Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-01-25

lage. Caney Fork, tributary of the
Cumberland River, rises in the noun
tains, and surges over the rocky Lodges
full hundred feet into the sequestered
valley below. And it is this cataract
that is known as Falling Water.
The surrounding country is wild,
lonely, and romantic, and was favor
tie resort of the moonshiners, until the
United States revenue officers swept
down upon them, shooting a few of
them dead and sending many of them
to the penitentiary.
Not far from Falling Water is
deep, precipitous ravine, the sides of
which are covered with pines and an
impenetrable underground of vines
and shrubbery. The density of the
foliage hides the bottom of the
ravine from view, but if you follow
a dim bridle-path trending from
the road, you will find that it
leads to the door of an old cabin sur
rounded by a stake-and-rider fence,
half hidden by blackberry bushes,
sassafras, and weeds.
This cabin was the home of old Mel
ton, a moonshiner, and his family, I'M
TIL the spring OF 1879.
The still was located within stones
throw of the house, between two gigan-
tic powders, and so cleverly was it
hidden by the rocky walls that lowered
up on three sides of it, and so cur
tanned In was it on the remaining side
by the vines that fell in green festoons
from the gray lodges of free-stone
above. that the old moonshiner felt
himself perfectly safe from the prying
eyes of both officers and informers.
One evening about dark, as old Melton
sat in the gallery of his cabin, drawing
consolation alternately from stone
jug and a corn-cob pipe, he was saluted
by young man on horseback, who had
ridden up from the right and whose
face betrayed an expression of keen
annoyance.
"Hello!" cried the horseman, draw
ing rein, "can you tell me how far it is
to Cookeville?"
Bout fo' miles, stranger" replied
Melton, rising to his feet and slouching
forward. "Hev yo' lost yer bearin's? ?"
"Yes; went down to old Davenant's
to collect bill this morning and"
%Long Jack Davenant's, stranger?"
Eyes; up at the head of Caney Fork,
and"
"Why didn't yo' turn to the left when
20 came to Squar Mills place."
II did; but 1 took the wrong road
out in that COMPOUNDED fiat woods"
%Jesso, jesse! Been thar myself
'Tis q puzzle to stranger. An what
shell l call yer name? ?"
"Wilford- Harry MILFORD"
@Any relation t the Wilfords down t
Smiths Fork?"
%No; my home is In Nashville Am
q professional man there. Had to look
after farm of mine down In DeKalb
County, and so concluded to ride up
here and collect bill from old Dsv-
enant before went back to Lebanon.
The old man wasn't at home, though.
By the way, could find place here
or hereabout to stay all night? 1t will
rain long before can reach Cooke
vile"
al dunno. P'Faps Henry Q. could
keep yo'."
who is Henry O., and whore does
he reside?"
Henry Q. Clark, yo' know. Lives
bout a quarter out on the COokeville
road y&nder," pointing to the left.
Henry Q.'s rich-Henry Q. Is. His
house must a cost a cool five hundred.
Jest foller thet-"
A binding flash, thunder-peal and
driving torrent of rain interrupted
the speaker.
Wall, / say, Mr.. MILFORD, if tibet
are's Their way Their westher's er-gwine.
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