The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-11-02

penchant for the lure of gold
were the two traits which
brought forth THE Mystery Man
of Marble Cave" Leastwise
those were the psychological fea-
lures he always sought in his
intended victims and
Marble Cave is of lesser magnitude
among the natural wonders that
abound in Fremont county, but never
theless it is cavern OF sufhclent
secrets and awe-inspiring grandeur
to stamp it as unique among the
scenic points of interest. 1t had new
er been fully explored until this
summer when Prof Folsom James OF
New Orange, N. j., risked his life
in descending into its inky depths
and bringing forth its innermost geo
logical testimonials. The cave is sit
uated about fourteen miles from
Canon City on the Cripple Creek road
Just about two miles from the
point where Millsap and Oil creeks
Join. 1t is just few hundred feet
from the main highway and is easily
accessible. with the exception oi
straight drop thirty feet down Just
at the entrance, but its strange MS
tory has never made it fayorite
with tourists.
1t first came into prominence sim
ultaneously with "The Mystery Man"
about seventeen or eighteen years
ago because it was in this lonely re-
treat that the enigma had his lair.
DR.. Witt A. Slade of Canon City is
one of the few upon whom the man
had designs who lived to tell of his
willy methods, because the doctor
was among the few who did not sue
cumb to them How many did be-
come victims can only be conjectured,
the moldering human bones recently
found in the cave and occasional in
quiries from the East for relatives
last heard from in Canon City being
the only means by which to make
an estimate.
DIR. SIade was new in Canon City
when he first met the man. In fact
fresh from the East, he had just
opened up offices, when one day he
was accosted in the corridor of the
building by the stranger. who asked: :
Does DR.. Thomas have his office
up here?"
DIR. Thomas?" queried Slade.
why --er-no-o. | have never heard
of him. What's the matter? Some,
body sick? Couldn't l help you?'
mo, nODOOyS : SICK, DuI just Wdne
ed to see DR.. Thomas
He is not among the Canon City
doctors, | am sure. Anything parti'
cular you wanted?"
"Oh, nothin' much. You see, I've
struck it rich up near Marble Cave
and the claim next to mine has been
abandoned l just wanted him tc
bring some money up and look II
over I've struck it big, neighbor
So big I'll be a millionaire afore anotf
er year. wanted Doc Thomas to be
in on il, that's all. He's a friend oi
mine"
OF course to DIR. Slade such a story
appealed immensely. for this kind
was not so common to him as to the
old timers and the tale naturally fel
upon fertile soil He was deeply in
terested. He got the miner to tel
him all about the prospect and his
hopes for it.
Finally he said, mo, am sorry
but your Doctor Thomas is not here
10 take up your proposition. He's
probably in some other town"
well, that's too bad. wish he
was here, because my claims sure
winner and he could make some easy
money. BY the way, Doc, I've kind
of taken likin' to you and as long
as Doc Thomas amt here, If you care
to, you might come and take look
at the claim yourself"
This offer fell upon willing ears
because DIR. Slade had heard often
back East of the fabulous riches that
had been made in Colorado mines
and the fortunate ones had always
gotten their claims in just such easy
faShinn ha ar,;
nous offer? He did
Plans were made to leave the next
morning for Marble cave. The doctor
wanted to take a surveyor along, but
the miner said no, that he knew all
the ropes and that it would be a use.
less expense.
The next morning 1t was raining
quite hard. Nothing daunted, how.
ever. the man was early at the hotel
after the doctor, but the beclouded
atmosphere had somewhat dampened
the lattePs enthusiasm of the night
before. He wanted to go, naturally,
but wasn't prospector enough to
overlook a little thing like rain. He
said he wouldn't 90 until 1t cleared
up bit. The miner urged prompt
ness as necessity, but DR.. Slade was
obdurate. He wouldn't bulge.
That same day DR.. Slade was call
ed to Park1ale on a case and was
gone until the next morning.
AS he entered the hotel upon his
return he Elw the miner talking to
a young IL erner, Clarence Doll by
name, who mad just come to Canon
City from Now Jersey a few days be-
fore. He Wss understood to have
plenty of money and was looking for
investment
The mil ignored the doctor and
confined energies to Doll, who
seemed / receptive mood. About