Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1900-03-07
HONEY IN A CAVERN.
Unknown Riches Found on a Re
 markable Game Preserve.
Novelty Within Novelty In the Ozark Mountains in Mis- sOuri-six Feet of Solid
 HOneycOmb.

A natural cave of honey is the latest addition to the riches of Col. Moses C. Wetmore, of St. Louis. This cavern of honey has just been discovered on Col. Wetmore's 7,OOO-acre game preserve in the wilds of Fancy county, 60 miles south of Springfield, Mo. It IS large cave hidden from view in one of the mostisolated spots of the Ozark noun tain region.
 The bees have probably had undis- puted possession of the cave for many years, for it appears to be literally filled with honey, just like hive in a well-kept apiary. How far into the side of the mountain this cave ex- tends is an unsettled question. The mouth of the cave is about six feet in diameter and it presents a front of solid honeycomb. While the bees ap- pear to be of the common species, they are unusually hostile.
 There are few wilder spots on earth than the 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 game preserve as keeper. As soon as Hunt found the hidden treasure he communicated with Maj. George H. McCann, of Springfield, who is asso- ciated with Col. Wetmore in the own ership and management of the pre- serve. Maj. McCann made a trip to Fancy county to see the novel bee hive, taking with him a party of Springfield friends. Maj. McCann made as thorough an inspection as the hostility of the bees would permit, and he is now devising plans for har- vesting the honey. If this cave is like the average Ozark mountain cavern, 1 it is all the way from one to two miles in length, and if the honey is built solidly from end to end, there are tons of it. The bees may have only woven web of honey at the front, or they may have filled the entire space. This | is a question that will soon be deter mined. for Maj. McCann expects to employ experienced beekeepers and have a thorough exploration. made.
 This remarkable beehive is a novel, ty within a novelty, for Col. Wet more's preserve is well worth a thou sand miles of travel to see. The col onel 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 na- ture has supplied that omission the game preserve is a menagerie such as cannot be found elsewhere. A barbed wire fence of F strands surrounds the place, and White river, most roman tic stream, navigable for small boats, flows through it. On a river bluff a thousand feet above the water stands ''Fhe Lodge" which shelters Col. Wet more and the distinguished visitors who frequently accompany him to his hunting precincts.
 Col. Wetmore is the owner of the only bathtub in Fancy county. It is located in "The Lodge" The finest herd of elk in the United States, it is claimed, roams through the woods o1 this preserve. There are deer by the hundreds. Wild turkeys are so nu merous they cannot be counted. The rivers are alive with fish. About the only thing lacking is buffalo, and Col Wetmore and Maj. McCann are now negotiating for herd. This preserv, is 35 miles from the nearest railway station, and it is reached over a. rough wagon road as can be found anywhere in America. But here il this wild spot ''The Lodge" is carpet ed with the softest Of velvet, the win dows are draped with the costiest O curtains, there is a grand piano, mahogany sideboard, with a forum, in silverware, and many other furnish . ings that are not to be found else where in this region.-Chicago Rec l ord.