Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1909-02-12
Ramblers Entertained at Wind Cave.
INTENDED for last weeks issue.]

| Intended for last weeks ISSUE
Last Saturday evening Jan 3Oth]
the following Rsmblers and two Of
their friends, viz:-L. c. Eastman, alias
Stag Horn Charley; Paul B. Richer,
alias Jaw Bone Jake; Thos Eastman,
alias Lame Tommy; Russell Dunn, alias
Checkers, and Thos. Violin, alias Lad.
dy, left Hot Springs for walk t. Wind
Cave, where they we're to meet the
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Rankin,
Mrs. Chas.s Sevan, Of Mt. Clemens,
Mich., who has been visiting her pa
rents for some time.
The boys covered the ground very
rapidly and at 1:44 a. m. arrived at the
cave hotel. Entering the Office they
discovered that Mr.. Rankin had the
fire wood and kindling all fixed in the
large heater, ready for lighting. A
coffee pot was secured from the hotel
kitchen and soon q hot pot of coffee
was ready for serving. Stag Horn
Charley had prepared the other eat
ables and all enjoyed lunch of
smoked herring, pickles, crackers.
cheese, coffee and fruit
With lunch concluded, Jaw Bone
Jake, Checkers, Laddy and Lame Tom
my secured their blankets and pre-.
pared themselves for a short nap; but
before all we're ready, Jaw Bone Jake
entertained the crowd for few mo.
ments with his ever popular songs.
This singing aroused Mr.. Rankin, who
came to the hotel office and received
rousing welcome. An hour or more
was spent in telling stories and of
course Mr.. Rankin told his share.
At 4:30 q. M, he returned to the
house to get his daughter, Mrs. Sevan,
on whose account the boys had made
the trip to the cave With the first
rays of daylight Mr.. Rankin and his
daughter returned to the hotel. After
gathering five chickens from the coop
the entire party proceeded to the Ran
kin residence where the boys prepared
the fire, put OH the coffee, potatoes
and the chicken.
With the coffee prepared, Mrs. Sc
van and Stag Horn Charley took the
victuals down to the hotel, where they
arranged everything for breakfast.
Two of the Ramblers waited upon the
party.
Breakfast over, the crowd proceeded
to the entrance OF the famous Wind
Cave, carrying with ttem their noon
day meal. Down.! Down! Until ut
last they we're on solid ground, being
los feet from the entrance. The route
taken from here Oh is known as the
Fair Ground route, on which is To-
Gated the Ramblers Retreat, this cham
Der being the destination of the party.
Upon reaching this point the party
left their loads aud rested a few mo-
ments. During the next hour and
half some very wonderful passages
and chambers were entered, in fact
places were visited where the feet of
white men had never trod.
At LILO the crowd returned to the
Rambler Retreat and partook of an
elegant chicken dinner After short
rest the crowd proceeded to the en-
trance of the cave The route back
Was covered very rapidly and at 2:lO
the crowd emerged from the under.
ground world to behold the beautiful
sunshine.
They got things in readiness for
their return home ut 3 p. M, stories
were told and pictures taken of the en-
tire party.
1t was memorable day for all and
the Ramblers hold the host and host.
ess in the highest estimation as royal
entertainers. STAG HORN CHARLEY.