Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-05

Discovery OF the Dark and DIS.
NAL Home OF the Bandits
Near Gallatin.
aaIlatln Tenpe ,ean.

Colonel James Alexander. the we'll
known banker of this place. His farm
adioins the Hite farm Of Logan county,
Ky, and it is Just over the State line,
on the Tennessee side, and the cave
spoken of above has for years been
the rendezvous Of the james broth
ers' gang of outlaws, and was safe
depository for valuablos Of all kinds
that they secured on their numerous
raids. In this cave the celebrated ban
dts have rested and feasted after many
a hot pursuit by the officers of the
law. and it is said that not a few too
inquisitive persons have lost their
lives while endeavoring to explore the
wonders of the cavern while the ban
dts were in possession of the same.
The cave is located in an isolated spot
upon the farm, and is surrounded by
dense underground, and the entrance
to it is mere sink hole, into which
the water flows, forming in the cave a
beautiful stream of water, as clear as
crystal. The entrance, however, is
large enough to admit the passage of a
man on horseback, and the bandits
horses we're frequently corraled there
for days and nights together, while
their masters rolled themselves up in
their blankets aud enjoyed such sweet
and refreshing sleep as only sense of
perfect security could give them.
The farm upon which the cave is To-
Gated has for the last Eve yeary been
rented by party giving his name az
4. j. Howard. The rent was always
paid in advance promptly, and no
questions we're asked him by Colonel
Alexander, who paid only an occasion
al visit to the place, as it was located
quite distance from Gallatin. There
was log house on the place contain
ing four rooms, which was neatly but
plainly furnished. Howard was abb
sent the greater part of the time, but
where, no one in the vicinity seemed
to knOw-and the only persons seen
about the house generally were an old
coloreG woman and her husband, who
appeared to have charge Of things
generally, keeping the fences in repair
and attending to the few head Of cattle
that grazed upon the farm. There was
even an air ofmystery and cold unso-
ciability about the place, and it was
at least mile off the main road from
here to Adairsville, there we're but
few visitors to it, and their visits were
of but few moments duration. A bet
ter place could not have been selected
by the bandits for the particular pur-
pose to which they applied it.
The discovery of this rendezvous Of
the bandits was made last November
by detective Bligh, of Louisville, KY,
who, with a number of Logan and
Warren county officials, tracked the
noted robbers to the cave. Colonel
Alexander was duly notified of the
state Of affairs, and, believing BIZ
tenant to be connected with the gang
gave him notice to leave the premises
January LIST, al which time his yea
was up. This was very impruden
step upon the part Of Colonel Alex
ander, az it served to notify the ban
dts that their rendezvous was discov
ered-and foiled the detectives in thei
efforts to capture them. and an attacl
was never made upon the cave, TO
reasons best known to the detectives
| And now comes the strangest part o
! the whole thing. Colonel Alexander
subsequently believing he was mis-
taken about his tenants connection
| with the gang, wrote to him requesting
| him to keep the farm on the same
terms as usual. The request was read
| lily complied with, and the farm wa
occupied until the day of the kiln
of Jesse James was reported, whel
Howard suddenly disappeared, as dit
also the old colored couple heretofor
spoken of, also the household goods.
On Saturday last Colonel Alexande
received letter rom Sedalia, Mo.
reads as follows:
SEDALIA, NO., April IL, 1882.
Colonel James Alexander, aallatin, Tenn.
Dear Sir:-I have vacated you
premises forever. | thank you 70
the many courtesies extended to you
mysterious tenant, known as Howard
: Visit the cave on your farm aud 20
will fiDd something to interest you.
shall avenge the death of my brothe
or die in the attempt / am, sir, your
! with respect, FRANK JAMES,
alias +. j. HowARI
The receipt of this letter great
E astonished Colonel Alexander, VIII
called about him a.select number {
' his friends to whom he read the docI
' ment, and who were as equally aston
. ished. Keeping the matter a score
3 they left the same evening for a Wis
/ to the cave, and entering the sam
' with torches. strange, weird sigl
' met their view. First, the skeleto
' OF four horses, evidently lie
! there by the robbers on their la
4 raid, as they still emit an unpleasaI
q odor. Blankets and mattresses wei
2 strewn about promisouously, togeth,
= with cooking utensils, and a fe
1 pieces Of furniture. This portion
3 the cave is perfectly dry, and afForde
' a comfortable abode for the bandit
In a niche in one Of the chambers W,
!. found a miscellaneous assortment
4 valuables, evidently placed there an
4 forgotten by the robbers.
A Among the assortment we're fou
diamond rings, two diamond necklace
a nine diamond pins (supposed TO |
5 diamonds,) thirty gold watches, si1
teen plain gold rings, twelve silvt
a watches, and many other articles tC
numerous TO mention; all Of whiC
O is now locked in the Summer Depos
Bank, In Gallatin, for identification
q A photograph Of young lady whiC
! was taken at Bardstown, Ky vi
among the effects. Several Of Il
r watches have initials which may lea
\ to their Identification; one Of them
I 4 I'll IL Il