Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-05-04
A Thrilling Narrative Miraculous Escape
of Parties from a Cave.


18th inst, in which an account Of the explo-
ration of the celebrated dead Mans Cave, !"
situated near LeavenWorth, is given It
contains several thrilling incidents. The ex-
ploring party consisted of Major Throck-
morton of Louisville, Capt. Holcraft Sher-
iff Swayne, DR.. E. r. Hawn and Lyman
and e. Knapp of this place, Mr. lessee
Brandon of Nashville, and the .Herazcz's cor
respondent The party proceeded to the
subteranean river, which flows through the
cave, when, says the letter, consultation
was had on the bank, to determine whether
an attempt should be made to cross in its
present swollen condition. f
Mr. Knapp, myself and Sheriff Swayne
suggested an abandonment Of the expedition,
but were overruled by DR.. Hawn, Major
Throckmorton, Capt Holcraft and Mr. Bran
don, who, while admitting 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.
Holcraft, Dr. Hawn and myself entered, the
doctor playfully remarking that some men
who were destined to die another death could
never be drowned We found the passage
much easier than we expected.
Capt Holcraft took the oars while grasped
the tiller, and the doctor held aloft the fam
beau. A few vigorous strokes, and, with a
sensation of relief, we felt the keel CRATE upon
the pebbles of a sloping bank on the other
shore, in still and quiet water. A lusty cheer
from the doctor made the cavern ring, and
informed the rest Of the party that the pass
age had been safely accomplished. Capt.
Holcraft then returned, and soon brought
over the remainder of the party.
Continuing the exploration, the party came
to the place where was discovered a deep cir
cular hole, apparently almost bottomless.-
Stones dropped into its gaping mouth would
be heard sullenly plunging from side to side,
until the noise Of their descent was lost in the
abyss far below. Mr.. Knapp being the light
est of the party, was let down by strong
cord distance of some thirty yards, when he
vigorously signifed that he had seen enough
by Jerking the rope. He was drawn up,
looking a triAe paler than usual, and declar-
ing that his curiosity had been amply salts
fed.
Mr.. Knapp said that. after descending a
distance of Is or 20 feet, numerous winged
things, apparently bats, fitted constantly
about his ears, viciously swapping their man
dibles together with devilish sort Of twitter
One of these, cold, clammy, and nexpressi-
bly, nasty, alighted on his face and inflicted
a severe oite. Mr.. Knapp nearly tainted with
disgust, and declared that if the rope had
not been tied under his arms he would have
fallen A.'
The party having become quite satisfied
with sight seeing underground, were about
ready to leave for daylight, when, upon the
earnest solicitation of DR.. Hawn, the party
were persuaded to continue the exploration a
little beyond, when, says the writer, the most
painful portion of the story commences.--
The party entered new cavern, which sud
denly narrowed. Mr.. Knapp, going first,
passed through the opening on his hands and
knees, and entered another large chamber
DR.. Hawn, who is very heavy man, at
tempted to follow, and became inextricably
fixed in the passage. He could neither get
forward nor back For three hours the party
worked necessarily, but all to no purpose.
We sent back to the river and got the iron
stake, with which the boat had been fastened,
to use as crow-bar With this the doctor
might have been extricated, but here a new
calamity manifested itself. One by one the
lamps had burned out, until barely enough
oil was left to light us on our way back to
the river. The thought Of being imprisoned
in that living tomb was too terrible to be en-
dured, for we knew that, without light, we
could never find our way back.
A panic seized upon the party, and hasti-
leaving the doctor and Mr.. Knapp to their
fate-for the doctors body efectually blocked
up the way against Mr.. Knapp's return-we
rapidly retraced our steps, crossed the river
and returned to the town. A supply Of oils,
tools, etc., were procured, and although IA
tigued almost to the point Of disability, we
to the cave, determined to rescue
our comrades or perish in the attempt. The
river was crossed, and we proceeded to the
grand chamber where we had taken our lunch
accompanied by numerous citizens Of Leav-
enworth
But, search as closely as we would, we
could not find the gallery in which the doctor
end Mr. Knapp were entomed. In vain we
explored and shouted, until worn out and
fainting. All to no purpose. Nearly three
days have passed since we first entered the
cave, and during all that time it has been
full fpeople uselessly hunting for the two
unfortunate men, One after another of the
various galleries leading from the grand
chamber have been explored and blazed with
chalk marks, but still the missing men can
not be found. We are beginning to lose
heart, but will persevere as long as there is
the faintest hope.
The guide Of the Mammoth Cave, in Ken
lucky, has been sent for to assist in the search
/ shall remain here a day Or two longer, to
do what little [ can, and will inform you if
the men or their bodies are found
Mr.. Knapp has since been found. He
wandered about the cavern, and was at last
fortunate enough to find an opening in an old
sink hole, where he was found by hunter,
Gft, civ hnurs aftar he was loft NV tho naytv