The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-02-13
NOT wills HOWARD.
The Story That the Kentucky Outlaw was
Captured in California Denied BY
man who Claims to Know
Where he is.
rNilidlesborongl! nemocrat.l

man who Claims to Know
Where he is.
tIiide>boronsh Democrat.l
\ man who resides in Harlan county,
on Clover Fork. one OF the tributaries OF
Cumberland river, was in town on busl-
ness and 4 reporter OF the Democrat, who
met him. incidentally remarked: II see
they have caught Wilson Howard out in
California" At this remark the gentle
man smiled and replied: They say so,
but it is all a fake. Wilson Howard has
never been in California; He was final
" persuaded to tell what he knew, under
promise not to reveal his name. He said:
The Howards are an extensive family and
Il good deal OF feeling has been wrought
up over the trouble in Harlan. | am not
in any way concerned in these tcudS, and
don want 10 be brought into them. |
will say first that Wilson Howard IS still
in Harlan. In fact, he has never been
out OF it, as he recently informed me.
He is there now. bat only myself and some
of his special friends know OF his hiding
place. ! discovered it purely by accident.
About two weeks ago went turkey hunt
ing np on Black Mountain, which divides
Harlan county from Virginia. 1t is the
highest mountain in those parts, and wild
and rugged in the extreme, being but lit
tie inhabited.
struck number Of turkey tracks in
the snow as was going up a ravine and
followed them to the top. vas startled
bv the crack OF 4 rife ust ahead, and
heard the flock Of turkeys sailing over my
head and down The mountain. Thinking
some other fellow was out hunting too, ]
advanced about Two hundred yards and
ran onto Wilson Howard, who bad ust
picked w a turkey that he had killed out
of the flock. knew him AT n glance, and
be recognized me.
Hello. Wills" exclaimed.
Hello Yourself: what are YOU doing up
here" he replied.
explained matters and he laughed ut
me about driving the turkeys 70 his stand.
He picked up the gobbler, which WAS II
very tat one, and remarked:
Il I'm not Keeping open house for the
public just at present, but il You will ac-
cept my hospitality YOU are welcome to
the best | have. know Won are an hon
est man and have always been friendly to-
ward me- don't believe YOU would ex-
pose my retreat.
assured him that would not, and fol-
lowed him Turning into wild, deep
gorge, he walked some distance over the
rough rocks 1t was the widest. toughest
place ever saw and was raised in the
mountains. We crossed little ridge and
descended into another narrow, rough
gulch. All at once he stopped and smiled,
saving: There is my house ! could
see nothing but rocks and clump5 Of
mountain ivy clinging to them.
asked: Where? | don't see any
house. He smiled again, and taking a
revealing an entrance TO Il cave, which
had not seen, though standing within ten
feet Of it. | followed him into the OPEN
ing which was about three feet wide and
seven feet high. At 4 distance Of thirty
feet from the opening the passage turned
to the right. Striking 4 match, wills
took lantern from the side of the wall
and lighted it, He then went ahead some
distance and we emerged into large
room, which was lighted by three lamps
In the center was table, and at one side
a gasoline stove for cooking An old ne
gro man was preparing dinner a ham Of
venison was lying OH a rock shelf. and
there was enough provisions of all kinds
to start Il country store.
Following him Il short distance wc en-
tered another big room, through which
flowed Il stream Of clear, cold water
Crossing this the way led up an incline
and we merged into vast chamber that
a., bpl q nd unyylnG til- , D,;llinn "a,
lights. 1t was the most wonderful place
ever saw. Wills explained that the lime
CRYSTALS. reflected the light, making them
look like diamonds He also showed me
long, slender rocks hanging down from
the ceiling, and white as snow, He said
they were pure ONYX, like that found in
the cave AT Cumberland Gap. Turning to
me, he said: Here have been living ever
since was reported to have left Harlan.
The BOYS come once III awhile and bring
me a little 'moonshine' and other things
need. have plenty Of arms and ammuni-
ton and could stand back in the passage
and whip regiment, if attacked. often
20 out hunting to get little fresh air
| would rather stay here than he chased
around by detectives"
to good meal Of biscuits, coffee, butter
and senison. During the meal we talked
over all the Harlan trouble, and when ]
left Wills said:
''You are welcome TO come here to see
me any time, but be careful. Dead men
tell no tales.
| assured him that it would be impossi-
bic for regiment Of men to discover his
retreat, and that | would not divulge it.
took another slug Of "moonshine" ander
my belt and We talked all evening. Wills
had lots OF newspapers, and I'LL the articles
about him we're marked. He laughed over
the account Of how he had been seen at
this or that place. staid with him and
We hunted together three days, killing two
deer. six turkeys and wildcat