Caves, And Urban Legends Of The Ozarks.
by Ed Crabtree
ã2001-2002

     Millions of years ago, tremendous natural forces pushed an immense amount of molten rock to the surface of the Earth. This limestone uplift as it cooled, created a broad plateau region, which fell victim to other, more subtle, forces of nature. Through the ages, the power of erosion cut rivers and deep valleys through the region creating some of the oldest mountains in the world. Surface water, mixed with carbon dioxide from the air, and acids from decaying organic material on the surface, seeped down through cracks in the old rock. This system of natural drains, otherwise known as “sinks,” left behind tunnels through the rock creating over 5000 known caverns. As these caverns enlarged, the ceilings of some, collapsed, creating topographical oddities such as natural bridges and gorges. Today this wonderland of geological curiosities, we know of as the Ozarks.

Natural bridge at Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Until recently, we never fully understood hydrology, the mechanics behind the formation of sinks, springs, caves, and the other natural features created from the

interaction of nature with the Karst geology of the region. Due to our ancestor’s lack of a working knowledge of hydrology, they naturally had a fear of what they didn’t understand. They assigned mystical names to some of these landmarks, titles that in themselves have added to the mystique and intrigue, of what was created simply from the natural power of erosion. Since time immemorial, caverns have been a curiosity to mankind. This interest has led to many of the caverns in the Ozarks becoming part of colorful and historical urban legends.

     For those of you, like myself, who have enjoyed more than forty birthdays, urban legends, are the accounts, that we knew of, as “tall tales and ghost stories.” The caverns of the Ozarks have more than their fair share of these old stories, many rooted in historical fact, some simply tall but otherwise enjoyable tales. Many of these tales cannot be confirmed or denied, as in some cases the factual evidence has been lost to the annuals of time.

     Almost every cave in the region is said to have been, at one time or another, used by folk heroes and villains, such as Jesse James. Other caverns were used by nefarious groups such as the Klan or by counterfeiters and moon shiners. Legends have it that other caverns still contain hidden caches of treasure left behind by everyone from the Spaniards, once rumored to have been in the area, to Civil War era payrolls hidden in subterranean depositories, safe from the hands of enemy forces. Of course all of these stories claim that those individuals that left the valuables behind never returned to reclaim their prizes, and to this day these hordes of treasure remain, just beneath the surface of these old Ozark hills.

     Along or near the Wilderness Road, there are several examples of these natural wonders. In southeast Springfield along what was once the road from Springfield to Ozark, lies the beautiful little park, Sequiota. This park has two caves, one, which a spring flows from, and the other, according to legend, became the home of an early settler in the region, who before setting up housekeeping in the cavern, first had to forcibly evict the previous resident of the cave, a large bear.

     Another legend has it that after a particular heavy rainstorm, water was draining so fast through one of the sinks along present day south Campbell Street, that a duck swimming in the sink, was caught in a whirlpool and pulled under. The same duck was said to have surfaced a short time later, unharmed, at a nearby spring further south along the Old Wilderness Road.

     Today, there are several caves along or near the Wilderness Road that are operated as commercial tourist attractions. Each of these caverns has histories that are as unique as their natural beauty. Fantastic Caverns, northwest of Springfield offers a unique jeep drawn tour. Marvel Cave under Silver Dollar City features a great room in which the ceiling is so high above the floor of the cave that a building several stories in height could be constructed inside the cavern. One of the most beautiful caves in the region, Talking Rocks, is located just a few hundred feet from the route of the Old Wilderness Road, near the site of the historic Linchpin campground. And Cosmic Caverns, just northeast of Berryville Arkansas, includes the largest natural subterranean lakes in the region. All of these caverns have colorful histories, but one cave along the Wilderness Road figures greatly in local lore and legend, and is all but forgotten. Old Spanish Cave, in Stone County near present day Reeds Spring Junction, has a very interesting story to tell.

     The legend tells us that two miners returned to their home near Joplin, after work one day to find an old Mexican gentleman on their doorstep, his burro with his possessions tied to their front gate. Exhibiting typical Ozark hospitality, the miners took the old man, who was near death into their home, and even hired a local girl to look after the man in their absence.

     When near death, the old man summoned the miners to his bedside, and out of his gratitude for their hospitality, he provided the men with a map to a lost cave said to contain a hidden cache of Spanish silver and gold. The men searched for the location of the landmarks pictured on the map, to no avail. Then finally, they allowed their map to be published in the Lamar newspaper, hoping that someone might know the whereabouts of the landmarks pictured on the map and be able to lead them to the cave. This occurrence of the map appearing in the Lamar newspaper piqued the curiosity of some residents of Stone County, who recognized the landmarks as being in their own backyard, so to speak. These folks then went in search of the cave.

     After searching for some time they became discouraged, then one day while hunting, one of their number discovered some blazes on trees that seemed to mark a trail. Following this marked route through the forest, he eventually arrived at the base of a bluff, where the trail seemed to end. Excited by the similarity of this trail and the other landmarks in the area to those pictured on the map, he ran home to report to his friends and family the news of his findings. The group returned to the base of the bluff and after probing around, one of the men discovered a hole under a rock. Subsequent excavation finally revealed the entrance to the cave.

     Excited by the legends that the depths of the cave contained rich veins of silver or gold, or possibly even a horde of lost Spanish treasure, the group formed a small corporation for the purpose of purchasing the surrounding land, exploring the cavern, and exploiting its contents. The men pooled their resources, and began their quest. Several years passed during which their labors provided no substantial wealth, although ore samples from the mouth of the cavern were assayed and revealed trace amounts of silver and gold.

     Once again, as the group became discouraged and was about to give up, when the discovery of some skeletons in the depths of the cavern, renewed their hopes that the cave did indeed contain riches. With renewed vigor, they explored and excavated more of the cave, but no more discoveries were to be made that indicated there were treasures to be found in the cavern.

This is all that can be seen of the Old Spanish Cave from the Wilderness Road. Just to the right of this picture is the remains of the buildings that once stood along the iron gates that are now secured with a rusty chain and padlock

More than a century has passed since the days of the ill-fated mining operation, just a few hundred feet from the Old Wilderness Road. During the years that have passed by since the miners gave up and sold their real estate, several parties have owned the old cave. For well over 60 years, these subsequent proprietors have conducted

commercial tours through the caverns. The Old Spanish Cave has now been closed to the public for decades, and all that can be seen from the old road are the decrepit stone gateposts and a padlocked, rusty iron gate.

     There are reports that as late as fifty years ago, the carved inscription “DeSoto” could be found on a stone near the walkway through the cavern. This legend as well as the legend that just a few miles from the Old Spanish Cave, near a spring in Christian County, the inscription “Reno” was found carved in stone, seems to support the speculation that Spaniards once frequented the area. While neither of these legends can be supported by hard physical evidence, or written historical records, the legends are a very important part of the colorful history of the Ozarks.

     These wonderful and colorful urban legends, surrounding the marvelous natural geological features of the region, are an important part of our history and heritage. Even the tales that serious historians and journalists must question the validity thereof, are a part of our heritage that should be preserved and retold, even if told beside a campfire, or on the front porch. Sometimes history is best remembered when presented in enjoyable surroundings and handed down from one generation to the next. So bear with those of us here at the Message Tree, while we “dig up” these old historical legends, and we will give you more stories and tall tales, material that you can use for that “quality time” with your young ones. Perhaps that time, moments spent with those you hold close, is the true “hidden treasure” of the Ozarks.