The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-01
HONEY IN A CAVERN.
Unknown Riches Found on Col Wetmore's
Remarkable Game Preserve.

From the Chicago Record
SPRINGFIELD. Mo-. Sept 81. "A natural cave
OF honey is tho latest addition 10 the riches OF
Col Moses c. Wetmore tho millionaire St Louis
politician This cavern of honey has Just been
discovered on Col. Wetmore's 1000 aero game
preserve in the wilds Of Taney county. sixty
miles south OF this city. 1t is large cave hidden
from view in one OF tho most isolated spots OF the
Ozark mountain region.
The bees have probably had undisputod pos
session Of the for many years. for IL appears
to be literally filled with honey. Just like hive
in a wel-kept apary. How far into the side of
the mountain this cave extends Is an unsettled
question. The mouth Of the cave is about six
feet In diameter and it presents a front OF solid
honeycomb. While tho bees appear TO BIO Of tho
common species they are unusually hostile
There are few wilder spots earth than tho
Ozark Mountains in fancy county. But few
men have had the bravery to approach the place
The discovery was made by William Hunt who
is in charge of Col. Wetmore's gamo preserve
as keeper As soon as Hunt found the hidden
treasure he communicated with Major George
II. McCann OF this city. who is associated with
Col Wetmore in the ownership and management
OF the preserve. Major McCann made trip TO
fancy county 10 the novel beehive, taking
with him party Of Springfield friends Major
Mccain made as thorough an inspection as
the hostility OF the bees would permit and he is
now devisng plans for harvesting the honey.
II this cave Is like the average Ozark Mountain
cavern. it is all the way from ono to two miles
in length, and if the honey is built soldy from
end TO end, there are tons Of It, The bees may
have only woven a web of honey at the front or
they may have filled the entire space. This is
question that will soon be determined. for Major
McCann expects to employ experienced beekeep-
Ill a..
This remarkable beehive Is a novelty within
a novelty, for Col. wetmores preserve is we'll
worth a thousand miles OF travel TO see. Tho
Colonel and his associates have stocked 1000
acres with game They have animals, fish and
birds Of almost every species, but they have made
| no arrangements for bees. Now that nature
has supplied that omission the game preserve
| is a menagerie such cannot be found else-
where. A barbed wire fence Of seventeen strands
| surrounds the place, and White River a most
romantic stream. navig able for small boats flows
| through it. On a river bluff thousand feet
| above the water stands THE Lodge" which
shelters Col. Wetmore and the distinguished Wis
itors who frequently accompany him to his hunt
ing precincts. Among those who have boon
entertained within the hospitable walls Of The
Lodge" are Col William j. Bryan. ex-Gov William
j. Stone. Chairman James X Jones Of the Dem
ocratic National Committee Coin" Harvey Sam.
| Cook and others OF less note in politics.
| Col Wetmore Is the owner OF the only bathtub
| in fancy county. 1t is located in The Lodge"
| The finest herd of elk in the United States II is
claimed. through the woods of this preserve.
| There deer by the hundreds Wild turkeys
are numerous they cannot be counted. The
rivers alive with fish. About tho only thing
| lacking is buffalo. and Col. Wetmore and Major
Mccain are now negotiating for a herd. This
preserve is thirty Ave miles from the nearest rail
way station, and 1t is reached over rough a
wagon road can be found anywhere in America.
But here in this wild spot The Lodge" Is carpeted
with the softest Of velvet, the windows draped
with the costliest of curtains, there Is grand
| piano mahogany sideboard with fortune in
! 81 verware, and many other furnishings that
are not to be found elsewhere In this region.