Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-11-05
A WONDROUS
SPECTACLE
The Mammoth Cave of Kentucky 10
One Of the Greatest curiosities Of
the Universe.
MAS OWNED BY DR.. cRoeHAN.
Discovered In 1902 by and Adventur-
Gus Hunter Named Hutchinson
While Hunting for Bear.

Although Mammoth cave is the
greatest natural curiosity in the Unit
ed States. the majority of well-in-
formed Europeans know more about
1t than does the average American.
Indeed, strange though it may seem,
the Kentuckian whose heirs are 10Y
the owners OF this wonderful property.
first had his attention called to it's
value while sojourning in Europe, and
straightway upon his return home Wis.,
tied the cave and purchased it for $1O.-
900. Today its value ranges in the
hundreds of thousands, though under
the provisions of DR.. John Crogan's
will, it cannot be sold until the death
Of the last Of those to whom he be-
queathed this nine nieces and neph-
ews, several of whom. all well ad-
vanced in years, survive. The only
male of the old family nam is Geo.
Croghan. a resident of california. An
other of the heirs is the wife of a ma.
val officer residing In Washington
City, while the others are residents
of eastern states, and one is said to
live in Europe. Under the provisions
of the will, which was probated in
jefferson county in 1919, the cave and
land surrounding it must be sold at
public auction upon the death OF the
last Of the nine nieces and nephews.
The will of DR.. Croghan, disposing
of the Mammoth cave, is as follows:
| give and devise to Joseph II. Un-
derwood, George C.. Gwathemy and
william F. Bullock my tract OF land
in the county of Edmonston. called
the Mammoth cave, and also the salts
cave tract of land and all other lands
zeal thereto. which | purchased from
the Mammoth Cave tract. together
with the privileges and appurtenan-
ces to the same belonging. to be held
by them, or such of them as may ac-
cept this trust, for the following uses
and purposes, viz;
To rent out the said lands and build
ings, except the cave. from time to
time, for terms of five years. until all
my nieces and nephews hereinafter
named shall die; to appoint from
time to q fit and competent agent,
whose duty it shall be to hire all nee
essary guides and servants. and to
/ provide such things as may be prop
err for the exhibition of the cave to
tourists. He is to keep a good book.
in which the names OF the visitors to
the cave shall be registered and the
amount paid by each. and he shall
keep an account OF all expenses and
pay the same over to them all moneys
which he may receive.
The rents aforesaid and moneys to
be received from visitors shall, after
all expenses are paid, be paid over al
| some stated period to be fixed. to my
said trustees as follows:
One-ninth part to my nephew. Geo
Croghan; one-ninth part to my niece
Verona Croghan: one-ninth each tc
William. Charles, Lucy. Ann, Mary
Blair, June and Julia Jessup; and Il
one or more OF my said nephews Of
nieces die, the portion or portions tc
which they would have been entitled
my said trustee shall pay over to sucl
person as would be entitled to inheri
the real estate of such nephew o
niece, and when all my said nephew
and nieces shall nave died. the SAT-
trustees shall sell at public auction
the said lands and cave. on credit
Of one, two and three years. after ad
vertising the same in Boston, Ney
York, Philadelphia, Washington City
New Orleans and such other place
as they may think proper. and distril
ute and pay ove the proceeds Of sue