The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-30
A CAVE IN THE WOODS.
A NEATLY CONSTRUCTED DWELLING
WITHOUT A TENANT.

A Cave That Was Probably the Haunt
of Sneak Thief-Eyidences That Show
the Builder to Have Been a SkillfuI
Mechanic-Contents of the Hut
Saxton's swamp has its head in the
woods between Islip and Brentwood.
Whortleberries are plentiful in the vicin-
ity. George L. Benjamin and Alexan-
der Combs were roaming carelessly
about in the vicinity and made discov-
cry that interested the town not little
They saw smoke curling up as if out of
the ground and began an investigation
They found fire and kettle over it in
which beans, potatoes and chicken were
simmering. There was no one visible IN
the vicinity.
The boys went to Bay Shore and spread
the news, and score or more Of men
went to the woods TO see the surprising
sight. They concluded in advance that
the swamp was thieves den, and some
of the men carried guns, others revolvers
and few hayforks. They found the
simmering pot and the fire almost out
For the fun of the thing the men began
playing robber, and several shots were
fred as part Of the pantomime. They had
reason TO conclude later that this was
mistake, for it served as a signal to the
occupant Of cave in the woods to make
himself scarce. A man with a pitch
fork kept jabbing it into the earth and
detected hollow spot.
A little digging threw a large sheet
iron tray up from under the leaves and
left exposed a hole about two feet square.
1t had wooden sides leyeled so that the
tray set in snugly. Over the tray were
leaves, grass and brush, in keeping with
the surroundings. Through a hole in
the tray was run piece of telegraph
wire, and at each end Of the wire was
fastened a nicely rounded stick which
served as handle TO lift up the tray on
the outside and pull it down on the In
side. The hole in the earth was four
feet deep and eight feet long under the
ground, forming an alleyway.
CONTENTS OF TIE CAVE.
The earth had been carefully cut out
and must have been carted away, as no
evidence Of it could be found in the
vicinity. There could not have been less
than several wagon loads of it AT the
end of the alleyway there was a depres-
sion Of two feet, running distance of
six feet and being FIVE feet wide. The
roof was six feet high. This was the
bedroom. 1t had bunk on each side
filed with leaves and grass and both had
been slept in. The walls were lined with
logs, and the ceiling, SO to speak, was
covered with muslin.
There were two closets and several
brackets and a fireplace at one end, with
a capped pipe running up to the top,
which could be raised for use and lower
ed at will, to prevent detection. Five
tin gutter pipes were so arranged as to
admit light and air and enable the Oc-
cupant to observe what was going on
about him in the woods. On one side of
the passage post was driven down and
into it a staple had been bolted, to which
was attached a trace chain. 1t was
what use could have been made
of this, and the belief is that it was used
to keep some person a prisoner at some
time.
The cavern had undoubtedly been in
habited up to within few hours, and If
the men who went out tos a sight had
not made fools Of themselves instead of
watching the hole in the ground they
would undoubtedly have discovered the
tenant of the queer abode and perhaps
made an important discovery.
A tub In the farthest west corner Of
the cavern contained salt pork, and sliced
chicken meat had been put into the brine
to pickle. A silver spoon was found
marked "The Austral." 1t was prob
ably stolen from the Austral hotel, at
Among other things were a
muslin shirt, flannel shirt and pair
of lawn tennis shoes, which are supposed |
to be the ones stolen from Mr.. William |
NJ Van Anden's house.
EVIDENCES OF ROBBERY.
No evidence was found that the cave |
dweller committed the robbery in the /
house of Mr.. Glib. a copy Of the Bay !
Shore Journal was pinned up against the /
wall with a mark drawn around an ad- |
vertisement offering $3.50 reward for the /
arrest of the butcher who killed John II. /
Walls COW and carried away a part of /
the meat. Fastened TO the paper was a |
slip giving an account Of the robbery IN /
Mr. Van Anden's house. Copies of city /
papers were strewn about. The cave, it /
could be seen, had been occupied for a i
time. 1t was constructed /
by a good mechanic.
It may be interesting TO state that soon /
after Mr.. Walls COW mad been killed by a 1
thief, who was in need Of meat, hog /
was killed in pen on the premises of Mr.. /
Marvin and the hams carried away. 4
few nights later a dozen chickens were
stolen from Justice Clock. The thief cat
their heads off and threw them on the
Justices back stoop.
A colored man known as Long Steve.
otherwise Stephen Green, was arrested
.or stealing Mr.. Marvin 5 hog and incl
ientaly ne was suspected Of committing
he other crimes. Theproof against him
lid not positively establish his guilt, a.
hough boy whe lived with him accused /
lim, but he had so bad reputation that
Jastlce Clock came TO the conclusion that
.he public welfare required him TO be IN
,arcerated, and he was committed 70 tie
county jail at Riverhead-
Notwithstanding there have been no
-oBberles since Green was deprived q /