Year: 1878

tiOn Of the south and west was OUT
wilderness. Even ia those States
that were more or less populated,
there were sections Of the country
where there could not be seen any
signs Of habitation. Away down In
Mississippi there was scope OF coun-
try, about one hundred miles across,
consisting Of a swampy, Wild and
desolste country. then known as the
Tuokapaw country. In which there
was no settlement. and across which
was regular road of travel. Now.
IN these old times, there was a great
amount of traffic and trade between
New Orleans and the lower Mississip-
pi. and all the upper country mule
traders from Kentucky and Illinois
would drive mules and horses and re-
turn by land.


Flatboats by the hundreds, from
the upper country from Ohio to the
Rocky Mountains, could be seen de-
scending the Mississippi, laden with
the most valuable produce the coun-
try could afford. The merry hoatman
made the forest resound with his song
and revelry. When they landed at
New Orleans, and disposed of their
valuable cargo, they would buy
plug, or mule, or a mustang, on
which they would take their home.
ward course, sometimes In squads of
two or six.


About halfway across the wilder
ness road, a man by the name of Gre
gol had located, and built house for
the purpose OF a stopping place for
travellers. This place was known to
every southern trader, and with Gre.
gol they had to stop, and were glad
to share his hospitality.


In the course Of time this country
became settled. Old Cregol had be-
come immensely rich; he was grow
ing old, but he was hale and stout.
Not far from the house was a cave in
the hillside, which had never been
explored. In fact, no one had ever
entered It's mouth, as far as was
known.


Now this cave became an Item Of
Interest. The dogs for miles around
would collect at Its entrance and cre-
ate the most hldeous sound by their
unearthly bowling. Night and day
would these poor creatures keep up
this mournful cong. Every man,
woman and child for miles around
would come to see this sad sight. But
1t was noticed that old Cregol did not
go TO see the thing.


And why did not Cregol go? His
nelghbors insisted that he should 20.
No sooner did he come I'm sight than
the dogs, at one accord, which had
hitherto beon perfectly submissive,
molestlng no one, and any one could
go among them. and they would only
howl with teeth grlnninga and bristles
up, rushed at him as If they would
tear him to shreds, and would not let
him come near. At length 10 was re-
solved to explore the cave, and upon
set day the neighbors met for that
purpose. With torches In hand, they
CROPPED their way n short distance on
their hands and knees, until they
entered what appeared to be large
chamber. They rose to their feet,
and. with torches lifted high, began
to peer through the darkness.


The first object they saw was long
blue coat hanging against the wall of
the cave. This coat was Of the old
French style, made of blue cloth,
with brass buttons. Upon passing
further OF, scores and scores of ske!-
etons were seen, scattered in every
direction. Human skeletons, with
clothing of every description hang
Ing to them, which the wolves had
torn to pieces. Among the party of
explorers was young doctor, who
lived in the neighborhood. As soon
as the party emerged from the cave,
the dogs, apparently satisfied, ceased
their bowling aud dispersed. That
night negro came for the young doc
tor. The dogs had collected at old
Cregol's and commenced their howls.
Cregol was seized with spasms. and
the negro rushed for the doctor.


The next morning. while the doc
tor was sitting by Cregol's bed. who
was I'm deep stupor. tho door sudden
ly flow open, and tall man, with
dark complexion, wearing the Iden-
tical coat which the doctor had seen
In the cave the day before, entered
and passed noiselessly through tho
room. Poor Cregol, when the man
entered, rose up quickly In bed and
ga2ed with wild and maniaoal stare
at him until he passed out of sight,
and then fell back-dsad. He had
murdered these men for their money
and that Is how he got his wealth.