Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-04-21

KY Crooked creek, In
d one OF the widest
sections Of country
to be found In
Kentucky. and has long been known
as rendezvous Of the worst class OF
law-breakers, and for this reason has
always been given a wide berth by
government men, none Of whom had
ever before dared explore 1t. When
they began their preparations for the
raid they were warned by some who
were familiar with the desperate char
aoter 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 9 that night arrived at
the cave. Entering the hole in the
side OF the mountain, they traversed
distance of 600 feet and came to
narrow defile which they were COM
pelled to pass in single file, and which
led them into spacious apartment.
At the further side Of the chamber was
an opening that led downward to al
depth of thirty feet, the bottom Of
which they reached by means of q pole
placed there for that purpose by those
who utilized the cave for their unlaw-
ful purposes.
Reaching the bottom the passage led
them straight forward for a quarter
OF a mile, where they were again COM
pelled to go down thirty feet on q crude
ladder; thence there was a gradual de-
scent for nearly half q 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 straight
and level passage led them for fully
zoo 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
oncers found clear spring of spark
ling water and within a few feet there
OF was trough filled with water. Near
the trough was a moonshine still in q
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, wh''e the bones Of an
other lay by the side Of the box. The
| officers also found evidence that the
place Is frequented by 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-
neve that IL 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. anu that IL any persons who
will visit the cave hrd It different
from his description they can draw
on him for expens g.
This same leader is the man who
led the party Of revenue men about
q year ago who were compelled to put
the mountaineers' wives and children
before and behind them on their horses
In order TO get ont of the ambuscade
| Of moonshiners, who would not shoot
for fear Of killing their own hesh and
blood.