The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-04-24
A WONDERFUL CAVE.

A WONDERFUL CAVE.
Exploration of an Indiana Cave-A Man
Fastened in a NarroU Passage and Left to
has Fate.
Leayenworth 1nd.) Correspondence indianapolis
Herald, April IL.
I write to inform you of the particulars Of an
exploring expedition which left here on Thurs
dav last. to explore Dead Mans Cave, situated
about four miles south of this place, three quar-
ters Of mile west of the river. A few weeks
since, a party from Louisville, accompanied by
citizens of this place, explored to the distance
of three quarters of a. mile but were stopped by
a wide subterranean river, too deep for tording,
and which they had no means of crossing. The
party which left here on Thursday, consisting
of Major Throck morton, of Louisville; Captain
Holcratt, Sheriff Swayne, DR. E. r. Hawn, and
LYMAN f. Knapp, of this place; Mr. Jesse
Brandon, of Nashville, and your correspondent,
went pre- pared to make a thorough exploration
of the cave Besides the necessary lights,
ropes, water proof clothing, &c, they carried
with them light but staunch boat, prepared
expressly Fur the occasion, on which to cross
the mysterious stream that had on the former oc
casion stopped their further progress.
The stream was reached without difficulty
and by meahs of our boat crossing was easily
effected, and with light hearts We went on to
prosecute our explorations.
Directly ahead was a wide gallery, whose roof
was so high that we could scarcely distinguish
it by the feeble hight OF the lamps, while to the
right and left the stream ran through another
gallery chamber, the two intersecting each
other like TIE arms of Greek cross. We fol-
lowed the gallery before us for about quarter
of a mile, when it suddenly narrowed, and ap-
parently came to an abrupt termination. After
nrohI ypn
were on the point Of reluctantly turning back,
When shout Of exultation from DR. Hawn pro-
claimed that he had found an opening. To the
right, and some distance from the termination
of the cul de sac, the Doctor had discovered a
narrow opening. Crawling through this on our
hands and knees for a distance of several hun
dred yards, came upon a high vaulted cham
Der, partially lighted from above, which was the
most magnificent underground hall have ever
seen Thousands Of stalactytes and stalagmites
hung pendant from above, rejecting the glare
of the torches in millions of pure rays Of dazzl
ing light If the ceilings and sides had been
literally hung with enormous clusters Of diam
onds, the effect could cot have been more be-
wildcrng For moment the entire party was
awe stricken and specchless Then the more
excitable ones broke forth in rapturous applause
Numerous small galleries were found, rada-
ting in every direction from this central cham
Der, and these we're explored in turn, some Of
them coming to an abrupt close, against dead,
blank wall Of rock and others gradually
narrowing until they could be followed no fur.
Their. Others forked, branching off into two or
three other galleries. 1t was found that the
thorough exploration of the cavern from this
point would be work Of weeks, if not months
In place found deep circular hole, ap-
Il 81, hot i I
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 was let down by strong cord dis
lance Of some thirty yards, when he vigorously
signitied that he had seen enough BY jerking
the rope. Mr. Knapp said that, after descend
ing distance of fifteen or twenty feet numer-
Gus winged things, apparently bats, viciously
snapped their mandibes together with devil
ish sort of twitter One of these-cold, clam
my, and inexpressibly nasty-alighted on his
face and inflicted a severe bite.
Tired and weary of sightseeing, the party
was on the point Of starting on the return, When
at the earnest solicitation of DR.. uawn, we con-
sented to at least partially explore another
cavern. 1t was followed but short distance
when it suddenly narrowed. Mr.. Knapp going
first, passed through the opening his hands
and knees, and entered another large chamber.
DR.. Hawn, who is very heavy man, attempted
to follow, and became inextricably fixed in the
passage. He could neither get forward nor
back. For three hours the party worked inces-
sanity, but all to no purpose. Meantime, 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-
dared, for We knew that without light we never
could find our way back A panic seized upon
the party, and hastily leaving the Doctor and
MIR Knapp to their fate, We rapidly retraced our
steps, crossed the river and returned to town
A supply of oils, tools, ETC., were procured, and
We returned to the cave, determined to rescue
our comrades perish 10 the attempt. The
river was crossed, and We proceeded to the
grand chamber where We had taken our lunch,
accompanied BY numerous citizens of Leaven-
worth But, search as closely as we would, We
could not find the gallery 10 which the Doctor
and MIR Knapp were entombed. 10 vain we ex-
plored and shouted until worn out and fainting
All to no purpose. Nearly three days have
passed since We first entered the cave, and du-
ring all of that time it has been full of people
uselessly bunting for 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 miss
ing men cannot be found. The guide of the
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky has been sent for
to assist in the search
2. S.-Mr Knapp has just been brought in.
A hunter found him lying at the mouth of what
has generally been considered sort of sink-ho
about FIVE miles from the town. Mr. Knapp's
condition is too precarious to admit ola detailed
account Of his escape, but from what can gath