The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1882-06-03
rHEIAMES GANG.



visiting the cave on the farm of Cpl,
James Alexander, the well-known bank
or of this place. His farm adioins the
Hite farm, of Logan County, Ky, and
is Just over the State line, on the Vcu-
nessee side, and the cave spoken of
above has for years past been the rem
devious of the James brothers gang OF
outlaws, and was safe depository for
valuablos of all kinds that they secured
ON their numerous raids. In this cave
the celebrated bandits have rested and
feasted after many hot purguit by
the officers of the law, and it is said
that not few too inquisitive persons
have lost their lives while endeavoring
to explore 40 woN ders Of the caverns,
while the bandits were in possession
of the same. The cave is located in an
isolated spot upon the farm and is sur
rounded byn dense underground, and
the entrance to it is mere sink
hole, into which the water from the
earth's surface flows, forming in the
cave IA beautiful stream of water as
clear as crystal The entrance, how
ever, is large enough to admit the pas
sage OF man on horseback, and the
bandits horses were frequently corralled
there for days and gifts together,
while their masters rolled themselves
up in their blankets and enjoyed such
sweet aud refreshing sleep as only a
sense OF perfect security could give
them.
The farm upon which the cave is
located has for the last five years been
rented by n party giving his name us
f. j, Howard. The rent was always
paid in advance promptly, and no
questions were asked him by, Col. Alex
ander, who paid only an occasional visit
to the place, MS it was located quite
distance from Gallatin. There was
log house ON the place containing four
rooms, which were neatly, but plainly
furnished. Howard was absent the
greater part of the time, but where no
one in the vicinity seemed to know
and the only person seen about the
house generally was an old colored
woman and her husbaild, who appeared
to have charge of the things generally,
keeping the fierce in repair and attend
ing the few head of cattle that grazed
upon the farm. There was ever an air
of mystery and cold unsociability about
the place, and as it was at least
mile of the main road from here to
Adairville, there were but few visitors
to it, and their visits were of but few
moments duration. A better place
could not have been selected by the
bandits for the particular purpose to
which they applied it.
The discovery of this rendezous of
by Detective Bligh, of Louisville Ky,
who, with number Of Logan and
Warren County officials tracked the
noted robbers to the cave. Col. Alex
ander was duly notified of the state of
affairs, and with the gang, gave Howard
notice to leave the premises January l,
at which time his year was up. This
was very imprudent step upon the
part of Col. Alexander, as it served to
notify the bandits that their rendezvous
WAS discovered, and foiled the detec-
tives in their efforts to capture them,
and an attack was never made upon the
cave, for reasons best known to the
| detective. And now come the strangest
part of the whole thing. Col. Alex
ander, subsequently believing he was
mistaken about his tenants connection
with the gang, wrote to him, request
ing him to keep the farm on the terms
as usual The request was readily com
piled with, and the farm was occupied
until the day OF tho killing of JesseJames
was reported, when Howard suddenly
disappeared. as did also the old colored
couple heretofore spoken Of, also the
old household goods
On Saturday last Col, Alexander
received a letter from Sedalia, Mo-,
which read as follows:
Sedalia, Mo, April IL, 1ss2.-Col
Jas. Alexander, Gallatln, Tenn.
DEAR SR-I have vacated your prem
misses forever. ! thank you for the
many courtesies extended to Your mys'
terious tenant known MS Howard. Visit
the cave on your farm and you will fine
something to interest you. shall
avenge the death Of my brother or die
in the attempt. l am, sir, yours with
respect FRANK JAMES
Alias f. ]. Howard.
The receipt OF this letter greatly as
tonished Col Alexander, who called
!
friends TO whom he read the document
ana who were as equally astoni hed
Keeping the matter secret, they lei
the same evening for visit to the cave
and entered the same with torches,
strange werd-sight me. their view
First, the skeleton Of four horses, evi
IDENTITY left there by therobbers on thei
last raid, as they still emit IN unpleas
+ ant odor. Blankets and mattresse
were strewn about promiscously, TO
. gother with cooking utensils aud few
, PIECES of furniture. This portion o
, the cave is perfectly dry and afforded
comfortable abode for the bandits. Il
, a niche in one OF the chambers wa
, found half bushel measure, such IS /
used by farmers, and in II was found
, miscellaneous assortment Of valuablel
1 evidently placed there and forgotten b
I The robbers.
( Among the assoriments were iou
a diamond rings, two dialond necklace
- nine diamond pins, (surposed 20 DO dii
+ monds). thirty gold watches, sixtee
i plain gold rings, twelve silver watohe
@ and many other artislou, too numeroJ
r 10 mention; all Of which is now locke
MP ia the vault Of tho sumner Depos
Hank, Ia GAllatiu for identification
4, A photograph Of a young lady, whiS
10 was taken at Bardslown, Ky vi
4. among the effects, Several of y
a, watches have initiala which may load
n their Identification; ono 0i them
a.