The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-07-19
A BIG STORY ABOUT COIN" GOLD.
Narrative of Robbers Cave in Benton County, as H. E.
Steegman Tells It,
W DID THIS GOLD GET TO BE "colN3"
Three Wealthy Men Killed by Indians and Their Gold
Hidden in a Cave.

Henry c. Steegmau, foreman Of the
mines at Raymond, Benton county,
which are operated by George r.
Raymond, of Sedalia, was iu that
city recently and related to a Demo-
crat reporter an interesting story con-
corning some Spanish gold which is
supposed to be hidden 10 a cave near
Lincoln, Benton county.
The cave in question is known as
Robbers Cave and has been visited
by many Sedalians while on fishing
and hunting excursions. Mr.. Steeg-
man was told the story Of the gold by
an old farmer who is a resident Of the
county, and Immediately headed
party insearch OF the hidden treasure.
Although they succeeded in fuding
the "signs" as indicated 10 the
legend, they were unable to locate the
gold.
There are two caves known as
"Robbers' Cave" One of them is a
few miles from Lincoln, on the banks
Of Cole Camp creek, and is famous as
a camping ground. The other is
found by following the stream until
almost in sight of the Usage river,
when bluff rises. BY taking a skiff
and rowing around the face of the
bluff the entrance to the second cave
can be seen, half way up the wall Of
rock. To obtain an entrance it is
necessary to climb slippery rocks,
with but slight footholds, when the
explorer finds himself inside long
but narrow rift. This is the original
"Robbers' Cave made famous by
the exploits of the Smith brothers
during the war, and the one around
which the hidden treasure legends
cling.
The cave is inaccessible except from
the water or by swinging over the
top Of the cliff with a rope.
The story told by the farmer to Mr.
Slee gman is a thrilling one and full
of interest.
The farm on which the narrator
lives is near the cave. Tnere were
numerous Indian graves on his
place, which he Or his sons had dug
| up at various leisure times through
curiosity. They had obtained Indiar
arrow heads stone tomahawks, uten
sils, beads made OF teeth and various
other things, but placed no great
value upon them. While opening one
of the graves larger arrow heaC
than usual was discovered, on which
was carved triangle within which
were three dots.
The farmer, knowing nothing Of
Indian lore, did not attach any i'm
portance to the carving, aud never
made an attempt to find out what th'
signs meant. He placed the large
arrow head with the others anC
preserved it because he had nothing
better to do with 1t.
| One day one OF the farmers smallel
sons came running into the house anC
excitedly told his father that al
Indian was 10 the field and wa'
digging in a grave. The father wen
out to investigate, though he didn'
particularly care if the Indian amused
himself digging, providing he wa
peaceable and law abiding.
The Indian seemed to have Travelled
far. He paid no attention to The
farmer as he came up until he wal
spoken 10. Then he arose from hil
work. He was able to speak Englisl
and the owner OF the land asked hin
what be wanted After he had talk
ed with him for some time The IndiaI
told him that he was searching 70
an arrow head buried with his father
a chief, that had some bearing will
his rights in the tribe Of which h
was member, and described thl
arrow marked with triangle which
had been found
The result Of the pow wow wa
that the farmer proceeded to hI
home and brought out tbc arrow
together with bittle II mpnL ali
dew, for he des red to get he Indial
communicative # possible and per