The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-11-17
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ArAIE FOUNDED on FACTS.

quick tone OF voice. succeeded Oy a report or
a pistol, emanating from the bottom Of Il dark
subterraneous vault hitherto undistarbed by
sound from the commencement of time. ex-
cept by the deep-toned, majestic thunder, as
it pealed its awful anatbenas from the thick,
heavy clouds, as they covered the mountains
top. This frightful abode of terror was sit
uated on Cumberland mountain, near the
road passing through Sparta, the Crab Or
chard aud to Knoxville, Tennessee. Surpris-
ed at what heard so unexpected in that
hideous wilderness, lchecked my horse and
listened with intense avidity, to hear once
more that horrid dwelling place of mysteries,
before could take my leave of this strange
affair; and whilst thus suspended, as it were
by hope, fear, and agony, heard, as /
thought, female voice exclaim, 'thank
Heaven, / am safe.", My curiosity was now
excited beyond expression. Hearing first the
voice of a man, then the loud voice of deaths
instrument, and stu more, the soul, anima-
ting voice of female, all eonspired to ex-
cite my most profound sympathy and great
est astonishment, could no longer refrain
from dismounting and rushing to the mouth
of the secluded aperture. After some min
utes of breathless surprise. looking. through
the dark foliages of thick pine leaves, dis
covered the bleeding form of man lying
prostrate in the lowest part of the cave, with
a pistol in one hand, and dirk, AS if fallen
from the other, close by his side. All was
still--death and silence reigned triumphant
there. After many attempts to discover the
parties TO this strange affair, ventured still
closer to the victim OF demon passion, medi.
tating upon the scene now demonstrating be-
fore me. Where were the actors of this
bleedy tragedy 7 time seemed insufficient for
their escape. And could it be possible all
that bad heard had resulted from an act
of suicide From the rapid succession and
incongruities of sounds thought not. ~,
The ball had passed through his head.
Poor man, thought /, you have fallen avic-
tim TO disappointment, disappointed ambi-
ton, or blasted hopes of earthly felicity, and
have retired far from the worlds vulgar scr,l-
tiny--hiding in natures dark recess, alike bis
person and his bloody deed. And if SO, l
am an intruder upon the purposes and de-
signs of the dead. But upon an examination
of his pistol, / found it TO be loaded. found
my coniectures were. all wrong, and for the
safety of my own person, hurried away from
the scene of carnage and death. Many con-
lectures pressed themselves during my eve-
nings ride, yet all ended in doubt and un-
certainty. A clue to the facts seemed cover
ed in impenetrable darkness. After travel
ling twenty miles through avid Wilderness,
seeing, and hearing no human voice except
the constant reiteration of mot yet" thank
heaven, am safe" which rang as if spoken
from the tops of the majestic pines covering
the cloud-reaching hills in every direction.
My feelings strangely accorded with the
scenenc1 surrounding me-the winds howl
ed hideously, as they passed me by-uIe
loud roaring of the cataract's awful fall, aud
the deep gathering clouds that shut out the
light of day, all, all kept my heart awaken;
ed and my mind on terror's vision bent. AT
ter a rapid ride of a few hours, fortunately
reached the beautiful town of X. before the
mantle of night fell upon, mel had no soon
er crossed the river and gained admiitance
into hotel, than commenced, by interro-
gatories, to seek for some elucidation to the
melancholy spectacle had that evening
witnessed. j asked the landlord ifthere was
any news about town. He replied there was
great excitement peryading all ranks Of so
ciety by the sudden disappearance, of two
young men, and also of young lady: all OF
whom had been raised in the place. He
said Mr. McCloud and Miss Mary Lawson
had crossed the river for the purpose Of at
tending church, some four OF, five miles dis
tant, and in the evening Col. Van Dyke fol-
lowed in the same direction, and nothing
had since been heard from them. He said
McCloud and Van Dyke were rivals for the
hand Of Miss Lawson. AMcCloud," be said,
sis very wealthy, and consequently, as is us
ual in such cases, he is the fayoriteof Mary's
parents. Yet Col. Van Dykeis the fayorite
with the young lady, and knowing the par
ties as Il do, my apprehensions are Of a seri-
Gus character" fas 2.a;g
Before retiring to bed, related the whole
scene had witnessed to the hotel keeper;
and by the dawn Of day next morning some
fifty or sixty gentlemen rode up 10 the ho-
tel and requested me to go with them back
to the mountain. There was one difficulty
with me If the two transactions had not no
connection, might become an object of ut
least suspicion. ;,
In.four hours ride wc sighted near the spot,
found the body, but il was 60 n.ufiIated and
torn to pieces by the wolves Is not to leave
one feature Of rscegnjtio
Iaoon found dl tbc object of fsuspiciou