Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-05-02
A THRILLING NARRATIVE.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF PARTlEs FRoh CAVE:
The Indianapolis Herald of the 18th
contains letter written at LeavenwOrtb
on the 9Th inst, ii which an account of
an exploration of the celebrated Dead
Mans Cave" situated near Leavenworth
is given. 1t contains several thrilling in
cidents, The exploring party consisted
of Major Throckmorton of Louisville,
Capt. Holcratt, Sheriff Swayne, DR.. E. r.
Hawn and Lyman E. Knapp Of this place
Mr.. Jessec Brandon of Nashville, and
Tile He,alds correspondent. The party
proceeded to the subterranean river, which
flows through the cave, when, says the let
ter consultation was had on the bank
to determine whether an attempt should
be made to cross in its present swollen
condition.
Mr.. Knapp, myself and Sheriff Swane
suggested and abandonment of the expi
dition, but were overruled by DR.. Hawn,
Major Throckmorton, Capt. Holcraft and
MIR. Brandon, who, while admitting Of
the dangerous character of the attempt
declared they would rather perish than
abandon the expedition now. and stand
the ridicule which such movement
would entail upon their heads. The boat
was accordingly launched, and Capt. Hol-
craft. Dr. Hawn and myself entered, the
boat the doctor playfully remarking that
some men who were destined to die an
other death could never be drowned. We
found the passage much easier thad we
expected.
Captain Holcraft took the oars. while
graspcd the tiller, and the doctor held
aloft the fambeau. A vigorous stroke,
and, with sensation Of relife. we felt the
keel crate upon the pebbles of sloping
bank on the other shore, in still and
, quiet water. A lusty cheer from the doc.
tor made the cavern ring and informed
the rest of the party that the journey had
been safely accomplished. Captain Hol.
craft then returned. and soon brought
over the remainder Of the party.
Continuing the exploration, the party
came to place where was discovered
deep circular hole, apparently almost bot
; tomless. Stones dropped into its gaping
mouth would be heard sullcnly plungine
from side to side. until the noise of their
descent was lost in the abyss far below
!, Mr.. Knapp being the lightest of the par
ty, was let down b. strong cord dis
tance of some thirty yards. when he Wig
orously signifed that he had seen enough
.. BY Jerking the ropes. He was drawn up
: looking triAe paler than usual. aud dc
!. claring that his curiosity had been amply
!, satisfied.
Mr.. Knapp said that, after decendine
a distance Of 10 or 20 feet, numerioui
winged things, apparently bats, fittet
constantly about his cars, viciously snap
ping their mandibles together with dev
] ilish sort of twitter. One Of these cold
) clammy, and inexpressibly nasty, alight
ed on bis face and inflicted severe bite
Mr.. Knapp nearly tainted with disgust
and declared that if the rope had not beer
tied under his arms he would have fallen
! The party having become quite satisfies
.. with sight. seeing underground, were abou
. : ready to leave for daylight, when, upol
the earnest solicitation Of DIR. Hawn, th
party was persuaded to continue the ex
!. pirations little beyond, when, says tn
y writer, the most painful portion Of th
q story commences. -,
The party entered new cavern, whic
!, suddenly narrowed. Mr.. Knapp, goln
first, passed through the opening on hi
. hands and knees, and entered anothe
= large chamber. DR., Hawn. who is q YER
!. heavy man, attempted to follow, and b
= came inextl icably fixed in the passag
: He could neither get forward nor bacl
For three hours the party worked 'nee
sanity, but to no purpose. =,
!. We sent back to the river and got tf
. iron stake, with which the boat had bee
fastened, to use as crow-bar W.T.
+ this the doctor might might have bee
+. extricated, but here new calamity maj
IAa $3.50 kA