The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-13
.KlDNAP
CAVE. /. READY /:
FOR VICTIM.
"a Remarkable Discovery
Near Winston. IN. G.
FOUND BY BOYS
HUNTING RABBITS.
Room Dug Out 81 the Earth,
Shcathcd With Sheet Iron
and Provisioncd.
a STAKE WITH IRON
RING IN THE. MIDDLE.
A STAKE WITH IRON
RING IN THE MIDDLE
The Gave Was Evidently Made
by Men for the Purpose Of
Capturing Some One and
Holding Him for Ransom.
The Police Destroy
the Cave.
(From our staff corrcspondent.)

(fTOW OUI QUILL SUIIC
" WAsHINGTON.t D. G.. Dec. 12.-Mr.
j. D. Spencer, OF Danvillo. Va, In the
course OF conversation with The Times
Dispatch correspondent to-day said that on
q recent visit to Winston. N. c.. he had
learned OF one OF the most rcmarka Bile
discoveries that had ever been made in
that section. Tho discovery was not con-
nected with treasure, or gold deposits.
or the remains OF q prehistoric civiliza>-
5tion, one OF which is gene orally the fea-
2turo OF stories beginning like the one
j am going 10 telll The find was a cave
which had been fitted up by would-be
kidnaprers, apparently, and the care
bestowed upon It with view to making
their captive both comfortable and se-
cure. showed that tho men who made It
not only had hearts In them. but that
they could have hardly been new to such
business. .$ 3
1t seems that a few days ago some
boys were hunting rabbits about two
miles from the town OF Winston. In O
piece OF woodland, not far from tho road.
They chased a abbit up gully. where
they lost sight or trail of him.. and they
he had taken refuge under, the
roots or! tree, which are partly exposed
In the side OF the ravine. Fl i,
4. STRANGE PIPE.
ts.iIa,hilc peerIng under the tree one Of the
Iboys saw a piece OF metal pipe protrud-
ing from the earth at the opposite side
OF the tree. but hidden from sight unless
one looked carefully into the opening
around tile roots. His discovery was
began TO investigate. After an hour or
two, they had traced the pipe some dis
tanco back into the woods. and finally
one OF them discovered an opening two
feet square in the ground. A box was
SET Ia the opening. and was covered with
leaves One of the lads found 1t easy to
enter the earth through the. opening, and
finally all the boys dropped down.
Tie cave was q most remarkable one.
1t was apparently entirely the work
OF man. 1t was about eight feet In d.
emcter, and high enough to admit Of,
man standing upright. The sides and the
ceiling were covered with sheet-iron.
1t was the furnishing OF the room that
ca used the boys creepy sensation as
II they were In the presence OF crime.
Ir the center OF the cave was driven a
stout stake Attached to the stake was E
heavy iron chain about three feet IN
length. At tho free end OF the chain
was a ring. so constructed as to allow
Its being placed around an ankle.
p. PROVISIONS IN PLENTY.
At one side Of the room was an I'M
provised pdntry, stored with canned
goods OF several varieties, including
fruits, nnd meats. Nearby was box
containing plumber OF books, includ-
ing several late novels. The boys had
discovered tho opening Of the sewer down
at the base Of tho tree.
All tho work done In the interior OF
the cave was very recent. The earth
taken from tho excavation had been car
red a little distance away and covered