Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-06-10

l,er, printed at Mineral Point, Iowa county, by
ID. Ho LDRooK, Esq. at three dollars per ar
nit paid in advance, or four dollars if not paid
bore the expiration of the first quarter. From
/ b Personal knowledge of the editor, and TIE ev-
nee Borne by the number before US, we are war.
Pied in recommending it as paper calculated
y generally useful to our citizens. We would
- happy in sending the names of any of our ci,i-
| swho may wish TO take the Free Press.
! a Ft&
q, dur editorial brethren in Illinois, contemplate
Wing Convention in Springfield, OH the 18th Of
July, to consult and adopt measures for their
Terahwefare. We think much good might re-
from their deliberations, in producing good
ling among themselves, and by adopting meas
lsto substitute more courteous manner Of con-
ting their controversies for that vulgar abuse
CHS fast degrading the press, especially in and
ls sfiff66s splssSc selected loc their meeting.
at the Three Forks, reaches it, is cave known
as the Pitt Cave, though sometimes called,
we believe, Wright's Cave, after the name of
the person who first attempted to explore 1t.
This man was aspeculator, who, having some
reason to believe the cave valuable one, re-
solved to examine it; but possessing little
knowledge Of caves, and less of the business of
the nitre maker. he applied to Mr.. Gatewood,
the proprietor of the works at the Mammoth
Cave, and of course experienced in both these
particulars, to assist him in the search. A
day was accordingly appointed, on which MIR.
Gatewood agreed tomeet hiu. at the cave, and
conduct the exploration inperson.
But on that day, as it happened, there a.
rose furious storm of rain and thunder; and
Mr.. Gatewood, not supposing that even Wright
himself would, under such circumstances, keep
the appointment, remained at his own works.
In the meanwhile, however, Wright had reach
ed the cave, in company with another man, a
miner, though Of no great experience in cave
hunting; and with him, finding that Mr.. Gate
wood did not come, and having made all his
preparations, he resolved to undertake the ex-
ploration himself This the two men COM
menced, and pursued for several hours without
accident and without fear, seeing indeed, moth
ing to excite alarm. except cluster Of very
dangerous pits, which they passed while en-
gagged in the search. But by and by, having
consumed much time in rambling about, they
discovered that by some extraordinary over
sight they had left their store IF candles at the
mouth of the cave, having brought in with
them only those they carried in their hands;
which were now burning low.
The horrors of their situation at once fash
ed on their minds; they were at great dis
lance from the entrance, which there was lit
tie hope they could reach with what remained
Of their candles, and the terrible pits were d.
rectly on their path. II was thought, howev-
er, that if they could succeed in passing these,
it might be possible to grope their way from
the cave in the dark, as the portion beyond
the pits offered no unusual interruptions, and
was without branches.
The attempt was made; and as desperation
gave speed to their feet, they had at last the
satisfaction to reach the pits,
and to pass them in safety, leaving them sew
eral feet behind ere their lights entirely failed.
But now began their difficulties. In the con-
fusion and agitation Of mind which beset them
at the moment when the last candle expired,
they neglected to set their faces firmly towards
the entrance; and in consequences, when dark
ness at last surrounded them, they were be-
wildered and at variance. Wright vehement
ly insisting that they should proceed in one di-
rection, the miner contendiDg with equal
warmth that the other was the right one. The
violence Of Wright prevailed over the doubts
of his follower, who allowed himself to be 60.
verned by the former, especially when the des-
perate man offered to lead the way, so as to
be the first to encounter the pits, snpposing he
should wrong. An expedient for testing the
safety Of the path which Wright hit upon, had
also it's effect upon his companions mind; he
as he crawled along on his hands
and feet, 1.-THE only way they dare attempt TO
proceed in the dark over the broken foor---to
throw stones before him, by means of which
il would be easy to tell when pit lay in the
way.
The miner, accordingly, though with many
suffered himself TO be ruled, and
followed at Wright's heels, the latter every
moment hurting stone before him, and at ev-
cry throw utteing some hurried exclamation
.--now a prayer; now word Of counsel or en-
to his companion, though always
Of the deepest agiration and disor-
der ofmind. They had proceeded in this way
Tor several moments, until even the miner him
.elf, believing that ifthey were in error they |
had crawled far enough to reach the pits, be- !
ZANE convinced his employer was in the right
path; when suddenly the clang Of one Of the I
stones cast by Wright falling as if on the so.