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could be established. There is little doubt but what things of value were concealed in some way here and probably today if one knew where to explore some part of the takings of early outlaws could be uncovered.
There is a story about some boys from the boys home just north of here, [?] about 1904 got into the cave one day and dug around. They returned to the home that night and later it was told about that they some gold watches, breast pins and gold pieces. These were supposed to have been taken from them by the attendants or overseer at the home, but there is nothing to prove any of this.
I have notices, as well as other, something which we always associated with Nebraska Life. The people here always whistle a great deal. We think that it was because of some local condition. Sometimes they could whistle good tunes and even better opera music and sometimes they just whistled without much purpose only to whistle.
People have said this was because of the wind always blowing in Nebraska with a whistling sound, caused the people to imitate it.
But also there was lots of dust in the air and maybe they could whistle and thus relive themselves without inhaling the dust.
It is likely that only Pawnee Medicine Men and chiefs came to this cave. The Indians in the tribal or colony ranks would hardly dare to venture near the spirit world. And then any human mostly goes to the shrine and worships his God or sacred place, only when adversity comes to him. In time of trouble men always turn to their God, or mother for help. When things run smooth, they grow more or less indifferent and independent.
My father went to Quaker College ([?]) at Salem Iowa. He married at Salem in 1876, May Wilmuth. They came to Nebraska in 1884, and finally took over this old historic cave. He was how important as a Nebraska Historical [Land Mark?] it was and was active in research work to gather data about it, It had served as a refuge in time of storm, winter blizzards, Indian hostilities and while man depredations.
As people came to know of it, it became a point of great interest as it presents still the atmosphere and surroundings of the romantic early days and one can in its cavernous depths be carried back and relive the dramatic moments of those earlier days.
Such life was lived at this spot, which can only be imagined.
The people as a group living near here had numerous ideas about this opening into the earth and were possessed of varying emotions concerning it.
Today it is still a place for entertainment, education, and traditional inspiration.
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