Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-15
THRILLING NARRATIVE----MIRA
LOUS ESCAPE OF PARTIES FROM A
CAVE.

The indianapolis Herald of the 18th con-
tains a letter, written at Leavenworth on the
Sth instant, in which an account of an ex-
ploration of the celebrated Dead Mans
Cave" situated near Leveanworth, is given.
1t contains several thrilling incidents The
exploring party consisted Of Major Throck-
morton, of Louisville; Capt Holcraft, Sher-
if Swane, DIR. f. X. Hawn and lyman +.
Knapp, Of this place; Mr. Jesse Brandon,
of Nashville, and the HeraiFS correspond
ent. The party proceeded to the subterra-
mean river, which flows through the cave,
when, says the letter, a consultation was had
on the bank, 20 determine. whether an at
tempt should be made to cross it in its pres
ent swollen condition. Mr.. Knapp, myself
and Sheriff Swayne suggested an abandon
ment of the expedition, but were overruled
by Dr. Hawn, Major Throckmorton, Cap
tain Holcraft and Mr.sBrandon, 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
Captain Holcraft, DIR. Hawn, and myself en-
tered, 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.
Captain Holcraft took the oars, while
Crasped the tiller and the doctor held aioft
the tlambeau. \ view vigorous strokes, and,
with sensation Of relief, We felt the keel
CRATE upon the pebbles of a sloping bank on
the other shore, in still and quiet water. 4
lusty cheer from the doctor made the cavern
ring. and informed the rest of the party that
the passage had been safely accomplished.
Capt. Holcrah then returned, and soon
brought over the remainder of the party.
Continuing the exploration, the party
came 10 place where was discovered a deep
circular hole, apparently almost bottomless
Stones dropped into its gaping mouth would
be heard sullenly plunging from side 10 side,
until the noise of their descent was lost in
the abyss far below. Mr.. Knapp being the
hghtest Of the party, was let down by a
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 tribe paler
than usual and declaring that his curiosity
had been amply satisfied Mr.. Knapp said
that, after descending a distance of fifteen
or twenty feet numerous winged things, APP
parently bats, fitted constantly about his
ears, viciouSly swapping their mandibles to-
gether with devilish sort of twitter. One
Of these, cold, clammy, and inexpressibly
nasty, alighted on his face, and Aindicted a
severe bite. Mr. Knapp nearly tainted with
disgust, and declared that If the rope had
not been tied under his arms, he would have
| fallen.
The party having become quite satisfied
with sightseeing underground, were ready
to leave for daylight, when, upon the earnest
solicitation of DR.. Hawn, the party was per-
suaded to continue the explorations little
beyond, when, says the writer, the most
painful portion Of the story commences.
The party entered a new cavern, which sud-
denly narrowed. Mr.. Knapp, going first,
passed through the opening on his hands
and knees, and entered another large cham.
Der. DR.. Hawn, who is very heavy man,
attempted to follow, and became inextrica-