Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-11-18
From the Boston Traveller.

FATAL CURIOSITY "A melancholy story was
related to me few days since, while travelling
in the western section Of our country, Of man,
who, in company with friend, attempted TO
explore the celebrated Mammoth Cave, in
Green's county, Kentucky, which is about
ten miles in length. After having provided
themselves with lantern, food and other re-.
FIRE ,hments, for one or two days subsistence,
they CO mms aced their subterranean tour. AS
they proceeded from one apartment 10 another,
viewing with establishment, the wonders Of this
stupe ndous cavern, they frequently came TO
large and apparently very deep pits, which
they avoided with much diff ulty by crawling
ing upon their hands and knees. They wan
dered about, alternately walking and crawling
nearly whole day, during which they hac
passed number OF these deep pits. They
had just approached one. when by some fatal
acniS-ck he 'o,re VINO Carried TIE
apparatus for restoring the ligh, in the agita-
ton Of the moment made misstep, exclaim-
ing "Lord have mercy upon u.s." and fell head.
long into the pit they had the moment before
discovered. His companion listened, and dis
,irctly hearS the unfortunate man strike The
bottom, and fetch deep groan, like one in ex-
IRENE anguish. He called on him but receiv-
ed no ans.er-he called again bu. all was silent
as the tomb. The narrator slated tina: had he
but fallen with him, it would have been hap.
py circumstance; for 10 attempt 10 find The
mouth OF the cave, and pass the many danger>
Gus places they had met in their way thither,
would be immiuenily hazardous, if not utterly
impossible. lie thought, therefore, only Of dy
ing the lingering death OF starvation. He sat
down and gave vent to his anguish in food
OF tears. He finally concluded TO make an at
nnT he "A t.,.c tha
his companion, by falling into pit; and this
would sooner put an end to his mental suffer-
ings. He commenced what he conceived 10 be
con,rograde movement by crawling upon his
hands anG knees; and proceeded without acct
dent long time, when he again yielded up to
despair. copious cffusion Of tears subdued
In MEASURE his agony. He set out again; but
WITH little hope OF ever arriving at the mouth
OF the cave-he continued cropping about IN
midnight darkness whole day longer. Wien
they entered 'hc cave, the survivor noticed that
Ii branched off in various directions, he there's
tore concluded he had taken The wrong way,
and was probably as far or farther from the en-.
trance than when he first started. He halted
and with the determination of waiting patient
iy the approach Of death. Like the drowning
man, who is SAID 10 catch at a straw, the possi.
billy OF escape again occurred 10 him; & sum-
monng his remaining strength made another
effort TO fiud an outlet to the cavern. On the
morning Of the third day, when nature and hope
were nearly exhausted, he thought he observed
array OF light; and on suddenly turning eorn>
er, the morning star shope full in his face
His feelings, he said, must be imagined, for
they could not be described. He Immediately
made known the melancholy fate of his com.
paBion-a number Of citizens commenced
search in the cave; found the pit, and with some
difficulty obtained the body, and had it decent
~ inferred.