Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-04-25

A Thrilling Narrative Miraculous Escape
Of Parties from a Cave.

OF Parties from Cave.
The indianapolis Herald of the
18th contains letter written at Lcav-
enworth on the Sth inst, in which an
account Of an exploration of the ceIe-
bratcd "Dead Mans Cave" situated
near Leavenworth, is given. 1t con-
tains several thrilling Incidents The
exploring party consisted Of Major
Ihrockmorton Of Louisville, Captain
uolcratt, Sheriff Swayne, DR.. Z. r.
Hawn and Lyman +. Knapp of this
place, Mr. Jesse Brandon of Nashville.
and the Ilerald's correspondent. The
party proceeded to the subterranean
river, which flows through the cave.
when, says the letter, Il consultation
was had upon the bank, to determine
whether an attempt should be made to
cross IN It's present swollen condition.
Mr. Knapp, Sheriff Swaync and
myself suggested an abandonment Of
the expedition, but we're ovcrruIed by
DR.. Iawn, Major Throcllmorton, Cap
tain llo,cratt and Mr. Brandon. who.
while admitting the dangerous chQrac
ter of the attempt, declared they would
rather perish than abandon the eXpedi-
ton now, and stand the ridcule which
such a movement would entail upOn
their heads The boat was accordingly
launched, and Captain ITolcraft, Dr
IIawn, and myself entered, the doctor
pLaytuIIy remarking that some men
who were destined to die another
death could never be drowned. We
found the passage much easier than
VIC expected
Captain Hocraft took the oars,
while | graspcd the tilIer, and the doe
tor held aloft the fambeau. A few
vigorous strokes, and, with q sensation
OF relief, we felt the keel CRATE upon
the pebbles of Il sloping bank on the
other shore, in still and quiet water
A Justly cheer from the doctor made
the cavern ring, and informed the rest
Of the party that the passage had been
safely accomplished. Captain Hol-
craft then returned, and soon brought
over the remainder of the party.
Continuing the exploration, the par
party came to a place where was dis
covered deep circular hole, apparent
ly almost bottomless Stones dropped
into its gaping mouth would be heard
sullenly plunging from side to side, un-
til the noise Of their descent was lost
in the abyss far below Mr.. Knapp
being the lightest of the party, was
let down by strong cord a distance
of some thirty yards, when he yigo-
rousiy signifed that he had seen
enough by Jerking the rope lie was
drawn up, looking a trife paler than
usual, and declaring that his curiosity
| had been amply satisfied.
Mr.. Knapp said that, after descend
ing distance Of Is or 20 feet, numer-
Gus winged things, apparently bats,
fitted constantly about his ears, vi
ciously swapping their mandibles to-
gether with a devilish sort OF twitteR
One of these, cold, clammy, and mex
pressibly nasty things alighted Oh his
face and inflicted a severe bite Mr.. X.
nearly tainted with disgust, and de-
clarcd that if the ropo had not been
tied under his arms he would have
fallen.
The party having become quite sat
isied with sightseeing underground,
were about ready to leave for daylight
when, upon the earnest solicitation Of
Dr.. Hawn, the party was persuaded
to continue the explorations little be-
yond, when, says the writer, the most
painful portion ofthe story commences.
The party entered a new cavern,
which suddenly narrowed. Mr.. K,
going first, passed through the opening
on his hands and knees, and entered
another large chamber. DR.. H., who
is a very heavy man, attempted to fol
low, and became inextricably fixed in
! the passage lie could neither get