The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-01
CHAINED In A CAVERN.
Adventure of u Man Mistaken by Moon
sinners for a Detective.

Adventure of y Man Mistaken ~ Moon
sinners for a Detective.
Mr.. Iuoien Barrow. Of Medina, Tenn,
left his home some weeks ago to look after
soms landed interests in Fayette county,
to be gone only a few days. His family
became uneasy al his continued absence,
and wrote to him as to his whereabouts.
Ihoy received 4 letter from this gentleman
with whom be was to visit, that he had not
been ut his house for several months. Mr..
Barrow'a brother went in search Of him,
but returned without any clue. The affair
remained a mystery until yesterday, when
tho missing man returned to his home.
II left homo with considerable money"
said MIR. Barrow, '%intending to purchase
soma tlmbsred lands up there in the hills
OF Fayette. I went through tho ceuntry.
One evening about four O'Clock ! was rid
ing along at a fast trot in order TO make
did not seem to DO travelled much. n !
began to have fears that was on the wrong
road. About dusk I rode out n a clear
ing, and Just ahead could hear dogs bark
ing. I was presently hailed with Hello,
stranger, whar you goin'Y ! dismounted
waited TO spend the night with him. He
was . big. rough-looking fellow, and had .
mean downcast look about him. He took
mo TO ! double log house, built Just under 9
hill, and informed ME that l could spend
Che night there if I would stay.
II foolishly drew forth 4 roll Of money
and handed him a bill. He invited me into
the house and said to a tall woman prepar-
ing supper: "SRl, here's q stranger what
wknts to stay here tonight and handed
her the money l had given him. The sup
per consisted of bacon, corn cake and cof-
stated to my host that ! desired 10 retire.
He led tho way up a fight Of rickety steps
to the room I was to occupy. 1t WAS . small
ptTair. with eRress only through the door.
Somehow / felt = sense Of uncasinesa ersep-
ing over mo, but feeling worry drowsy. was
aoiousnesa it still seemed to be night. at
tempted to turn over. when l found / was
chained tight and fast. / cried aloud. but
received no answer. After some time y door
suddenly opened and my host stood before
me. I indignantly inquired Of him why l
was thus treated.
"'Ah, curse you, You thought you had
Bunk Terry in the pen,. but you amt. I
knew you was one of them smoking de-
t~ectives. You've hunted you last dis
tillcr.' told him who I was and whore
from, but he loft me without answering.
My meals were brought to me BY the wo-
man. She finally released my hands. l
worked . whole day on the chains which
held my feet, and finally succeeded In re-
leasing them. / found my match box, and,
striking one, found that l was = long cavern
extending back as far as the feeble light
would allow me to soe. I found a small
fagot among a hemp of rubbish. and, light
ing it, started on an exploration. / must
have gone fifty yardu when l saw a faint
streak Of light ahead. It came from =
small hole, through which hast
lily crawled, finding. myself once
more at liberty. ! made my way round
the hill, keeping we'll within the shadow Of
the woods, and saw my iailor sitting on a
stump smoking. Ny horse was grazing
some distance off. slipped to ths shed
and. procuring the bride, caught the
animal. The man saw mo leaving and
atnrted on a run toward me, but was soon
left behind. / in several houra arrived At
the house of a farmer and related my story.
He, with several others, accompanied
me back TO the distiller's home, hut the
birds hid flown with nearly everything of
value. A small still was captured. I had
strayed over thirty miles from my route.
They probably drugRcd the coffee at tho
first meal and took my senselsas body to
the cavs. They kept mo confined for thir-
teen days. Who the man was or where he
came from no one kneW.n