The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-02-27

STORMfAG HELPS GITEWdI

The Search of Party of Americans for
Snbterranean Treasure-An old NJ exican
Story the Basis of heir Search--super-
stitions Regarding the Cavern Supposed
| TO Hold the Great Wealth of u Band of
| Robbers.
| (From the Galveston Daily News,)
Among the old Mexicans of Hidalgo
county there has always been d legend
that there was an immense cavern near
| the Iona Blanca lake, which is situated
iii the northeastern part of the county
at point known as Alto Colorado, or
Red Cliff.
Many We're the strange stories con-
nected with this mysterious cavern, Of
the history Of which no one seems TO
| have any clear idea. In the old days,
when the principal occupation of the
few Mexicans who inhabited this portion
OF Texas was catching mustangs and
fighting Indians, the Iona Blanca and
Alto Colorado region was favorite re-
sort for them, as the hills afforded
| splendid points Of observation from
| which an unobstructed view of the
country for many miles in all directions
could be had and natural Notifications
existed for defence. The existence Of
the mysterious cave was known to most
of them, but few ever ventured near it.,
as it was regarded with superstitious
awe. A few Of the more venturesome
occasionally went as far as the mouth
Of the cave and some have been known
to penetrate the pasasge, which at that
time was open, to distance of a few
yards and then return to their more
tinid companions with horrible stories
Of what they had seen and heard. Some
said that after passing around the first
turn in the passageway immense fires
could be seen in the distance, and that
human forms could be distinctly seen
in the most excruciating agony in the
midst of the fires; and among some the
| passageway leading into the cavern was
known as the Gateway to HE'LL" and
none cared to investigate the matter
farther.
At times during a cold norther small
parties of the more adventurous would
shelter themselves in the mouth Of the
| passage, and the stories that they told
of their experience aflterward caused the
cave to be more Stunned than ever.
They claimed that the most unearthly
sounds emanating from the bowels of
4 the cavern rendered slumber Impossible,
and that if they attempted to kindle a
fire strong gusts OF wind would instant
/ " extinguish them.
One of the legends current among the
Mexicans in relation to the cave In those
days went on to state that it had been
the headquarters of an immense band
Of robbers, whose operations extended
all along the Gulf coast and that i'm
mense amounts of treasure had been
buried there; that on one occasion, when
the band had just come in from Il very
successful robbing expedition, they all
proceeded to the main room of the cave
and commenced to enjoy themselves
/ in regulation robber style, when dis
pute arose which eliminated in free
fight, and that all were killed or too
\ badly wounded to escape from the cave,
/ and that they all persisted there beside
! their treasure, and that their spirits
still hover around the spot, guarding
I their gold.
| If there was any treasure in the cave
it was perfectly safe during those days,
as no Mexican for the wealth of the
Montezumas would dare to venture into
the cavern far enough to investigate the
truth or falsity of the reports.
| OF course these legends and supersti-
lions were confined to the ignorant
classes There is another account of
hidden treasure in the cave which has
some show of possibility, and it is pos
sible that time will bring it to light.
1t is said that during the close of the
last century wealthy Spaniard got