Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-10-19
Gslect Gale.
mN OF YET !"

TALE FOUNDED on FACTS.
sNot vet" was heard spoken in loud quick
tone of voice, succeeded by Il report OF pistol,
cuanating from the bottom of Il dark sublerrane-
Gus vault. hitherto undisturbed by sound from the
commencement of time, except by the deep
toned majestic thunder, as it pealed its awful
anathemas from the thick, heavy clouds, as they
covered the mountains top. This frightful
abode of terror was situated on Cumberland
mountain near the road passing through Sparta,
the Crab Orchard and to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Surprised at what heard so unexpected III that
hideous wilderness, checked my horse and lis
tened with intense avidi;y, TO hear once more
iha, horrid dwelling place of mysteries, before
could take nv leave of this strange affair; and
whilst thus suspended, as it were by hope, fear,
and agony, heard, rs thought, female voice
exclain, thank Heaven, nm safe" My curl
osity was now excited beyond expression. Hear
ing first the voice of u man, then the loud voice
of deaths instrument, and still more, the soul
anina,ing voice of female, all conspired to en-
cite my most profound sympathy and greatest
astonishment. could no longer refrain from
di>mounting and rushing to the mouth Of the
secluded aperture. After some minutes of
brealhless surprise. looking through the dark
foliages of thick pine leaves, | discovered the
bleeding form of a man lying prostrae in the
lowest part of the cave, with pistol in one
hand, and dirk, as if fallen from the other,
close by his side All was still-death and ST.
lence reigncd triumphant there. After many
attempts TO discover the parties to this strange
affair, ventured still closer to the cictm of de-
mon passion, meditating upon the scene now
demonstrating before me. Where were the ac-
tors of this blu, dy tragedy time seemed inSuill-
cient for their escape. And could 1t be possible
al that | had heard had resulted from an acl OF
suicide! From the rapid succession and inco,l-
gruilies of sounds thought not.
The ball had passed through his head. Poor
man, thought |, you have fallen victim to dis
appointment, disappointed ambition, or blasted
hopes of earthly felicity, and have retired far
from the worlds vulgar scruiny-hldng in ma
tures dark recess, alike his person and his
bloody deed And il so, am an intruder upon
the purposes and designs Of the dead. But up
on an examination Of his pistol, found it to be
loaded. found my conjectures were all wrong,
and for the safety Of my own person, hurried
away from the scene of carnage and DEATH
Many conjectures presented themselves during
nv evenings ride, yet all ended in doubt and
unc .rlainty. A clue to the facts seemed cover
ed in impcnetrable darkness. After travelling
twenty miles through wild wilderness, seeing
no human being, and hearing no human voice,
except the constant reileration of "not yet u
thank heaven, am safe,' which rang as if
spoken from the tops of the majestic pines cover
ing the cloud-reaching hills in every direction.
My feelings strangely accorded with the scene
now surrounding me-the winds howled hide.
ously, as they passed me blythe loud roaring
of the ca,aracls awful fall, and the deep gather.
ing clouds that shut out the light Of day, all, all
kept my heart awakened and my mind on ter.
rors vision bent. After rapid ride of few
hours fortunately reached the beautiful towr
of K before the mantle OF night fell upon me
had no sooner crossed the river and gained adj
mitiance into Il hotel, than commenced, by in
terrogatories, TO seek for some elucidation tc
the melancholy spectacle had that evening
Witnessed | asked the landlord if there was
anv news about town. He replied there wa:
great excitement pervading all ranks Of society
66y the sudden disap appearance of two young men
and also of young lady; all of whom hae
been raised in the place. He said MIR. McClout
and Miss Mary Lawson had crossed the river io
the purpose Of attending church, some four o.
! FIVE miles distant, and in the evening Col. Val