The Osceola times., 1882-05-20

the farm, and is surrounded by denss
undergrowth and the entrance is mere
sink hole, into which the water from tho
earth's surface flows, forming in the cays
a beautiful stream of water as clear AZ
crystal. The entrance, however, is larrs
enough TO admit the passage of man ON
horseback, and the bandits horses wera
frequently corraled there for days and
nights together, while their masters roll
ed themselves up in their blankets and
enioyed such sweet and refreshing sleen
as only sense of perfect security coulg
give them.
The farm upon which the cave is locs.
ted has for the last i've years been rented
by a party giving his name as +. ]. How.
ard. The rent was always paid in al.
vance promptly, and no questions were
asked him by Colonel Alexander, who
paid only an occasional visit to the place
as it was located quite a distance from
Gallatin. There was log house on the
place containing four rooms, which were
neatly but plainly furnished. Howard
was absent greater part of the time
but where no one in the vicinity seemed
TO know, and the only persons seen about
the house generally was an old coored
woman and her husband, who appeared
TO have charge of things generally, keen
ing the fences in repair and ATTENDING
the few head of cattle that grazed upon
the farm. There was ever an air Of mys.
terry 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 Wis.
its were of but few moments duration.
A better place could not have been Sc.
lected by the bandits for the particular
purpose to which they applied it.
The discovery of this rendezvous Of
the bandits was made last November by
Detective Bligh, of ouisville, Kentucky,
who with number OF Logan and War.
rem county officials tracked the noted
robbers to the cave. Colonel Alexan Ter
was notified of the state of affairs, and
believing his tenant TO be connected with
the gang, gave him notice to leave the
premises January at which time his
year was up. This was very imprudent
step upon the part OF Colonel Alexander
as ii served to notify the bandits tha
their rendezvous was dscovered-and
foiIcd the detectives in their efforts to
was occupied until the day the killing Of
Jesse James was reported, when iiow.
ard suddenly disappeared, as did also the
old colored couple heretofore spoken Of,
also the household goods.
ON Saturday last COLONEL Alexander
received letter from Sedalia, Missouri
which read as follows:
Col. James Alexander, Gallatin, Tenn.
SEDAILA, Mo, April II, lSS2.-Dear Sir
/ have vacated yonr premises forever.
/ thank you for many Courtesies extended
/ TO your mysterious tenant known a.
/ Howard. Visit the cave on your farm
and you will find something to interes'
you. | shall avenge the death of IN,
brother or die in the attempt. | am, sir
yours with respect,
FRANK JAMES,
alias +. J. Howard.
The receipt ofthis letter greatly aston
ished Colonel Alexander, who calle,
about him a select number Of his friend
to whom he read the document, and VIII
were equally astonished. Keeping th
matter secret, they left the same even
ing for visit to the cave, and enterin
the same with torches. a strange wier
sight met their view. First, the skele
tors Of four horses, evidently left ther
by the robbers after their last raid Q
they still! emit an unpleasant odo
Blankets and mattresses were strew
about promiscuously, together with cool
ing utensils and a few pieces OF furnltur
This portion Of the cave is perfectly DIR
and afforded a omfortable abode for til
bandits. In niche of one of the chan
bers was found a half bushel measur
such as is used by farmers, and in it WI
found miscellaneous assortment of va
uables, evidently placed there and fol
gotten by the robbers.
Among the assortment were four dii
moDd rings, two diamond necklaces. min
diamond pins supposed to be diamond
thirty gold watches, sixteen plain gol
rings, twelve silver watches, and man
other articles too numerous 10 mention
all of which are now locked up in tn
vault OF the Sumner Deposit bank
Galatin for identification. A phot,
graph of young lady which was take
a. Bardstown, Kentucky, was among th
effects. Several of the watches have in
tials, which may lead to their identiiici
ton; one of them is engraved as follow
From Hughes to Toney."
1t is thought that more valuables ma
be stored away in the cave, and visitor
are closely watched, and allowed only
enter the place twice daily, accompanie
by guides. Yet multitudes Of our peopl
through the courtesy Of Colonel AlexaT
der, have had the pleasure of seeing
all tor themselves.