FOWKE] ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS 21 



it not for the pile of talus in front, water from the river would 

 pour into the cavern in extreme floods ; these subside very rapidly, 

 however, and have never percolated tlirough the barrier. 



It is said that persons digging in a desultory way have unearthed 

 bones which were assumed to be those of Indians because they were 

 " red." No descrijDtion of them could be obtained, and they may not 

 have been human bones at all. 



The floor is level and dry for about 80 feet back from the en- 

 trance, but no refuse of any kind appeared, except in the pile of 

 talus outside, which showed a small quantity of flint chips such 

 as would be left by hunting parties in repairing their weapons. 



MONEY CAVE 



This is a fourth of a mile down the river from Short Bend Cave. 

 It takes its name from the customary tradition that Indians con- 

 cealed a large treasure here ; the legend being authenticated by an 

 "Indian chief" who told a white man that his people had buried 

 much gold in a cave in this blufi^, built a fire over the money, then 

 filled the mouth of the cave with earth and rock. Some of the 

 persons who opened many small holes in searching for the hidden 

 wealth claim to have foimd ashes in this cave, behind the barrier, 

 which is only ordinary talus. The floor is of tough clay, fallen rocks, 

 and stalagmite, all of which, as w^ell as the walls and ledges, were 

 industriously dug and hammered for months by the treasure seekers. 



A cave with an entrance 15 feet wide, the same in height, and 

 having a depth of 45 feet in daylight, lies between Money Cave 

 and Short Bend Cave. In very wet seasons water runs through it 

 from the interior; and higli water backs into it from the Meramec 

 River. 



SALTPETER CAVE 



This is three-fourths of a mile north of Short Bend post office, 

 on the opposite side of the river. The arched entrance is 25 feet 

 wide and 20 feet high. Fifteen feet from the front the cave divides 

 into two branches about equal in size ; they have never been explored 

 to the end. One branch continues straight back for about 100 feet, 

 then turns abruptly to the right for 50 or 60 feet, at which distance 

 it resumes its original direction. The other branch turns directly 

 to the right and is in daylight for 50 feet. Much of the cave earth 

 has been hauled away for fertilizer, or leached for obtaining salt- 

 peter, so that only a small quantity remains in front. Farther 

 back, in both chambers, the dry earth where not disturbed is 8 to 

 10 feet thick. 



The cavern is easily accessible, close to the river, and otherwise 

 well adapted for habitation ; but careful search failed to reveal any 

 indication that it had ever been thus used. 



