St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-08-02
THE SMUGGLER'S CAVE.
A Legend of Lake Memphremaeoe

Lake Memphremagog is one of the
prettiest pieces of water in America.
The Indian name means Beautiful
Water" and beautiful water it truly
it. Every variety OF scenery is pre-
sented to the view of the visitor as
he gldes over the surface of the lake
mountains, valleys, and: undula-
ting plain, jagged rocks and cultva-
ted fields, pretty little villages nest
ling in the valleys, and stately sum-
mer residences OF Canadian and
American millionaires. The lake is
dotted with many islands, large and
small, the most important OF which
is Province Island, on which is mark
ed the boundary line dividing the
United States from Canada, This,
too is the only island in the lake
that has any sign of habitation. 1t
was purchased some years ago by
Mr.. Zabriski of New York, who
erected a handsome summer residence
near its center, and as one end of his
island home is in the Dominion and
the other under the sway of the stars
and stripes, he can celebrate Domin.
ion Day on one part OF his dominions
and independence Day on the other.
1t is not my intention to extol the
beauties OF the lake, but merely to
relate one of the many legends con-
corning it which are told by "old
residents" This legend concerns
SINNERS Island, opposite Owls
Head, or, more properly speaking,
SINNERS Cave, situated at one end
OF the island. Any one who has Wis.
tied the lake will recollect it. From
the deck OF steamer the cave looks
like an open doorway. But from the
deck OF steamer is not the best way
to see it and | determined to exam
inc it more closely. While stopping
at Owls Head | took a rowboat.
and, in company with an old fisher.
man, started to explore the cave.
But | was sadly disappointed, for
instead OF seeing a large cavern,
capable OF holding cargo OF snug
glcd goods, as | was led to suppose,
the opening was barely large en- ough
to contain our boat, and it was i'm
possible for US so stand upright at
the iarthest end. The cave was
worth visiting, however, beng COM
pIetely lined with dwarf growth of
weeds, the rays of the sun, shining
on the water and reflected upon the
sides, giving it all the colors of the
rainbow, A snake or two lay cooled
upln some OF the crevices, while min
nowS sported at its mouth. | was
about to express my astonishment
to my guide at the smalness OF the
place, when he forestalled me with
the remark:
"Wcll, sir, what do you think of
"Why,' | returned, IL am disap-
pointed. | expected to see quite
large cave, but see only a small
mole in the rock. Where is the store
house OF the famous Skinner? Where
4 Tile place where he used TO keep his
arms and ammunition Where the
4 dungeon where he confined his cap
4 tlveS?'
Hold on, sir" said my guide,
and will tell you the story as it
was told to me by my father, OF
course | cannot vouch tor the truth
Il OF all the details, as he was not a
witness OF the occurrences.
We drew the boat to the mouth OF
the cave, seated ourselves, lighted
our pipes, and my guide spoke as
follows:
AT the beginning of the present
century smuggling was extensively
carried on both ways across the Dor
per- but principally from the United
states into Canada, and many
d ooId adventurer entered into the
business. One of the boldest OF these
Was Capt. John Skinner. He was
On Englishman, and early in his ca
ITer commanded a sort of privateer
mat used to smuggle goods from
inherent ports in the United States
IL o9d Canada. He had associated
81 M'h him band ofthe boldest spirits
u the time. James Jackson, his
ueutenant, was wont to declare that
1 ne cared neither for man nor devil.
now 1t came about l do not know,
out Capt. Skinner lost his ship, and
wnen next heard of, he, together
WIN several members of his crew,
including Jackson, had settled on
t Vermont border, half of his house
CCeng situated in Stanstead county,
HHan,ada, and half in Derby, Vermont.
a ms Kept what was supposed to be
n SeHeral store, but it soon got to be
r nolSed abroad that the place was a
, ~ for the most notorious of
la Smugglers. 1t was known that
iase Quantities of goods were taken
t bso the store, but nobody ever saw
'u ',I come out again.
m,, II was known that the smugglers
tb aS. nave some hiding-place to store
d Gs" goods, but nothing could be
on s,GVered. Officers were const antly
tb Il" cue cue watch, the place was raided,
n WY footsteps OF Skinner and his band |
ol d'e logged whenever they left the
hal store, rewards were offered by
" governments, but all without