Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-07-24
Cregol's Cave.

ABOUT HIty years ago, sfcdl poi lioii
of the Sout tn and West was but a wilder
ness. Even In those States that were
more or less populated, there were Sec
tions of the country where there could
not be seen any signs OF habitation. A
way down in Mississippi there was a
scope of country, about one hundred
miles across, consisting of swampy,
wild and desolate land, then known
as the Tuckapaw country, in which
there 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 Kentucky and Illinois
would drive mules and horses and re-
turn by land. Flatboats by the hundred
from the upper country, from Ohio to
the Rocky Mountains, could be seen de-
scending the Mississippi, laden with
the most valuable produce the country
could afford. The merry boatmaI made
the forest resound with his song and
revelry.-When they landed at New
Orleans, and disposed of their valuable
cargo, they would buy plug, or a
mule, or "mustang," on which they
would take their homeward course,
sometimes in squads OF two to six.
About halfway across the wilderness
road, man by the name of Cregol had
located, and built house for the pur-
pose of a 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 hospi-
tality. In the course of time this coun-
try became settled. Old Cregol had
become immensely rich; and was grow
ing old, but he was hale and stout. Not
far from the house was cave In the
hillside, which had never been ex-
plored. In fact, no one had ever entered
its mouth, as far as was known.
Now this cave became an item OF
interest.-The dogs for miles around
would collect at its entrance and create
the most hideous sounds by their un-
earthly bowling. Night and day would
these poor creatures keep up this
mournful song. Every man, woman
and child for miles around would come
and see this sad, sad sight. But it was
noticed that old Cregol did not go TO see
the thing. And why did not Cregol go
His neighbors insisted that he should
go. No sooner did he come in sight
than the dogs, at one accord, which
had hitherto been perfectly submissive
molesting no one, and any one could 60
among them, and they would only how
with teeth grinning and bristles up
rushed at him as if they would tear hin
to shreds, and would not let him come
near. AT length it was resolved to ex.
plore the cave, and upon a set day tn,
neighbors met for that purpose. With
torches in hand, they CROPPED their way
a short distance on their hands and
knees, until they entered a larg,
chamber. They rose to their feet, and
with torches lifted high. began TO peel
through the darkness. The first objec
they saw was long blue coat hangin.
against the wall of the cave. This Goa
was of the old French style, made o
blue cloth, with brass buttons. Upor
passing further on, scores and scores o
skeletons were seen, scattered in ever,
direction. Human skeletons, with cloth
ing of every description hanging {,
them, which the wolves had torn {,
pieces. Among the party of explorer
was young doctor, who lived in tn,
neighborhOod. As soon as the party
emerged from the cave, the dogs ap.
parently satisfied, ceased their howlins
and dispersed. That night a negro
came for the young doctor. The dog
had collected at old Cregol's and com
menced their howls. Cregol was seizet
with spasms, and the negro pushed fol
the doctor. The next morning, Will,
the doctor was sitting by Cregol's bed
who was in deep stupOr, the door
suddenly flew open, and tail man
with dark complexion, wearing the
| ANSuehShA NohS hiSii iuC upClDT Iltu sttl
in the cave the day before, entered anC
passed noiselessly through the room
Poor Creaol, when the man entered
rose up quickly in bed and gazed with
a wild and maniacal stare at him unit
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.