The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-06-18
MOUNTAIN REGULATORS
An Org anized Lynehing Party in Wild
 Kentucky.

lCol Geo w Symonds Dr,roe Free Press My frs, introduction ta the Regulators was ron antic and decidedly dimc novel; ish. Although had had considerable experience in mountain work. my ac- Quaintanees were chiefly .moonshincr>. had heard much about the strength of the new vigiiantc order. but gave little credence to the marvellous stores ,hat were told respecting the soltdity. respeoIa- biity and discipline. of tha; famous mob ocraey which has ruled mountain Ken lucky for the pas, four wears with an Iron hand: which had committed many out rages made nanX mistakes but withai rendered the mouniasa counties safe to live in. and driven ou; ,he desperadoes and outlaws.
 The agent for my division. early in the month of June. tS7S. sent me on a ms sion of importance into ene of the noh blue grass counties. which county. by the way. boasts of more pretty women. fast horses. fat Durhams and me whisky than any spot ef like size In the world. Rella- bie information had been received at the headquarters of the secret serNlee m Washington City that .4n cNtcnsiVc gang of counterfeiterS had opened . .f3s1t n5t far from the famous Blue Lick Spf!as. and were manufacturing al wholesale the most dangerous character of queer money. The rendezvous of the gang was not deli nitely located. and was detailed to spot their hiding place. Accordingly l wen, out on the Kentucky Central railroad io little town from which l was to make Il start, procured d horse and rode leisurely through the town into the open country. It was ] o'clock in the afternoon a> le.t the hotel. Reaching the borders of the town. spurred mvflursc into q gailep and turned into the first road l came to. run ming Tn the direction of the setting sun had theop-which afterwards proved true one-that the gang were located in an isolated and heavily tlmbercd belt ni country rl.nnlng from the borders ota:hc blue grass lands out into the barren ridges of Robertson county l was thoroughly posted respecting the roads. was proNided with good pnst-road map and 4 pocket compass and had no fears of losing my self
 X lowering sky indicated q possible storm. By Q o'clock heavy cloud swep, across the canopy of stars oycfhsad, and shut out the feeble hght of the young There was a distant rumble of thunder. and the southwestern sky was H. lumined by lisid flashes of electric ire. A few pattering rain-drops warned me that the storm was close al hand. and dis covered that in the hurry of departure had neglected to bring my gum coat and leggings. l did not fancy A ~e,ting. and began 10 look abou, me for a place of shelter. The night had grown intensely dark. and solid wall of black eneom- passed me on every hand. This gloom was occasionally pierced by flash of lightning. enabling me ,o see objects close a, hand. X particularly vivid flash, Jus, as the rain began to fall in earnest. brought out in full relief on the nigh, hand side of the road. the outlines Of gioomy-looking stone building. the iron, of which was thiekly covered with NV. clinging in tangled masses from the ground to the tops of the dorrner windows. pulled up my horse and wasted for another flash. IL came, and saw that the stone pile was ruin and uninhabiied. had hoped fer hospi,able farm mansion. warm supper and comfortable bed. but the rapidly falling rain did not admit of indecision. Dlsrnounting led my horse through gate. which found after much groping. and guided him through an open doorway into one of the rooms of the stone ruin.
 Lighting a little pocket lantern which always earned. l looked about me. The room Tn which l found myself was bare and withou, floor. did not notice at the time that II had been used as stable be- fore. The floor above was intact and was glad to get shelter from the ram. which vas now descending m torrents. Removing the saddle. ,e,hered my horse to hook in one coner of the room and started about on q tour of eNplora- ton. There were eaght rooms on the ground floor. all spacious and In nuns. 4 broad hallway bisecied the house. at the far end of which a dilapidated stair way led to the upper s,oD. The rooms on the second floor acre in d better state of preservation. and one could not help being impressed with the idea that ihe mansion must al one time have been noble pile. Two or three of the rooms contained odd pieces of furniture once rch and costly. In one of the best fur nished rooms determined to take up my abode for the night. Some shreds of car pei hung to the soor. the walls were hung wTth faded tapestry and the giesslcss>~In- dows were protected by heavy oaken shutters, antAsucaily carved and brightly polished A ponderous sofa. covered wish deczying hair cloth occupied ono corner of the room dragged ii out to the fireplace, brushed a~ay the dust, z s<zrsed blaxe on the hearth. and, light ing my pipe stretched out af full length on the soh to wonder ai my strange situ- sfion. and marvel between the shiffs of