Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-06-08
Miscellany.
A Thrilling Narrative.
REMARKABLE CAVE IN CRAWFORD CO.,
h. M i INDIANA.


h INDIANA.
A correspondent of the indianapolis
Herald, writing from Leavenworth, Craw-
ford Co., Ind, gives an account of a re-
markable cave which has lately been dis
covered in that place, and the terrible ad-
ventures of an exploring party. The
story is highly sensational one. The
writer says:
write to inform you of the particulars
of an exploring expedition which left here
on Thursday last, to explore Dead Mans
Cave, situated about four miles south of
this place, explored it TO the, distance of
three quarters of mile, but were stopped
by wide snbterranean river, too deep
for fording, and which tseyfbsa no means
of crossing. The party which left here
on Thursday, consisting of Major Throck-
morton, of Louisville; Capt. Holcraft,
Sheriff Swayne, DIR. e. r. Hawn, and
Lyman E. Knapp, of this place; Mr..
Jessie Brandon, of Nashville, and your
correspondent, went prepared TO make a
thorough exploration of the cave. Be-
sides the necessary lights, ropes, water
proof clothing, &c, they carried with
them light but stauneh boat, prepared
expressly for.the purpose, on which TO
cross the mysterious stream that had on
former occasions stopped their further
progress.
| The stream was reached without difi-
Guilty, and by means of our boat crossing
was easily effected, and with light hearts
we went on TO prosecute our explorations
Directly ahead was wide gallery,
whose roof was SO high that we could
scarcely distinguish it by the feeble light
of the lamps, while to the right and left
ran the stream through her gallery or
chamber, the two intersecing each 0 her
like the arms of Greek cross. We fol-
lowed the gallery before us for about a
4 QudttCl VI "a iniiC NiiCli III SuA0NiiJ htl
rowed, and apparently came to an abrupt
termination. After searching for an out
: let and finding none, we were on the poin
, of reluctantly turning back when shou
of exultation from DIR. Hawn proclaimed
. that he had found an opening. To th
: right, and some distance from the termina
ton of the Guide sac, the Doctor had dis
!; covered a narrow opening. Crawlin
: through this on our hands and knees fo
! 9. Distance or several hundred yards, w
came upon a high vaulted chamber, par
tally lighted from above, which was th'
most magnificent underground hall hav'
ever seen. Thousands of stalactytes ant
stalagnites hung pendent from above, re
). feeting the glare of the torches in mil
|, lions of pure rays of dazzling light. 1
I the ceiling and sides had been hung witt
: enormous clusters of diamonds the effec
! could not have been more bewildering.--
: For a moment the whole party was awe
stricken and speechless. Then the NOR
S excitable ones broke forth in rapturou
applause.
; Numerous small galleries were foun
; radiating in every direction from this cen
# trail chamber, and these were explored j
turn, some of them coming to an abrur
. close, against dead, blank wall of rocl
!. and others gradually narrowing until the
a could be followed no further. Other
I forked, branching off into two or thre
3 other galleries. 1t was found that th
!. thorough exploration of the cavery frol
= this point would be the work of weeks,
,e % not months. In one place was found
re re deep circular hole, apparently almost bo
e tomless. Stones dropped into its gapin
N mouth would be heard sullenly plungit
i from side to side, until the noise of The
T. descent was lost in the abyss far below
s Mr.. Knapp was let down by a strong col
ng distance of some thirty yards, when
Ct Ct vigorously signifed that he had see
ao q, enough by jerking the rope. He wi
al drawn up, looking trihe paler than usus
and declaring that his curiosity had bee
a amply satisfied. He said that, after d
O. scending distance of fifteen or twen
III feet, numerous winged things. apparent
bats, fitted constantly about his eal
l.
:, viciously swapping their mandibles I
gether with devilish sort of twitter.-
: One of these-cold, clammy, and inc
Of pressibly nasty-alighted on his face al
sy inflicted a severe bite. ae
ow Tired and weary of sightseeing, I
sr. party was OF the point of starting on Z
return, when, at the earnest solicitude
d. DIR. Hawn, we consented to at least pa
or TALLY explore another cavern. 1t W
'asy followed but short distance when it su
sns sls denly narrowed. Mr.. Knapp going fir
- passed through the opening on his han
n and knees, and entered another lar
IT l. =. l.