The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-04-01
BOYS HAVE A CAVE
DISCOVERY MADE On THE BANKS
OF TIE LITTLE RIVER.

Many Feet Beneath the Earth is Found a
Picture Gallery and Gambling Room,
Conducted and Managed by the Sons of
Some of the Best FamiIIes-Where
Absent Boys May be Found-How They
Spend Their TIme-Scene Beheld by "A
Reporter for the Eagle-POlice VIII
Raid the Place.
Doubtless there are many parents in
the city who have often wondered where
their sons spent their time. Also how
they SO readily acquire the use Of all
slang phrases, as well as what gave the
yellow stain found on the fingers Of
their boys.
1t could not be that they had learned
the use. Of the deadly cigarette. Oh no.
They are too young for that. They are
the sons of prominent physicians, city
officials and members of the best fam
HES IN the city.
Yesterday afternoon a reporter for
the Eagle was wondering along the
banks Of the Little river, wishing that
he was like other men and could take
the time to fish and wallow in the mud
as he had done in childhood when his
attention was drawn by hearing chill
dren's voices coming apparently from
the ground. Here was something as
mysterious as the prospect well, and he
began an investigation He listened
again, and found that the children were
engaged in a game Of cards, and their
language was not exactly the choicest,
and not what would be calculated 10
bring a glow of pride to the mother and
father of the boys. They were paying
cards, but where, was the question.
There were no houses near. It was
where Sherman avenue ends on the
banks Of the river. He listened again
and wondering if he had not been placed
In communication with hades when he
discovered a stove pipe coming from
the ground. He drew near and amid
the fumes of cigarette smoke and vile,
obscene and profane language he locat-
ed the voices some eight feet directly
beneath him.
He was relieved. It could not be
hades and he determined to go on with
the investigation which he did. To the
south about fifteen feet from the stove
pipe he noticed feathers, discarded
fruit cans which looked as though il
might be a stairway, and he drew near.
passage way the thoughts of his family
came over his mind and for moment he
was about to give up the chase but
there came another thought and that
was that he was without head for the
sixth page, and he pushed on and down
ward.
At the foot of the stairs he came to a
room furnished with benches, stools,
seats, stove. while the walls would have
done credit 10 any photograph gallery
In the city. On the opposite end of the
room was a. life-like picture of DR..
Terri1l, while the walls were covered
with the pictures of some twenty-five
society bellies, and on the east wall of
The cave was the photograph of the
editor-in-chief, which was fastened to
the wall with four large acorns There
were ministers, doctors, citizens all to
be seen there and doubtless some city
photograph gallery had been touched
Then came selections of ballet girls
and women beautifully aTTayed in bril-
liant costumes and others with but lit
tie if any costumes at all. 1t was q per-
feet picture gallery and considerable
taste had been diplayed in arranging
this abode of the Young Captain Kid
band.
When they beheld the reporter they
simply told him to be seated and went
on with their game. There were only
four boys present, all sons of the best |
families of the city, and they were deep |
sy interested in a game Of California |
Jack. Some of the boys did not appear |
to be over Z years of age. but they could |
swear and smoke cigarettes equal to a |
man Of thirty.
They are provided with poker chips |
and were desirious of turning the game /
in to penny anti. They seemed to feel /
confident that they could skin any in /
dividual who would enter their den, and !
the reporter was not desirOus of testing |
their skill.
A murderous musket stood in the cor |
ner of the cave. while upon another |
table could be seen n corkscrew, and I
other devices. Smoking tobacco was to |
be had in abundance. There We're pieces
of carpet, mating, hammers, hatchets, |
straps and several lamps.
There were no beds but there were |
blankets and a night could be spent /
very comfortably here. From the |
of chicken feathers, and the |
signs seen about the place this place /
will undoubtedly furnish a clew TO rhe .
a bsence of many chickens which have |
been noted many times in the Eagle.
The attention of the police have been
called TO the place and without doubt |
the gang will be broke up. 1t will be
rather dangerous for any Of the boys to /
TO the place after today, as the
police declare they viii have TO stand /
trial for gambling and stealing.
To CTRE a COLD IN ONE DAY
fake laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. All
q ruggists refund the mony if II fails to
cure. sc.
TOM REED MEN FEEL GOOD