-63-
“This same cave had goose heads put into it
and they re-surged on the other side of Big Walker Mountain. A dog that fell into Maxie
Knob Pit, Kentucky,
emerged at Lawson's Spring Entrance, two miles and five hundred feet lower.
Legend doesn't mention whether the dog was still alive or not. An old hat
thrown into Higgenbottom Cave, Tazewell
County, came out eighteen
miles away. As a result of this legend, cavers have been looking for the lost
back entrance to New River for Years.
*******
#26
--- "Another motif involves that of the supernatural: "haunted"
caves or fabulous creatures. Devil's Slide (Higgingbottom #1) in Tazewell County, is avoided by the local
residents because they are convinced that some loathsome creature lives at the
bottom. Periodically, strange noises come out of it. Stoven's Cave, Kentucky is also avoided
because of "Screaming Willie's Entrance" from which it is possible to
hear screams, moans, and other weird noises.
"Caves have traditionally been the
hiding place of outlaws and treasure. Buzzard's Roost (or Devil's Den) at Fancy
Gap, Virginia was reputedly the hide out of the notorious Allen Clan after they
"shot up" the Hillsville Courthouse in 1912. Supposedly, Sidna Allen
hid a considerable amount of money there, but most people don't look for it
because of the "bottomless pits" and the rattle-snakes..."
*******
#27
--- Warren'
Smith's book "INTO THE STRANGE", pages 70-71, carries the following
unusual story. The cavern in question WAS commercialized in 1978 and is located
not far from Lexington, Virginia: