but a wilderness.
Even in those States that were more or less
populated, there were sections of the coun-
try where there could not be seen any signs
of habitation. Away down in Mississippi
there was scope of country, about one
hundred miles across, consisting of q
swampy wild and desolate country, then
known as the Tuckapaw country, in which
there was no settlement, and across which
was 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.
Flatboats by the hundred, frcm 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 resound
with his song and revolry. When they
landed at New Orleans, and disposed of
their valuable cargo, they would buy a
plug, or mule, or mustang" on which
they would take their homeward course,
sometimes in squads of two to six.
About halfway across the wilderness
road, a man by the name of Cregol had
located, and built house for the purpose
of stopping-place for travellers. This
place was known to every Southern trader,
and with Cregol they had to stop, and were
glad to share his hospitality.
In the course of time this country became
settled Old Cregol had become immense
ly 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 its entrance and create the most hid
eous sound by their unearthly bowling.
Night and day would these poor creatures
keep up this mournful song. Every man,
woman and child for miles around would
come to see this sad, sad sight. But it was
noticed that old Cregol did not 60 to see
the thing.
And why did not Cregol go? His neigh
bors insisted that he should go. No sooner
did he come in sight than the dogs, at
one accord, which had hitherto been per-
fectly submissive, molesting no one, and
any one could go among them, and they
would only howl with teeth grinning and
bristles up, rushed at him as if they would
tear him to shreds, and would not let him
come near At length it was resolved to
explore the cave, and upon set day the
neighbors met for that purpose. With
torches in hand, they groped their way q
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 but
tons. Upon passing further on, scores and
scores of skeletons were seen, scattered
in every direction. Human skeletons, with
clothing of every description hanging to
them, which the wolves had torn to pieces.
Among the party of explorers was young
doctor, who lived in the neighborhood.
AS soon as the party emerged from the
cave, the dogs, apparently satisfied, ceased
their bowling and dispersed. That night a
negro came for the young doctor. The
dogs had collected at old Cregols and COM
menced their howls. Cregol was seized
with spasms, and the negro rushed for the
doctor.
The next morning, while the doctor was
sitting by Cregors bed, who was in deep
stupor, the door suddenly few open, and
a tall man, with dark complexion wearing
the identical coat which the doctor had
seen IN the cave the day before, entered
and passed noiselessly through the room
Poor Cregol, when the man entered, rose
up quickly in bed and gazed with a wild
and manacal stare at him until he passed
out of sight and then fell back-dead
He had murdered these men for their
money-and that is how he got his wealth.