The Springfield herald., 1897-04-23


Kentucky, and has long been known
law-breakers, and for this reason has
Always been given wide berth by
government men, none of whom had
ever before dared explore it. When
they began their preparations for the
rald they were warned by some who
were familiar with the desperate char
actef OF the outlaws to forego the un-
dertaking, but this they refused to do.
One morning the posse left Living
ston station, and after a ride that
lasted until that night arrived at
the cave. Entering the hole in the
s'de OF the mountain, they traversed
a distance of 600 feet and came to
a narrow defile which they were com
PEELED to pass in single file, and which
led them into a spacious apartment.
At the further side of the chamber was
an opening that led downward to a
depth of thirty feet, the bottom of
which they reached by means of pole
placed there for that purpose by those
who utilized the cave for their unlaw-
full purposes.
Reaching the bottom the passage led
them straight forward for a quarter
OF mile, where they were again COM
PEELED to go down thirty feet on a crude
ladder; thence there was a gradual de-
scent for nearly half mile and then
the way led upward for fully 600 feet,
which was easily ascended by means
of steps cut in the dirt.
From the top of these steps a straight
and level passage led them for fully
200 feet and from there on. for about
the same distance, the way again led
down gradual incline. Then for 600
or 700 yards level and smooth path
led to another chamber. where the
officers found clear spring of spark
ling water and within few feet there
of was a trough filled with water Near
the trough was moonshine still in a
furnace of finest masonry. The capaci-
ty of this still was 100 gallons. with
eight fermenting tubs of 800 gallons,
each full of new mash and ready for
operation, and leaning against the wall
there were found four Winchester
rifles.
The distillery apparatus was de-
stroyed and the firearms confiscated.
Proceeding 100 yards farther, another
still of the same capacity was found,
and nearby three Winchesters, which
were also taken.
Between these two stills, in an out
of-the-way corner of the chamber, was
found box containing the bones of
two skeletons, while the bones of an
other lay by the side of the box. The
officers also found evidence that the
place is frequented by n gang of coun-
terfeiters. 1t is the opinion of the rev.
enue men that these bones are the re-
mains of some government officers who
had met instant death at the hands of
the outlaws or of members of their
gang who had betrayed them or who
they feared would give their secrets
away and, acting on the theory that
dead men tell no tales, had murdered
them, or that they might be the bones
of those who had met death in battles
with the officers.
There were many side passages lead
ing devious ways, and the officers be-
lieve that if they had continued
through the cave they would have
found another opening that led to the
outer world. They were disposed to
explore more of this cavern, but their
guide, though fearless mountaineer,
warned them that If they valued their
lives they should get out of the vicin-
ity, as they had destroyed the stills.
the news of which would go abroad
the next day. The leader says imagin-
alton cannot picture the wonders Of
the place, and that if any persons who
will visit the cave find it different
from his description they can draw
on him for expenses.
This same leader is the man who
led the party of revenue men about
a year ago who were compelled to put
the mountaineers' wives and children
before and behind them on their horses
in order to get out of the ambuscade
of moonshiners, who would not shoot
for fear of killing their own flesh and
blood.